Board of Health - September 12, 2011
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 6:00pm by Chair Gary Allard.
Members present: Jane Jacobs and Peg Harrison. Members absent: Phyllis Click and John Schneider. Also present: Audra Staples-BOH Clerk, Lorri McCool-Health Agent, Gretchen Neggers- Town Administrator, Bruce Stanas- Allied Waste, and Michael Szczepan- Allied Waste.
Due to schedule conflicts, Agenda Item “Updates from Lorri McCool including the approval of a Board of Health Policy and Procedure regarding tornado rebuilds with private well/septic” was moved up. Mr. Allard asked Ms. McCool about the well regulations that the board had been working on prior to the tornado. Ms. McCool told the board that the development had been put on hold due to the disaster recovery and that she would now resume the work on that project. Mr. Allard said he had some documents at home and he would bring in what he had, he also asked Ms. Staples to search her electronic files for the nearly complete list and to prepare it for completion for the next meeting.
Ms. McCool discussed her proposed Policy & Procedure regarding tornado rebuilds with private wells/septic. Ms. McCool explained the potential hazards of not requiring the testing of private wells. Mr. Allard asked if this was a full Monson Scan that she was proposing to mandate and Ms. McCool said the requirement would just be for the normal potability test. Ms. McCool will set the parameters of the test requirements. Ms. McCool also explained the hazards she is currently seeing with septic systems and explained why she feels that mandatory inspection is important there also. She asked the board if they would like to “highly recommend” or “require” that the septic systems and the wells be inspected prior to the homeowner of the rebuild receiving their occupancy permits.
Ms. Harrison moved to require the inspection of private wells and septic systems on all tornado rebuilds as a condition of receiving their occupancy permits.
Ms. Jacobs seconded the motion.
All in favor, it was so voted.
Ms. McCool informed the board that October 29th is National Drug Take-Back Day. She said to participate in the program the town would choose a location and set up for police attendance as it is mandatory for the hosting of this event that there be police participation. The DEA drops off the collection boxes and town residents can just drive up; drop their stuff in the box and go. People can bring over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Liquids are not accepted. People do not have to peel the labels off their prescription bottles but can if they wish to.
Ms. McCool informed the board that there had been a successful shelter opening and operating for Hurricane Irene. She feels confident that the board is getting shelter operations down and is getting the shelter itself to where they want it to be. Mr. Allard asked who was following up on the list of concerns and issues they had compiled after the tornado and again after the most recent hurricane event. Ms. McCool said Liz Manley, Monson Medical Reserve Corp Coordinator, would work on it after she completed her current project of applying for the NACCHO grant. Ms. McCool said she would sit down with Ms. Manley within the next few weeks to readdress the issues that arose during both uses of the shelter. Ms. Harrison asked if Ms. Manley could modify the currently used Red Cross Intake form to something more
basic and relevant to the operating of a shelter. Ms. Harrison and Mr. Allard both felt that some of the information was too involved for what Ms. Manley was currently using the forms. Ms. McCool also brought up the idea of using an initial sign-in table instead of the first table being intake. The board agreed with Ms. McCool that this would create a better flow as they could work at a comfortable pace and go down the list getting people to the intake area and there would not be a traffic jam at the front door. Ms. McCool will have Ms. Manley discuss the intake process with the Western Massachusetts Medical Reserve Corp and get some best practices from other towns.
Mr. Allard would like to extend a special thank you on behalf of the Board of Health to his son-in-law, Michael Paine, a Comcast employee. Michael made a special trip down to the shelter during Hurricane Irene and hooked up 2 TV’s with cable for the children that were in the shelter.
The board thanked Ms. McCool for her time.
6:20PM- Meeting with Allied Waste
Bruce Stanas- New England Area Municipal and Government Affairs Manager
Michael Szczepan- Division Manager
Mr. Allard welcomed the representatives from Allied Waste and thanked them for doing such a wonderful job in and for our community.
Mr. Stanas spoke about the current proposal on the table. Allied Waste would freeze this year’s interest rate increase which would save about $20,000 for the year. The current rate is at 3.3% CPI- the hold would go straight through this year and would be retroactive back to the beginning of July 2011 with a refund due to the town for the difference. Allied Waste is asking the Town of Monson for a 3 year extension on their contract and in the 3 years, the interest rate would cap out at 4%.
Mr. Stanas would also like to add a few rewards to the town. First, they would like to share some of the up-side they receive from selling news prints (recycled newspapers). Most communities with AW receive a % back from the processing plant. AW currently receives a percentage of the profits and would share that with the town; giving Monson 30% of what AW receives which, at the current rates, would be about $20-$25 per ton, $4,000-$6,000 per year. The refund could be done any way the town wishes- either a credit on the town’s waste bill or paid out to the town with a check. Ms. Neggers mentioned that this would be a great opportunity to increase recycling. Spread the word that the more the residents and businesses recycle, the more income the town will receive. It is a good incentive for
the community.
The Second perk Mr. Stanas is offering the town is the donation of up to $2,000 to a non-profit organization in the Town of Monson. The selection of the organization to receive the donation would be up to the Board of Health to decide.
Lastly, Mr. Stanas said that Allied Waste will donate $750 to the school scholarship fund. The only limitations they put on the recipient is that the student should be working towards a degree in either Environmental or Business Management.
