A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order at 7:15 P.M., in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair, Suzi Peck, Sherwin Goodblatt, and Stanley Rosen. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present.
Wilber School Redevelopment Committee (WSRC) – update
James Goldsmith, Chair of the WSRC, along with other members of the committee including Marcia Liebman and Marilyn Kahn, provided a brief review of committee progress to date. Following a proposal by the Horsley Witten Group (HWG) with which the committee was quite impressed, they hired HWG to do a preliminary study they hope to include in their RFP....to look at creative options for the septic system.
Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, noted that an application for a $45000 riverways grant to assist with this project has been submitted. The hope is to use the Wilber project as a diving board into solving some of the other wastewater issues in the center of town. Peter O’Cain has provided studies done by Weston and Sampson to Horsley Witten. Potential hydrogeological concerns exist. WSRC plans to encourage the developer to work with HWG (or whoever the committee hires) to develop a creative septic scenario. Suzi Peck volunteered to be a liaison from the BOH to the WSRC.
Richard Volkin , P.E. — 39 May Street
Jim Andrews reported on a Title V done on the property at 36 May Street and the following discussions that took place between Jim A. And R. Volkin . A compromise was reached, a “conditional pass” resulting in the installation of a 1500 gallon tank and distribution box , which will eliminate the existing cesspool. The leaching field will be checked after 6 months occupancy Board members agreed to send a follow-up letter stating that the Board discussed the situation and emphasizing that if there is any evidence of failure following 6 months of occupancy, the Board may deem the system to be in failure.
Jim Miller, Miller Engineering: setback variance request for 17 P.O. Square
Miller Engineering presented a request for a number of variances from both Article 7 and Title 5 for the property at 17 P.O. Square on behalf of the property owner of that location who plans a Dunkin’ Donuts at the site. The flow is to be increased from 200 gpd to 1000 gpd (minimum required for any type of a restaurant system according to Title V). According to Board members, this increased flow would require variances from DEP as well as from the BOH. Jim Miller stated he had been informed that DEP would not review until variances are granted by BOH. Jim Miller noted the flow is based on 50 seats, which is not reasonable for the location. Miller Engineering was asked by the Board to look for any/all potential water-reducing measures to significantly reduce the flow.
Suzi Peck suggested the use of composting toilets. Jim Miller will discuss with DEP. The hearing was continued pending further information.
Tziporah Shiller
Sheila Miller reported on a satisfactory inspection of 10 Harold Street for a massage establishment. A letter was provided by the Building Inspector indicating this would not be a zoning issue.
VOTED: Bingham/ Peck voted unanimously to approve a massage therapy establishment for Tziporah Shiller at 10 Harold Street, as requested in the application dated 11/28/05, with the condition that laundry generated by the business must be done offsite.
Licensing of Food Events for Non-profit, Non-municipal organizations
Discussion continued on this topic, with Sheila Miller, Public Health Nurse and Assistant Health Agent for Sanitary Inspections and Enforcement, participating. Sheila noted that the Health Department inspector’s responsibility is to assess whether or not the kitchen is properly equipped. It was further noted that the Mass. Department of Public Health, in accordance with the State and Federal Food Codes, requires licensing for all establishments holding food events — be they temporary or on an ongoing basis....whether or not a fee is charged.....if events are advertised by any means (and, therefore, considered a public event). The Health Department discussion is basically to reduce the annual fee by half for these non-profit,non-municipal organizations. Suzi Peck expressed concerns about
the workload that will be created and asked that plans be developed to deal with this increased workload.
VOTED: (Rosen/Goodblatt) unanimously to hold a hearing on Monday, February 6th on the proposal to charge non-profit, non-municipal organizations a half-price fee ($75 at the current time) for an annual Food Service Permit. The fee for a one-day permit would be the full fee (currently $30/day).
Jack Lapuck
Linda Rosen reported that Jack Lapuck will be away the month of February. However, she noted that he has already completed those inspections on his scheduling calendar for the month of January and anticipates completing those inspections listed for February by the end of January. Dr. Lapuck requested that, since he is actually paid an annual salary, he receive 1/12th of this amount in February. The majority of the Board agreed with this request.
11 Hillside Avenue
The Board asked that Jim Andrews respond to the request from the FAST company regarding testing requirements for 11 Hillside Avenue by notifying them that, for this address only, the state requirements be adhered to.
DEP Revised Sampling and Testing Policy for Alternative Systems
In light of the revised DEP requirements, Anne Bingham asked that the Board amend the town’s recently revised regulations.
3-10-12 Post Office Square
The Board reviewed a letter from Rosano-Davis-Spath Engineering stating their intent to begin construction of the septic system at this address on February 1, 2006, weather permitting.
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to accept the plans dated 10/27/05, as revised 11/28/05, and discussed at the hearing of 11/18/05, as noted in the minutes of the meeting of that date....with the proviso that all work be completed by 6/1/06. It will be noted in the decision that, as the applicant is aware, due to the significant public health issues involved, the work must be completed as expeditiously as possible.
FY07 Budget review:
Suzi Peck noted that there could be a potential for savings in the dumpster budget with the inclusion of additional town-wide recycling (municipal buildings) with the cooperation of the schools and DPW.
VOTED: (Rosen/Peck) unanimously to recommend the acceptance of the proposed FY07 budgets (3 scenarios for the Health Budget.....1 option for Health Uncontrollable items) with the exception of the line items of Salaries, Longevity, and Earned Time.
VOTED: (Peck/Goodblatt) Peck, Goodblatt, Bingham voted in the affirmative; Rosen abstained, to recommend the acceptance of the line items of Salaries, Longevity, and Earned Time (3 scenarios) in the proposed budget.
Minutes of Meetings
VOTED: (Bingham/Goodblatt) Bingham, Goodblatt, and Peck voted in the affirmative to accept the minutes of the BOH meeting of October 6th. Rosen abstained.
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to accept the minutes of the BOH meeting of December 5th.
Request for reduction of sampling
Following a review of materials provided for and by the homeowner of 44 Harding Street, the Board Board agreed it would be okay to reduce sampling at that address, in accordance with the most recent BOH policy: (Voted 9/12/05: Upon demonstration of 2 years of successful quarterly testing for I/A systems, the Board will reduce testing to an annual basis, except for BOD, which will remain quarterly. However, the permittee shall be required to perform one additional sampling per year for one or more parameters upon request of the Board. )
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
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