Wednesday
May 21, 2008
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Dr. Richard Smith. Members present: Gary Allard and Phyllis Klick. Members absent: Robert Bator and Margaret Harrison. Mr. Richard Krupczak from Echo Hill Orchard also attended the meeting.
Richard Krupczak met with the Board in regard to using his outdoor wood boiler throughout the year under an agricultural exemption. Dr. Smith informed him that the burn season ended on April 15th. He had received a letter to cease and desist until he had approached the Board of Health for a request for a Special Permit. Ms. Klick mentioned that agriculture can burn all year to get rid of dead limbs/diseased trees, but not in an outdoor wood boiler. Mr. Allard informed Mr. Krupczak that he could use only seasoned wood in the boiler. His boiler is a Mahoney, which allows him to burn coal or wood. The Board informed him he could burn coal. Mr. Krupczak stated he uses his outdoor wood boiler for wine making and for heat. Last year he made pumpkin wine,
which sold out quickly. This year he plans to make more, as well as plum wine. He has a room set for 60 degrees. When it falls below this temperature, the outdoor wood boiler kicks on. The state has forwarded a rough draft of the proposed regulations to the Board of Health. The Board may grant a variance for the burn season if it is made in writing and subject to a public hearing after property owners within 400 feet are notified at least 10 days prior to the public hearing.
Dr. Smith asked why he needed an exemption to use his outdoor wood boiler and Mr. Krupczak answered that it is his only source of heat. Mr. Krupczak informed the Board that Belchertown has granted agricultural exemptions. The Board suggested he contact Senator Brewer on the state regulations with any comments and attend the hearings as well. Belchertown will be contacted to see how they rated agriculture exempt from the burn season.
Mr. Krupczak gave the Board a letter in response to the letter dated May 16, 2008 from the Building Inspector in regard to zoning/building code violations. He informed the Board that he spoke with Chip Lapointe and the Board of Selectmen, and they have come to an agreement. The Board thanked Mr. Krupczak for attending their meeting.
The Board signed the bills and necessary correspondence.
Mr. Allard moved to accept the Minutes of May 7, 2008, seconded by Dr. Smith and so voted.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator was absent, but there was nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Klick informed the Board that 344 people attended the May 3rd Bulky Day – last year 370 attended. She felt it went well. $2,524 was collect – last year $2,540. The Board will send out thank-you letters to Woodbine, Adams and the various departments that partook of the event. Mr. Allard mentioned that he felt someone from P&F should have been there to help with the metal, rather than the town paying employees to do this. They will be notified of this for the fall Bulky Day.
Communicable Diseases – Ms. Harrison was absent, but there was one case of Lyme Disease.
Emergency Preparedness – Mr. Allard informed Board members that Lorri McCool is working with state officials to assist in the preparation of a table top exercise to test and evaluation Monson’s emergency dispensing site. The workshop will be held on June 17th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Ms. Harrison will be asked if she can attend.
Finances – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator was absent but there was a beef products recall due to possible E. coli contamination.
Hazardous Waste Day – Will not be held this year.
Health Fair – Ms. Harrison was absent, but she is working on this. The banner will be brought to Hampden Sign Company.
May 21, 2008 Minutes cont. Page 2.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Medical Reserve Corps – Ms. Harrison was absent, but there was nothing to report.
Outdoor Wood Boilers – Dr. Smith had spoken to Lorri McCool on doing spot inspections and he would like her to call him on an update on this request.
Press Relations – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Recycling – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Tobacco – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Trash – Ms. Klick had contacted Allied Waste in regard to pay by bag pickup. She was informed that Worcester has this system in place – part of the program is paid by taxes –then the residents purchase the bags.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
The Board discussed vacation hours, when Ms. Taft is out of the office on vacation. Lorri McCool will cover some of the hours. Ms. Klick feels that the office should be open at least a few hours a day, each day.
Ms. Taft has started to type up a daily log. This is very helpful remembering phone conversations, office visits, etc. This will be added to the agenda as an item so the Board can discuss it at each meeting.
The Board read and discussed the correspondence.
At 8:45 p.m. Ms. Klick moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Allard and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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