Wednesday
February 7, 2007
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Gary Allard, with Dr. Richard Smith, Robert Bator and Phyllis Klick present. Also present was Health Inspector Lorri McCool. Board member Jane Jacobs was absent.
Ms. McCool attended the meeting to discuss several issues. She had received a phone call from Donald Smart, who is the owner of a duplex on Beckwith Road. One of the tenants was having a health problem and a police officer, upon arriving at the scene, noticed an accumulation of newspapers and magazines, etc. The tenant’s family has been notified, and a dumpster was ordered for February 8th, so this issue will be taken care of. The family will see that the tenant takes their medication. Ms. McCool stated that it is very difficult to go into these situations without permission from the owner or renter. Mr. Smart will keep Ms. McCool up to speed on the situation.
The next issue pertained to a well placed in a basement of a new house being built for Mr. Tesini on Bradway Road. Mr. Tesini applied for and has his well permit, but the well didn’t get put in, in the correct location. Ms. McCool stated that there could be an issue with radon in the water and the well is within 100 feet of the leachfield. She has given the owner a verbal stop order. He must supply the Board of Health with an application for a septic system, and he will need a new well permit. The present well will need to be decommissioned. The septic tank is not 10 feet away from the foundation, and he must pay for all permits.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she is presently checking establishments. When she performs the reinspections, Mr. Craig Jalbert, Superintendent of the Water/Sewer Department, will accompany her. The owner of the Mug’n’Mufin (Mark Thrasher) asked her if Mr. Jalbert could bring his “special wrench” with him to get into the grease trap. He has never opened it before.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she has the template of the coop plan used by the Board of Health and she will distribute it to other departments for their use.
The next topic for discussion was the regulations for the outdoor wood boilers. Ms. McCool stated that the Town of Hampden had a public hearing and approximately (50) people showed up. The people who followed the proper specifications for the boilers are not having a problem. Mr. Allard stated that if the boilers are installed and run properly, they can run clean. The Board discussed the idea of the boilers not being used during the summer months. Ms. McCool wants the regulations written and presented in such a way to enable her to enforce regulations on them. Ms. McCool asked the Board if fines would be issued to violators. Fines will be imposed if someone is not burning in season and burning of non-approved materials. Mr. Charlie Kaniecki from the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health is asking towns to send him any rules/regulations they have adopted on outdoor wood boilers.
After discussion of the regulations to be implemented in regard to the outdoor wood boilers, the Board ruled that cut wood must be dried at least (6) months prior to burning. Mr. Allard will check to see what seasoned wood is considered to be. A permit fee will be charged; Mr. Allard and Ms. McCool felt that $150.00 would be a reasonable fee. Ms. McCool will perform inspections and she will review the plans. An “as-built” will be required. This will be similar to “as-builts” required for septic systems. A licensed surveyor must file a proposed plan, with the “as-built” plan being submitted once completed. Two permits will be required: an application to apply to install the boiler and a permit to operate the boiler. The boilers that have
already been installed may remain in until someone files a complaint on them. If someone has a nuisance complaint of smoke, smell, etc. the Board of Health could shut the boiler down if it is determined there is a problem.
The height of the chimney was discussed. Ms. Klick felt there must be a restriction on the height for safety purposes and the Board agreed. The Board will enforce the regulations, and an appeal process will be implemented. The “Best Burn Practices” will be removed from the regulations, as well as the distance from the boiler to the woods, brush and roads on the Outdoor Wood Burning Boiler Checklist and Permit.
February 7, 2007 Page 2.
The Board next discussed the brochures on pandemic flu and emergency preparedness. Ms. McCool informed the Board that she has several brochures that could be pieced together to form an informative brochure. This would involve how to prevent germs from spreading, proper procedure in cooking and prevention of germs by sneezing, coughing, etc. The pamphlets could be placed at stores, supermarkets, the bank, etc. Several brochures have come in from the state and something can be done with these. The full-page information the Board had could be placed into a brochure for residents. Ms. McCool asked the Board what they were looking for. Ms. McCool will do a layout of the brochure on the subjects of food, water, meds, etc.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that the MRC has been approved and is on the website. The application of the Medical Reserve Corps was filed by volunteers and CORI check was done. There is money available for the coordinator to help out towns/cities and the salary will be paid for through August 2007. Ms. McCool felt the MRC should not be strictly a Board of Health responsibility. Other departments, i.e. Fire Department and/or Emergency Management could help out. Ms. McCool will contact Jeremy Bedson to see if he would like Stephanie Merek to attend the next Emergency Preparedness meeting. Ms. Merek would be happy to explain how the MRC should work. Ms. McCool will do an article for the newspaper as well.
The Board would like to meet next with the Selectmen on March 13th to give them an update on the Board of Health’s Emergency Preparedness Plan.
Dr. Smith moved to accept the minutes of January 17, 2007, seconded by Mr. Bator and so voted.
The Board signed all bills and necessary correspondence.
Ms. Klick informed Board members that she is concerned with fluorescent bulbs going into the trash for disposal. She believes there may be mercury in the small tubes. Mr. Allard thought that the new ones do not have any mercury in them. Both Ms. Klick and Mr. Allard will check on this.
Ms. Klick stated that she has spoken to Michael Szczepan, General Manager of Allied Waste Services, in regard to the trash contract proposal. He will be giving the proper people the proposal for their response. Ms. Klick will contact him to find out the status.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Klick informed the Board she would like P&F Auto there. She will make sure they will take the materials.
Communicable Diseases – In the absence of Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Taft informed the Board that there were two cases of Lyme Disease.
Finances – Ms. Klick stated that she has spoken to Town Accountant Deborah Mahar for funds to cover the office if the secretary is ill or on vacation.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick informed the Board that this would be held on June 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fire Department will be contacted to check on the banner and a banner request will be submitted.
Health Fair – Ms. Jacobs was unavailable but nothing to report.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Massage Licensing – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
February 7, 2007 Page 3.
Recycling – Ms. Klick informed the Board that the Tourism Committee is doing the town-wide cleanup and would like to request the Board of Health pay for the trash bags. Jean Bailey is getting a price on the bags. Dr. Smith moved to use appropriate funds from the Recycling Grant to pay for the trash bags, seconded by Ms. Klick and so voted.
Trash – already discussed.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
The Board read the correspondence.
At 9:40 p.m. Dr. Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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