Minutes of Meeting
June 26, 2006
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order on Monday, June 26, 2006, at 7:30 P.M., in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair, Elizabeth Barnett, Vice-Chair, Suzi Peck, and Stan Rosen. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present. Anne Bingham arrived lat (7:50 PM). Elizabeth Barnett, M.D., Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:42 P.M.
Kevin Harmon, Regional MRC Coordinator for Region 4A, was present, along with Sheila Miller, Public Health Nurse, to present an overview on the Health Department role in Emergency Planning.
Pandemic Flu Plan, Medical Reserve Corps, LEPC, etc. Approximately 50 volunteers have been recruited to date to help in the case of a pandemic. . For every medical person, four support personnel are needed. Approximately 140 staff are needed (70 per site). Kevin Harmon plans to go to cable television and to the Selectmen to seek more help. Cottage St. School will be the drop-off center for pets. Elizabeth Barnett commended Sheila Miller and Kevin Harmon for all the hard work done on this programming ... most of which is done in the background and not seen by the public...to help the community prepare for emergencies. Kevin is a temporary employee...until August/September...to help the town develop plans and coordinate with the region re the MRC. Sheila Miller
noted that this is a town-wide effort.
Hearing: Alleged violations of Chapter 2 State Sanitary Code
Sheila Miller and Jim Andrews summarized the Health Department involvement in this complaint. Two weeks earlier Mr. Geoghegan came to the Health Dept. to ask that his apartment at 29 Bradford Avenue be inspected. Prior to this, Mr. Geogheghan had complained to the Building inspector. On 6/9 Joe Kent and Jim Miller ..... during a rainy week....back yards flooded, etc., septic tank cover was ajar and tank filled with rain water which then flushed into the house. Joe and Jim recommended that the tank be pumped out and the cover be secured....this was done by the landlord. The water was then pumped out of the basement. Jim stated that, when he was there, the basement had a puddle in it. Then, as time went on, complaints appeared from the tenant addressed to the landlord. On Monday 6/19 Jim Andrews
received a subpoena to go to Housing Court that day. At court was discussed that Mr. G. should have come to the Health Department first. That day, a list was provided to the town and the landlord as to what needed to be done. Jim Andrews recommended an inspection by the Health Department: conducted by Sheila Miller, Assistant Health Agent for Sanitary Inspections and Enforcement, and Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering.
Anne Bingham: “primary complaint seems to be raw sewerage in the basement”.. Jim Andrews stated that there was not raw sewerage. Sheila Miller and Jim Andrews noted that a cleaning company did clean the basement. Jim Andrews stated that there was a crack in the septic cover....needed to be covered with dirt.
The following is Mr. Geoghegan’s report: Mr. Geoghegan stated that on June 7th the problem began. He called Joe Kent the following day. There were 5" of septic water in the basement. The water table rises over the stairs. He stated that the landlord refuses to clean up. His daughter had a severe asthma attack. He stated that numerous complaints were made to the landlord prior to this time...that this was a chronic complaint. He admitted he has no record of prior complaints, however. He alleged that the leacheate is going from the tank to the field into the groundwater into the house.
Ronald Feldman: landlord. Anne Bingham asked if Mr. Geoghegan had contacted Mr. Feldman prior to June 7th regarding flooding in the basement. Mr Feldman said that was not the case. Mr. Feldman stated that there were very few complaints prior to an eviction notice. He is in a tenancy at will.
Anne Bingham stated that the evidence shows to her that this is a one time situation. Mr. Geoghegan stated that ATW had come to pump out the field two years in a row; Mr. Feldman denied that.
Mr. Geoghegan stated again that, in his opinion, septic water had entered the basement. Suzi Peck
stated that, due to the broken septic tank cover, there probably was some diluted septic water in the basement. She asked if there is still a steady flow of water into the basement; Mr. Geoghegan stated that is not the case — only during a heavy rainstorm. Suzi Peck stated, according to our agent, that there is no surface outbreak; no evidence that the septic tank is failing. Mr. Geoghegan stated, in response to questioning, that there is still an odor in the basement. Mr. Feldman stated that he hired someone who came to clean and sanitize the area.
Jim Andrews stated that he did not order a Title 5 inspection.
Mr. Geoghegan stated that his daughter had a severe asthma attack.
On June 21st Sheila Miller and Jim Andrews conducted an inspection; the importance of allowing the landlord into the apartment to fix the problems. According to Ms. Miller, Mr. Geoghegan has not allowed Mr. Feldman access into the apartment. According to Ms. Miller, she did not smell sewerage or find mold. The tenant-owned washing machine had leaky hoses, resulting in water onto the floor. She stated there were some issues which needed remedying; Mr. Feldman was notified of these issues; Mr. Geoghegan now needs to allow the landlord access.
Anne Bingham stated that all the reports presented show that the town has done everything required under the State Sanitary Code. Suzi Peck noted that there is no testimony that there is septic water in the basement. Anne Bingham suggested that someone look at the sump pump to see if it needs to be flushed. Anne Bingham encouraged the tenant to allow Mr. Feldman to make all repairs required.
Jim Miller, P.E., Miller Engineering: 17 P.O. Square
Mr. Raines, property owner, has agreed to speak with the Baptist Church about a shared system for
17 P.O. Square. Mr. Raines stated that Dunkin’ Donuts is not interested in composting toilets. Suzi Peck and Anne Bingham expressed concern that there might be a similar issue regarding increase in flow/variances, etc. An indefinite continuance was agreed upon. The Board indicated that it would be willing to look at a shared system without other variances required. It would need to be determined whether or not the existing system is adequate.
Variance Requests: 70, 72, 74-76 Cedar Street
Jim Miller, P.E., reviewed the discussion of June 5, 2006. Anne Bingham recused herself from this discussion, in accordance with her statement at the June 5th, 2006, meeting.
3 2-bedroom and l-one bedroom (72 Cedar Street) properties were discussed. Mr. Mazur, Assistant Assessor, inspected 76 Cedar and corrected his records to show the property as two bedrooms. An overall plan of all the parcels was presented by Mr. Miller. Mr. Glaser presented a notarized affidavit of ownership, with permission for him to act on behalf of the owners. Properties are not located in a Zone II. Size of systems has been reduced. A more specific list of variances was requested by the Board. Suzi Peck suggested that four separate systems be considered...but all in the same shared leaching field area. Jim Miller stated that complications should be avoided. Elizabeth Barnett stated you would need significant reductions in variances required in order to do this.
Jim Miller will provide a written letter specifying the requested variances for each property. The hearing was continued to July 17th at 8:15 P.M. Jim Andrews stated these are the best plans for the properties, aside from alternative systems.
Sharon Heights Shopping Center – Septic Repair
Ronald Tiberi, P.E., and Lawrence Needle, property owner, presented a plan for Sharon Heights Shopping Center at 7800 gpd. Property is located in a Zone II. The Board requested as a starting point: current design flow information....for each establishment. Applicant reported that design flow is 9600 gpd. Prior approval was for 7800 gpd. Jim Andrews will not look at any plans until he receives design flow information...for current usages. Suzi Peck: if they can fit a 9600 gpd system without any variances, that should be done. Actual flows will also be shown.
Mutual Aid Agreement
VOTED:(Rosen/Barnett) unanimously to present the mutual aid agreement as prepared to the Board of Selectmen for the Special Town meeting in fall 2006.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
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