Wednesday
September 6, 2006
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order by Chairman Gary Allard, with members Robert Bator, Jane Jacobs, Dr. Richard Smith and Phyllis Klick present. Also present was Health Inspector Lorri McCool.
Ms. McCool met with the Board to update the Board on emergency preparedness and to discuss future options. She explained that the tabletop drill held in the Wilbraham Town Office Building was a good drill and helped to explain what needs to be done in an emergency. The Board must designate an emergency preparedness site, as the Monson Developmental Center has been ruled out. Preparedness tips and ideas should be released to the public on what they should be doing. A list is being requested of licensed nurses so a medical corp can be set up. Mr. Allard suggested that a list be composed and items discussed each week at the Board’s meetings. Ms. McCool stated that arrangements must be made to allow for command positions, i.e. if someone in a command position is ill or unable to work,
who would take their place? Monson has an advantage over other towns as it has a separate Board of Health; in most towns the Selectmen are the Board of Health. This will make it difficult for them to perform both roles. Ms. McCool further stated that the public should be made aware of issues and things they will need to deal with in case of a pandemic situation.
The dispensing area and site was discussed. After general conversation, the Board decided that Granite Valley on Thompson Street will be the dispensing area, with Quarry Hill as the staging area and the high school as the “overflow” area. Ms. McCool will need the floor plans for the school, as well as a map of Monson. Mr. Allard will provide the plans.
Each department will be asked to attend a Board of Health meeting to discuss their plans and how they will handle emergencies. Ms. McCool will contact Jeremy Bedson. As Emergency Management Director, Mr. Bedson will need to become involved. It was decided that a letter will be sent to Mr. Bedson requesting he attend the next meeting at 7:00 p.m. on September 20, 2006. Ms. McCool mentioned that there is grant money available to help communities set up medical corps, pay for supplies/materials, stamps, etc. Tips can be released to the public on things they can do in case of a flu epidemic.
Mr. Allard mentioned that Bob Bracci has volunteered to serve as an alternate for Jill Cafarelli in case Ms. McCool or Ms. Cafarelli is unavailable for septic inspections. After a brief discussion, Dr. Smith moved that Mr. Robert Bracci be appointed as Alternate Assistant Board of Health Agent, seconded by Mr. Bator and so voted.
The Board thanked Ms. McCool for attending the meeting and for her input.
After review and reading of the minutes, Mr. Bator moved to accept the minutes of August 16, 2006, seconded by Dr. Smith and so voted.
Dr. Smith questioned the secretary if Ernie May had inspected Mustang Sally’s to see if they are selling tobacco products. The secretary informed the Board that she had spoken to Mr. May a few weeks ago, and he would feel more comfortable if Lorri McCool could inspect this establishment, as he has no authority should they be in violation. He is afraid that if he finds they are selling without a tobacco permit, he will be unable to ticket them for the violation. Therefore, Lorri McCool is checking the establishment tomorrow.
The Board briefly spoke of outside wood burning boilers and the problems associated with smoke issues.
Next discussion was the trash contract with BFI that remains in affect until June 30, 2007. The Board would like to see this go out to bid, as there was not time to do so at the last renewal of contract back in 2002. Ms. Taft was asked to speak with Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers to get a time frame on the bidding process. This issue will be discussed further at the next meeting on September 20th.
The Board signed and approved the Disposal Installer’s Licenses for Woloshchuk Enterprises Inc. on Zuell Road and P.J. Lloyd on Peck Bros. Road.
A beaver permit was signed and approved for John Morrell on the Bunyan Road Bridge, effective September 6 through 16, 2006. Mr. Allard will check the bridge tomorrow.
Update of Responsibilities:
Communicable disease – Ms. Jacobs reported (8) lyme diseases and (1) salmonella case.
Finances – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Floor drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste – Nothing to report until spring.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report
Recycling & Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report
Tobacco – The Board has already discussed this. Ms. McCool will investigate the selling of tobacco at Mustang Sally’s.
Well regulations – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Discussion of Bulky Day followed. Five dumpsters, besides the three in the town’s contract, have been ordered, along with the crusher. Mr. Allard and Dr. Smith asked if the Board needed two crushers like the last time. Ms. Klick feels that the crushers take longer to operate and are not necessary. Mr. Allard stated he was the only one at the spring Bulky Day working on the steel dumpster and it was very difficult. Dr. Smith suggested two separate rows would help and speed things up. Each row would have a metal dumpster, trash dumpster, crusher, etc. Ms. Klick felt that this Bulky Day, she would like to have five dumpsters and one crusher. The Board spoke of hiring more people to help out on Bulky Day; however, insurance is necessary to cover the workers, plus the town
would have to pay prevailing wage. This would be very expensive. Ms. Klick explained that there would be three dumpsers for anything with freon and an additional five dumpsters , plus the crusher. After a brief discussion, the Board could not reach a decision; therefore, it will be brought up at the next meeting.
Dr. Smith had received two emails, which he shared with the Board. One was in regard to a pandemic seminar and the other was on a company advertising false signage.
The Board read and reviewed the correspondence (as per attached).
At 9:15 p.m. Dr. Smith moved to close the meeting seconded by Mr. Bator and so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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