Marion Board of Health — September 17, 2026

The Marion Board of Health met on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The board introduced and approved Mark Galen as the new Public Health Coordinator and Tobacco Compliance Program Manager (MTCP). The board also reviewed and approved minutes from previous meetings held on September 3 and September 17.

A significant portion of the meeting addressed the ongoing septic system issues at 12/20 Old Indian Trail. Property owner Mark Gaffney provided an update regarding coordination between GAF Engineering and installer Arnie to evaluate the system, explaining that the pump breaker had been turned off to minimize wastewater flow. Abutter Joanne Singleton presented detailed objections citing state code 310 CMR 15.303, documenting 12 surface breakouts of sewage onto her property, and arguing the board was acting contrary to state law by allowing component fixes instead of declaring an automatic system failure. After discussion regarding tank capacity and usage, the board voted unanimously to mandate septic pumping every five days until objective engineering data is provided.

In administrative updates, the Public Health Director reported on upcoming fall flu clinics scheduled for September 24 at the Council on Aging and October 8 at Little Neck Village and Marconi, along with the arrival of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses. She noted mosquito-borne illness surveillance, reporting Marion's EEE risk at low and West Nile virus at moderate with no human cases in Plymouth County, and shared updates on community EMS visits. Public Health Agent Gabby also reported a high volume of perc tests and Title V inspections across the town.

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