Approved
Wellfleet Board of Health
Minutes of Meeting of September 11, 2013
Senior Center, Long Pond room, 7:00 pm
Attendees: Richard Willecke, Janet Drohan, Gary Locke and Ken Granlund
Regrets: Lezli Rowell
Lilly Green: Health Effects of Wind Turbines: Ms. Green provided a background of her expertise in health matters regarding wind turbines. She stated there are over 50 families from Falmouth who have had health issues due to the wind turbines. She and her late husband went before several state-wide boards and commissions regarding the health issues of wind turbines, as well as traveled to several locations in the world and interviewed several hundred people with health issues. She referenced several documents by various scientists and doctors. She stated the proposed turbine at MA Audubon Society in Wellfleet will pose noise problems (intrasound) and people will be impacted up to 1,900 feet away from the turbine. She stated the particular model the Audubon plans to use has had several public health
problems. She stated the Board of Health has the authority to remove wind turbines if there are any health issues. A folder will be made available to the members of the Board for review of the materials Ms. Green is providing.
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DPW – Transfer Regs
Pay As You Throw
Who does the program pertain to, will commercial haulers be subject to the regulations, and the costs. Chair Willecke stated the intention of the local Pay As You Throw was to be a residential program and for residential commercial haulers. Commercial haulers: they believe this will be a problem picking up trash year round which includes both commercial and residential properties if residents do not use the PAYT bags. Chair Willecke stated he thought there should be equity for all residents in having to use the bags. John Morrisey stated there are 50 towns in New England that have curbside pickup with PAYT bags and the garbage that is not in bags, the trash will not be picked up. He stated communication has to come from the landlords and real estate
people for those properties who rent. Matthew Frazier stated the issues for the hauler will be difficult during the summer months due to volume. There are only two places he can take the trash which include Wellfleet and Yarmouth. He stated there needs to be more outreach with general contractors. The owner of Marconi Beach Restaurant stated there will be trash everywhere if bags are left at the roadside. Lydia Vivante stated she has seen other contractors work well with different colored bags. Charlie Russ questioned if dumpsters were used at private residences and hired a private hauler, who at the DPW could determine whose garbage was whose (restaurant versus private residents). It was recommended the commercial haulers get a break per tonnage. Restaurants will be excluded. Gary Locke recommended the private haulers communicate and educate people they need to recycle and use the PAYT bags. Mr. Frazier stated the people
renting the properties do not care what color bag they use for garbage and the way the regulations are written are unmanageable for a private hauler. Lydia Vivante stated many people coming to town are responsible and she feels the town needs to move forward. John Morrissey stated he feels the program can be done and feels the education portion is paramount. Frazier stated his competitor is not encouraging PAYT and has some concerns with the cost to the town with additional staff at the transfer station. Agent Greenberg-Lemos questioned if co-mingling the garbage of restaurants and residents is done with commercial haulers and if the haulers pick up all recyclable materials (co-mingle single stream). Mr. Frazier stated they pick up single stream (paper, cans, water, etc.) and Wellfleet does not handle single stream. Mr. Morrissey stated some haulers do sort the materials and wants them to utilize our transfer station. A private hauler will
charge for both recycling and trash pickup. Mr. Frazier stated he is charging the consumer much more for the single stream because he has to take the materials out of town. David Quinn from Barnstable stated several towns are accepting single stream for commercial haulers. Lydia Vivante questioned if private haulers had a certain time or day to utilize the transfer station. Mr. Frazier stated the town of Wellfleet does not have alternate drop off places as other towns have. Mr. Morrissey has referred to a report of 50 towns utilizing PAYT, and stated he is not aware if they are tourist towns with an increase in population during high season. Commercial businesses pay $80.00 per ton and DPW states it needs to $120 per ton to cover the costs. Chair Willecke stated he requested a breakdown on costs and expenses for the October 9, 2013 meeting. Mr. Morrisey stated a study was done two years ago and there were 85 private haulers and
several contractors as well as commercial haulers and the cost increases will not happen for one to two years.
Closing the transfer station 2 days per week: Mark Vincent stated at the last meeting that there are staffing issues with the DPW. The Board feels the summer months needs to be open 7 days during June, July and August but feels five days open the rest of the year is sufficient. Peter Williams of the DPW stated staffing is the problem.
I. Title V Variances Requests
1. Laposta/Kaminski, 34 Samoset Ave, Map 28, Parcel 123 (Cont’d from 07/10/13). Gary Locke recused himself. Agent Greenberg-Lemos spoke on behalf of the applicant(s) and stated the owners want to increase the habitable space and had to come before the board. There will be no change in the bedroom count. Ken Granlund moved that the increase will not require any action from the Board of Health; seconded by Janet Drohan; passed 3-0.
2. Crapa, 60 Wixom Ave. Map 36, Parcel 174, Previous Health Agent Determination. The owners of the dwelling stated the house was purchased in 2000 and there were nitrate issues with the water. A reverse osmosis system was installed in the kitchens of the three unit family dwelling. In 2009, the water test revealed a high nitrate reading of 33. Agent Greenberg-Lemos suggested a new site for the well. Three test locations were dug and clay was found at 40 feet plus, increasing the nitrate level. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the septic system has failed. The potable water is at 4.5 out of the kitchen sink but the nitrates from other faucets (bathroom) are at a level of 33. This property is for sale. The septic system is 100 feet from their well
and stated an abutter was allowed a variance for a septic system close to their well in 1994. A full filtration system for the house will cost $25,000. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated if a well driller could get through the clay, the water may be within the proper levels. The owners determined they would do a test well in the driveway area and get back to the Health Agent.
3. Roderick, 489 State Hwy, Map 42, Parcel 129, Change of Use. This is going from a total commercial building to an office and one bedroom residence. The system is sized for 212 gpd. Gary Locke moved to approve the change in use; seconded by Ken Granlund; passed 4-0.
II. Business
III. Licenses
IV Minutes
V. Correspondence
Notice of non-compliance to the DPW – It was reported there was someone picking metal at the transfer station and DPW stated there is inadequate staffing to keep a surveillance. It was also reported the recycling areas were not clean and sanitary.
A letter to Arty Joseph was sent regarding placing recycling materials in the trash hopper.
Ken Granlund moved to adjourn at 9:00 pm; seconded by Gary Locke; passed 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates, Committee Secretary
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