Board hears about septic violations, asks attorneys to draft enforcement language

Board members reviewed recurring septic-code issues along lakefront properties and directed staff to ask the attorneys to draft specific enforcement language.

Staff told the board that several properties were in violation last fall and one cluster of neighbors is now litigating among themselves. The report said some properties had no system over winter and the attorney for those neighbors indicated residents might propose composting toilets and rely on bottled water and off‑site showers. Board members noted composting toilets address toilet waste but do not handle graywater and that holding tanks or pumped systems may be required to meet rules and avoid lake pollution.

Separately, the board discussed a memo from an attorney about changing enforcement from civil to criminal penalties. Board members agreed that the language committee lacked enforcement expertise and asked staff to reach back out to attorneys to draft the actual ordinance language to change enforcement mechanisms. Members did not vote on an ordinance at this meeting; they asked staff and counsel to produce draft language for review.

Why it matters: Septic systems and near‑shore holding tanks can affect lake water quality. The board’s decision to seek attorney‑drafted language starts a formal process of evaluating enforcement tools and possible ordinance amendments.