Plympton Board of Health Flags Outdated Regulations in 40B Developer Waiver Request

PLYMPTON — November 25, 2025 — Plympton Board of Health finds 40B developer used outdated health regulations in waiver requests. Reviewing a list of waivers submitted by a 40B affordable-housing applicant to the Zoning Board of Appeals, the board discovered multiple discrepancies at its November 25 meeting: the applicant cited a 200-foot private-well setback where current regulations require 150 feet, a 100-foot setback for surface drains and catch basins where the current figure is 50 feet, and construction-fill provisions that no longer appear in the town's supplemental regulations. "I think this clearly shows that they've got an old set of supplemental regs," the health agent said. The board directed the health agent to consult town counsel before the next ZBA hearing, tentatively December 10, on how to handle waiver requests based on incorrect regulatory language and whether granting any waiver could affect the town's position in active litigation. The board also approved septic construction permits and three variances for 11 Heather's Task and a second repair address, confirmed that a 15 Cross Street distribution-box replacement was complete, and received FY2027 budget guidance from the town administrator calling for level-service and level-funded proposals by December 31 using a 2.5 percent cost-of-living baseline.