Wednesday
September 2, 2009
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Richard Smith. Members present: Phyllis Klick, Margaret Harrison and Jane Jacobs. Member absent: Gary Allard.
The Board read and reviewed the Minutes of August 19, 2009. Ms. Jacobs moved to accept the Minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Harrison and voted unanimously.
Finance Director, Deborah Maher, was unable to attend the meeting to discuss setting the trash rate. She had sent a memo explaining her response to the Board’s question in regard to the possibility of raising the trash rate an additional $1.00 or $2.00 over her suggestion to cover the portion amount of the secretarial salary that now comes from the grant. Ms. Mahar stated that presently 20% of the secretarial salary comes from the Trash Enterprise, and she felt that unless the Board can document that more of the secretary’s time is spent on Trash Enterprise work, it would be inappropriate to charge trash users for secretarial hours over what is billable. The Board asked Ms. Taft to please start documenting calls, office visits, etc. pertaining to trash. During a phone conversation, Mr. Allard asked Ms. Taft
to inform the Board that he felt that a minimum of at least one third of the secretary’s time is spent during the year on trash related issues, i.e. fielding Bulky Day questions, issues, trash pickup for new residents, problems of non-pickup, complaints of trash being discarded by the roadside and recycling bin questions, etc. He felt that it involved more than 20% of the secretary’s time.
The second question involved switching paying the secretary’s portion of salary from grant monies to the money allocated for hazardous waste and then pay hazardous waste from the grant. Ms. Mahar stated in her memo that this is not possible as the hazardous waste funding is coming from this year’s decrease in the Elections & Registration budget. The Board did not understand this as they only have a hazardous waste day every other year. Dr. Smith will try and stop in to see Ms. Maher tomorrow on these issues.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
- Beavers – There was nothing to report.
- Body Art Regulations – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Bulky Day – Ms. Klick is in the progress of organizing the event. There will not be a tire truck this fall, but the Board will have one in the spring. She reported she is checking into electronics prices.
- Communicable Diseases – Ms. Jacobs reported there was a case of shigellosis. Ms. Harrison informed the Board that Ms. Jacobs had gotten the doctor’s signature so the Board could order the flu vaccine. The temperature of the refrigerator must be recorded for one week at 35 – 40 degrees. It will take about one and a half weeks to get the vaccine. Ms. Harrison would like to mention in the newspaper that the Board of Health is sponsoring the flu vaccines.
- Emergency Preparedness – Ms. Harrison had nothing to report.
- Finances – This was already discussed.
- Floor Drains – There was nothing to report.
- Food Safety – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Hazardous Waste Day – This will be held next spring.
September 2, 2009 Page 2.
- Health Fair – Ms. Jacobs informed the Board that there will be a Health Day at the Senior Center on October 19th.
Housing Safety – There was nothing to report.
Medical Reserve Corps – Ms. Harrison informed the Board that there has been no meeting yet.
Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – There was nothing to report.
Press Relations – There was nothing to report.
Recycling – Ms. Klick would like to find out how many fluorescent bulbs need to be discarded/recycled in this building.
Tobacco – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Wells – There was nothing to report.
The Board signed bills, trash abatements and necessary correspondence.
The Board discussed holding their next meeting on September 23rd, rather than the 16thas this would bring the meeting closer to the Bulky Day date, which would be very helpful. After a brief discussion the Board determined that they would meet next on September 23rd. The Board asked to be notified and reminded several days in advance.
Ms. Jacobs informed the Board that Judith White, Council on Aging Director, would like the Board to sponsor a presentation on swine flu (H1N1). The Board suggested that maybe Lori McCool could do
this.
The Board had received a request from Town Clerk, Nancy Morrell, in regard to reinstating permit fees for burial permits. At one time the state had informed her office that burial permits must be issued without charging a permit fee, but she was recently informed that they could begin charging for the permit. After discussion, Ms. Harrison voted to reinstate the $15.00 permit fee, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
The Board read and responded to the correspondence.
Ms. Harrison informed the Board that she would speak to the school nurses and educate them on the H1N1 virus after September 11th.
At 8:20 p.m. Ms. Harrison moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Klick and so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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