Maine Cemetery and Crematorium Regulations
Subsurface Wastewater Program Staff
Wendy Austin, Office Associate II
The Office Associate II is responsible for handling incoming & outgoing mail, answering phones and answering a lot of the public's questions. Logs all the variances that come in, on the computer, send out letters if they are incomplete. Schedules Public Hearings, mailings, printing, and makes sure things are done on schedule. Supervises Office Associate I, and also assists on entering data.
Douglas Coombs, State Site Evaluator
The position duties include providing onsite assistance to Site Evaluators, Local Plumbing Inspectors, and the general public in interpreting site and soil conditions, and investigating malfunctions of onsite sewage disposal systems; investigating complaints against Site Evaluators; and administering the Site Evaluator program. Administration of the Site Evaluator program in turn includes administering both the written and field examination for prospective Site Evaluators; and providing technical and regulatory assistance to Site Evaluators. The position also provides guidance and interpretation of the Maine State Plumbing Code, Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules to other State agencies. The position reviews applications for onsite sewage disposal systems when time and other obligations permit.
James Jacobsen, Environmental Specialist IV
The Environmental Specialist IV is responsible for project review, including disposal systems serving 2,000 gallons per day or more, nonresidential waivers to the Minimum Lot Size law, inter-agency reviews involving onsite sewage disposal systems, and applications for new products or processes related to onsite sewage disposal systems for use in Maine. The ES IV also maintains the program’s web site, prepares the newsletter, reviews cemetery registrations, and participates in various outreach activities such as contractor certification seminars.
Brent Lawson, State Plumbing Inspector
The position inspects new and existing onsite sewage disposal system installations and the work and practices of onsite sewage disposal system installers, municipal officers, and Local Plumbing Inspectors. Responsibilities include performing technical inspections, investigations of installations of onsite sewage disposal systems for compliance with Maine State Plumbing Code, Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules and related enforcement duties, assisting and supporting Local Plumbing Inspectors and Code Enforcement Officers, and investigations of complaints regarding Local Plumbing Inspectors’ performance.
Lorraine Martin, Office Associate I
Thie Office Associate I is responsible for supporting the Program’s Office Associate II; for administration and maintenance of plumbing permit, Site Evaluator, Local Plumbing Inspector, and contractor databases; for issuing plumbing permit labels to Local Plumbing Inspectors; for creating and issuing a quarterly financial report for all Maine municipalities; for issuing plumbing permits when no Local Plumbing Inspector is available for a given community or township; and for coordinating Local Plumbing Inspector appointments to the Unorganized Territories, and with input from State Planning Office appointments to organized municipalities.
