Wednesday
December 1, 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, Margaret Harrison, Jane Jacobs and John Schneider.
The Board signed necessary correspondence and initialed the bills.
After reviewing the list of licenses for renewal for the 2011 year, Ms. Jacobs moved to approve and sign the following licenses for: Bakery, Food Service/Residential Kitchen/Baked Goods Only, Mobile Food Vendor, Common Victualer/Food Establishment, Offal Transport, Pool Permit, Retail Food, Tanning Salon, Rubbish Removal, Retail Sale for Selling of Beef, License to Operate Camps, Cabins, Motels & Trailer Coach Parks and (2) Disposal Installers Licenses, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
The Board read and reviewed the Minutes of November 17, 2010. Ms. Klick moved to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Schneider and so voted.
The next topic for discussion was from the Board’s last meeting in regard to Echo Hill Orchards possibly being identifying by the DEP as a public water supply. Lorri McCool, Health Inspector, had sent the Board a memo (copy attached) notifying Health members that the DEP has decided not to identify Echo Hill Orchards as a public water supply. However, she suggested that Echo Hill submit to a water test prior to opening each year and be tested for at least coliform, nitrate and nitrate nitrogen. Mr. Allard felt that as the orchard opens twice a year, the water should be tested twice a year. Their water has never been tested. The Board felt that they needed to set guidelines for water testing for any establishment that provides food or liquid service to the public and is not already on the DEP’s
list of public water supplies prior to licensing. Ms. McCool will be asked to help with the requirements/guidelines, and this subject will be placed on the agenda for December 15th. The Board would like to see home bakeries’ water tested once a year and Echo Hill Orchard twice a year. (Mr. Allard stated he would really like to see the orchard’s water tested (4) times a year.)
Ms. McCool had also submitted a letter to the Board requesting they appoint Elizabeth Manley to the position of Monson Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator (copy attached). After a brief discussion, Ms. Klick voted to appoint Elizabeth Manley to this position, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously.
The Board next discussed any comments they had in regard to the municipal implementation of State legislation transferring responsibility for permitting of small solid waste transfer stations from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to local boards of health. After a brief discussion, the Board felt that the State should still keep control of these transfer stations at this time.
The next topic discussed was a press release from Go Green in regard to free recycling bins for cities and towns. This issue will be tabled and placed on the agenda for December 15th. These bins are set out at public areas to collect soda/water bottles, etc. The Board needed to know who is responsible for their maintenance.
Board of Health Minutes Cont.
December 1, 2010 2.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
- Beavers -There was one permit from Partridge Hollow Campgrounds and the Board signed it.
- Bulky Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Communicable Diseases – Mr. Schneider reported there was one case of giardia.
- Emergency Preparedness – Ms. Harrison mentioned the potential serious situation on last Friday night when a gas truck hit a telephone pole and some residents of Palmer and Monson were evacuated from their homes. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t notified as she is a member of the MRC and the Board of Health. Neither she nor the Board had been notified but heard about it on the news.
- Finances – Ms. Klick and Mr. Schneider had nothing to report.
- Floor Drains – Businesses will be contacted and reminded they need to submit their floor drain information, if they have not already done so.
- Food Safety – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Health Fair – Ms. Harrison stated that this will be discussed after the first of the year and a date set at that time.
- Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Medical Reserve Corps – Ms. Harrison had nothing further to report. It was already discussed.
- Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Press Relations – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Recycling – Ms. Klick mentioned that she would like to give some recycling containers to the Housing Authority so they will recycle more.
- Tobacco – Mr. Schneider had nothing to report.
- Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
- Wells – This was already discussed.
The correspondence was read and responded to.
At 7:25 p.m. Ms. Jacobs moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Harrison and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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