Sudbury Board of Health approves three variances at August meeting

SUDBURY -- August 15, 2023, Sudbury Board of Health clears three variances and braces for unannounced migrant arrivals. Chair Carol Bradford and member Linda Huet-Clayton voted 2-0, with member Susan Sama absent, to approve a 30-foot chicken coop setback at 15 Partridge Lane (vs. the 50-foot local rule), an irrigation well at 87 and 91 feet from septic tanks at 23 Sawmill Road (vs. 100 feet), and a three-foot groundwater separation on a septic repair at 286 Hudson Road (vs. six feet). Health Director Vivian Zhang said Gov. Maura Healey's Aug. 8 emergency declaration could send migrant families to the 48-room Fairfield Marriott with little notice; peers in Bedford learned of arrivals "from the 911 response, days after they had already settled in." The board also appointed six health agents, including new regional tobacco compliance officer Perry Vallikkalayil-Govindan, whose Framingham inspections have so far drawn $1,000 state fines on eight of eight checks.