Wednesday
November 17, 2010
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman, Gary Allard. Members present: Phyllis Klick, Jane Jacobs and John Schneider. Member absent: Margaret Harrison. Also present, Health Inspector, Lorri McCool.
The Board signed all bills and necessary correspondence.
Ms. McCool met with the Board to discuss some issues. One of her concerns involved an infestation of fleas in an apartment owned by the Monson Housing Authority. Ms. McCool stated she received a complaint from a renter at 70 Main Street. Ms. McCool stated that animals are allowed in the building and there were a few, although the complainant does not own a pet. A female renter contacted Ms. McCool and informed her that her daughter’s doctor had stated that bites on her daughter were from fleas. Ms. McCool went to the site wearing white socks and waited to see if the fleas landed on her socks. This is the only way she could see them. She noticed nothing and also checked the bedding while she was there. The Housing Authority was very responsible after Ms. McCool contacted them and
an exterminator was asked in. Ms. McCool will go back and will check by visually seeing if there are fleas. Ms. Klick will check with the Housing Authority to see if renters can have pets at the site, as she didn’t think they could.
Ms. McCool mentioned that this is the second complaint of this kind. A little while ago she received a similar complaint from residents in a yellow house before Ray’s Trailer Park (on the same side). The court had contacted her and asked for an inspection of the property for fleas. She couldn’t see any. This was a custody battle where the spouse was saying that the child was getting fleas when visiting the husband.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she attended a seminar last week on housing inspections and found it extremely helpful. She has discovered that even if the police department has gone in for an issue and they see a problem (i.e. hoarding) and ask her to inspect the property, she does not have authority to enter a private residence without permission from the owner. She has gone into private residences in the past without permission.
Ms. McCool did several restaurant inspections last week. They were without violations. She did an inspection at the Mug’n’Muffin and found a few things wrong. She felt bad because she discovered the owner’s mother had recently died. These were quickly corrected and everything is now fine.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that she has been approached by the owner of Elwood’s on Main Street. They wish to hold an occasional cigar night. The restaurant will be closed at that time for a private party. She feels that this can’t be done because of the apartments above the restaurant. She will call the state tobacco control for their regulations.
Ms. McCool informed the Board of a pill collection that was done in Wilbraham. This was done under the “national pill back day” and was put on by the state. Anyone could participate. You must have a DEA agent and police officer on site and it has to be coordinated with the state. The Board would like to hold one of these in relation to the Health Fair in the spring.
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Ms. McCool next spoke about Echo Hill on Wilbraham Road and the issue of a public water supply at the site. She has spoken to Doug Paine at the DEP who has a schedule of when Echo Hill is open. This schedule was given to him by the Building Department. The owners have told Mr. Paine that the orchard doesn’t serve food at Christmas and is closed when they harvest the apples. If the DEP does not license Echo Hill as a public water supply, the owners will need to give us dates when they are open. Mr. Allard felt that the well should be tested twice a year to check the water. He was concerned about pesticides getting into the well from the orchard. Ms. McCool will check with the state to see what the town can do in regard to having the water tested. Perhaps the Board could force him to do water
tests before he is issued his licenses. This topic will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting for further discussion.
The Board was also wondering about the safety of using this water in the making of Echo Hill wine. He is allowed to make his own wine under farm winery and no one oversees this.
The Board thanked Ms. McCool for attending and updating them on issues.
The Board next discussed reorganization of the Board of Health. After discussion, Ms. Klick moved to appoint Gary Allard as Chairman of the Board, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and so voted. Also, the following changes were made to the Board of Health responsibilities: Communicable diseases – John Schneider, Finances – John Schneider and Phyllis Klick, Press Relations – Jane Jacobs and Tobacco – John Schneider.
After reading and reviewing the minutes of October 20, 2010, Ms. Jacobs moved to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Klick and so voted.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
- Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Bulky Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Communicable Disease – Mr. Schneider stated there was one case of campylobacteriosis. Ms. Jacobs explained how he needed to contact the doctor who needs to fill out the medical form. It is then given to the secretary who makes a copy for the file and mails the original to the state.
Ms. Jacobs reported that two flu clinics were held at the Senior Center and 310 shots were given. 99 doses went to the teachers and school staff. 36 doses were left over and given to the Monson Developmental Center as they were short on vaccine.
- Emergency Preparedness – There was an MRC meeting last week, but most of this had previously been covered in prior meetings.
Finances – Ms. Klick and Mr. Schneider had nothing to report.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report, but Ms. Taft will call and remind them they must submit info for 2010 year.
- Food Safety – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report, but Ms. McCool’s restaurant reports were all okay.
Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick stated this will be discussed after the first of the year.
Health Fair – This will also be discussed after the first of the year.
Housing Safety – This information was already discussed with Ms. McCool.
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- Medical Reserve Corps – This was already discussed and there is nothing new to add.
- Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Press Relations – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Recycling – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Tobacco – Mr. Schneider had nothing to add, this had already been discussed with Ms. McCool.
- Trash – Ms. Klick stated there was a complaint of a mattress dumped on Wilbraham Road, but this has been taken care of by Allied Waste Services.
- Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
The correspondence was read and responded to.
At 7:00 p.m. Ms. Jacobs moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Schneider and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Health
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