MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
April 11, 2011
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was held on Monday, April 11, 2011, beginning at 7:35 PM at the Sharon Town Office Building. In attendance were Suzi Peck, Chair; Jay Schwab, Vice-Chair; Stan Rosen, Andrew Stead, and Ed Welch. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present.
27 Livingston Road - discussion
Steve Weiss was present to discuss his proposal for 4 bedrooms at this address...currently a 3 bedroom split on a one acre lot. Many homes on the street are 4 bedroom homes. Jim Andrews: this would be an increase in design flow in surface water or groundwater district; for a 4 bedroom system ZBA would require 78,000 square feet. Suzi Peck: because this involves new construction, system would have to be fully compliant without any variances from Title 5 or Article 7.
Missy Ward: Change in use - 210 N. Main St.
Missy Ward was present to discuss her plans to open a massage establishment at 210 N. Main St. The facility is currently used as office space. No laundry will be done on the premises. She has been a licensed massage therapist for fifteen years. Stan Rosen asked if the owner of the property, Steve Jackson, should be asking for the change in use; Jim Andrews concurred. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to Mr. Jackson asking him to formally request this change in use for his property; to compare the number of employees using the space now or previously vs. the number proposed. Ms. Ward: A maximum of 4 massage therapists would be allowed at any one time, which would require at least 200 gpd capacity for this proposal. Establishment must be fully compliant with state massage licensing requirements.
If Ms. Ward should decide to increase services, e.g., classes, etc., she would need to return to the BOH. The BOH will vote on this request once a response has been received and reviewed from the property owner.
Ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies
The Board again discussed the proposed ban of tobacco sales in health care institutions, including pharmacies.
Andy Stead: City of Boston is now proposing banning sales of soft drinks on municipal properties. It’s a slipper slope ...what would stop someone from suggesting pharmacies no longer sell soda and snack food?
Stan Rosen: This proposal developed by tobacco control program...presented to other communities....passed by other communities, including cities of Boston and Newton. Tobacco = public enemy # 1 from a health concern.
Andy Stead: why is this not a state-wide proposal? Stan Rosen responded that’s probably a political decision..that the BOH is out of the political realm
Ed Welch: why not ban tobacco sales at all locations in Sharon? Stan Rosen responded that this legislation (re health care institutions) has stood up in court...an outright ban throughout the town would present legal issues.
Jim Andrews expressed concerns about loss of rights.
Suzi Peck noted that a selectmen told her he thought this would not be a good idea.
Linda Rosen reported that a few comments in favor of the proposal had been received.
VOTED: (Rosen/Schwab) to approve the revisions to the BOH Tobacco Regulation, to include restricting the sale of tobacco products in health care facilities as discussed):
Peck, Stead, and Welch voted against; Rosen and Schwab voted in favor. The motion did not pass.
Jim Andrews suggested bringing the suggestion to Town Meeting for a sense of the Town. Suzi Peck stated she liked the idea. Ed Welch stated that the jurisdiction belongs with the BOH. It was agreed not to bring this to Town Meeting.
Crescent Ridge Dairy
Jay Schwab reported on a call he received from Bob Green of DEP responding to the Board’s letter to DEP questioning whether DEP is satisfied with the progress made to date re the Crescent Ridge Dairy Groundwater Discharge Permit. Jay Schwab noted that we have been receiving reports from Crescent Ridge Dairy, but not from DEP. Mr. Greene responded that Jim Andrews is the only recipient of such letters from DEP; in the future DEP will send copies to the BOH as well.
Mr. Green stated that he has no real concerns from an environmental perspective; that there is a sophisticated leaching field put in and being killed quickly. Suzi Peck stated that if there is high BOD it kills the septic system and they will begin to have surface outbreaks....creating a potential public health issue. Jim Andrews noted he has been up there inspecting...that they are currently changing the piping to give a lot more retention time..to see if that will work. Repairs are underway.
Mick Morgan’s
Jim Andrews reported that Bickford’s previously had outdoor seating...was state of the art - in compliance. Mick Morgan’s (at the former Bickford’s location) plans to have outdoor seating and bar. It was agreed to ask Finbar Griffin of Mick Morgan’s to appear before the BOH re their plans for outdoor seating; to review the number of seats allowed per septic design, which would include both indoor and outdoor seating.
Sharon Commons:
The Board reviewed with Jim Andrews that the permits for Sharon Commons...both residential and commercial.....are in order unless there is a change in design flow. A letter will be sent to the developer and attorney for the commercial project stating that they need to return to the BOH to update the Board: to explain the current use plan...and to show that they are still within the design flow. with all the changes that have been made.
Minutes of Meeting: March 28, 2011
VOTED: (Rosen/Stead) unanimously to accept the minutes of the meeting of March 28, 2011, as amended.
Information Sheet re Potluck Suppers:
The Board again reviewed the draft information sheet to be provided to residents planning potluck suppers. It was agreed to attach information from DPH regarding allergy awareness to the information sheet.
VOTED: (Peck/Stead) Peck, Stead, Rosen, Schwab voted in favor; Welch abstained...to adopt the information sheet re potluck suppers and similar events as edited.
Bids on lake water testing for 2011
VOTED: (Rosen/Welch) unanimously to award the bid for the town’s lake testing for Ecoli to Lapuck Laboratories for the 2011 season. Two bids were received....both the same as 2010.
Projected Schedule
Suzi Peck reported that she had sent to staff and BOH members a proposed projected schedule for the office. She asked how BOH members feel about this form. She noted that the potential problem is that things change. Jay Schwab asked if this is done in other departments. Suzi Peck said she had spoken with Mr. Fowler, who told her is it within the rules to know the hours people plan to be there. Jay Schwab gave several examples of how a projected schedule might change. It was agreed that the chair and vice chair would meet with staff to discuss the scheduling proposal.
Cumberland Farms oil tank permit
Both Andy Stead and Suzi Peck recused themselves from signing this permit. One more clarification is required before Board members may sign.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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