MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
August 31, 2009
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was held beginning at 7:30 PM on Monday, August 31, 2009, in the Town Office Building, with the following members present: Stanley Rosen, Chair, Andrew Stead, Vice-Chair, Jay Schwab, and Ed Welch. Also present was Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering.
Shaws’ Plaza
Irv Frankel, Shaws’ Plaza, and Steve Nelson, Clearwater Recovery were present to update the Board on progress on the Shaws’ Plaza system. They have been feeding the system with biojet, a biological additive. They drained feed from Kindercare twice weekly (keeping septage from Kindercare out of the system)......results improved. Therefore, problem seems to be coming from Kindercare as suspected.
Stan Rosen asked if the BOH regulations allow the BOH to vary the rule about additives; Andy Stead stated there is nothing in the Article 7 regulations that the board could not vary. Jim Andrews mentioned that they (Jim and Andy) had discussed this....the alternative was to have a “dead” system.
Mr. Frankel stated that a meeting has been scheduled with regional management of Kindercare to discuss the problem. Mr. Nelson recounted a similar experience with a Kindercare system in Norwell. Mr. Frankel hopes to be able to reduce the pumping...once they determine what is creating the problem. Stan Rosen stated that Shaws’ Plaza has shown a responsible approach to this problem. To continue to provide test results weekly. Mr. Frankel to provide updates via email...to continue to pump weekly...to continue to keep the flow from Kindercare out of the system.
Variance Request: 235 Billings St.
Rick Merrikin, P.E. representing the estate of John Lowden and potential buyer. Existing house with cesspool. Variances requested from Article 7 per letter of 7/3l/09; complies with Title V. Stan Rosen asked that the current assessors’ card be reviewed. Plans for 3 bedroom home. 3 variances requested. Jim Andrews stated this is the best location; and it is existing.
VOTED: (Rosen/Welch) unanimously to grant the three variances requested in letter dated 7/31 from Merrikin Engineering..
Discussion: 104 Glendale Road
Richard Merrikin, P.E., and attorney Bob Shelmerdine were present for a discussion on a possible variance request for 104 Glendale Road. Does not have appropriate depth to water table. – would need waiver from mounding for new construction. There has never been a structure on this property. Bob Shelmerdine stated this lot is no different than area lots as far as water table. No Title V variance would be required; question is the requirement for “naturally occurring fill” in Article 7. Stan Rosen questioned whether there are other similar situations in town and expressed concern about opening “Pandora’s box”; generally don’t allow variances of this type for new construction; Jay Schwab agreed; Andy Stead noted we have seen similar situations
previously...building was not allowed at that time. Richard Merrikin will research whether or not there is an alternative system which might be appropriate to reduce to 2' above water level.
Animal Permit Hearing: Cohen - 3 Nathaniel Guild Road
Ed Little, Animal Inspector was present for this hearing. He inspected the property and saw no problems with the application based on compliance with the regulation. Mr. Cohen plans up to 8 chickens. One abutter asked a few questions: concerned about roosters, noise, number of chickens; stated answers were satisfactory and he had no objections.
VOTED: (Schwab/ Rosen) unanimously to approve the permit from Steve Cohen for 6-8 chickens,
based on the recommendation of the Animal Inspector.
Minutes of August 10......
VOTED: (Schwab/Stead) unanimous to approve the minutes of the meeting of August 10, 2009.
Flumist clinics
The Board reviewed a memo from Sheila Miller re providing Flumist to the student population. Flumist is a live vaccine...nasal spray supplied by state. Health Department has had a minimum age requirement of 7 for providing immunizations. Elizabeth Barnett, pediatrician and former member of the BOH, feels strongly that the age requirement should be lowered to age 5 for Flumist. Board members raised the question re children who do not attend Sharon public schools, but live in town or attend private schools in Sharon (and don’t live in town). The Board emphasized that the clinic for this vaccine MUST be advertised as ages Kindergarten through grade 12...to be clear that it is only for school-aged kids. Consensus was to put on website, but not in newspapers or cable t.v....but certainly
available for residents not attending Sharon schools.
VOTED: (Rosen/Stead) unanimously to reduce the minimum age requirement for this year only for Flumist only to age 5 and up.
Zostavax..
The Board reviewed a memo from Sheila Miller regarding the provision of Zostavax vaccine. Per BOH, the Health Department was supposed to have collected money for vaccine before ordering; this was not done for doses subsequent to initial doses. Stan Rosen stated that it is speculative to assume the need to be as great as we go forward.
334 Walpole St.
The Board reviewed a complaint regarding overgrown vegetation at this address...resulting in obstruction of vision near Route One. The Building Inspector referred the complaint to the Health Department. The BOH did not see this as a health issue...more of a safety issue. It was agreed to ask Bill Iannucci to inspect to determine whether or not there is any health issue involved. Otherwise...possibly to refer to Police Department as safety concern.
Andrew Stead noted that the containers at the train station have been filled up with rock salt. Linda Rosen will follow up (again) with Amtrak....and will speak with Greg Meister and Dave Masciarelli about this concern.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
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