Wednesday
March 21, 2007
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health opened at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Gary Allard with members: Robert Bator, Jane Jacobs and Dr. Richard Smith present. Member Phyllis Klick was absent. Also attending the meeting was Town Accountant, Deborah Mahar, Town Collector, Dorothy Jenkins and Chris Macera, representative from Allied Waste Services.
The Board read the minutes of March 7, 2007. After discussion Mr. Bator moved to accept the minutes with the clarification of the statement on the first page in regard to a regional drill, which will be held in Amherst on December 12th, seconded by Ms. Jacobs, and so voted.
Deborah Mahar, Dorothy Jenkins and Chris Macera met with the Board to discuss finalizing the trash contract so it could be signed by the Selectmen at their meeting on March 27th. After discussion of the contract, it was determined that small fluorescent tubes, which are presently being picked up in the trash, will be collected at Bulky Days. This change will be made to the contract. Mr. Bator moved to accept the contract, with the change, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously. A copy of the contract will be given to the Board of Selectmen tomorrow.
Ms. Jenkins informed the Board that she has spoken to Sandra Etre from Allied Waste. Allied will be paying for the dumpster and tipping cost for the town-wide cleanup sponsored by the Monson Tourism Committee. She thanked Mr. Macera for Allied Waste Services’ contribution.
The Board thanked Mr. Macera for attending the meeting.
The Board signed bills and necessary correspondence.
Ms. Mahar and Ms. Jenkins also met with the Board to discuss the possibility of billing trash twice a year beginning in Fiscal Year 2008. Ms. Mahar explained to the Board how she arrives at the suggested price of the trash rate. She takes into consideration the amount paid to Allied Waste Services, clerical amount paid, etc. Ms. Jenkins gives her the number of units serviced to calculate the price of the trash rate. By billing twice a year, it will save money for residents who suddenly find everything is due at the first of the year and will save money on borrowing for the town. The program works very well and is a very reasonable fee for residents to pay. Ms. Mahar and Ms. Jenkins had approached the Board several years ago to ask to bill yearly as this saves money on postage, envelopes, etc.
but by billing twice a year it will help residents as they receive several bills for other services at the same time of year.
Dr. Smith asked why the billing period (once a year) couldn’t be moved to another time frame. Ms. Mahar and Ms. Jenkins informed the Board that this is not possible due to the Assessor’s software.
After a brief discussion, Ms. Jacobs moved that Monson residents be billed twice a year for trash in March and September, seconded by Mr. Bator and so voted. The first bill will go out in the fall.
Also discussed, was the amount of disposal items allowed for disposal by residents on Bulky Day. These will have to be more closely monitored and the cost for disposal of items will need to be increased. Pickup trucks have been bringing in large quantities of material for disposal. Residents will have to pay for truckloads of items they are bringing in.
The Board also discussed the Household Hazardous Waste banner with Ms. Mahar. Mr. Allard had brought the old banner to Hampden Sign and was informed the words could not be put on the other side of the present banner. Therefore, this banner will not be able to be used. The Board asked if money from the Recycling Grant could be used for the cost of a new banner. Oil and Tires that will be collected on the Hazardous Waste Day will be recycled so they do not see a problem with using these funds. Arlene Miller, who was a Selectman in Longmeadow, was instrumental in helping the Board of Health get established. She had informed them years ago that funds from the Recycling Grant could be used for a banner. Ms. Miller will be contacted to see if this is still true and if so Ms. Mahar will
approve the funds.
March 21, 2007 2.
Licenses for Disposal Installers were signed and approved for: Caleb Moody/Blue Zone in Webster,
Watson Excavation in Monson and Was Brothers Construction in Wilbraham.
The Board discussed an update on responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Klick was absent.
Communicable Diseases – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
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 – The Board will be ordering a banner if the funds are available through the Recycling Grant.
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 – already discussed – contract approved.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
The Board next discussed the regulations for the outdoor wood burning boilers. After discussion, Dr. Smith moved to accept the revised regulations for the outdoor wood burning boilers, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and so voted. A copy will be given to the Selectmen to forward to Town Counsel for his suggestions/recommendations.
The Board read the correspondence.
At 8:45 p.m. Ms. Jacobs moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Dr. Smith and so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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