MONTEREY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES
Date: February 23, 2009
Present: John Makuc, Stephen Enoch, Peter Kolodziej and Robert Annelli
Also Present: Nora Hayes, ACO
The meeting began at 3:30pm
1. The minutes from 2.2.09 were approved as written.
2. The Board asked Nora Hayes, Animal Control Officer to come to today’s meeting to discuss the following:
a. Current perspective of working relationship with Marge Gulick: John Makuc spoke with Marge who stated that she will not take dogs from Nora anymore. The Board wanted to get Nora’s side of the story. She stated that she hasn’t heard anything officially from Marge stating not to bring dogs there but she also hasn’t attempted to bring any dogs in there since the incident that prompted Marge not allowing dogs there (which Nora stated was about a year ago and it was a dog from Otis). Nora stated she’s been talking with Cindy the ACO in Lee about using her kennel as well as some other local options. The Board requested that Nora provide them with the number of dogs she’s picked up and had to find the owner for and the dates. The Board is also
going to ask Chief Backhaus for the same numbers. The Board suggested that Nora speak with Marge to find out if Marge will or will not accept dogs from Nora.
b. Putting a kennel on town property. The Board feels there are a lot of issues with this option; dogs barking, being fed and watered, liability issues, etc. The Board stated that they’ve been made aware that the Select Board, Police Department and Highway Department are not in favor of this option.
c. The Board stated that the Police have been picking up dogs and when they do they keep it in the cruiser or put it in the collapsible crate he has in his office. Nora was not aware that Gareth was picking up a large number of dogs.
d. Nora stated that she doesn’t feel that the number of lost dogs are large she states that the times they get lost are difficult; holidays and weekends.
e. Enforcement of the existing regs and making sure all dogs are licensed and fined if in violation was discussed; Nora felt that this was being taken care of. She stated that Monterey doesn’t currently require 2nd homeowners to license their dogs in Monterey. The ACO does have the option to fine owners for loose dogs and unregistered dogs. Nora stated she hasn’t fined that many people.
f. Nora has organized a little regional meeting of the local ACO’s and they discuss troublesome and difficult cases that they encounter to find ways to deal with it.
g. The Board asked Nora how she felt things were going. Nora stated she did her first dog safety class with the Monterey Kindergarten. She stated that she did this under her role as the ACO and not under her private business.
h. Nora stated that she did speak with WSBS finally about holding a show on the radio; it looks as though she is going to have to do the show as Mike Cahill is not sure that he can make the drive out and she wasn’t sure if WSBS would do it with Mike over the phone. The Board suggested that she have another local ACO attend with her or the Roy Hill the state person.
3. The Board will review a division of ACO tasks (if possible) and adjusting the compensation accordingly. The Board also questioned whether or not the ACO should fall under the Police Department vs. the Board of Health.
4. There are 2 subdivisions: The one with the 4 affordable houses will be coming in to speak with the Board next week. Peter is meeting with the Attorney of the Mt Hunger subdivision this week to review the current proposal and to offer recommendations to improve the project and be more cost effective. The proposal as is can be approved but it is not the best case scenario. The applicant’s representatives are in favor of Peter’s suggestions. Once they meet Peter will fill the Board in and they can respond to the Planning Board. There is one lot that will have a common building with food service and they are waiting on more information from the owner to determine whether or not this will be considered a public water supply.
5. John asked if there was a public course we could host to inform owners about their responsibilities of keeping their septic systems in working order. The Board will look into sending out a pamphlet to advise homeowner’s of what to do and what not to do with your septic system.
6. The Board is not going to meet next week and has rescheduled for Monday, March 9th.
The meeting adjourned at 4:55pm
Submitted by
Melissa Noe
Inter-Departmental Secretary
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