A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order at 7:40 P.M. on Monday evening, April 28, 2003, in the Sharon Town Offices, with the following members in attendance:
Chairman Andrew Stead, Vice-Chair Susan Peck, Elizabeth Barnett, M.D., Jonathan Goldberg, and Anne Bingham. Also present was Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering.
Variance Hearing: Lot 108 Ames Street
Present were: Atty. Paul Kennedy, representing David London, guardian for Martha Lewis, beneficiary of the Ruth Lewis Trust, owner of the property; David London, Timothy Hannon, co-trustee of the trust, and Anthony Stella, P.E. A prior variance request, heard by the Board in December 2001, was previously withdrawn.
Mr. Stella reviewed the variance requests: no variance is required from Title V; the variance requested is from Article 7 - 7.02.12 b — constructing a system in fill. A 3 bedroom home is planned - the system is not to be mounded. Four test pits were dug to a minimum depth of 11 feet and no groundwater was found. The Board reviewed the definition of construction in fill in Article 7(vs the definition in Title v) and found no evidence that the system is being constructed in previously filled land , nor that they will be bringing in soil to fill the land. Since the Board agreed that the intent of the regulation was to prevent these circumstances, the Board agreed that a variance is not required. In response to a question from an abutter, the Board responded that this proposal, unlike the
prior proposal, is not a marginal system.
Comments /concerns from several abutters were heard and addressed (as they relate to BOH issues). In response to questions: Suzi Peck explained that the entire regulatory process is designed to prevent impacts on neighboring properties; Anne Bingham stated that all indications are that this system, based on sound engineering, will not contribute to the flooding which already exists on the street; Andy Stead noted that no proposal presented to this Board is rubber-stamped.
Voted: (Bingham/Stead) unanimously to approve the proposed system for Lot 108 Ames Court with the notation that, although originally presented as a variance request from Article 7, the Board does not believe this constitutes construction in fill as construed under Article 7 and, therefore, the system is approved without the need of a variance.
Master’s Thesis - Internship Request
Elizabeth Barnett reported that she heard a presentation by Deborah Schwartz for her Master’s Thesis through the Harvard School of Public Health. She noted that she was most impressed with the thesis and that Ms. Schwartz was very appreciative that her local Board of Health was able to assist her with her project.
Potassium Iodide
Elizabeth Barnett provided a recent article from Pediatric News confirming that potassium iodide is appropriate only in the event of an occurrence – within 4 hours; it is effective only against radioactive iodine and protects strictly the thyroid. A link to information on potassium iodide will be placed on the Board of Health webpage.
Influenza Pandemic Plan
Elizabeth Barnett has, to date, reviewed approximately half of this document. She stated it has raised a lot of questions and she will follow up with Sheila and Linda.
216 North Main St. - Non-compliance
The Board agreed to send a letter to Mr. Geller notifying him that he has not lived up to the terms of the variance issued for the FAST system in 1996. The system was installed, but was not hooked up. No as-built plan has been forwarded to the town. A maintenance agreement, dated April 17, 2003, was just received by the BOH. Quarterly testing and maintenance results must be forwarded.
Anne Bingham will review possible penalties.
339 S. Main St.- Request for reduction of testing requirements
Andy Stead will provide a list of dates missing for the last several years and Linda will send a request to J&R Sales and Service requesting copies of the missing records in order to fill in the data gaps.
Planning Board Request
The Board discussed various concerns about sites mentioned for possible rezoning. Suzi Peck will draft a response to the Planning Board’s request for input regarding possible sites for rezoning.
Minutes of April 7:
VOTED:(Stead/Barnett) unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 7, 2003, as amended.
EPA information regarding septic systems
It was agreed to utilize the remainder of the DEP grant funds to provide a public information campaign with the materials provided by EPA. Suggestions included providing the information to realtors for distribution, and, possibly, to distribute using a table at a future town meeting. Information will also be placed on the BOH webpage.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 P.M.
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