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February 2015
TOWN OF MILLIS
BOARD OF HEALTH
Minutes of Meeting February 26, 2015

         A meeting of the Board of Health was held on Thursday, February 26, 2015, at the Veterans Memorial Building, Room #213, Millis, Massachusetts.  Present were Barbara Thissell, Director; Kathleen Lannon, Chairwoman; Bonnie Hilton and Brian Hoell, Board Members; and Vickie Philben, Administrative Assistant. The Millis Board of Health meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.  

        Also present:  George and Sophie Sgourakes, owners of 41 Bullard Lane; Nora Quadros of 34 Bullard Lane; and Alex Stathas of 79 Ridge Street.

        Mr. Hoell moved to open the Millis Board of Health meeting at 7:00 p.m.  
        It was seconded by Mrs. Lannon.
                                  

Administrative Business:

Approval of Minutes:

January 12, 2015 – It was moved by Mrs. Lannon and seconded by Ms. Hilton approve the January 12, 2015 minutes.  Mrs. Lannon, Ms. Hilton, and Mr. Hoell voted affirmative, 0 negative.
        Nurse’s Report:  The monthly report of the Public Health Nurse was reviewed.   

New Business:  

  • Food Recalls – see attached.
  • Food Inspections – Ms. Thissell summarized food establishment inspections completed since January 12, 2015:
  • Louie’s Pizzeria
  • Millis House of Pizza
  • Temporary Food Event Permits:
  • ‘Super Bowl Sunday’ Breakfast on February 1, 2015
  • ‘Think Pink’ Bake Sale on February 6, 2015
  • Septic Improvements – Ms. Thissell summarized ongoing septic system improvements and/or inspections completed since January 12, 2015:
  • Certificates of Compliance Issued:
  • 16 Dover Road on January 14, 2015
  • Installation Inspections Completed:
  • 314 Village Street installation complete to rough grade.  Process on hold until ground thaws.
  • Septic Designs Approved:
  • 174 Pleasant Street on February 17, 2015
  • Reports Received:
  • 23 Pleasant Street; passed Title 5 December 28, 2014.
  • 266 Pleasant Street - I/A report received
  • 266 Pleasant Street - frozen PercRite drip system.
  • 13 Cedar Street – frozen PercRite drip system.
  • Various Complaints
  • Sportsman’s Lounge – dog observed sitting on a bar stool.
  • Plumbing issues
  • 4 Meadowbrook Lane      
  • 171 Plain Street
  • 333 Union Street- neighbor burning brush
  • Stoneybrook Apartments
  • Air quality – 48 Stoneybrook #2
  • Sewer flies – 30 Stoneybrook #3
  • Dumpster overflowing
  • Plumbing issues
  • 18 Stoneybrook #2 – corrective orders issued.
  • Ice dams and leaky ceilings at many locations
  • 15 Stoneybrook #12 - corrective orders issued.
  • 54 Stoneybrook #6 - corrective orders issued.
  • 24 Stoneybrook #2 - corrective orders issued.
  • 24 Stoneybrook #3 - corrective orders issued.
  • Dunkin Donuts – potential food borne illness.
  • Willowbrook Manor – inadequate hot water for number of residents in building.  Corrective orders issued.
  • There were several ice related insurance claims received.
  • Permits/Business Licenses:
  • Roberts-Mitchell Funeral application was mailed on February 26, 2015, as the current business license expires April 30, 2015.
  • Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm application was mailed February 26, 2015 to be ready for opening in April 2015.
  • Five businesses will be re-contacted for their applications.
  • Applications for public pools will be mailed in March 2015.
  • Sam’s Ice Cream application will be mailed next week.
  • EHIR – An EHIR Permit application has been filed for the proposed Police Station.  The application is under review.
  • MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) – A town-wide MS4 update presentation was held at the Veteran’s Memorial Building February 5, 2015.
  • Intern application – an application was submitted to Mass Department of Public Health requesting two interns to assist with the development of a deer-culling program to reduce occurrences of Lyme Disease and other infectious diseases and the Local Emergency Planning Operations Plan.  A response is anticipated in April 2015.
  • Board of Health Committees – The list for Board of Health Committees has been discussed and updated.  Mr. Hoell volunteered to act as a Hazardous Waste Coordinator.  It was unanimously agreed that Mr. Hoell would act as the Hazardous Waste Coordinator.
  • Election papers – To continue representing the Board of Health, Mr. Hoell and Mrs. Lannon must take out and return election papers to the Town Clerk’s office by March 16, 2015.

