Health Board Approves Multiple Septic Variances

Board of Health · Meeting of October 26, 2026

Westport's Board of Health approved septic variances for three properties and advanced plans for a new opioid-funded advocate position. The board unanimously endorsed repair and new-construction plans across several addresses, including Gifford Road, Reed Road, Brushall Street, Petty Lane and four Nicola Lane lots built by Botello Custom Homes. A board member said the town's opioid settlement allocation stands at roughly $400,000 so far, trending toward about $1 million total, which would fund a new school-embedded substance misuse advocate position jointly with the school department at no cost to taxpayers.

The board approved a Plymouth Boulevard septic variance reducing a well setback to 87 feet after testing showed nitrate levels of 13 milligrams per liter, and approved a Drift Road variance after elevated ammonia and nitrate readings. A River Road well relocation was approved amid concerns about saltwater intrusion linked to sea level rise, with a board member saying the new system "meets the equivalent environmental protection standard."

In the full story:

• Director's Report and Staffing Updates
• Septic System Plan Approvals
• Minutes Approval and Scheduling Corrections
• Health Agent Staffing and Septic Inspection Capacity
• Draft Septic Regulation Revisions
• Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Committee Update
• Climate Resiliency Committee Report Update
• Septic Variance Hearings
• Procedural Closing
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,092 words

Source: the Board of Health meeting of October 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.