Littleton Board of Health Approves Three Septic Systems, Pushes COVID Messaging Campaign

LITTLETON -- January 11, 2023, Littleton Board of Health flags XBB.1.5 surge and launches public messaging push as coordinator funding threatened. The board heard at its January 11 meeting that the XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant now accounts for just under 72 percent of regional cases and that Littleton's CDC community-level designation has risen to high, while only 34.1 percent of residents are up to date on vaccinations. Member Dan Kane argued against a formal mask mandate, saying "education and messaging is probably going to be more valuable than stricter measures," and the board directed Matt Wayson to develop templated level-indicator signs for businesses and municipal buildings and a public service announcement for LCTV. The board voted 5-0 three times to approve septic system applications at 9 Air Road, 35 Dahlia Drive, and 557 Newtown Road, and sent a contractor back to revise basement-finishing plans at 55 Orchid Drive after members concluded a three-bedroom system could not support the proposed room count even with a deed restriction. Chair Kevin Baker closed by announcing he will appear before the Finance Committee and Select Board on January 24 to request continued funding for a public health coordinator position, after the Finance Committee discussed eliminating the appropriation the prior evening.