Minutes of Meeting
January 7, 2008
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order on January 7, 2008, at 7:35 PM, in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair; Elizabeth Barnett, M.D., Vice-Chair; and Stan Rosen.
Annual Town Report
The Board members reviewed and agreed to forward the Board of Health/Health Department section for the 2007 Annual Town Report (as prepared by Linda Rosen) to the Selectmen.
Budget Review
The Board reviewed the proposed FY09 BOH budget as prepared by Administrator Linda Rosen.
Sheila Miller, Public Health Nurse, was present to discuss her request for an increase in hours. This is the only item requiring a major increase for FY09. Sheila Miller reviewed the additional responsibilities she has undertaken in recent years....in addition to her regular duties as Public Health Nurse. As Assistant Health Agent for Sanitary Inspections and Enforcement, she responds to inspectional issues as they arise ....since the Sanitarian is here only one-half day per week. Occupational health has become more time consuming, as we have an aging employee population requiring more care. In addition, in conjunction with Blue Cross, Blue Shield, she has been providing a wellness program for employees which Blue Cross acknowledges as an excellent program. This is thought to help to lessen
insurance costs for the town, as well. Also....responsibilities with Emergency Disaster Planning in conjunction with the state’s Region 4A have been added to the table. As part of these responsibilities, assistance with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) have been incorporated into Ms. Miller’s daily routine. Other communities have a employee designated specifically for these responsibilities. Without participating in the MRC, LEPC, Region 4A, funding opportunities would be lost to the town.
Earl Gashin: 24 Mohawk Street
Mr. Gashin was present to discuss a recent oil spill in the basement of his home, i.e., Lamparelli Oil Company delivered 256 gallons of fuel oil to his home ....but there is no oil tank in this home. The home recently failed air quality testing; he is concerned about migration to groundwater. Environmental consultants urged digging of a monitoring well for protection of groundwater of town. No indications to date of any large escape of oil to the wetlands. The property is not far from town Well #6....but not less than 6000' from that well (the distance at which DEP would require a monitoring well). The insurance company does not want to pay for monitoring wells. Mr. Gashin was present to request that the Board of Health send a letter advising that there should be monitoring wells on the
property.....for the protection of the groundwater and town wells. The ground is sandy; house is now uninhabitable. The Building Inspector noted to Mr. Gashin that there was a potential for a town health issue.
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to send a letter to Lamparelli Oil Company, with copies to the insurance company, to Mr. Gashin, to Joe Kent, to DEP, and to Hydro Environmental Technologies stating: The Board of Health has reviewed the situation at 24 Mohawk Street in Sharon and, given the type of soils and the proximity to wetlands and wells, requests that a monitoring device be installed to assess the potential for future migration of oil from the spill in the direction of the wetlands and town well #6.
Brickstone sales office - 17 P.O. Square
Greg Heflin, Director, Brickstone Sharon LLC, was present with a proposal to renovate the building at 17 P.O. Square (former Sharon Mart) for use as a sales office for Sharon Hills. There is no change in ownership of the building — they are renting the location from the same owner. Mr. Heflin stated that, according to Jim Andrews, the system was designed for 300 gpd; 200 gpd will be required for the proposed use according to Title 5.
Anne Bingham asked if they would consider using waterless toilet(s) to lessen flow. She stated this is not something the Board has a right to require, but she suggested that they might make it an educational selling feature. Elizabeth Barnett supported the recommendation. Stan Rosen stated that this is an attempt to sell high-end property. Anne Bingham also requested that the parking area be of a non-permeable surface.
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to respond to the Brickstone request of January 3, 2008, upon the (Health) Administrator’s review of the file of 17 Post Office Square to ascertain any design flow issues and to confirm that there is no record of failure of the septic system. The request is approved as of right.....there is no change in owner....there is no basis for denial or for requiring any upgrade of the system...”
Sharon Commons: Continuation of Hearing
Marie Cannon, the Board’s peer reviewer from Earthtech, was present. Jesse Moreno, Coler and Colantonio (C&C), reviewed his letter dated January 4, 2008. He reviewed the changes to plans which eliminate the need for previously requested variances from Article 7. C&C did meet with DEP informally and are incorporating DEP comments. Once they receive feedback from the BOH, they will make tweaks and will move forward with revised plan for DEP and BOH concurrently. They will provide Marie copy of DEP (verbal) comments. Anne Bingham asked that provisions for disposal of hazardous waste (including herbicides and pesticides) be included in lease documents. Congress Group will be in charge of compliance.....not the individual tenants. Bob Shelmerdine urged a free flow of conversation
between the consultants (i.e., Marie Cannon and C&C). The hearing was continued to January 28th at 8:15 P.M.
Marie Cannon reviewed her draft comments on the revised plans (for Sharon Commons) with Anne Bingham and Stan Rosen. She will rework them, forward them to Anne Bingham for approval, and then will send comments to BOH and the applicant.
Requests for Reduction in Testing:
Voted: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to approve the request for reduction in testing for
30 Beaver Brook Road...and to notify the homeowner that the Board may (or may not) require one additional test per year for one or more additional parameters.
Voted: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to approve the request for reduction in testing for
48 Highland Street..and to notify the homeowner that the Board may (or may not) require one additional test for an additional parameter.
The Board will review the request from 20 Chestnut Street at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
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