BOH
April 30, 2014
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 5:45 p.m.
Members present were Beau Schneider, Carrie Payne and Vicki Alfano.
Guests: Linda Arruda
Motion to accept the minutes from April 16, 2014 was made by Beau Schneider and seconded by Carrie Payne. All in favor. The minutes of March 20, 2013 cannot be accepted at this time and were tabled.
Claire Forgues gave an update on Lorri McCool’s involvement with the Monson resident, senior services and the resident’s condemned residence. Protective order has been filed and Lorri McCool to appear in court May 1st. Springfield Senior Services working with Lorri.
Bill schedules, abatements and licenses signed. Vice Chair, Beau Schneider will temporarily sign under BOH Chairman until the Board is re-structured.
General conversation initiated by Beau Schneider regarding the committee’s re-organization, responsibilities and also, guidelines to be worked on for potential new members. Criteria, requirements and process will be important. If a potential party comes forward and expresses interest in taking a seat on the Board, they should first be asked to attend a meeting. At that point, a copy of the responsibilities will be given and discussed. A candidate might be asked what interests he/she might have and can lend to the Board. Members would educate potential member, discuss what might be expected, but not limited to. Carrie Payne and Vicki Alfano commented that computer/internet access with minimal computer skills would be a must. Beau Schneider also agreed, as many e-mails that come into the BOH office are forwarded to
members via e-mail. Ultimately, a letter of intent to join the Board would be sent to the Board of Health by the candidate and then upon review, forwarded to the Selectman.
Vicki Alfano has been working independently on a comparison of fees charged for permits and licenses in neighboring towns. Further discussion on her findings tabled for a future meeting.
PVPC packet came for Lorri McCool and Lorri to attend another fact finding meeting tomorrow in Spfld. At this time no MOA included for signature. Beau Schneider made a motion that the town participate in this grant and the shared nurse. Seconded by Vicki Alfano. All in favor. Will await MOA.
Lorri McCool provided the Board in the correspondence with a sample of Palmer’s complaint form. This is for the Board’s review and might be a helpful tool for Monson. Lorri McCool to critique and make additions or deletions and then we can adapt for our own use.
Mrs. Linda Arruda from 178 Town Farm Rd. was introduced to the Board and was requesting an abatement for her trash bill. She presented the Board with a copy of a letter from the Commander at Amvets in Three Rivers, Ma. giving Mr. Robert Arruda, her husband, permission to dump their household trash in the dumpster located at the Three Rivers address. Acting Chair, Beau Schneider explained that the BOH trash rules and regulations are pretty clearly spelled out. In order to transport your trash, you have to be the OWNER of the business where the trash is being discarded, have a copy of your paid invoice and have applied for the abatement with the Collector’s office within the 90 day limit. Neither does Mr. Arruda own the business nor was an abatement applied for. Substantiating paperwork from the Town Collector’s office
was provided along with a letter dated October 30, 2013 from the Town Collector advising the Arruda’s of the potential tax lien on their property, if the trash bill was not paid. Mrs. Arruda was given another copy of the letter which she said, she had never received. Board member Carrie Payne expressed her public health concerns about residents being responsible for discarding their trash.” Public Safety has to be met.” In conclusion, Acting chair, Beau Schneider encouraged Mrs. Arruda to once again seek her legal council for any unanswered questions, she might still have. Unfortunately, it is out of the Board’s hands. The office, to put the Board’s finding in writing to the Arruda’s and copy the Town Collector. Mrs. Arruda stated, she would be in May 1st to pay in full.
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 –Claire Forgues confirmed that all vendors will be present. Police duty set. Beau Schneider responsible for tent and re-cycle bins. Paul Demaio will have hand truck with bins made available for transport in the BOH office. Carrie Payne to provide table.
- Communicable Diseases- Beau Schneider- Beau working on more input from physicians on primary care intake info for MAVEN.
- Emergency Preparedness –Carrie Payne- nothing new to report.
- 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. Scholarship committee meeting May 8th per Deb Mahar. Benches have been delivered.
- Floor Drains- Beau Schneider- 2014 paperwork to go out for June 1st. from the office.
- 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-Liz Manley had 3-4 of the MRC members present at the Police sponsored Drug Take Back Day held April 26th.
- Outdoor Wood Burning Units-Beau Schneider- Nothing new to report.
- Press Relations-Carrie Payne- Carrie did the advertisement on the TV stations for Bulky Day.
- Recycling- nothing new to report.
- Tobacco-Beau Schneider-Federal government getting involved with the regulation of e-cigs.
- Trash- See above regarding trash abatement.
- Wells-Lorri McCool & Beau Schneider-Nothing new to report.
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, May 14, 2014 at 5:30 pm and Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 5:30 pm.
Beau Schneider made motion to adjourn at 8:12 pm, seconded by Vicki Alfano.
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