Wednesday
July 18, 2007
Public Hearing/Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order by Co-Chair Dr. Richard Smith. Present were members Phyllis Klick and Robert Bator. Gary Allard was absent for the public hearing on outdoor wood burning boilers. Also present: John Hodgdon, Charles Ramadon and Keith Terry, Sherman & Frydryk, to discuss CJ’s Restaurant tight tank.
Mr. Keith Terry from Sherman & Frydryk met with the Board to request a letter stating the Board’s approval for installation of a tight tank for CJ’s Restaurant at 371 Boston Road – West. The Department of Environmental Protection will need a copy of this letter. After discussion, Dr. Smith moved to send a letter to Sherman & Frydryk stating the Board has approved the variance request to locate the proposed tight tank within the Zone I of the public water supply well, as well as the operation and maintenance plan, seconded by Mr. Bator and so voted.
The Public Hearing for outdoor wood burning boilers opened at 7:05 p.m. Dr. Smith informed the public that the proposed regulations were on the counter and asked residents who wished to speak to please sign in.
Attorney Richard Johnson, 44 Pease Avenue, was the first to speak. Attorney Johnson informed the Board that a boiler operates approximately 400 feet from his home. The smoke is very bothersome, and his wife is asthmatic. He had put together a memorandum with proposed regulations from Longmeadow and hoped the Board would consider them. He felt that some areas of town were very congested and would be inappropriate for these boilers to be installed; he felt the boilers should be banned in Monson. They are not efficient or clean burning. Due to the smoke and fumes he would like to see the air protected.
Art Laurion, 209 Brimfield Road, felt that a device burning wood still provided a smoke/pollution issue. The boilers burn wood just as a pellet stove or indoor wood burning stove would – both burn and provide smoke. He commended the Board of Health for holding this discussion and for their work compiling the proposed regulations.
Ken Pevay, 224 Munn Road, stated that he has a pellet stove in his home and he is not against wood burning devices. There are two outdoor wood burning boilers approximately 250 – 300’ from his house.
He would like to see the burning period shortened – maybe from November through April. He felt also that the height of the chimneystack should be increased in proximity of other houses.
William Fountain, 63 Waid Road, informed the Board that he owns an outdoor wood-burning boiler. He stated that when he is burning coal, he cannot tell if the boiler is running, as it burns that clean. He felt those who purchased the boilers should research how they function and burn before they are purchase them.
Fran Cardano, 126 Thayer Road, felt that as more and more houses are being built, the Board of Health should consider the heavy smoke and pollutants that are being placed in the air when these boilers are running. She lives near one and smoke is always in her yard.
Joe Cardano, 126 Thayer Road, felt that location is everything. The boilers should not be allowed to be installed under trees or close to other houses. He feels that he and his family should not have to compromise by closing their windows and staying indoors. The suggestions being made tonight should be considered by the Board.
Diane Smith, 128 Thayer Road, stated that she owns a boiler. She had spoken to her neighbor who had agreed that the smoke was better than it had been. Their smokestack is quite high.
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Health Inspector, Lorri McCool, stated that she had been contacted by the DEP on this complaint and was informed by the DEP that their department has more issues with people burning coal in these boilers than with those who burn wood.
Rosemary Johnson spoke and informed the Board that she is asthmatic and cannot go into her yard when her neighbor is using his boiler, nor can windows be opened. She feels that it is not fair for her to compensate by staying in her home. The boiler is approximately 400’ from her house. She feels the boilers should be banned.
The Board asked why she didn’t make a complaint before. Lorri McCool stated that she was called but when she went up she couldn’t smell or see any smoke in the area.
Gregory Smith, 128 Thayer Road, stated that he had approval to install an outdoor wood-burning boiler. His stack if 16’ high and is 250’ away from his neighbors. Diane Smith stated they only burn wood, no trash or anything else.
Joe Cardano stated that his neighbor’s 16’ stack (Smiths) would be fine if not for the fact that the boiler is 20’ lower than his house. He is against them from being in certain locations.
Brian Sullivan agreed that some locations should not be allowed to have an outdoor wood-burning boiler. However, he does not understand the difference between an outdoor wood burning boiler or a wood stove in the house. Smoke and pollutants would still be emitted.
Ed Harrison, 7 Beebe Road, informed the Board that he lives in the vicinity of outdoor wood boilers but has had no problems with his neighbors. He questioned whether the dimensions should be the only issues that the Board considers. He feels that the overall health effect of the O.W.B., as well as pellet stoves, fireplaces, etc. should be considered. He questioned whether these devices could come with catalytic converters for air quality purposes, as he was worried about air quality. Mr. Harrison also questioned the Board on how they will monitor these boilers. He felt it was very difficult to monitor complaints and/or adhering to burning of wood only.
