Wednesday
April 20, 2011
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. Also present: Health Inspector Lorri McCool.
The Board read and reviewed the Minutes of March 16, 2011. Ms. Klick moved to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and so voted.
Lorri McCool met with the Board to further discuss the guidelines for testing of private wells for establishments that provide food/liquid to the public that are not listed as public water supplies by the DEP. Ms. McCool suggested to the Board that these tests could be paid for through the licensing fee. Residential kitchens and Echo Hill Orchard will need to be tested. Ms. McCool suggested that maybe the first year the licensee could have the test done and then the next year the Board of Health will do the testing. If the licensee already has a valid water quality analysis, this could be presented to the Board. If not they will need to have the test done prior to a specific date. The agent, Ms. McCool, will also go to the site to examine the well. A letter will be sent to the kitchens and Echo
Hill Orchard informing them that they will need to provide the Board with a valid water analysis and will need to set up an appointment with Ms. McCool for a site visit before the next license is due at the end of the year.
The Board discussed if a violation fee of possibly $100.00 could be charged to a licensee who does not comply. Ms. Taft was asked to check with Town Administrator, Gretchen Neggers, to see if this could be enforced.
Ms. McCool informed the Board that members of First Church of Monson are interested in a farmers’ market for the selling of fresh produce on Thursdays. Ms. McCool informed the Board that there is a farmers’ market in Hampden and everyone is required to get a permit to sell other items that are not fresh home grown produce, i.e. cookies, brownies, etc. – anything that is prepared. The produce can be sold without a permit. Hampden charges $25 for these permits.
Ms. McCool also informed the Board that she has spoken to the owner at 36 King Street as a court date was issued. Ms. McCool stated that the owner has started the process and has gone to the bank. She needs to contact the engineering firm, but is working on getting the septic system repaired.
Ms. McCool also performed a housing inspection at 5 – 7 Park Avenue. She did an inspection and stated the apartment was in poor shape. The walls had been removed, so just the slats were up; there were holes in the floor and nails on the floor. The family that lives there has two very young children so it is a dangerous situation. She has written a letter to the Housing Safety Board on the unsafe conditions for the children, so they have been given refuge in Springfield.
Ms. McCool did an inspection on a house for the owners of the Getty Station on Palmer Road. They are trying to remove tenants who have not paid rent for several months. Damage has been done to the apartment.
Ms. McCool also informed the Board that the Building Inspector has required a sprinkler system be placed in the former Jimmy’s Restaurant on Palmer Road before the new owners can occupy it.
BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES PAGE 2
April 20, 2011
Ms. McCool spoke to the Board about the collection of prescription medicines during a take-back-drug-day. Hampden will hold an event on April 30th. DEA agents must be on site during the event, so she will find out the next date in the fall. This will work out well, as the Health Fair will be scheduled some time in September and the Health Fair can be planned around this.
Board of Health Responsibilities:
- Beavers – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
- Bulky Day – Ms. Klick informed the Board that this will be held on May 7th and is pretty well organized. The tire truck will be on site. Ms. Harrison, Mr. Allard and Mr. Schneider will be able to help. Ms. Jacobs will be unavailable that day; however, she will ask for (30) sandwiches and water for lunches from Adams IGA. The company from the last Bulky Day will be there to collect the refrigerator. The fees will remain the same. The Board wants to purchase a tent from funds for Bulky Day events.
Communicable Diseases – Mr. Schneider had nothing to report.
Emergency Preparedness – Ms. Harrison had nothing to report.
Finances – The Board discussed a memo from Kathleen Taft in regard to the possibility of 3 hours being cut from the secretary’s work week. Ms. Taft suggested that she work Monday through Thursday from 8:00 until 12:00, then break for a 30 minute lunch and work from 12:30 to 4:00.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Ms. Jacobs had nothing to report.
- Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick informed the Board that it will be held on June 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Health Fair – To be held in September.
Housing Safety – Already discussed with Ms. McCool.
Medical Reserve Corps – Packets were received from Elizabeth Manley for the Board to join.
Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Press Relations – Bulky Day will be posted in the papers and placed on M-PACT.
Tobacco – Mr. Schneider had nothing to report.
Trash – Ms. Klick had nothing to report.
Wells – This was already discussed.
Correspondence was read and discussed.
The Board read Finance Director, Deborah Mahar’s memo in regard to the Board’s Revolving Funds. The Board agreed that the Compost Bin Account and the Tobacco Control Fines Account could be closed, as they have not been in use for some time. They did want the Recycling Bins Fund to stay active, however. They also questioned if the secretary’s account could be funded partly through another fund. Ms. Mahar will be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss some questions the Board had on these subjects.
BOARD OF HEALTH Page 3
April 20, 2011
The Board signed necessary correspondence and initialed all bills.
At 8:15 p.m. Ms. Jacobs moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Klick and voted unanimously.
Respectfully signed,
Monson Board of Health
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