BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
September 18, 2012
Chair Steve Fram opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Elaine Byrne, Alba Gouldthorpe, Health Agent Deborah Rogers, and Health Inspector Virginia Bacon also attended.
TRANSFER STATION EMPLOYEES- The board had invited the new part time employees from the Transfer Station to the Board of Health meeting. Kenneth Berkenbush and Ryan Sparks are the new part time workers at the transfer station. Steve Fram said, he has been hearing good things regarding the two gentlemen down at the transfer station. The guys have been catching a lot of grief from the residents in Newbury. Some residents are showing a lot of frustration towards the Employees enforcing the rules and regulations. The board agreed the two men have been doing a great job and hope that soon all residents will follow the rules accordingly.
Deborah Rogers updated the board regarding the positive EEE human case in Georgetown. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Town of Newbury is at High Risk for exposure to EEE.
Chris Walsh from Triton Regional High School along with Diane and Warren Manter from the Central Street ball fields attended the meeting to discuss the Town of Newbury’s outdoor activities. The board discussed, banning outdoor activities between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. when the mosquitoes are most active. Warren Manter expressed his worries regarding the income from fees that the town will lose from shutting down outdoor activities. He also stated that children need to be kept actively engaged so as not be exposed to bad influences. Further that the loss of the sports programs is worrisome to him and he was sure to the parents in the Town. He felt that the towns were overreacting. Diane Manter wanted to know what Topsfield as well as other towns were doing about their early evening activities.
This is an extremely serious disease; therefore, the Board of Health stated that their duty was to help protect the Newbury residents and their visitors by reducing the mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activity. In addition, residents still need to use precautionary measures and protect themselves while outdoors at all times. It was moved by Elaine Byrne to adopt the outdoor activity ban from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. on all Newbury town owned public property, seconded by Alba Gouldthorpe and voted unanimously.
18 GREENTREE LANE – Jim Scanlon requested the following variances for the property located at 18 Greentree Lane. 1.) Reduction in depth of naturally occurring pervious material required from 4’ to 2’ with use of presby system. 2.) Top of system components no greater than 36” below grade required provided 3’ to 4’. It was moved by Elaine Byrne to accept the variances as submitted, subject to state approval, seconded by Alba Gouldthorpe and voted unanimously.
20 OLD FARM WAY – Mr. Kierans requested that he get reimbursed back from the town for the years 2010 and 2011 due to overpayment his transfer station sticker. He is a senior citizen and got charged the resident fee. The board noted that the town clerk does not ask if they are a senior citizen at the time a transfer station sticker is purchased. It is up to the resident to let them know at the time of purchase. Deborah Rogers will send a copy of the Transfer Station Rules and Regulations to Mr. Kierans.
Alba Gouldthorpe moved to accept the August 14, 2012 minutes as amended, seconded by Elaine Byrne and voted unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
The next meeting of the Board of Health will be on October 16, 2012
Respectively submitted,
Virginia Bacon
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