Wednesday
January 3, 2007
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order by Chairman Gary Allard. Members present: Dr. Richard Smith, Jane Jacobs and Robert Bator. Absent: Phyllis Klick. Also present was Craig Jalbert, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Health Inspector, Lorri McCool.
After review of the minutes of December 20, 2006, Mr. Bator moved to accept as presented, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously.
Mr. Jalbert and Ms. McCool met with the Board to discuss the licensing of food establishments with requirements/regulations for degreasing of grease traps. Mr. Jalbert explained to the Board that this concept came to light due to Norcross House Restaurant’s recent situation. Mr. Belanger, owner of the Norcross House Restaurant, had the Fletcher Company degrease the restaurant drain. The company had a large machine, which they used to blast the line. Mr. Jalbert was present to make sure the town’s line was not affected.
Mr. Jalbert stated that the owner did what he had to do, but did it slightly reluctantly, as he felt he was being singled out. Mr. Jalbert explained that he felt all establishments could be required to degrease their grease traps in order to receive the 2008 licenses for their establishments. They would have to keep records of who does the work and when, which would need to be presented to the Board before they receive their licenses. A plan could be implemented to show the Board how they degrease their grease traps as part of the license process. Ms. McCool informed Mr. Jalbert and the Board that not all establishments have outside grease traps. Mr. Jalbert informed the Board that the Water/Sewer Department has no control of grease traps that are inside the establishments.
The Board suggested that Ms. McCool could check on this when she does her restaurant inspections.
The Board of Health could inform all establishments that they must keep records of when grease traps are cleaned. This will have to be done for licensing purposes for 2008. All licenses have been renewed for 2007, so the Board has the full year to implement this procedure. During the year the Board of Health will be notifying all establishments that this will be a requirement for 2008 licensing. Ms. McCool will work with establishments explaining to them what will be required. This will include the logging and keeping of records of degreasing drains. A pamphlet can be given to establishments explaining the rules and regulations. Mr. Jalbert mentioned that the company that performed the degreasing of the Norcross Restaurant drain suggested degreasing drains once a week.
Ms. McCool will be doing her restaurant inspections in January/February and she will check by asking the establishments what they do presently with the grease. Mr. Jalbert would like to go with Ms. McCool when she does her inspections. Mr. Allard suggested that maybe sometime in June, establishments could start following these procedures, which would allow several months for them to begin keeping records for licensing for 2008.
Mr. Bator thanked Mr. Jalbert for bringing up this important issue and meeting with the Board.
The Board next met with Ms. McCool. Dr. Smith asked Ms. McCool if there was any money available for displaying of emergency preparedness pamphlets. Ms. McCool responded that money would be available soon for this. Mr. Allard mentioned that flyers could be sponsored by businesses, i.e. pamphlets could be printed to say something like “sponsored by the Board of Health and Mug’n’Muffin or Monson Savings Bank.” This would enable the flyers to be paid for by businesses.
The Board next discussed with Ms. McCool, the proposed rules and regulations for outdoor wood boilers. Mr. Allard asked Ms. McCool the state’s determination of the heating season. Ms. McCool responded: October through April. Ms. McCool was also asked her opinion of a fee amount to be charged for the permit.
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The Board of Health will do the requirements and inspections of these outdoor wood-burning boilers. This will be a one-time permit. Applicants will need to submit a schematic drawing to scale and Ms. McCool will need to go out and do an inspection. Ms. McCool informed the Board that the Town of Northampton charges $100.00.
Mr. Allard informed Board members that Building Inspector, Chip Lapointe, had asked him if the Board of Health would like him to send violations and fines to people whom are in violations regarding trash. Mr. Lapointe stated that he could issue violations when he is out doing inspections of his own. The Board would like Mr. Lapointe to notify them of these violations, and they determined that Ms. Klick and Ms. McCool could check out any of these issues on his referral.
Ms. McCool reminded the Board of the meeting at the Monson Developmental Center to view the building for a possible dispensing site on Wednesday, January 10th at 3:00 p.m.
The Board of Health will also be meeting with the Board of Selectmen on January 23, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
The Emergency Preparedness meeting will be held after the Department Heads meeting on Wednesday, January 24th at 10:30 a.m.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she would be going tomorrow to the Hampden County Coalition meeting. Stephanie Merrick from the Hampden County Coalition will meet with Ms. McCool and Catherine “Jackie” Mitchell at some time in the future to go over what is required for the Medical Reserve Corps. The Board asked if this meeting could be scheduled during a Board of Health meeting to enable them to be in attendance.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that Staph infections have occurred at the school with six children involved. The children have an infection on their cuticles. She has spoken to the school nurse and also reported this to Jane Jacobs. Everything was all right, as the children were all on vacation during the Holidays.
Mr. Allard mentioned to Ms. McCool that he had a personal preparedness emergency plan he had gotten from his wife, which is a good template for residents to follow in emergencies. A copy will be given to Ms. McCool and will go as a link on our web page.
Update on responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Klick was unavailable.
Communicable Diseases – Ms. Jacobs informed the Board that there were two cases of Lyme Disease and one case of Babesiosis.
Finances – Dr. Smith will speak with Town Accountant Deborah Mahar about the secretary’s increase in salary.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick was unavailable.
Health Fair – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Massage Licenses – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Press Relations – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Recycling – Ms. Klick was unavailable.
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Tobacco – Ernie May did inspections on December 31st on several establishments in town. Everything was all right in the establishments, including proper signage.
Trash – Ms. Klick was unavailable.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
The Board signed trash abatements, bills and necessary correspondence.
The Board discussed the MRC, which had been emailed to Mr. Allard and forwarded to the Board of Health office. Board members felt that this was “too much" information; therefore, they will review the packet and see if all the information is in the Board’s agreement. They felt that a link on the web page would be sufficient.
The Board spoke of approaching establishments and asking for sponsors to help pay for the printing of emergency preparedness brochures. The brochures could be printed using the names of the local community sponsors, with the names of the highest sponsors to the lowest. Establishments to be approached could include Adams Supermarket, Monson Savings Bank, Woodbine Country Store, Squier’s Lumber, the Monson Free Library and the churches. Ms. Jacobs will be asked to approach and speak to establishments on this idea. She will also check with Roberts Printing to find out how much a pamphlet containing approximately 5 pages would cost for 1,000 and 3,000 copies.
The Board next read the correspondence.
At 9:25 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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