Brookfield Board of Health Opens Path for Willow Beans Cafe Variance Hearing

Other Committee · Meeting of April 29, 2026

Brookfield Board of Health sets variance process in motion for proposed Willow Beans Cafe. Shelby Hill and engineer Robert Delford of McClure Engineering appeared before the board to seek guidance on a Title 5 septic variance for a planned six-to-eight-seat coffee shop at 616 Central Street, where a 1,500-gallon tank designed for 511 gallons per day falls short of the 1,000-gallon-per-day minimum required for food establishments; projected usage of 210 to 280 gallons per day would remain well under the system's capacity. The board outlined required next steps: a septic design plan, abutter notification within 300 feet, a notice in the Spencer New Leader, and a public hearing before any vote.

In separate business, the board approved a beach water-testing contract and directed that sampling begin the last week of May ahead of an expected June 1 beach opening, and voted to refund an application fee to a resident who withdrew a perc test application before any work was performed. Post Road Trading owner Bonnie Toomey raised unresolved questions about whether she can sell coffee without a three-bay sink, a matter the board agreed to research and place on its next agenda.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 1,105 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of April 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.