BOARD OF HEALTH

MINUTES

04 MARCH 2014

CALL TO ORDER BY WILLIAM T. WALSH

PRESENT:	William T. Walsh, Chairman, Kevin J. Ryan, Vice Chairman, Peter C. Ryan, Sr., Member and Colleen M. Strapponi, secretary

Mr. Kevin J. Ryan motions to accept the minutes of the 18 February 2013 meeting; second Mr. Peter C. Ryan, Sr. The vote is unanimous.

OLD BUSINESS:

26 CAROL LANE

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that a Court Hearing is schedule for 11 April 2014. Mr. DeWolfe is disputing the amount he owes the Town of Blackstone. Mr. Walsh will continue to monitor the outcome of this matter.

1204 SOCIAL STREET

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that property owner is current with the payment plan. Only one more payment is due.

82 MAIN ST.

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that we are still awaiting foreclosure by the bank. Ms. Strapponi periodically checks the Worcester Registry of Deeds website.

45 COUNTY STREET

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that Ms. Strapponi has researched the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Society with the Secretary of State’s Office, Corporations Division and found no chapter in Blackstone. Ms. Strapponi will consult with the Historical Commission to see if they have any information about the Blackstone Chapter of this Society. Mr. Peter Ryan suggests also speaking with Tommy Devlin about the polish hall history.

139 SUMMER STREET

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that we are still awaiting foreclosure by the bank. Ms. Strapponi periodically checks the Worcester Registry of Deeds website.

18 NEW YORK AVE.

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that we are still awaiting foreclosure by the bank. Ms. Strapponi periodically checks the Worcester Registry of Deeds website.

SALE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that the by-law is still in the drafting stage.

184 FARM STREET

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that Town Counsel has filed the Statement of Claim with the Uxbridge District Court for a hearing. The party has been served with the fine of $100.00.

LATEX GLOVES

Mr. Walsh advises the Board that this matter is being researched.

TOBACCO REGULATIONS

Mr. Walsh requests the Board members discuss this matter at the 01 April 2014 meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

ANDERSON’S VARIETY

Mr. Walsh thanks Attorney John M. Wozniak for attending the meeting with his client Mr. Patel. Mr. Walsh advises Attorney Wozniak that the Board of Health office has received complaints above noise at the redemption center after the store has closed. Attorney Wozniak advises the Board that he has discussed the matter with his client and proposes placing a timer on the redemption center with the same hours of operation as the store and to post the store hours and redemption center hours outside. The redemption center will be locked when the store is not open. Mr. Kevin Ryan motions to place a lock on the redemption center with the hours of operation posted clearly near the redemption center and that the redemption center will be locked when the store is not open, second Mr. Peter C. Ryan, Sr. The vote is unanimous.

JULIAN MARIN, 279 LINCOLN STREET, BLACKSTONE, MA

Mr. Walsh addresses Mr. Martin regarding his application for a chicken farm at 279 Lincoln St., Blackstone, MA. Mr. Walsh states that Mr. Martin is requesting a permit to operate an animal facility on his property for approximately 20,000 chickens to sell eggs to a firm in New Hampshire by the name of Pete and Gerry’s Organic Farm. Mr. Walsh asks Mr. Martin to explain to the Board and those in attendance the proposed operation. Mr. Martin addresses the Board and audience members by introducing himself and his family. Mr. Martin states that they are looking to start a small family business and that his family has a good work ethic. Mr. Martin states that the proposed chicken barn will have a modern set up with computers to monitor the operation. The chickens will be cage free and have enclosed runs outside. The manure will be scraped everyday into a pit. The manure will be kept dry to keep the odor down and removed every 10 to 30 days. Mr. Martin states that insect monitoring is done weekly to keep the insects to a minimum. White sticky cards are used to monitor the insect population. Mouse traps are used to control the mice population. The eggs will be picked up weekly by a semi-tractor trailer or smaller vehicle. Mr. Martin advises the board that he has reviewed the economic development book and is looking to start some type of business on the property to pay for itself. Mr. Martin also states that if his neighbors oppose the proposed chicken farm to much he will not pursue the matter. Mr. Walsh states that this is an informational meeting only and that there is a lot of material to review.

Mr. Walsh polls the audience for questions. Mr. Andre Paquette addresses the Board and the audience and states that he lives next door to Mr. Martin. He is very concerned about the odor from the farm on his property and that it will interfere with the quiet enjoyment of his property. He knows that other neighbors are not I n favor of it. Charlie Sawyer from 30 Orchard St. addresses the Board and the audience and states that he is a former Board of Selectmen and Board of Health member. He advises the Board that there was a piggery in Blackstone that had a negative impact on the neighborhood. He is very concerned about the growth of the operation in that area. The traffic that impact in the area and suggests that the Board look into a traffic study. He is also concerned with property values in the area.

Mr. Roy from 280 Lincoln St. addresses the Board and audience and informs the Board that he has a petition with 153 signatures on it in opposition of the chicken farm. Arthur Goulet 271 Lincoln St. is concerned with the well water. Mr. Goulet asks about how many gallons per day will be required to operate the chicken farm. Mr. Martin replies 1,200 gallons of water per day. Mr. Goulet questions the fans on the end of the building, there are 6 fans, where do you think the smell is going. This property is within 500 feet of the bike path and nursing home. If there is spillage on the roads from the manure who is going to clean that up? What about the dead chickens what happens to them or bad eggs. Mr. Martin replies that the dead chickens and bad eggs get taken with the manure. Mr. Goulet also states that there are no sidewalks on Lincoln St.

Mr. Walsh asks Mr. Martin if he will be selling the eggs on his property. Mr. Martin states that he may sell a small amount of eggs. Mr. Walsh advises Mr. Martin that he will need to obtain a license to sell the eggs.

Mr. Kevin Ryan motions to continue the matter until 15 April 2014, second Mr. Peter C. Ryan, Sr. The vote is unanimous.

INVOICES

Mr. Kevin Ryan motions to pay the following invoices, second Mr. Peter Ryan,

Stantec#765770	$4,420.00

The vote is unanimous.

PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Mr. Kevin J. Ryan motions to close the meeting, second Mr. Peter C. Ryan. The vote is unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Colleen M. Strapponi