MINUTES
BOARD OF HEALTH WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011 AT 9AM
PRESENT: Dr. James Taylor, Chairman, Pat Lariviere, R.N., Co-Chairman, Beverly Knox, R.N., Dr. Lois Roth-Johnson, Dr. Martin Haspel, Jane Crowley, M.S., R.S., HealthAgent, Susan Barker, Dr. Joanna Buffington
I. OPENING STATEMENTS
None
II. RENTAL PROPERTY OCCUPANCY DETERMINATION
Carol Murphy 175 Meetinghouse Road M-9 P-149
During the rental inspection conducted, based on the Board of Health Regulations, this rental would be considered a 2 bedroom house. One of the 3 bedrooms is less than 100 sq. ft. so the occupancy would only be for 1 person. The assessor’s sheet noted that the house is a 3 bedroom and the taxes are based on that. The septic system supports a 3 bedroom house. The house has been rented as a 3 bedroom for 15 years prior to 2010 but was not rented in the year 2010.
Based on this information, Dr. Lois Roth-Johnson motioned to make an exception to the current regulations and approve the rental of this property as a 3 bedroom, 5 person occupancy house. Dr. Martin Haspel seconded the motion.
SO VOTED UNAMIOUSLY
III. PLAN REVIEW
George Davis 175 Thorne Road M-9 P-18
After talking to Jane and the Owner, George modified the original plan. The Lot is for a 2 bedrooms and the owner wants to build a family room and bath over the garage for grandchildren. The concern with the BoH is that the area could be used as bedrooms and this would exceed the bedrooms for the lot.
Considering the Board of Health Regulations, as the second room over the garage is only accessible through the first room, it does not provide privacy and therefore, would not be considered a bedroom. The additional bathroom being added is not the factor that is considered when determining the number of bedrooms.
Based on the concerns of the BoH, not just for this Owner, but for future Owners, Dr. Taylor made a motion to accept the plan with the following conditions:
· the opening to the room be 48” or greater
· a deed restriction be placed on the property for 2 bedrooms
Beverly Knox seconded the motion
SO VOTED – YES 3, NO 2
IV. UPDATE ON RENTAL PROGRAM AND PROCEDURES
Jane advised that Susan has conducted 70 rental inspections between January and April. 23% of them were new rentals forwarded to us by the Town Clerk.
In addition, 132 letters were mailed to Area 3 for rental inspection and 47 inspections have been completed from that mailing.
One trend we have noted is that most bedrooms do not meet the 100 sq. ft. size for 2 person occupancy so we have had to reduce the overall occupancy per house. This has caused some concern from the owners.
The Board asked if we double check these rentals to ensure they are meeting the occupancy – check the ads for the rentals, check into complaints received or other? Jane confirmed that the approach being taken is a proactive approach to raise awareness with both the owners and the realtors. All realtors were advised of the Rental Program last year and we are looking for ways to increase this awareness with the public. Meanwhile, we do respond to all complaints and all concerns and violations are brought to the attention of the Board.
The focus of the Health Department is Public Health, Public Safety and Environmental Compliance.
V. DISCUSSION OF BOARD OF HEALTH REVIEW & CRITERIA
This topic is a suggested general item to be on the agenda for us to discuss, review and update the BoH on various topics and programs that they are interested in. It could be rental guidelines and situations like the previous agenda items or water quality or personal health topics, or whatever.
All thought this was a good idea and Dr. Taylor asked that everyone on the BoH consider what topics they would like to discuss and learn more about. Please bring those ideas to the next few meetings and we hope to state these learning sessions in the fall.
VI. WATER QUALITY PROGRAM & WASTEWATER UPDATE
Jane is working with the consultant and strategizing on non-sewage options. They are also focusing on having Rock Harbor classified as an estuary. The DPW is involved.
Jane has been reappointed to the Steering Committee for Cape Cod Water Collaborative. Sheila and Jane met with the consultants to refine the layout of Eastham. They are discussing delivery systems for water, either buying it from Orleans or providing it ourselves.
VII. BEACH PERMIT
Public Beaches require licenses with the Board of Health signatures on the license. To make this an easy task for the BoH, the Health Department will prepare a list of all public beaches that are licensed and have the BoH sign the list. The Health Department will then stamp the licenses with the BoH signatures. As beaches are added or deleted, a new list will be prepared for the BoH to sign.
The signed copy will remain on record in the Health Department. The county will test the water weekly, on Thursday, and report the results to the Health Department on Friday.
VIII. HEALTH FAIR
The health fair is scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2011 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. The Health Department is preparing additional items for the fair and it is a good opportunity to make community connections.
Lesson learned – we should have coordinated better with the Council on Aging. We must do a better job partnering with them going forward and the next fair will be better.
This did bring to mind the opportunity for the Health Department to have a booth at the Windmill Weekend. We could use that to provide the public with information about Personal Health, Water Health and some of the programs we running.
All agreed that was a good idea and we will add it to a future agenda.
Next workshop date – Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Meeting adjourned at 10:43AM
Respectfully Submitted,
Laurie Gillespie-Lee
Operations Assistant
Board of Health
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