C h i l m a r k B o a r d o f H e a l t h
M i n u t e s
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Chilmark Town Hall
5:00 pm
Present: Katie Carroll, Matt Poole, Jan Buhrman
Also Present: Reid Silva (Vineyard Land Surveying and Engineering), Alan Healy, Aaron Zeender, Jay Ayer, Jane Wilke, Todd Christy (Chilmark Coffee Co.)
Minutes of June 17, 2015 approved.
Chilmark Road Race The Board approved the proposed Sanitary Plan for the 2015 Chilmark Road Race, which is scheduled for August 8.
Chilmark Coffee Co. The Board continued its Plan Review of a proposed trailer for on-site coffee service submitted by Todd Christy. The trailer, a 6’x10’, square-nosed unit, will be equipped with a countertop and 3 concession windows, water storage tank and wastewater tank, handwash sink with on-demand hot water heater (power capacity allowing), and insulated cold storage coolers for milk. It will be powered by deep-cycle batteries and a small photovoltaic unit.
The Board discussed the coffee service sanitation protocol, and reviewed options for the countertop- surface, which, while not qualifying as a “food contact surface”, is required to be durable, non-porous and easily-cleanable. Todd Christy will submit proposed time-control food service plan, proposed surface finishing for the countertop, as well as floor finishing (durable, non-porous, easily-cleanable) to the Board at its next meeting.
Mermaid Dairy: The Board continued its Food Truck Plan Review with Alan Healy and Aaron Zeender. The Board suggested that the water from the on-board holding tank should be tested every 30 days. The water storage tank will be flushed and sanitized according to procedure recommended by Island Water Source.
Power will be secured with two circuit-breakers, one for the hood & dishwasher, the other for the lights and refrigeration. A full-power--use test will be conducted as a part of the pre-operation inspection. It was determined that an on-board dishwasher unit is not required if the three-bay sink is adequate for fully code-compliant washing and sanitizing of the equipment used. The Board asked for a detailed electrical needs schedule.
The Board noted that, because there is no commercial “fixed” kitchen (beyond cold- and dry storage outside of the trailer) associated with this unit, it is essentially like a small restaurant kitchen, and its water and wastewater needs need to be assessed accordingly. The Board also felt that using a separate greywater tank on the back of a pickup truck, while it can probably be done safely, is highly unconventional and as yet untested. Suggestions included: separating food prep from food service and starting each with a fresh supply of water and an empty greywater storage tank; building an on-site septic system for the food prep process and placing a more modest (mainly handwashing) greywater tank on board for the food service; building storage and greywater tanks of significant capacity
integrated into the food truck; limiting the menu based on water-use needs (ie no pasta); building a “fixed” commercial kitchen for food prep.
The Board asked for further consideration and a more detailed breakdown of required daily water use capacity. All members of the Board stressed their support for the concept of enabling on-farm processing and food service, if such operations could be achieved in a code-compliant and food-safe manner. They noted that this proposal will provide an important precedent that could benefit more Chilmark farms, and therefore it is all the more important to develop a viable “bullet-proof” plan. (Jan Buhrman left the meeting).
PUBLIC HEARING: Taylor, 21 Eliot Ave (33-26, 27, 28) Reid Silva presented a septic system construction plan revision that will require variances. The plan has been revised from a drip dispersal system, originally approved 03/04/2009, to a MicroFAST system. Required variances from Chilmark Board of Health Regulations are as follows: Leaching area to well separations: vary from 200’ down to 105’, 109’, and 121’; leaching area to saltwater body: from 200’ to 78’; leaching area to leaching area: 300’ to 90’ and 213’; and leaching area to wetland from 150’ to 50’. While the only separation that has been increased from the prior, approved proposal is the separation to the wetland, the proposed separations are not significantly changed
from the approved plan. Marina Lent reported that one abutter had phoned her, and had been satisfied that the proposed plan would not affect his property. The Board approved the proposed plan revision.
Fee Schedule: The Board approved a Fee waiver for permits issued to Departments and Organizations of the Town.
Smotrich, 14 Tabor Hills Road (19-16.3) The Board reviewed and approved a proposed replacement of tank & pit with a septic system prepared by Chris Alley which will serve 6 bedrooms. The plan requires no variances.
Wolkowitz, 6 Nickerson Farm Road (21-48.3) The Board approved a replacement well construction permit to replace two failing wells with a new well. The Board’s approval is contingent on being able to meet the 30’ property line separation, and proper abandonment of the existing wells.
Algae Bloom in Chilmark Pond: The Board held a discussion with concerned Chilmark citizens Jane Wilkie (attending on behalf of the Abel’s Hill Association) and Jay Ayers about the recent algae bloom at the Dr.’s Creek end of Chilmark Pond. Jane Wilkie stated that an algae bloom like this hasn’t happened in 29 years. The Board noted that there are many factors that could possibly contribute, and that the Mass Estuaries Project might be able to give a considered opinion (even if it is not based on new original data) of how conditions in the pond could have led to a bloom at this location. The Board asked Marina Lent to coordinate with Con Com staff person Chuck Hodgkinson to consult with the MEP. Jane Wilkie said that it will be important to seek to raise resources to
more proactively manage the pond. Timing of the openings is decided by the Board of the Abel’s Hill Association. The Town has no say in the openings, nor does the State or the Army Corps of Engineers. The Board pointed out that pond openings have been identified as the best way to control nitrogen in the ponds, so that what used to be a measure to alleviate a “wet basement” problem is now a critical tool to manage the health of the Pond.
Measles Clinics on MV Marina Lent reported on a measles case involving a possible exposure incident in Chilmark. State officials and the Martha’s Vineyard Public Health Nurse from VNA of Cape Cod are continuing to monitor the situation. So far, no contagion has taken place; it remains an isolated incident. Barring any additional cases, Martha’s Vineyard can be presumed measles-free early in July.
Well Completion Reports received: Larsen, Menemsha Crossroad (26-100)– potability passes, tests show that the water is very acidic (4.58); Lazarus, 195 Middle Road (19-17)–potability passes.
Tent Permit: Cerick, 32 Old Nursery Lane (7-10.4)
Recreational Camp Permit: Chilmark Community Center Summer Camp;
Temporary Food Event Permits: Chilmark Flea Market;
Title 5 Official Inspection Reports: Potter, 19 North Tabor Farm Road (13-9.2) passes; Novak/Mespelli, 387 Middle Road (26-127) passes; Noe, 2 Young’s Way (25-137) passes.
Septic System As-Built Letters/Plans: Herman, 91 Gosnolds Way (14-31); 74 North Road (3-2); Sands, 4 Austin Pasture Road (33-85)
Invoices: The Board approved the following invoices for payment:
- VNA-CC May 2015 $233.75
- MVRD Gas Monitoring Q2 50%, Water Monitoring 1st half 2015 50% $2,089.90
- MVRD Quarterly LDO Inspections Q2 2015 $221.76
- Vineyard Health Care Access: Vineyard Smiles Dental Clinic $ 375
- MVRD Quarterly drop-off contract Q1 FY16 $7,474.48
- MVRD Semi-annual Assessment 1st half FY16 $43,173.42
The meeting adjourned at 19:54 hours.
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Katherine L. Carroll, Chair Matthew Poole Janet L. Buhrman
Chilmark Board of Health Chilmark Board of Health Chilmark Board of Health
A recording of this meeting is on file at the Board of Health office and available for on-site review.
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