Board of Health approves septic hardship waiver
Board of Health · Meeting of October 5, 2026
Gardner Board of Health waives sewer hookup, citing century-old pipe risk. Engineer Trevor Fletcher told the board that connecting a new house at 312 Fleming Street to the public sewer would require trenching next to 1901- and 1920s-era siphon lines carrying wastewater for the entire city, calling the risk not worth taking given "plenty of adequate area to put the septic system" on the lot. The board approved the septic alternative unanimously.
Separately, the board gave the owner of hazardous trees at 199 Waterford Street two weeks to confirm a removal contractor, with quotes ranging from $2,250 to $4,000, and set a December 1 deadline before winter weather hits. The board also disclosed a cease-and-desist order against someone tattooing clients out of a Pleasant Street home without a Gardner license, after a client developed a confirmed infection; the department said it has "pretty solid evidence" of the unlicensed operation and plans to notify the person's out-of-town licensing board.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,915 words
Source: the Board of Health meeting of October 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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