A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order at 7:40 P.M. on Monday evening, December 16, 2002, in the Sharon Town Offices with the following members in attendance: Chairman Andrew Stead, Vice-Chair Susan Peck, and Jonathan Goldberg.
Emergency Hearing - 15 Summit Avenue - Sharon
Kristine Meaney, Project Engineer for Toomey-Munson and Associates, was present on behalf of property owner Mary Anne Cahan, to request several Title V variances, as well as a variance from Article 7. The existing system, a series of cesspools, is now in failure, necessitating the emergency hearing. The contractor is ATW, Inc. Jonathan Goldberg requested that earlier versions of the plans be provided to the BOH, as well. Ms. Meaney noted that the owner has been pumping frequently. The Board reviewed what procedure to follow to ensure abutters are notified before work is begun, since this hearing was arranged quickly in an emergency situation. It was determined that Toomey-Munson will notify the abutters of the Board’s decision via certified mail or in person ASAP.....conditional approval will be
provided by the BOH pending response from abutters.
VOTED: (Stead/Peck)unanimously to approve the variances, as requested in the letter from Toomey-Munson and Associates, Inc., dated December 16, 2002. Low-flow plumbing devices will be required, as well as annual pumping of the system. In addition, the Board recommends replacement of the washing machine. This decision is conditional upon proof of no objections from abutters (a certified abutters list will be obtained from the Assessors’ office). The applicant must provide upto 10 days for abutters to comment.
Hearing - Installation of drinking water wells - 509 Old Post Road
John Lee was present to request approval to construct 2 drinking water wells at his property at 509 Old Post Road. Suzi Peck noted this is an area zoned for industry and expressed concerns about a drinking water well at this location. The property is in Sharon’s groundwater protection district and Walpole’s Zone II. Mr. Lee volunteered to move the manure pile from his sheep, if the Board so required. Suzi Peck stated that there is no manifest injustice in this situation, since there is water on the property.....Walpole is not limiting the amount of water that he can use. Mr. Lee stated that the town of Walpole will not grant permission for any additional water lines. Andy Stead requested revised plans showing the septic system ... noting all possible sources of contamination (including neighbors’
underground storage tanks, etc.), and a proposal to require no variances. The hearing was continued until January 27th, 2003, at 7:45 P.M.
Minutes of Meeting
VOTED: (Stead/Peck) unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 18, 2002.
Acceptance of Donations - Flu Clinics
VOTED: (Stead/Peck) unanimously to accept $45 in donations received by the Health Department during the recent flu clinics.....to be used for supplies for future health promotions.
Proposed Article for 2003 Annual Town Meeting – Revolving Fund - Health Promotions
VOTED: (Stead/Goldberg) unanimously to request that the Selectmen allow an article on the 2003 Town Meeting warrant to authorize a Revolving fund to support health promotion clinics for residents. Receipts to be deposited into this fund will be funds collected through insurance reimbursements for immunizations, including Medicare and Medicare HMO reimbursements for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. The State Department of Public Health has also requested a copy of the Medicare roster billing so that DPH might be reimbursed for the actual cost of the vaccine. This voluntary billing process, which we began this year, may become mandatory in the very near future.
Proposed Article for 2003 Annual Town Meeting - Revolving Fund - Monitoring septic variances
Jonathan Goldberg will be working out the details for this revolving fund, which received initial positive feedback from the Finance Committee, with Fincom member Bill Heitin. Linda Rosen will ask the Selectmen to hold a place for this article for the 2003 Annual Town Meeting.
Article 7
The Board reviewed proposed changes to 7.03.01A....Minimum Distances. Discussion to continue at the next meeting.
Proposed Manicure Regulations
The Board reviewed proposed manicure regulations. Discussion will continue on January l3, with a hearing to take place January 27. Nail salons and beauty salons in town will be notified of the hearing date. The Board agreed to propose an annual license fee of $100/salon.
Crazy Craig’s
Suzi Peck will speak with someone at DEP to clarify the issue of what constitutes a “Restaurant” in order to proceed with the request for serving additional food items.
23 Highland St. – Request to reduce testing requirements
The Board agreed that a letter should be sent notifying Wastewater Treatment Services, Inc., and DEP that the Board will not allow a reduction or elimination of testing requirements.
Robert and Tracy Fitzgerald - Proposal
It was agreed to notify the Fitzgeralds that the Board will require plans showing design of the proposed septic and tight tanks prior to the discussion to be held on January 13.
Water Analyses
The Board reviewed recent analyses of Sharon drinking water and was concerned about nitrogen levels increasing periodically. It was agreed to send a letter of concern to the DPW and the Selectmen.
Landfill Concerns
The Board reviewed public health and sanitation concerns about the landfill project as it was presented in the Sharon Advocate of December 13th. Board members expressed concerns about the following issues: Off-gassing of potentially hazardous toxic gases;
Irrigation and wastewater disposal; Maintaining the integrity of the cap. It was agreed to send a letter to the Selectmen to ask that
the Board participate in working with the consultants on these matters as these plans are developed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 P.M.
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