Heather Wood, 110 Thayer Road, felt that there was no perfect heating system. All furnaces, wood stoves and the like give off emissions.
Jason Wood, 110 Thayer Road, stated he had been to the Smiths’ house at 128 Thayer Road, and he never noticed smoke or an odor.
Attorney Johnson left a pamphlet for the Board’s review. He mentioned that there were hand-held devices that could be used to monitor emissions from the outdoor boilers.
Ed Paulhus from 216 Munn Road agreed with the Board’s proposed regulations. He mentioned that Amherst monitors with hand-held devices; however, distances will affect the readings.
Mark DuComb, 23 Town Farm Road, informed the Board that there are three O.W.B.’s in his neighborhood. He stated that no hand-held devices are accurate enough to measure particulates. Particulates will eventually go down, but not the smoke. When it is warm, smoke cannot rise. He felt that October 1st is too early to begin the heating date. Also, he questioned if the Board had considered spark arresters if possible. He further stated that in March 2007, thirty communities have approved either bans/regulations on O.W.B.’s. A catalytic converter needs to reach 2300 degrees in order to burn particulates. These boilers are only 50 – 60% efficient; therefore, a catalytic converter wouldn’t work.
July 18, 2007 Page 3.
William Fountain, 63 Waid Road, informed the Board that he could smell smoke from the campgrounds from their campfires. Does this mean they should be shutdown? Mark DuComb informed him that campfires are permissible for recreational purposes.
Ms. Klick asked if his boiler is shut off during the summer and Mr. Fountain replied yes. He puts on his hot water heater for approximately 10 minutes a day for hot water but stated that some people are still burning.
Allan Coolong, 97 Monson Road, stated that catalytic converters are used on Massachusetts and New Hampshire outdoor wood boilers.
Dr. Smith thanked everyone for their input and for attending the public hearing, which closed at 7:45 p.m.
The Minutes of June 20, 2007, were read and reviewed, and Mr. Bator moved to accept as presented, seconded by Ms. Klick.
After discussion of the vote from the meeting of June 20, 2007, in regard to the vote of Gary Allard and Dr. Richard Smith serving on the Board as co-chairs, Mr. Bator moved to appoint Dr. Richard Smith as the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Gary Allard, Vice-Chairman, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
The Board briefly discussed comments from the public hearing on outdoor wood burning boilers. Ms. McCool felt that it would be a good idea to change the seasonal burning months in the regulations, as suggested by a resident. Also, would like to see the OWB’s installed already not be grandfathered. Dr. Smith felt that the Board would respond to this issue when a nuisance complaint is received. Enforcement will be difficult to monitor.
The Board will meet again on the rules and regulations of the OWB some time in August, when Ms. McCool returns from vacation.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard was unavailable.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Communicable Disease/West Nile Virus – Ms. Jacobs informed the Board that there was a case of Tuberculosis however, the patient moved to Chicopee.
Emergency Preparedness – Mr. Allard was not present.
Finances – Dr. Smith suggested that funds be taken from the account of Board of Health part-time clerical to provide funds for the Administrative Assistant’s longevity.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard was not present.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Outdoor Wood Burning Boilers – Mr. Allard was not present.
Press Relations – As Dr. Smith was going on vacation, he asked Ms. Klick if she would contact Channel 40 News to discuss the hearing held tonight on OWB’s per phone message today.
Recycling – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Tobacco – Dr. Smith stated that Gregory Boyce had performed a second inspection.
Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Wells – Mr. Allard was not present.
July 18, 2007 Page 4.
Mr. Gary Allard entered the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Margaret Harrison and Jane Jacobs met with the Board to discuss filling the vacancy on the Board. Ms. Jacobs informed Board members that Ms. Harrison was interested in filling the vacancy. Ms. Harrison is a registered nurse and therapist, has lived in town for 35 years and has recently retired. The Board informed Ms. Harrison that she would be responsible for communicable diseases and the Health Fair. Ms. Jacobs stated she would help Ms. Harrison, who is a good nurse and is willing to get involved with the MRC. After discussion, Mr. Bator moved to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting that they please consider appointing Ms. Margaret Harrison to the Board of Health, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
Ms. Klick informed Board members that the office was opened/covered when the secretary was on vacation
the last few weeks.
The Board read and acted on the correspondence.
The Secretary was asked to speak to Lorri McCool in regard to ordering a color copier and other office supplies from Hampden County Coalition.
The Board discussed the funds for Ms. Taft’s longevity. Funds had not been appropriated, but the Accounting Office had informed the secretary that the necessary funds could come from the Board of Health Part-time Clerical Accountant or the Board of Health Nurse Account. After discussion, Dr. Smith determined that the funds could be taken from the Part-time clerical fund.
The Board of Health signed the bills and necessary correspondence.
At 9:00 p.m., Mr. Bator moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Dr. Smith and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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