Can you introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Rebekah Novak, I live in Colrain, MA with my husband. We live a quiet lifestyle in the woods and love sharing hobbies like hunting, fishing, hiking, gardening and home projects. We enjoy supporting local businesses, and farms for obtaining local, healthy food.
I find joy in being creative and my projects are ever changing, but am currently making birdhouses from gourds and making body products from locally sourced and harvested ingredients.
Can you provide some background of your experience in the onsite wastewater field?
I have a BA degree in Civil Engineering, which gave me the skills to work as Municipal Surveyor in the Engineering Department of a large City, as well as survey, design and manage septic system and general site designs. I have a MA Grade 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s License which has allowed me to work at large and small treatment plants. For many years, I was the O&M service provider for an I/A system for a condominium, and assisted the company in providing service to many I/A systems across RI and MA, as well as helped install those systems. Currently, I am a Technical Assistance Provider for a Non-Profit and have improved my construction management skills. I also hold active Soil Evaluators and System Inspectors Licenses.
Why were you interested in joining YOWA’s Board?
As a Technical Assistance Provider for RCAP Solutions, I’ve been introduced to so many affiliations and see how important it is for there to be collaboration between them. I joined so that I can stay on top of topics/trainings/ information that I can pass along to my colleagues and perhaps may even be able to contribute something to YOWA at some point.
What would you like to accomplish during your term on the Board?
There are SO many resources out there and I’m sure I’m not utilizing enough of them. I would like to get connected with useful resources to make me better at my job and also to pass along to others.