MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
June 27, 2011
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was held on Monday, June 27, 2011, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Sharon Town Office Building. In attendance were Suzi Peck, Chair; Jay Schwab, Vice-Chair, Stan Rosen, Andrew Stead, and Ed Welch.
Variance Hearing: 109 Beach Street
Steve Rumba of Collins Engineering was present to request several setback variances for this property...which were previously approved for a 3 bedroom home pending a bedroom count. Collins Engineering toured the property with Jim Andrews and found a total of 4 bedrooms. They then redesigned as a 4 bedroom home. (Both Title 5 and Article 7 variances requested). Mr. Rumba is to provide the quotations for the Article 7 variances.
VOTED: (Stead/Welch) unanimously to approve the septic variance illustrated on the plans dated (revised) 6/7/11 (original date 3/7/11) and letter to Board of Health dated March 7, 2011, subject to the quotation of all variances from Article 7. In addition, the standard conditions will be required, i.e., The home may not be expanded to more than 4 bedrooms; notice of restrictions imposed on septic system to be recorded at Registry of Deeds as condition of the grant of title certification; Any new owner must be provided with a copy of the
variance and conditions; Water conservation devices required, including low-flow toilets, faucets, showerheads.; Low flow appliances (washer, dishwasher) when replacement is needed.
2010 Water Quality Report
Jay Schwab commented that this is an excellent report...and gave credit to the water department.
Minutes of Meetings
VOTED:(Stead/Peck) unanimously to accept the minutes of the meeting of June 6, 2011.
VOTED: (Stead/Welch) unanimously to accept the minutes of the Executive Session of
June 6, 2011.
Zostavax:
The Board reviewed a memo from Linda Rosen seeking guidance as to whether or not the Health Department should again obtain Zostavax (Shingles vaccine) to offer to residents for the cost of the vaccine.
Stan Rosen stated that he is opposed to giving away the vaccine; but would not object to providing it to residents at our cost. Linda Rosen stated that residents have always been advised to check with their insurance company re coverage. Residents are provided with a receipt for payment. There is still a back order at Merck for the vaccine...may take several months until we receive the vaccine after ordering. Physicians who ordered the vaccine months ago have begun receiving it. Some physicians do not offer the vaccine..partly because of storage requirements. Andy Stead urged that information on the disease be provided to residents. Linda Rosen noted that CDC now recommends the vaccine for ages 50 and up.
VOTED: (Peck/Rosen) unanimously to provide Zostavax (Shingles) vaccine at our cost to residents once it becomes available to us; to first advertise by putting out “feelers”to the public to seek interested residents (noting that it will be several months before we receive the vaccine); to require payment in advance of ordering the vaccine; to provide educational information on Shingles and the vaccine.
Animal Permit Hearing
Jorge and Mate Cabral of 51 Essex Road; Ed Little, Animal Inspector: re application for four hens. They did have a rooster, but understand that roosters are not allowed in Sharon. Discussion took place: re setback requirements; every applicant now has to come before the BOH; more and more people want chickens (although small number of chickens); to date only one complaint to Health Department following issuance of permits for chickens. The chicken coop at 51 Essex Road is on the property line. Regulations state it must be 50' from property line. Suzi Peck suggested that it might be better to vary the distance to the applicant’s own home; Andy Stead stated that if it becomes a problem (on the property line), someone will let us know. Stan Rosen noted that BOH would be
setting a precedent by allowing on the property line. Suzi Peck responded that, in this instance, there is a 6' privacy fence and the.other house is 40-50' away. Andy Stead noted that the permit will be up for renewal in only 6 months anyway.
VOTED: (Welch/Peck) Welch, Peck, Schwab, and Stead voted in favor of granting the permit for 4 hens to 51 Essex Road; Rosen abstained.
Ed Little reviewed his philosophy that the Animal Inspector should have the authority to grant animal permits without the applicants coming before the BOH; any problem would be appealed before the BOH. He particularly espoused this theory for applicants for just a few chickens. Stan Rosen noted that a BOH subcommittee, including the advice of Ed Little, spent a year and a half on revising the animal regulations. Suzi Peck asked Ed Little to develop a proposal for setbacks for chickens, rabbits, whatever other small animals he felt appropriate......and for which variances Ed feels he should be able to grant on his own. It was suggested that Ed then make these proposals to the subcommittee, which would then bring them, along with their recommendations, to the BOH.
Salvation Army
Present: Linda Beadle, FNP, Health Care Consultant; Jen Forster, Assistant Camp Director, and Captain Armida Lamarr, former Camp Director.
The camp representatives provided a revised schedule, reflecting that Katie Shanks, an LPN, has now been employed by the camp. Now they will have an LPN or RN on the property every day from 8 AM to 10 PM.....in addition to Linda Beadle, NP, who is on call. Also, an EMT is on premises overnight.
Stan Rosen stated that the Board appreciates the good work done to fill the camp day schedule with an LPN and/or RN. The new variance for this season only now would be for hours other than are on the schedule, i.e., for the overnight hours.
VOTED: (Rosen/Peck) that the Salvation Army camp may operate for this season only with the staff as presented. Rosen, Peck, Stead, and Welch voted in favor; Schwab opposed.
It was stressed that this waiver is for this season only...that, by next year, the camp must obtain nursing coverage to comply with the letter of the regulations.
Sanitary Inspection Workload,,.,
VOTED: (Welch/Peck) unanimously to update the existing memo re delegation of responsibilities between the Health Agent for Sanitary Inspections and Enforcement and the Assistant Health Agent for Sanitary Inspections and Enforcement.
Stan Rosen requested that the new Health Agent for Sanitary Inspections/Enforcement be asked to comment on an FSIS directive he received.....regarding food defense verification procedures and national terrorism advisory system alert response.
Crescent Ridge Dairy Monitoring Reports
It was agreed that Linda Rosen will contact Greg Hunt, DEP Compliance and Enforcement Chief, to request copies of any written communication that DEP has had with Crescent Ridge regarding this matter back to the first of this year; or, if no such communication exists, to request a verbal report. Jay Schwab discussed this matter with Mr. Hunt a couple of months ago....reports from DEP were supposed to be sent to BOH...in addition to Jim Andrews.
Nursing School contracts
Suzi Peck reported that she discussed the matter of the contract with Bill Fowler who indicated that it was similar to other contracts. Stan Rosen stated that this is not within Mr. Fowler’s authority as Finance Director; that he is not in a position to assess risk and liability other than within financial issues. Stan Rosen stated that the questions should be directed to Ben and/or the BOS. Suzi Peck stated that the contract is a BOH concern; but that when she receives feedback from Bill Fowler, she will bring the question to Ben Puritz. Stan Rosen stated that someone other than the BOH should be charged with reviewing the contract for liability concerns, legal language, correctness of paperwork, etc.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
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