Minutes of Meeting
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order on February 27, 2006, at 7:30 P.M., in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair, Elizabeth Barnett, M.D., Vice-Chair, Sherwin Goodblatt, Suzi Peck, and Stanley Rosen. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present.
Minutes of Meeting of February 6, 2006
VOTED: (Bingham/Goodblatt) - Barnett and Peck abstained; Rosen, Bingham, and Goodblatt voted in the affirmative: to accept the minutes of February 6, 2006.
Proposed changes to Lake Testing
Discussion to be continued to next meeting; some members felt strongly twice/week testing of all swimming locations should continue (although camp beaches are tested once/week).
Hearing re proposed changes to Article 7
The Board will entertain a written comment period for 2 weeks; will discuss again on March 13th; plan to vote on changes March 27th.
Anne Bingham reviewed the major changes proposed by the board, in addition to indexing and renumbering: re:
“Automatic Failures: 1) At the time of inspection, all septic tanks 25 years of age or older, shall be replaced unless structurally certified by a licensed Title 5 inspector to be sound and leak-proof.
(2)At the time of inspection, all cesspools shall be replaced with systems in maximum feasible compliance.”
The Chair provided a general introduction as to the reasons for these proposals, i.e., the public health rationale.....public safety and welfare; local conditions in Sharon, including town wells; the Board sees no reason not to replace cesspools in this day and age; that cesspools are not given same treatment that a properly designed tank and leaching field provide.
Comments by attendees included:
Charles Logan of Norwood St.: .discussed rationale for setting the age limit of 25 years;
Andrew Stead of Morse St. noted that structural certification is already incorporated in Title 5;
he further suggested a sunset date for removal if all cesspools in surface water/groundwater protection districts;
Mr. Edwards of Pine Road: would need to highly publicize if sunset date set for all cesspools;
Question of definition of BOD: Biological Oxygen Demand;
Bruce Caplan of Maskwonicut St. requested the definition of a cesspool; Marcia Liebman: why the need to replace all cesspools; Suzi Peck replied explaining the differences between a cesspool and septic tank:cesspool is a pit below ground made of stone or cement block; leaches out through cracks...not intended to be water tight. Mr. Caplan noted that he has an overflow system added to his cesspool.
Walter Newman asked about shared systems; these are not specifically addressed by Article 7 (addressed in Title 5).
Anne Bingham asked for written comments from attendees if they have a scientific basis/economic argument re cesspools.
David Grasfield asked about typical cost of inspection:$500-$700; approximately 240 cesspools in town.
There was a request to be more specific about what is involved in an inspection;
Suzi Peck: rephrase current policy of BOH re testing of alternative systems;
Noted: “newly numbered” section 7.26 should come under Variances section.
Hearing re proposed changes to Massage Regulations
Elizabeth Barnett reviewed that the major changes proposed are to strengthen licensure prerequisites
to protect the citizens of Sharon from practitioners who do not have appropriate credentials to act with degree of professionalism. Adopted standards from numerous other towns. Intention to be forwarded thinking and complete. Overall goal: to bring this to high level of professionalism and respect it deserves.
Comments of attendees included:
Cheryl Morandi: Applicant Requirements: why need residential addresses for 5 years? Questioned the background for requiring personal history items; Elizabeth Barnett noted that the requests are based on what is being done in other towns, particularly Newton; questioned how else the demonstration of knowledge is to be determined; Sheila Miller stated that, during inspections, the inspector could review the type of disinfectants used; course work is reviewed.
Gail Martin: why is CPR required? Not required of other allied health professionals, barbers, etc...shouldn’t be requirement for licensure. She urged a simplified process for renewals;
Jonathan Goldberg: concerns about identity theft....confidentiality of public record; questioned relevance of need for former residential address;
Jennifer Lord-Baker: Re home visit for someone who has no health problems, but wants home visit for convenience sake; Board questioned how to ensure that practitioner has client relationship with person first....i.e., how to incorporate prior relationship with client.
Concerns about need for 2 days notice for offsite single events....P. 6..
Question about requirement for standardized test; Elizabeth Barnett noted that there needs to be a commitment to continuing education;
Cheryl Morandi: American Massage Therapy Association is a professional organization, whose membership requirements include credentialing; felt this should be sufficient in lieu of standard exam; Canton requires membership in AMTA; Questioned a grandfathering provision for current practitioners re national exam...... She will provide further information to the BOH.
Attendees questioned the need for certain language to be included in the regulations which, they felt, undermines level of professionalism.
Attendees questioned whether or not the BOH will be licensing of Reiki and Reflexology, Athletic trainers, etc.
Not many changes in Establishment requirements.
Question re doing laundry offsite; wording should be changed to say “to a commercial establishment”.... Page 10 4g....
Jonathan Goldberg suggested that massage therapists do volunteer work in the community.
The Board encouraged and will entertain a two week comment period to March 13th....and hopes to vote on this March 27th.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 PM.
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