Board grants 90-day continuance for 49 Popas Road sewer-connection order while homeowner explores costs

The Board of Health voted Oct. 16 to continue enforcement of a sewer-connection order for 49 Popas Road for 90 days to allow the property owner to obtain detailed cost estimates and explore financing options.

Inez Hutton, who said she has lived at 49 Popas Road since 1978, told the board she had sought a two-year variance while pursuing a commercial-kitchen re-opening but subsequently closed the business after a hip injury and financial losses. "I cannot afford in any shape or form to connect with sewer," Hutton told the board, citing a long driveway with buried utilities and an estimated project cost she said could be about $150,000.

John (Health Department staff) explained the property's regulatory background: the property sits in the Nantucket Harbor Watershed and the sewer-connection requirement is part of the watershed's connection mandate. Previous relief had been granted temporarily; the town's compliance work identified the property as needing to connect and the department mailed an order to connect.

Board members said they were sympathetic to Hutton's circumstances but emphasized the watershed's sensitivity. A majority of board members proposed a limited continuance to allow Hutton to obtain engineering quotes and to document whether Betterment or other loan programs would make the work affordable. Tamika (Health Department staff) said she had begun discussing the Betterment loan program with Hutton and that staff would help provide lists of engineers and installers.

The board approved a motion to continue the requirement for 90 days; the motion tied the continuance to the homeowner's effort to gather a formal cost estimate and to pursue financing options with the sewer and finance departments. The board asked staff to provide lists of local engineers and installers and to assist Hutton in assembling a formal package for consideration at the January meeting if needed.

What was not decided: The board did not waive the connection requirement; it postponed enforcement to provide time for the homeowner to develop an actionable plan and financing estimates.

Quotes in context: "I cannot afford in any shape or form to connect with sewer," Hutton said. Board members responded that the property's location in the Harbor Watershed imposes a regulatory obligation to connect but that a brief continuance would allow targeted follow-up.