Wednesday
March 7, 2007
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order by Chairman Gary Allard at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Dr. Richard Smith, Jane Jacobs, Robert Bator and Health Inspector Lorri McCool. Absent: member Phyllis Klick.
The Board signed all bills and necessary correspondence.
The minutes of February 21, 2007 were read. Mr. Bator moved to accept as presented, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously.
Mr. David Grinnell from Upper Hampden Road entered the meeting. He attended the meeting to discuss regulations on the outdoor wood burning boilers. Mr. Grinnell explained to the Board his concerns, as his neighbor has an outdoor boiler. He is worried about the smoke from this heating system. Mr. Grinnell informed the Board that when he is travelling on Waid Road, he can see the smoke coming from the smokestack on Upper Hampden Road. He feels this is a public health and nuisance problem. Mr. Allard stated he has one of the boilers and it took a while to learn how to properly operate it. He is aware that if the boilers are not properly loaded they can burn poorly. He informed Mr. Grinnell that the Board is presently setting regulations on these devices. For complaints on
boilers that have already been installed, an inspection will be made and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Ms. McCool also attended the meeting to discuss and finalize the outdoor wood burning boiler regulations. She informed the Board that she had attended a seminar in Hadley. Outdoor wood burning boilers were discussed at this meeting. The DEP will be coming out with model regulations soon. If their regulations are more stringent, Monson must follow the DEP’s guidelines. Emission regulations will be determined by the DEP, and it will be up to the homeowner to prove what the emissions output is. Mr. Allard feels that education of homeowners installing these boilers is necessary to successfully operate them.
A discussion followed in regard to the regulations, with Mr. Grinnell in attendance and asking questions. The Board addressed his concerns. The changes/additions/deletions will be made to the regulations of the outdoor wood burning boilers and the updated regulations will be emailed to the Board members for final approval. A copy will then be given to the Selectmen for review by Town Counsel. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board thanked Mr. Grinnell for attending the meeting. Mr. Allard informed Mr. Grinnell that he could contact him with any questions/problems.
Ms. McCool presented the Board members with a brochure she has been composing for emergency preparedness. She would like to put the information on an 8.5” x 14” sheet of paper and add departmental phone numbers. The Board complimented her on the brochure, as this was what they are looking for in place of separate sheets of data.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she attended a Hampden County Coalition meeting. A firm from Boston will provide people to serve on the Medical Reserve Corps – 3 of the 5 are health specialists. The group was at the meeting to discuss regionalization of boards of health and reminded boards they are a power for their towns. Monson will have $1,500 to spend.
The secretary was asked to make copies of the pamphlet for Board members of the seminar to be held on April 5th at Holyoke Community College.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she would like to speak with Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers in regard to coop plans from the other departments and the coordination of these plans. The Board felt this would be a good idea. It would also be very helpful to know the plans of the supermarket, the bank, gas stations, etc. in case of emergencies. The Board and Ms. McCool would like to meet with managers/owners of these establishments in the future.
March 7, 2007 Page 2.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that the MRC would be set up on line. Once this is done, the Board will become members of the MRC and can sign up. CORI checks will need to be done on volunteers for the MRC. She will take to Ms. Neggers on this because it is possible the fee for the CORI checks will be waived.
Update of Board of Health Responsibilities
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – In the absence of Ms. Klick, the Board discussed Bulky Day. Mr. Bator moved to have two packers present at Bulky Day, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and so voted.
Communicable Diseases – Ms. Jacobs stated there are records of two Lyme diseases.
Finances – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Hampden County Sign will be called and asked to make a sign for June 2nd.
Health Fair – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Massage Licensing – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Press Relations – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Recycling – Ms. Klick was absent.
Tobacco – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Trash – This was already covered.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
The Board reviewed the proposal from Allied Waste Services. The Board discussed the items brought up during the joint meeting on February 23, 2007. The final proposal was given to the Board of Health from the terms mentioned at that meeting. The Board received an email from Casella Corporation, which was discussed. Casella is requesting a meeting with the Board of Health to discuss the Monson’s needs. The Board is entertaining this suggestion as no contract has been signed yet. A copy of this letter will be sent to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee.
Correspondence was read and information noted.
At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Bator moved to adjourn the meeting seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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