MONSON BOARD OF HEALTH
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2003
The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Board of Health meeting room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Dr. Richard Smith, Jane Jacobs, Robert Bator and Susan Easton.
The meeting minutes of April 16, 2003 were accepted.
Craig Jalbert, the Superintendent of the Water/Sewer Department, was in attendance to discuss the floor drain regulations. Mr. Jalbert stated all of the wells and the area surrounding them require certain things. Zone two looks at the ground profile and tells what recharge area is recharging the well water supply. Zone two wants to establish a by-law to control what happens in the zone two areas. The DEP wants a well protection plan in place where no auto salvage yards or waste facility are allowed within that area. The other part of zone two wants the Board of Health’s to establish a floor drain regulation. This regulation will prevent people with garages that have floor drains from dumping waste oil, paint thinners, etc. down this drain. They have come up with a model Board of Health regulation to help make this
step easier. This regulation does not require a vote at a town meeting. Drains that go out to front lawns or septic systems will need to be plugged. There are a few garages here in town with floor drains. Chip Lapointe, the Building Inspector, has been inspecting these drains. If he finds they are not done properly, he has asked they plug them. Without this regulation in place, there is no real enforcement that can be done. Mr. Jalbert and Mr. Lapointe will be enforcing this regulation together. This regulation talks about a fine not less than or no more than $1,000.00. Mr. Jalbert stated he would be willing to come back to discuss this further after the Board of Health members have had a chance to look this regulation over. Mr. Jalbert stated the Highway Department has a drain, but has it pumped out once a year. They ask anyone else with a drain to show proof of having regular pumping of this drain. Mr. Jalbert said the town and town’s people have to take care of and cherish
the three town wells we have. Word has to get out to residents as to just what damage can be done if this were allowed to continue as sometimes the homeowners are the ones who need to be watched the most. They feel a little gas or oil won’t hurt anything. There are 1,300 water customers in town and therefore word is hard to get out. The town’s water lines were established in 1895. The average water bill is $198.00. It is extremely expensive to replace a well. With the pumping station, pipe lines, land, etc. it would cost one million dollars to replace. Mr. Jalbert has spoken with the Planning Board about the zone two by-laws and this will probably go to town meeting in the fall. Dot Jenkins, of the Collectors Office was also in attendance and suggested placing informational flyers in with property tax bills in order to help get the word out to residents. Mr. Jalbert agreed this sounded like a good idea. Zone one covers the area that is a 400 foot radius around the town
wells. It was agreed to have Mr. Jalbert come back at the next meeting scheduled for May 21st to discuss this regulation further.
Ms. Jenkins stated everything is all set for Bulky Day next Saturday, May 17th. Ms. Jenkins requested another notice be placed in the newspapers as customers are getting confused as to the hours which are 8:00 – 2:00 with the swap area hours which are from 8:00 – 12:00. She also suggested maybe having the Union News or Palmer Journal come to take pictures during Bulky Day. A stand up sign will also be used for the swap area. Ms. Jenkins also stated she has had a lot of requests for recycle bins. Kathy spoke with Arleen Miller and told her she only had old information as to who to order from and the place is no longer in business any more. A new place has been found to order from and funds will be used from the recycle bin funds for the purchase. Ms. Jenkins suggest in the fall maybe combining Bulky
Day with the Town Wide Clean-up.
Dr. Smith stated he received a copy of a letter to Bill Nothe from Sarah McColgan. Ms. Jenkins stated she received a telephone call from Mr. Nothe and he is going to try to find his canceled check. Dr. Smith also stated Ms. McColgan told him the funding for her program is totally used up and she will be out of a job. Dr. Smith will speak with the Police Chief to see if the tobacco checks on sales to minors could still be done through his department as it would be s shame to stop this now when we have come so far. Another suggestion was to possibly have Lori McCool do the inspections as she is the Health Agent, if the Police Department is unable to do the stings.
Ms. Jacobs stated the Red Cross will not come to the Health Fair. They will only send flyers to be handed out. There are eleven vendors who attend annually. Ms. Jacobs also said there are ten tables down stairs that can be used for the Health Fair. Dr. Smith suggested asking different pharmacy’s if they would be willing to come to discuss different medications and so on. Mr. Bator asked about the screenings. Dr. Smith said a fee is charged to anyone wishing to have a screening and didn’t know how many people would be interested because of the fee.
Dr. Smith said Gary Allard has had seven months to find out if it would be a conflict of interest for him to become a member on the Board of Health and suggested giving him a deadline to comply by. It was agreed to send Mr. Allard a letter asking him to please let the Board know one way or another by the end of the month as someone is needed for the activities done by the Board.
Dr. Smith said there is money in the MRIP grant to hold a Hazardous Waste Day if the money is not funded in the budget.
Everything requiring signatures were signed.
Correspondence was looked over.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gaylin Bingle
Recording Secretary
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