Wednesday
March 18, 2009
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Dr. Richard Smith with members present: Gary Allard, Phyllis Klick and Jane Jacobs. Member absent: Margaret Harrison.
Also present for the meeting was Health Inspector, Lorri McCool, and several residents in regard to OHH’s.
After review of the minutes of March 4, 2009, Ms. Klick moved to accept as presented, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and so voted.
Ms. McCool met with the Board to finalize their own regulations that will be more stringent than the state’s regulations on OHH’s. Ms. McCool stated that Monson is obligated to enforce state regulations, but the Board of Health can make more stringent regulations. Dr. Smith stated he had emailed Mark Ducomb in regard to stack heights and Mr. Ducomb had replied that stack heights do matter in regard to smoke. Several residents attended the meeting.
The Board discussed the following regulations:
- Allows for new installations of OHH’s and all were in favor of this.
- They also discussed the fact that new OHH’s must submit a one-time registration form and fee of $50.00. This should include a hand drawn plot plan with setbacks showing for new installations.
- Existing OHH’s must meet new stack height requirements and owners must submit any changes that are made to meet these requirements. Ms. McCool felt that present owners of an OHH can do this before the next burning season. This will be done on an honor system.
- The Board discussed the fact that the state allows the burn season to May 15th. The Board wanted the burn season to run from October 1st through April 30th.
The Board discussed the sale of a house with an existing boiler. They determined the house could be sold with the boiler remaining, but it cannot be transferred to a new house or location.
- All new and older OHH’s will be able to only use their OHH during the October 1st through April 30th burn season.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she is still waiting to hear from the state on whether both wood and coal could be burned in the OHH’s.
After discussion, Ms. Jacobs moved to accept the State’s regulations with the Board’s additional regulations as amended, seconded by Ms. Klick and so voted. Ms. Klick, Ms. Jacobs and Dr. Smith voted in favor.
Mr. Andy James of 61 Paradise Lake Road met with the Board to discuss his OHH. Mr. James was refinancing his home and was informed by the bank that he needed to present proof he had had permission to install it. Mr. James had the OHH since 2003. In 2007, he upgraded the system to a more efficient burner. He installed the system himself as there were no permits needed back in 2003. The Board informed him that they accepted the regulations back in the fall of 2007. At that time,
Mr. James should have registered the boiler. Dr. Smith asked if the boiler would pass inspection for the new state regulations and Mr. James replied he believed so. Ms. McCool stated the Board could treat this as a variance if he showed proof he had installed the unit in 2007. Mr. James installed the boiler in
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October and the Board adopted their regulations in November 2007. The Board decided that a variance would be granted if the boiler passed the new regulations and according to the information Mr. James provided, it does meet the new regulations.
Ms. Jacobs moved that Mr. James be given a variance and an application that he must complete and submit to the Board of Health office with a check in the amount of $50.00, seconded by Ms. Klick and it was so voted.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she had conducted an apartment inspection at 3 Lincoln Street. The present renters are renting it with the option to buy. The owners have done some work on it. The owners were contacted, and they are in the process of purchasing window screens. The renter pulled out the carpets stating they smelled of animal urine so there is nothing on the floors at present. She is leaving this issue to be resolved between the owner/renter.
Ms. McCool had also inspected Adams Supermarket. She found rodent droppings on the store shelf in the baking aisle. They were informed of this, and she will be doing a reinspection tomorrow. The owners have remade the produce area and have made a huge improvement. Walls were painted and the floors were done, and a drop ceiling was added.
Ms. McCool also inspected Beth & Deb’s Family Restaurant and the Norcross House, which were both in good condition. The Norcross House has a new owner and it was very clean.
Ms. McCool had researched the removal or transportation of trash/garbage from one area to another. It was found that all persons removing or transporting garbage must have a permit from the Board of Health to do so. This will be kept on file for future reference.
The discussion of a hazardous waste day will be rescheduled for the next meeting on April 1st.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
- Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Body Art Regulations – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Bulky Day – Ms. Klick informed the Board that it is in the process of being organized.
- Communicable Diseases – Ms. Jacobs informed the Board there was one case of Hepatitis C.
- Emergency Preparedness – There was nothing to report.
- Finances – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
- Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Food Safety – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Hazardous Waste Day – This will be discussed at the next meeting.
- Health Fair – Ms. Jacobs stated this will be held next year.
- Housing Safety – Mr. Allard stated that this had already been discussed.
- Medical Reserve Corps – Ms. Jacobs informed the Board that a meeting will be held on March 26th at the Library.
Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – This was already discussed.
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- Press Relations – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
- Recycling – Ms. Klick informed the Board that the School Department has been stock-piling fluorescent bulbs, etc. for a long time at Hillside School. She met with Bruce Gross of maintenance and found approximately 15 T.V.’s, 30 computers and a large amount of fluorescent bulbs. The secretary had called Mr. Gross today and asked him to bring in samples of the bulbs to see if they had mercury in them. The bulbs are already stored in boxes; there must be about 500 of them. They will be brought to Bulky Day if the bulbs are not hazardous. Ms. Klick has contacted East Coast Recycling and was informed that Monson could have a 25 foot box where computers could be placed with two men to help. She will ask for two containers.
- Tobacco – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
- Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Under other business, Ms. Klick asked the Board if they would like to sponsor the trash bags for the Tourism Committee’s town-wide pickup, as they did last year. The Board voted to purchase the bags and use money from the Recycling Account.
Trash abatements were signed, as well as all necessary correspondence and bills were initialed.
Board of Health correspondence was read and responded to.
At 9:00 p.m., Mr. Allard moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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