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Minutes of 2014 4/16
BOH                                                                                                                                     

April 16, 2014
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 5:34 p.m.
Members present were Beau Schneider, Carrie Payne and Vicki Alfano. Lorri McCool also was in attendance.

Guests: Josh Garcia- Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Tree House Brewery- Damien Goodreau, Nathan Lanier and Dean Rohan


Motion to accept the minutes from March 19, 2014 was made by Beau Schneider and seconded by Vicki Alfano. All in favor. The minutes of March 20, 2013 cannot be accepted at this time and were tabled.

Josh Garcia from the Pioneer Valley planning Commission gave a presentation regarding a service that Monson is eligible to participate in offering a shared nursing program. Funds have been made available through a grant. Hampden County currently ranks last, possibly with figures being skewed by Springfield and Holyoke. Last year $45,000 was available and this year it will be $ 110,000. This program provides a shared nurse based out of Ludlow, Ma., providing most services a Town might need assistance with. This could include Maven, flu clinics, BP clinics, health fairs, patient inter-action/ follow-up, educational programs, emergency preparedness and nursing needs. Each Town that signs on would develop their own needs of the shared nurse and not limited to the above. One of the goals is to create a unified voice for Hampden County. The Board will take Mr. Garcia’s presentation under consideration, review the packet and this will be an item for the next agenda and vote at the next meeting. Mr. Garcia to e-mail other documents and also a MOA should the Board vote that this would benefit the Town.

Tree House Brewery presented the Board with copies of their expansion plans with anticipating their  breaking ground and being under construction  with completion by Sept. 2014. Lorri McCool to be notified when they break ground. Roger Woods will be providing the building dept.’s copies of the construction plans. Currently and even with the expansion, they will be the smallest craft brewery. They will be constructing a 588sq. ft. retail shed, not on permanent footings because of APR on the land. Once new building is set-up, tasting room will be in the brewery.  Mr. Dean Rowan advised that they have the bathroom variance from Boston and a hard copy was provided to the Board. Nate Lanier asked, if bathrooms are required for a pouring license and drinking on the premise? Lorri McCool said, when they get to the point of the other building, they will need to contact her for what is or is not allowed. In the future, per Dean Rohan, there will be facilities for men/woman, handicap accessible per code. Lorri McCool advised that septic plans are not necessary, as this will be handled by the State. At the present time, a sani can equipped with a hand sanitizer is located on the property and is being services by Alms and Sons out of W. Brookfield. Vicki Alfano asked, how long they operated in Brimfield? Damien Goodreau, replied, 1 ½ to 2 yrs. Currently, they are operating Thurs. and Fridays 5pm to 8pm and Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Lorri McCool advised all in attendance that, if food is being served, a temporary food permit must be obtained from the Monson BOH along with submission of all pertaining paperwork. According to Mr. Rohan, there is an event planned for June 7th, 2014 by Worthy Burger. They will need to apply for a permit in advance of the event.


Lorri McCool gave an update on her involvement with the Monson resident, senior services and the resident’s condemned residence. Water is shut-off at the address by the water dept. after a leak was detected. Resident to be released from nursing facility on Wed., April 30th.  She will temporarily reside at the Wilbraham Motel. Putting a temporary trailer on the property is not an option.

Beau Schneider, Lorri McCool and Liz Manley attended the shelter training held in Wilbraham on Sat. April 12th. Beau Schneider transported the Dart trailer.  The training was most successful and Beau Schneider had the opportunity to speak with Ed Mello from Westfield. Westfield has a large MRC group and they also provided their food trailer. In certain circumstances it was explained, Westfield uses their heated tent for animals in emergency situations when the temperatures aren’t too cold. Beau said, valuable information was exchanged.


Bill schedules, abatements and licenses signed.   Vice Chair, Beau Schneider will temporarily sign under BOH Chairman until the Board is re-structured.  

The committee’s re-organization and responsibilities to be put on the agenda for the April 30th meeting. Carrie Payne advised the Board, she will be attending college in the fall for her master’s and will be unfortunately, stepping down from the Board in August.  A request seeking new members will be posted under News and Announcements on the Town’s website.



Board of health responsibilities:
  • Beavers – Carrie Payne –Lorri  McCool  to date has not submitted her new cover letter that is being drafted for potential new beaver situations. Nothing new to report.
  • Bulky Day –Carrie Payne to e-mail flyer to local TV stations. Beau Schneider hung banner on Quarry Hill School fence. Further discussion tabled for next meeting.
  • Communicable Diseases- Beau Schneider- Beau spoke with Boston in regards to Maven and sent a letter regarding such and the portals. Vicki Alfano and Carrie Payne advised that both strains of the flu A & B are present.
  • Emergency Preparedness –Carrie Payne- see above.
  • Finances- Beau Schneider- per Claire Forgues, Republic Services has been contacted in regards to the yearly $750.00 scholarship check which will be coming for 2014. Also, a check for the benches will be forwarded upon delivery. The bill for the BOH shirts is on the current bill schedule for payment to Vicki Alfano.
  • Floor Drains- Beau Schneider- Nothing new to report.
  • Food Safety-Beau Schneider-Nothing new to report.              
  • Hazardous Waste Day-Beau Schneider-Possibly next event sometime in 2015.
  • Health Fair- Carrie Payne- Possible Health fair to be held this Fall.
  • Medical Reserve Corp. Beau Schneider- see above.
  • Outdoor Wood Burning Units-Beau Schneider- Nothing new to report.
  • Press Relations-Carrie Payne- Carrie to do the advertisement on the TV stations for Bulky Day and Drug Take Back Day.
  • Recycling- Newspaper insert from the Republic on re-cycling provided to the Board. Monson was not included. MRF was contacted and it was an oversight and will be included next year. This publication comes out in conjunction with Earth day.
  • Tobacco-Beau Schneider-Problems arising with children ingesting colored/flavored liquid in refillable e-cigarettes. Medical marijuana by-law final Mar. 4th, 2014.
  • Trash- See above-Bulky Day.
  • Wells-Lorri McCool & Beau Schneider-Nothing new to report.
Beau Schneider, Carrie Payne and Vicki Alfano will continue ongoing discussion about criteria for potential new board members. Beau researching other criteria, requirements and processes other towns might use in obtaining new membership to the Board. This could be used, but not limited to as a guideline. More development to be included on agenda for next meeting.

Reviewed correspondence and mail.  The Board reviewed correspondence and mail. Lorri McCool still has with # 6 from the Jan. 8th meeting.

Next meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 5:30pm.
Beau Schneider made motion to adjourn at 8:32pm, seconded by Vicki Alfano.