Mr. Stanas said that when it comes to fuel costs, Allied Waste is not looking to take the hit on it but they are also not looking to make a profit. For the Town of Monson, there would be a quarterly fuel adjustment that would be based on the number of gallons used over the previous quarter and what the current trading about is. The adjustment will be capped on the low end to protect the company and on the high end to protect the town. Mr. Stanas also said that the adjustment wouldn’t even cause a large change until fuel were to hit approximately $4.10 per gallon. He felt that the capping could be around .40.50 for the year. Mr. Stanas said the Allied Waste currently uses approximately 15,000-18,000 gallons per year for the Town of Monson. Ms. Neggers said that the town usually carries a surplus
in the Board of Health Enterprise Fund that is used as a buffer to cover fuel fluctuation.
Mr. Allard said that the board and the community was over-all very happy with the service Allied Waste has provided. It is Mr. Allard’s opinion that it would be “like adding insult to injury” if the town were to attempt a large change at this juncture, especially to change something that works so well.
Mr. Allard mentioned recycling at the school and asked if they had a program there. It was said that if a teacher is involved or pushes a recycling program for their classroom than that is the only time it really happens on a regular basis. Ms. Neggers said that there may be enough money in a revolving fund to have someone go into the schools and set up/run a recycling program. She recommended having Ms. Staples call around and get costs and information from places such as the DEP and other local groups.
Mr. Allard asked Mr. Szczepan about florescent lights on Bulky Day. Mr. Szczepan said that he can accept the however they do not have any boxes big enough to fit 8-foot bulbs so they cannot accept any that large. The compact ones are also acceptable.
Mr. Szczepan told the board that he restructured the holiday schedule. He removed many of the currently observed holidays and now services will only be interrupted on the 6 major holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. He also explained that if the holiday falls on the weekend, the Monday services will not be interrupted.
Mr. Stanas said he would have his legal department draft the amendment to the current contract with the extension and he hoped to have it prepared before the board’s next meeting. Ms. Staples told him the board would vote on a date for the next meeting before adjourning for the evening and that she would email him on Friday when she was back in the office so he would know when the next meeting was.
Ms. Neggers reminded the Board of Health members that the Board of Selectmen needed to sign the contract. Mr. Stanas reminded the Board and Ms. Neggers that they would need a Prevailing Wages Schedule that would be affective 07/01/2012. Ms. Staples will remind Ms. Neggers of this on Friday.
The board thanked Ms. Neggers, Mr. Stanas and Mr. Szczepan for attending the meeting.
Ms. Jacobs made a motion to table the Trash Contract discussion until the next meeting when all of the board members could be in attendance.
Ms. Harrison seconded the motion.
All in favor, it was so voted.
Ms. Harrison made a motion to put the trash/recycling calendar online and to make it accessible outside the Board of Health office as well as other public areas around town in lieu of mass printing and mailing. The office would also mail them to individuals as requested.
Ms. Jacobs seconded the motion.
All in favor, it was so voted.
Ms. Staples will contact Robert’s Printing and determine the amount to be printed with the intention of cutting the printing cost and the waste by half.
Ms. Jacobs made a motion to accept the minutes from August 15, 2011 as presented.
Ms. Harrison seconded the motion.
All in favor, it was so voted.
Ms. Harrison asked about Microwaves at Bulky Day. She wants to know if there is going to be a charge to get rid of them. Mr. Allard said the board would have to check with Ms. Klick on what that cost would be, if any. Mr. Allard will discuss the details of Bulky Day with her and they will finalize everything by Friday so Ms. Staples can put the press release out.
Ms. Jacobs will check with Mike from IGA on sandwiches and water. Ms. Harrison will check with Woodbine on their donations.
Hazardous Waste Day will be held on Saturday October 22nd. Ms. Klick checked with the town to schedule the banner. Ms. Staples will check with the Selectmen’s office to confirm.
Mr. Allard made a motion to change the date of Hazardous Waste Day from October 15th to October 22nd.
Ms. Harrison seconded the motion.
All in favor, it was so voted.
BOARD OF HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES
Beavers –Nothing to report.
Bulky Day –See above noted discussion and decisions.
Communicable Diseases –Nothing to report.
Emergency Preparedness – See above noted discussion and decisions.
Finances – See above noted discussion and decisions regarding the Allied Waste Trash/Recycling Contract.
Floor Drains – Nothing to report.
Food Safety – Nothing to report.
Hazardous Waste Day – See above noted discussion and decisions.
Health Fair – Still on hold until the spring of 2012.
Housing Safety – See above noted discussion and decisions regarding well regulations and septic/well inspections on tornado rebuilds.
Medical Reserve Corps – See above noted discussion and decisions.
Outdoor Hydronic Heaters – Nothing to report.
Press Relations – Ms. Staples will wait for finalization of details from Mr. Allard before putting the press releases out for Bulky Day and Hazardous Waste Day.
Recycling - See above noted discussion and decisions regarding the Allied Waste Trash/Recycling Contract.
Tobacco –Nothing to report.
Trash – See above noted discussion and decisions regarding the Allied Waste Trash/Recycling Contract.
Wells - See above noted discussion and decisions regarding well regulations and septic/well inspections on tornado rebuilds.
The board discussed dates and availabilities for the next meeting. Ms. Staples told the board that she could not meet the first Tuesday of any month and that every 3 weeks she was unavailable on Wednesdays from 7pm on. She told the board that if they met on a Wednesday that she was unavailable, she would have to leave at 7 PM but could be here before then.
Ms. Harrison made a motion to hold the next Board of Health meeting on Wednesday October 28, 2011 at 6PM.
Ms. Jacobs seconded the motion.
All in favor, it was so voted.
Ms. Jacobs made a motion to adjourn.
Ms. Harrison seconded the motion.
All in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Monson Board of Health
| 
