MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
March 7, 2011
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was held on Monday, March 7, 2011, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Sharon Town Office Building. In attendance were Stan Rosen, Vice-Chair, Suzi Peck, Andrew Stead, Jay Schwab, and Ed Welch. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present.
Vote for Chair and Vice-Chair
VOTED: (Schwab/Stead) for Suzi Peck as Chair of the BOH. There were no other nominations. Voted in favor of Suzi Peck as Chair of the BOH: Peck, Stead, Schwab and Welch voted in favor; Rosen abstained.
VOTED: (Stead/Welch) unanimously for Jay Schwab as Vice-Chair of the BOH. There were no other nominations.
Suzi Peck thanked Stan Rosen and Andy Stead for their past service.
Minutes of Meeting of December 13, 2010
VOTED (Rosen/Peck) Rosen, Peck, and Schwab voted to accept the minutes of the meeting of December 13, 2010, as amended.
Minutes of Meeting of January 24, 2011
VOTED: (Stead/Rosen) Stead, Rosen and Peck voted to accept the minutes of the meeting of January 24, 2011, as amended. Schwab and Welch abstained.
(Ed Welch questioned whether or not the representatives of Shaws’ Plaza should be called back for another meeting. Andy Stead stated that, as long as the analytical results continue to look decent, he doesn’t see a need for them to come back to the BOH.)
Minutes of Meeting of February 14, 2011
(VOTED)(Stead/Rosen) Stead, Rosen, Schwab, and Welch voted to accept the minutes of the meeting of February 14, 2011, as amended.. Peck abstained.
8 Ames St. Request
Existing non conforming lot...requires special permit from ZBA. Mr. And Mrs. Gopin and architect were present to review plans to upgrade to a 4 bedroom home from the current 3 bedroom home (which was built in 2004 with a new septic). Jim Andrews reported that he
approved a 3 bedroom system and that, according to policy, this does not guarantee future approval for 4 bedrooms. Suzi Peck asked if the system meets all current requirements for a 4 bedroom home? Jim Andrews stated that it did meet requirements in 2004 (design flow of 445 gpd)..but would need Title 5 inspection to see if it complies with current requirements. . The architect stated that this is on a narrow lot with setback issues for ZBA. Engineer says septic system still meets today’s standard. Stan Rosen suggested a deed restriction to 4 bedrooms...Mr. Gopin agreed.
Jim Andrews expressed concern that allowing adding a bedroom would seta precedent. Suzi Peck stated that this would be a different situation if the applicant couldn’t put in a fully compliant system (e.g., by the lake). She clarified that, in terms of Article 7 and Title 5 this system is totally compliant. Jim Andrews stated there is no precedent for this. He reviewed
that policy is that you are not entitled to the extra bedroom just because you have an oversized septic system. Stan Rosen suggested: design engineer review the existing plans and the new proposal; respond that the existing system is in compliant with regulations for a 4 bedroom house; Jim inspect and review plans to confirm that the existing system complies with existing regulations; that then the Board’s decision would relate to a specific case and would not create a precedent. Suzi Peck stated it would be required that the system is fully compliant with current regulations (both Article 7 and Title 5)...that it does not need any variances....must pass a Title 5 inspection. The BOH would need a new as built with system..showing setbacks to proposed addition for field and septic tank.....and letter from
design engineer. Plans must be recertified that they are fully compliant - Jim Andrews to review. It should be explained to the ZBA that this is a unique situation. Suzi Peck agreed this would not be precedent-setting because the system is fully compliant with existing Article 7 and Title 5.
Draft BOH policy re providing home-cooked foods at public events ( potluck suppers) open to the public
Further discussion took place on this proposed policy. Ed Welch asked why this policy was needed..and why DPH couldn’t provide this. . It was explained that this was an effort to try to eliminate confusion, based upon DPH Food Services information and guidelines. This proposed policy is in conformance with DPH regulations.
Suzi Peck will revise the document again to try to clarify.
School Department Food Service Permits.
Further discussion took place on this issue. Stan Rosen suggested that each school be issued it’s own food service permit, with the licensed food service person(s) listed on the permit. His rationale was for better control. He noted that the surrounding communities all have separate licenses for each school. Jay Schwab asked what precipitated this discussion. Stan Rosen noted that it was a point made by Eric Hooper asking why a separate food service license (and director) was required for the Community Center since the Senior Center already had a license and director.
VOTED: (Schwab/Rosen)unanimously that the proposed requirements for school department food services be passed as prepared. (i.e., that separate licenses be issued for each school, but that one fee be charged for the school department.).
Banning tobacco sales in pharmacies
Further discussion took place on this issue. Stan Rosen suggested that, .to the extent that the BOH can reduce the outlets licensed to sell tobacco products (from 6 to 4), the BOH should do so; he further stated that selling tobacco products is inconsistent with pharmacy role of public health. Nationwide...many independent pharmacies that have taken this approach. Ed Welch asked why not ban cigarette sales in town altogether. Stan Rosen stated doing so might be charting new territory. He added that banning sales in pharmacies has already been tested...that the BOH has the authority to do this...but that we could then ask advice of MMA as to whether or not we, as a community, would have the authority to ban the sale of tobacco products altogether.
It was the sense of the Board to pursue this legislation. Although a public hearing is not required, Suzi Peck proposed notifying residents of an open meeting at which this issue will be discussed. It was further agreed to ask D.J. Wilson, Tobacco control Director and Public Health Liaison to MMA, to attend. It was proposed to hold this discussion on March 28th.
Alarming of Barns
Andy Stead reported that he received a call from Beverly Wilkins re additional information she has regarding alarming barns. Stan Rosen noted that the Board had a lengthy discussion on this with input from both the Fire Chief and Ed Little. Suzi Peck asked that Ms. Wilkins be encouraged to submit the additional information she has in writing and BOH will review it.
Issuance of Animal Permits without Board hearing:
Andy Stead reported on his discussion with Ed Little on this matter. Following further discussion it was agreed to review this request after another round of licensing.
Position descriptions:
Jay Schwab suggested that the Board should review the position descriptions for both the Public Health Nurse (re-written in 2010) and the Health Administrator (written in 2000). Suzi Peck added the Board should also review the former description of the Public Health Nurse, as well as the descriptions for the Administrative Assistant and the Health Agent for Engineering.
Water Reports
It was agreed to ask the Board of Selectmen, acting as Water Commissioners, to advise the Water Department to provide the BOH with any lab result exceedances of standard at the time of notification to the state.....as well as when brought back into compliance.
MAPC
Stan Rosen reported that he had spoken with a friend on a BOH in another community who had told him of a grant award letter he had received from MAPC. Since Stan Rosen didn’t recall seeing any such grant award letters for Sharon, he contacted the representative (Lola Lomoludun) and subsequently received copies of both the grant year 10 and 10 E award letters for Sharon (both undated). Ms. Lomoludun explained to Mr. Rosen that such letters are distributed via a website (Huddle) to Region 4A representatives. The letters are addressed to the chair of the BOH, but were not given to our BOH. According to Ms. Lomoludun this year’s letter went out (onto Huddle) in August or September. Stan Rosen asked that the BOH advise whoever receives these notices that whenever grant awards and other significant information is received it should be distributed to the BOH. He further suggested possible monthly or quarterly reports on Sharon’s Region 4A activities. It was agreed that Suzi Peck
would ask Sheila Miller, currently Region 4A representative from Sharon BOH, to update the Board on Region 4A activities at the April 11th meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
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