Other:

        1.   Public Pools – Public pool operators will be invited to the April 2015 Board of Health meeting to discuss the application and pool opening procedures.  The completed applications and fees must be received and inspections must be completed prior to Thursday May 21, 2015 for the pools to be opened for Memorial Day weekend.
        2.   Vacation – The Administrative Assistant has planned vacation time April 6-10 and June 16-18, 2015.
        3.   Domesticated fowl or rabbit regulations – Draft regulations were distributed and will be discussed next month.
        4.   Camp Permits and Fees – Mrs. Lannon requested the Board of Health write a letter to each camp clarifying fees.  Fees are $50.00 the first week with a completed application and required forms, and a $25.00 fee for remaining weeks of the same session if application is complete.
        5.  Rabies Clinic – The Rabies Clinic is scheduled for April 11, 2015.
        6.  Tobacco 21 – The Tobacco 21 initiative will be discussed at the April 2015 hearing.


Scheduled Public Hearings & Discussions:

        7:30 p.m. - Discussion request from George Sgourakes, 41 Bullard Lane – Present were:  George and Sophie Sgourakes, owners of 41 Bullard Lane, Nora Quadros of 34 Bullard Lane, and Alex Stathas of 79 Ridge Street.  Mr. Sgourakes distributed a document entitled ‘Presentation by George Sgourakes 41 Bullard Lane to Town of Millis Board of Health 02-26-2015 07:30’ which provides his account of the 35 Bullard Lane/41 Bullard Lane situation.  Mr. Sgourakes requested the Board invoke the Nuisance law to:  (1) require the horse pen of 35 Bullard Lane be relocated to provide a 100-foot separation from his well located on 41 Bullard Lane, and (2) require the pen of 35 Bullard Lane be located 40 feet from Mr. Sgourakes’ property line, as it is currently allowed by Zoning to be located on the property line. Mr. Sgourakes stated that he is concerned that the location of the horse paddock is a health hazard to his family and to himself. Citing several references, the Board disagreed with Mr. Sgourakes, stating the distance from the pen to Mr. Sgourakes’ well does not present a health hazard.  Mr. Sgourakes and the Board discussed the issue in length. The Town of Millis By-laws, Board of Health General Nuisance Regulation, Mass Department of Environmental Protection, and additional regulations were referenced in the discussion.  Mr. Hoell informed Mr. Sgourakes that he will review Mr. Sgourakes’ information and Nuisance Law regulations.  Ms. Nora Quadros of 34 Bullard Lane and Mr. Alex Stathas of 79 Ridge Street spoke on behalf of Mr. Sgourakes’ character.  It was agreed to continue the 35/41 Bullard Lane discussion until March 9, 2015.


Next Scheduled Meeting:  Monday March 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.


At 9:15 p.m.  Ms. Hilton moved to close the February 26, 2015 Board of Health meeting.  Mrs. Lannon and Mr. Hoell seconded the motion.  The Board voted unanimously to close the hearing, 3-0.



Respectfully Submitted,




Vickie L. Philben
Millis Board of Health
Administrative Assistant





Documents and Submittals of Meeting:

  • Detailed Discussion/Order of Information Packet dated February 26, 2015
  • Meeting attendance sheet dated February 26, 2015
  • Mr. George Sgourakes (41 Bullard Lane) – 5-page detailed document dated February 26, 2015.
  • Food Recalls between January 12 to February 26, 2015
  • Public Health Nursing Report January 9 to February 24, 2015
  • Board of Health Committees List