Wednesday
April 16, 2008
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Dr. Richard Smith. Members present: Gary Allard, Phyllis Klick and Robert Bator. Members absent: Margaret Harrison. Also present was resident Thomas Warden from Stewart Avenue.
Mr. Warden spoke to the Board and informed them that he had sent an email requesting the Board consider a pay-as-you-throw trash system. Mr. Warden felt that this type of program would be cheaper and a fairer way of charging residents. Also, this would eliminate trash from blowing all over the town. He has spoken to Ms. Neggers on this issue and she informed him that either Longmeadow or East Longmeadow has gone this route and earned thousands of dollars from the program. She suggested he get in touch with the Board of Health, as this is their domain. Mr. Warden informed the Board that he would be willing to research this type of program. The Board informed him that a five-year contract has recently been signed/approved and will not expire until June 2012.
Mr. Warden stated that contracts could be opened and renegotiate with companies. Approximately six years ago, the Board did research to find the best possible trash program. At the time, it was determined that the present system the town uses was the fairest way to go. Seniors are given a 25% discount on their trash bill; therefore, there would be no savings to them on a pay-as-you-throw program. After discussion, the Board asked Ms. Taft if she would contact Allied Waste Services to see if they would entertain changes to the present contract.
The Board read the minutes of April 2, 2008. After discussion, Mr. Bator moved to accept the Minutes with the corrections that the wells will be tested for uranium and radon rather than arsenic seconded by Mr. Allard and so voted.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Kick informed the Board that the details are all set. She has a tire truck coming. A business owner informed her that he has 30 tires to dispose of. (Possibly truck tires). He was asked to wait until the end of the day and the Board will take them. Sandwiches and beverages have been lined up. Dr. Smith reminded the Board he would be out of town that day.
Communicable Diseases – Ms. Harrison was absent but the office received a follow up on three cases of Lyme Disease.
Emergency Preparedness – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Finances – Dr. Smith has nothing to report. There is a Finance Committee/Department Heads meeting planned for April 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Conference Room.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Health Fair – Ms. Harrison is working on this. Letter and forms have been sent out.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Medical Reserve Corps – Ms. Harrison was at an MRC meeting this evening at the Wilbraham Senior Center.
Outdoor Wood Burning Boilers – April 15th was the last day for boilers to be in operation. Ms. McCool will be asked to do spot check inspections.
Press Relations – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Recycling – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Tobacco – Memorandum from Beverly Hirschhorn in regard to the third quarter FY08 tobacco grant expense report submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Trash – The Board discussed the throw-as-you-go trash program, as suggested by Mr. Warden. Allied Waste will be contacted and asked if they would reconsider negotiating of the contract discussing a throw-as-you-go program, with single stream recycling.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
April 16, 2008 Page 2
Correspondence was read and responded to by the Board.
At 8:30 p.m., Mr. Allard moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Bator and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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