Wednesday
March 4, 2009
Regular meeting Monson Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Dr. Richard Smith. Members present: Phyllis Klick, Margaret Harrison and Jane Jacobs. Member absent: Gary Allard. Also present was Health Inspector Lorri McCool and various residents in regard to the outdoor wood boilers.
The Board’s first item for discussion was the outdoor wood boilers. On December 26, 2008, the DEP passed regulations governing outdoor hydronic heaters (OHH (which were previously referred to as OWB’s). The Board can make Monson’s regulations more stringent by adding regulations. The Board spoke of lifting the ban on new OHH’s and charging a onetime application fee of $50.00 for new OHH installations. The Board spoke of changing the burn season but would not like to have any OHH burn all year.
Ms. McCool informed the residents that the Board must adopt/enforce state regulations but may make the regulations more strict, if they so desire.
Francis Benoit informed the Board that he is glad the Board is following state regulations and will address the burn season. He would like the Board to consider the transfer of ownership of an OHH with the sale of a house.
The state regulations mention the burn season as being from October 1st to May 15th. Also, smoke stack height must be 2 feet higher than any neighbors within a 150 foot radius.
Kenneth Pevay from 224 Munn Road stated that there are two boilers in his area – one across the street from him and a neighbor next door. He is concerned with air quality and property values because of smoke. He would like to see chimney heights of 20 feet minimum on all boilers, with the BTU’s listed on our application form, along with as-built plans being submitted on new applications. The burn season could be from November 1st to April 1st. He gave the Board info he had gathered on OHH’s.
William Fountain spoke and asked about the permit fee that was paid initially. He has not received any permit from the Board of Health. Ms. McCool explained that this was not a permit, but a registration fee which informed the Board where boilers are located in case of a complaint. This was a onetime charge. She further explained that if someone did not register prior, and if a problem/complaint development, the owners would have to comply with new regulations. Also, Mr. Fountain felt that stack height did not matter that much in regard to smoke rising.
Mark DuComb asked if the only inspection that would be made would be if there was a problem/complaint, and Ms. McCool stated that that was correct. She does not drive around town looking if there is a smoke problem. If someone complains, she will respond to the complaints. She will call and speak to the owners. He stated that there are five within a mile of his house. He feels the Board should not remove the clause whereby ownership is transferable. The OHH should not stay with the house, but be removed if the house is sold.
A letter/notice will be sent to all owners of OHH’s notifying them of any regulations that the Board of Health may add to the state regulations. The Board thanked everyone for their comments.
March 4, 2009 2.
The Board further discussed possible regulations on OHH’s.
As built plans of OHH's will be required with any new installations. The Board will further discuss if OHH’s should be dismantled if a house is sold – should they be non-transferable? Could the owner of the OHH sell it to someone? A possible burn season could run from October 1st to April 30th. The Board also discussed if, in fact, they would allow new OHH’s. Ms. Klick and Ms. Jacobs felt that they could be allowed if they met all requirements.
Dr. Smith was concerned with stack height and smoke. Does stack height matter or will smoke stay low and not rise?
The Board discussed what would happen if an older unit broke down. It was determined that it must be replaced with a new unit. Units should be non-transferable. A property diagram with measurements should be included with any new applications. The Board will look into stack heights and how much smoke drops.
Edward Harrison attended the Board’s meeting. Ms. Klick spoke to him in regard to a banner request submitted to the Selectmen (and approved in 2007) from the Arts Council for permission to hang their banner across Main Street for the same weeks the Health Department needed to hang their sign for Bulky Day. Mr. Harrison will speak to the Arts Council to see if the Board of Health could have a week or so to hang their banner.
After reviewing the Minutes of February 4, 2009, Ms. Klick moved to accept with the change to paragraph 2, page 2, clarifying that the state regulations, in some instances, allow for burning all year, not Monson, seconded by Ms. Harrison and so voted.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
- Beavers – There was nothing to report.
- Body Art Regulations – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Bulky Day- This was already discussed.
- Communicable Diseases – Ms. Jacobs stated there were no new cases of Lyme disease.
- Emergency Preparedness – Ms. Harrison stated the meeting had been cancelled twice, but will now be held on April 22nd.
Finances – Dr. Smith stated that an email had been received from Gretchen Neggers informing the Board that $100 will be cut from their budget. Balances for grants have been received from Town Accountant Deborah Mahar.
Floor Drains – Ms. Taft will contact the last two people who need to submit their cleaning information in regard to their floor drains.
Food Safety – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Health Fair – Ms. Harrison and Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
Housing Safety – There was nothing to report.
Medical Reserve Corps – Ms. Harrison had nothing to report.
Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – This was already discussed.
Press Relations – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
March 4, 2009 3.
- Recycling – Ms. Klick informed the Board that she will meet with Don Smith on Friday to view the computers and fluorescent bulbs at the school that needs to be recycled. They are stored in a room at Hillside School. She has obtained a cost from a company of $1,200 for two roll off
containers or a truck and two men on Bulky Day. Ms. Klick will report back to the Board on her findings. Mark DuComb had approached the Board and informed them that his daughter did a project for her Girl Scout Award at the High School. She has gotten the school to recycle bottles and plastic, as well as the paper they were already recycling. He asked for recycling bin donations for the classrooms. The Board asked him to submit a written proposal of the amount that is needed.
- Tobacco – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
- Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Wells – There was nothing to report.
The Board signed necessary correspondence and bills.
Discussion of a Hazardous Waste Day for discussion will be added to the agenda of March 18th.
Under other business, Ms. Jacobs reminded the Board that if the Board got vaccine for the flu clinics, the Wing Hospital will continue to give us the supplies with no cost for vaccines.
Correspondence was read and responded to.
At 9:30 p.m. Ms. Klick moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Harrison and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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