Wednesday
October 4, 2006
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was opened by Chairman Gary Allard. Present: Dr. Richard Smith, Robert Bator, Jane Jacobs and Phyllis Klick. Also present: Town Collector, Dorothy Jenkins and Gail Boyer.
Gail Boyer, who is in her fourth year of a nursing program and as a class requirement, attended the meeting as an observer.
Dorothy Jenkins met with the Board in regard to several subjects. One issue for discussion was Bulky Day. Ms. Jenkins stated that Laurie Hilbert would be working; employees are ready and will be there on Saturday. Barbara Moran has made the tickets and everything is falling into place. Ms. Jacobs will count vehicles when they come through. Ms. Klick stated she would like to skip Bulky Days and have curbside bulk pickup. This will be brought up when the Board discusses the contract.
The Board announced that there would be an Emergency Management meeting on October 25, 2006 at approximately 10:00 a.m. after the Department Head meeting.
Ms. Jenkins next brought up the item on the agenda dealing with rugs/mats for the office. She suggested a rug in place at the counter and two rugs – one in front of the table and one in the center of the floor. This will prevent slips and will protect the wood floor. Mr. Allard mentioned that he has the name of an individual who has a large amount of rug/carpet remnants for sale. This will be looked into for pricing, etc.
Ms. Jenkins informed the Board that their computer needed access to the web site so minutes of the meeting and agendas can be posted. She has spoken to Virtual Town Hall and the Board of Health can be added for an annual fee of $330/per year as a new department. This is necessary as the Board of Health/Selectmen were considered one department until recently. This amount includes any questions or training the secretary may need. The School system has their own web site, so they are not on the same web site. Ms. Jenkins stated that Gretchen Neggers would be eventually upgrading the phone system to make the system more efficient.
Ms. Jenkins asked the Board if they would ever consider trash violations, i.e. a fine for too much trash outside a residential building. The Board of Health recently received a phone call in regard to someone on Bridge Street with building material on the sidewalk in split bags. Ms. Klick stated she went to investigate and they are repairing the house. She feels that Allied Waste Services would remove the material if it were placed in bags. A letter will be sent to the owners of the house stating they need to bag the trash for removal by Allied. After discussion, the Board feels it would be difficult to issue violations. Ms. Klick stated she would like to see a list of materials that can be discarded on trash/recycling day posted on the web site.
Ms. Klick stated she has spoken with the manager of Adams and they are donating thirty sandwiches for Bulky Day. Ms. Jacobs will check on this with the manager on Friday. Woodbine Country Store is donating coffee and donuts. The Tourism Committee will not be using their food permit.
Ms. Jenkins mentioned to the Board that the recycling/trash calendar expires at the end of 2006 and asked the Board what they wished to do. Because of the contract being negotiated, the Board did not want to see money spent on having the calendars printed. Ms. Jenkins reminded Board members that the calendar would still be necessary for the first 6 months of 2007, as the contract does not expire until June 30, 2007.
Minutes of September 20, 2006 were read and reviewed. Ms. Klick moved to accept the minutes as read, seconded by Mr. Bator and voted unanimously.
The trash schedule was discussed further. The Board felt that Allied Waste should print and mail these out. Ms. Jenkins informed the Board their secretary has been doing the calendars for several years and they
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have been sent out with the trash billing. Bills cover the fiscal year – from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The contract must be in place prior to July 1st 2007. After discussion, the Board decided that a paper calendar will be done for the first 6 months of 2007 and a copy posted on the web site.
Next item for discussion was the possible use of the Monson Developmental Center for the staging/dispensing site. Jane Arthur’s assistant had contacted Lorri McCool to inform her that permission has been granted from the state for Ms. Arthur to meet and speak with the Board of Health on this issue. The Board will place this for discussion on the agenda for November 1, 2006.
Ms. Jenkins explained to the Board that in the next few weeks, she would be presenting to them, for signatures, abatements for 2001 through 2005 for audit purposes only.
Update on Responsibilities
Communicable disease – Mr. Allard stated that a child playing sports had contacted whooping cough and was treated immediately. Parents were notified and everything seems to be all right.
Beavers –Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – This is all set up. The tent will be put up on Friday and dumpsters are already arriving. The secretary called Allied Waste to see if they would wait to bring in more dumpsters until Thursday. The dumpsters will need to be removed as soon after Bulky Day as possible. Double lines of dumpsters will be employed to see if this speeds up the line of cars.
Hazardous Waste – Will be held on June 3 or 10, 2007. Ms. Klick will call a new company that contacted the office to speak to them in regard to a possible proposal.
Finances – Dr. Smith had nothing to report. He will need to research the budget to see where funding can come from to pay for rugs/mats for the office. Mr. Allard stated he knew of someone who often had large remnants left over after installation in office/home buildings. Mr. Allard will check into this.
Floor drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Tobacco – Letter from Beverly Hirschhorn in Longmeadow informing the Board that Ernie May had a CORI check performed and there were no findings.
The Board received a copy of a letter from Lorri McCool sent out to a resident on Belmont Avenue in response to a complaint received in the office in regard to a bag of bottles on his front lawn.
Copy of a letter also received in regard to a complaint of dog urine odor at a residence on Brimfield Road. Lorri McCool also responded by inspection and letter.
Copy of a letter sent to the Planning Board from Ms. McCool on her findings in regard to a preliminary subdivision plan for Quarry Hill Estates.
Dr. Smith and Ms. Jacobs both received a letter from Wing Memorial Hospital inviting them to a luncheon to be held on October 27th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Wing Hospital.
The Board read and reviewed all correspondence.
The Board of Health signed all bills and necessary forms.
Next topic for discussion was the trash contract. Possible changes to the contract were discussed. Patriot’s Day will be added as one of Allied Waste Services’ holidays. 2.3 - Ms. Klick wants to make sure that containers are placed back in the area where they were picked up. 3.1 - Ms. Klick stated the schools need a container for cans and one for cardboard. The school must also break down the cardboard. 4 - Ms. Klick has called in regard to the dumpster that was located at the former teen center. Maybe this could be used at the school. 5 – The Board wants to control and handle this, not Allied Waste. The money will come from the trash budget for printing. If there are any major changes, then Allied Waste will be responsible for printing and mailing. 6 – The Board will hold off on this item. 7 - Ms. Jenkins informed the Board she
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would like to see this happen. The list will be prepared in the Collector’s office and given to the contractor. Haulers must provide a list of residents they provide with a dumpster. P.5 E – Ms. Klick would like to
raise the bond performance figure. After discussion, Dr. Smith informed Board members he would update the contract. Ms. Klick feels that money should be in place for the curbside pickup, so the town does not fall short and money would not have to be borrowed. This will be discussed at the meeting of October 18th with Ms. Mahar and Ms. Neggers.
At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Bator moved to adjourn the meeting seconded by Dr. Smith and so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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