Marion Board of Health — July 23, 2026

The Marion Board of Health met on Thursday, July 23, 2026, to address food safety enforcement and an ongoing neighborhood septic dispute. The board first took up an enforcement order regarding Gone Country Creamery at 2 Cottage Street. Owner Brianne Tucci appeared before the board, alleging conflicts of interest and targeted harassment by town officials and competitors. The board voted unanimously to issue a formal order mandating an inspection by 5:00 PM on Monday, July 27, 2026, under Food Code authority, warning that failure to permit access would result in the immediate suspension of food establishment permit number 2026-RF7.

The board then held an extensive hearing regarding a recurring sewage and water dispute at 20 Old Indian Trail. Abutters Joanne and Joseph Singleton, along with Patricia DaCosta, presented testimony, written objections, and video evidence alleging that raw sewage repeatedly breached from the distribution box onto abutting properties, threatening vegetable gardens and creating a health hazard despite a recently passed Title V inspection. Property owner Mark Gaffney described recent repairs made to the distribution box, including hydraulic cement sealing and pipe pressure reductions, arguing that excessive water is caused by Route 6 drainage runoff rather than septic failure. Following advice from Town Counsel Connor Mullen, the board voted unanimously to table the Title V inspection report review to its August meeting to allow for further review of agent field logs.

In administrative business, the board approved minutes from May 21 and June 4, received updates from Public Health Director Lori Desmarais on vaccine procurement, arbovirus monitoring, beach closures, and collaborative staff transitions, and heard health agent reports on food and septic inspections. The meeting concluded with discussions regarding town office relocation back to the Marion Townhouse.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Watch the video to verify.