Rye committee backs inspection-on-transfer amendment for Parsons Creek waterfront septics

The Town of Rye Parsons Creek Advisory Committee on July 8 moved to pursue an amendment to the town pump-out ordinance that would require septic system inspections for waterfront properties before transfer of title, citing concerns about aging systems in the watershed.

Chair Susan Shepcaro reported she asked the Select Board to pursue enforcement for three properties that had not had their septic systems pumped; one complied after Building Department letters and two remain subject to follow-up. Building Assistant Madisyn Garrity said the Building Department maintains pump-out receipts on file and updates a compliance list weekly, and the committee agreed the pump-out list will be shared among members once a month.

Committee members flagged the scale of the problem: the group recorded 668 septic systems within the Parsons Creek Watershed and discussed approaches to identify failing systems. A draft amendment, titled “Waterfront Property Transfer,” prepared by Building Inspector Amber Harrison would require inspections at the time of property transfer; DPW Director Jason Rucker said that inspection-on-transfer would provide a legal pathway to identify failed waterfront systems. Planning/Zoning Administrator Kim Reed noted the pump-out ordinance is a health regulation that the Select Board can adopt following a public hearing rather than sending it to a ballot.

Members also discussed funding and outreach. Reed reviewed that a U.S. EPA 319 Grant was offered in 2017 to support septic inspections but was not pursued by the Select Board then; John Shaw volunteered to follow up on the 319 Grant and to research other funding sources, and Selectwoman Suzanne Barton flagged the town’s “blue envelope” donations as a potential local assistance mechanism. The Building Department will host a public “Septic 101” event on Aug. 12 to educate homeowners about regulations and maintenance; committee members agreed to attend and to use feedback from the event to plan a possible joint fall meeting with septic contractors and other boards.

The committee discussed longer-term ideas including community sewer or shared septic systems but agreed those were not currently feasible. Members supported greater online access to property files and septic plans (the planning office previously had a FB Environmental database created under a 319 Grant), and suggested recommending a town communications officer for next year’s budget to support outreach and web management.

Next steps assigned at the meeting included Shaw and Shepcaro pursuing grant and funding research, Shepcaro requesting the draft ordinance from Town Administrator Matt Scruton, Garrity posting the septic maintenance flyer on the Town website, expanded outreach for the Aug. 12 event, and verification that Parsons Creek property data are on file. The meeting adjourned after a motion by DPW Director Jason Rucker, seconded by Vice-Chair Mary-Ann Sullivan; minutes were submitted by Dyana F Ledger.