Bellingham Board of Health Defers Betterment Loan, Advances Earth Day Cleanup Plans

BELLINGHAM — April 1, 2025 — Bellingham Board of Health defers a septic betterment loan and advances Earth Day road cleanup plans at its April 1 meeting. The board voted unanimously to table a state-funded low-interest loan application — part of a program capped at $35,000 for septic repairs — because the applicant owes $452 in unpaid property taxes and $847 in water and sewer charges, though she made a $2,000 payment the day of the meeting; Health Agent Dyan Lonati was directed to inspect the site before the next meeting. On Earth Day, Walmart offered to donate supplies and participate in cleanup, and Planet Aid confirmed a donation bin drop for the event weekend. The board also directed Lonati to consult with Town Counsel on the board's authority to compel landlords to house tenants displaced by mold remediation orders, after two tenants were offered $7,500 each by a new property owner pending a sale expected to close within days. A separate enforcement action at John's Auto continues, with the owner under a Title 5 deadline ahead of an April 11 joint site visit with fire and environmental officials.