Minutes of Meeting
November 1, 2007
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order on November 1, 2007, at 6:00 PM, in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair, Elizabeth Barnett, Vice-Chair, Suzi Peck, Jay Schwab, and Stanley Rosen.
Discussion on Articles one through three for November 5th Special Town Meeting (Brickstone articles)
Anne Bingham stated that she does not have a conflict of interest with this matter despite her strong opposition to the project. She stated that she has always upheld her oath of office and will continue to do so. In conversation with Dick Gelerman and with the Ethics Commission, she has received verbal agreement that she is in no conflict. She expects to receive written decisions as well.
Anne Bingham noted that, on October 31st, the Planning Board voted 3 in favor....l opposed....l abstention to agree with the Fincom’s decision to recommend indefinite postponement of articles one through three.
Anne Bingham suggested the BOH focus on only Article 3, which is the article which would require a Special Permit (rather than a Site Plan Review). She feels there is a potential problem with the effluent from this plant.....that nothing well thought out has been done to protect many of the nearby homes (which are on well water).
Stan Rosen asked when there might be any answers to the question of the pharmaceuticals and/or personal care products. Suzi Peck stated that EPA is researching....it will be years before a decision is made. Anne Bingham stated that, at the very least, a mechanism should be put into the bylaw to address a potential public health threat.
Stan Rosen discussed his concerns about the appearance of conflict of interest as an issue (because of Anne Bingham’s involvement with NADD and PEER). Anne Bingham reiiterated that she expects to have written confirmation shortly that she is not in any conflict.
Jay Schwab stated that the developer has stated he will walk away from the project if any of the articles are passed. The Board discussed the issues of ppcp’s (pharmaceuticals and personal care products). Elizabeth Barnett asked for clarification of Article 3...and how it would protect the public health. Anne Bingham explained that a Special Permit would be required from the ZBA...with input from the BOH. Elizabeth Barnett asked how will we have new information to provide the ZBA at that time. Suzi Peck and Anne Bingham noted that information has been coming out at a rapid pace. Stan Rosen’s concern is that there may be no answer for many years to come. He stated that he is upset if the town of Sharon were to be the first community in the country to take such a stand. Suzi Peck
stated a number of organizations are researching this....and that they are convinced that there is a likelihood that this is a problem.
VOTED: (Bingham/Peck) Bingham, Peck, and Barnett voted to support Article 3. Rosen and Schwab voted against supporting Article 3.
Jay Schwab left the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
Suzi Peck asked that the Board voted to make a statement at Town Meeting that the statement included in the Brickstone mailing on November 1st is deceptive. Elizabeth Barnett stated that, in her opinion, this should be looked at as campaign material....and that the voter should take it with a grain of salt. She said that the material directs the voter to the EPA website. Stan Rosen expressed his concern that this issue was not brought up until after Jay Schwab had left the meeting.
VOTED: (Peck/Bingham)Bingham/Peck voted in favor; Rosen and Barnett voted against making a statement to Town Meeting that the document which was sent by Brickstone to Sharon homes today (November 1st) includes a deceptive statement, i.e. .that EPA has stated there is no health risk with ppcp’s.
VOTED: (Bingham/Barnett) unanimously that Suzi Peck make a statement about the reason for the BOH majority opinion....and that a minority opinion may be circulated in the next few days as well.
Suzi Peck noted she will circulate her statement to the BOH members prior to Monday evening.
She previewed her statement: BOH supports this article because we believe there is enough new information about an environmental health threat (ppcp’s) that we believe there should be the requirement for a special permit to be granted so that, if necessary, this issue can be considered in the final design of a permit...to protect the town’s right to address this issue in the future.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM.
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