NEXT STEPS
Author: Jean Burns
Back to the story of my septic woes.
After officially hearing that my septic is septic (yeah, lame attempt at wit), I started Googling to see what I should do next. My close friend; Stephan Cahill, who is a real estate attorney with Mazzoni & Associates in Dennis (yup, a plug), gave me the name of an engineer. That threw me and I didn’t quite understand why I needed an engineer. Do engineers install new septic systems? Apparently, I would need an engineer at my property to do many things. Most importantly, to draw up the plans for the new installation. Pete McEntee of Engineering Works, Inc in Forestdale would be the masters of ceremony, so to speak.
Peter and Bob arrived a few weeks later to start the fun. Engineers have to file with Dig Safe to identify underground utilities, research plans and deed of record, soil evaluation to see ground water levels and soil perc test, field survey to obtain the topography and site details. The municipality will be present at the perc test to verify engineer’s finding on soil conditions and the naturally occurring ground water level. I have learned many new vocabulary words in this process. For example, “perc test”. A perc test is short for percolation test. A percolation test is to determine the water absorption rate of the soil in preparation for the building of a septic drain field. The results of the percolation test are required for designing a proper septic system.
A few weeks later the plans are completed! Pete sends me the plans, which make no sense to me but look interesting. He also sends my newly minted septic plans out to a few local septic installation companies. The bidding begins!! I received 5 proposals to sift through and compare my options. Of course, I chose Cape Cod Septic Services as I had just started working in their office. Cape Cod Septic Services would have been my choice regardless. Their proposal was the clearest to understand and included work that other companies would tack on more money for. No brainer!!
Now the tough part. Where was I to come up with that large amount of money to fund this major overhaul of my own personal backyard sewage plant?? It was after I refinanced to pull some cash out for this expenditure that Amy; the office manager at Cape Cod Septic Services, alerted me to the Community Septic Management Loan Program. This program assists qualified homeowners in defraying the cost of complying with Title 5 regulations. The interest rate is 5% with a 20-year repayment schedule. Very doable!! I immediately contacted Angela DoCarmo, the administrative assistant for CSMLP. Approval was fast and easy. For me the anxiety of how to pay for this project was the toughest part. What a way to wrap up 2020!!
Plans done, check.
Septic installer picked, check.
Now I just had to wait for the Town of Dennis to approve the engineered plans and permit to green light.
Next blog will detail the install!!!