[Added 2-9-1988; amended 4-3-1995; 8-2-2021 by Board of Health]
This article adopted pursuant to MGL c. 111, § 31 for the purpose of preserving the public health as it relates to standards for groundwater protection within the Town of Chelmsford.
A. 
The Groundwater Protection Zone (GPZ) is established as an overlay district to the Town's map. This GPZ was defined by the surficial geology of the area and groundwater flow (based on a U.S. Geological Survey Surficial Geology Map the Chelmsford Facilities Plan by Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., Chelmsford Board of Health, Chelmsford Water Districts, and Town Engineering Dept.) Any area in which groundwater flow is directed toward an existing well or future water source and the surficial geology is stratified sand and gravel deposits (soils which yield groundwater to wells) is included in the GPZ. Also included are areas within 150 feet of the center line of any stream which flows into the GPZ.
B. 
If a property owner questions the location of any boundary of a GPZ, the owner may engage, at his own cost, a professional hydrogeologist, or soils engineer, who must be approved by the Chelmsford Board of Health, to determine if the land in question is a recharge area for present and future use.
If a site exists within the Groundwater Protection Zone, the applicant must do an environmental impact report which includes but is not limited to the following:
A. 
Submit a geohydrology report prepared by an engineering firm having capabilities in this area.
B. 
The primary focus will be on ground water protection, quality, quantity, existing and future.
C. 
Review of intended use and potential use.
D. 
Written request for a hearing with the Board of Health.
Upon receipt of a written hearing request, the Board shall set a time and place for the hearing and shall inform the applicant in writing. The hearing shall commence within 30 days from the day on which the written request was made, unless a later time is agreed to in writing by the Board and the person requesting the hearing. At the hearing, the person requesting the hearing shall be given an opportunity to be heard and show why an approval shall occur. After the close of the hearing, the Board shall issue a written decision to sustain, modify, or decline the request and shall mail a copy of the decision, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person who requested the hearing. If the Board sustains or modifies the request, it shall be carried out within the time allotted in the original order or in the modification.