Wednesday
January 2, 2008
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order by Vice-Chairman Gary Allard at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Robert Bator, Margaret Harrison and Phyllis Klick. Chairman Dr. Richard Smith was absent.
The Board reviewed the Minutes of December 19, 2007. Mr. Bator moved to accept the minutes with the change to the Board of Health Responsibilities (Wells) to read: “Ms. Taft will contact Mr. LaPointe to inform him of this and that an occupancy permit should not be issued to Mr. Tessini,” seconded by Mr. Allard and so voted.
The Board signed all bills and necessary correspondence.
Ms. Taft had contacted Quabbin Analytical Laboratory in Belchertown in regard to adding the testing of uranium to the water testing specifications for Monson. She was informed that the lab could test for gross alpha, which will give an indication if uranium is present. The cost for this procedure is $120.00. If there is an indication that uranium may be present, testing for uranium is $200.00 and for uranium+ is $275.00. Because some wells in town have tested positive for uranium, the Board asked Ms. Taft if she would contact the Department of Environmental Protection to ask what uranium level is dangerous and what would be the risks involved with uranium in well water. Once the public is aware of this information, they may wish to test their well water for this mineral. Ms. Taft was
also asked to question the DEP to see if they knew of any grant money available for testing of radon and uranium in wells throughout town. If grant money is available, this information could be added to the well permit application.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Bulky Day – Ms. Klick asked to table this.
Communicable Diseases – Ms. Harrison stated she had received a request for further information in regard to a case of Lyme. She has asked Jane Jacobs to help gather this info.
Emergency Preparedness – Mr. Allard asked Ms. Taft if the office has heard of any future meeting on this issue and was informed no.
Finances – Dr. Smith was absent, but there was nothing to report.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick asked that this be tabled.
Health Fair – This will be tabled until the next meeting when Hope Bodwell, Library Director, attends the meeting.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Medical Reserve Corps – No information on an upcoming meeting yet.
Outdoor Wood Boilers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report. There has been no complaint in regard to the Smith/Cardano issue. The Board feels that the Smiths are not using the boiler.
Press Relations – Dr. Smith was absent, but there was nothing to report.
Recycling – Ms. Klick mentioned the letter from CET in regard to recycling. She will be working on the Recycling Report Card which is due in February.
Tobacco – Report received from Gregory Boyce, Tobacco Agent, on inspections he had conducted on December 22nd at all eleven establishments. All were in compliance with town/state tobacco control regulations including signage requirements. There has been no word yet on a rescheduling date in Palmer District Court for Mr. Nothe’s violations.
January 2, 2008 Page 2.
Trash – Ms. Klick informed the Board that on the Thanksgiving weekend she became involved in an issue on Lakeshore Drive. Allied Waste was not going to pick up trash on this street because an individual had blocked the street with his vehicle and informed the truck driver that the street was a private way and he could not enter/exit the street this way. Ms. Klick informed Allied Waste that this was unacceptable – people needed their trash removed, etc. Allied Waste now enters and exits the street in the same way, so this issue has been taken care of.
Wells – This was already discussed.
The Board read the correspondence.
Ms. Harrison informed the Board that she would contact Kathleen Norbut and ask what date the next Medical Reserve Corps meeting will be held on.
At 8:30 p.m., Ms. Harrison moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Bator and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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