MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
April 23, 2012
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was held on Monday, April 23, 2012, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Sharon Town Office Building. In attendance were Suzi Peck, Chair, Jay Schwab, Vice-Chair, Stanley Rosen, Ed Welch and Andrew Stead.
Minutes of the meeting of March 26, 2012
VOTED: (Rosen/Stead) unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 26, 2012, as amended.
Laboratory services for lake sampling 2012
VOTED: (Welch/Stead) unanimously to approve the proposal by G and L Laboratories for lake sampling in 2012. It was noted that Lapuck Laboratories, which has handled these services for many years, would now require the use of a courier to pick up the samples, increasing the pickup charge by $30 per pickup. G and L Laboratories has been providing services for most of the camps and semi-public pools in town.
Suzi Peck noted that Sheila Miller has secured the services of a DPH public health intern for the summer season. One of the requests for the intern was to conduct lake sampling. Linda Rosen has again obtained the services of two participants in the property tax workoff program to handle the lake sampling as they have done for a couple of years. Jay Schwab suggested that the senior tax program worker and the intern handle the sampling together, i.e., work it out to share the responsibility.
Future BOH meetings:
The Board agreed on the following meeting dates: June 25, July 9, July 23, August 13, and August 27.
Animal Permit Hearing: (continued)
Suzi Peck recused herself from this discussion. Ed Little, Animal Inspector, was present.
Many abutters were present for this continued hearing.
Ken Efron, as requested by BOH, prepared a revised plan in compliance with animal regulations.
Questions from BOH members and abutters: Stan Rosen reviewed requirements of the animal regulations; Efron agreed to provide protection from rodents; Bob Ward will remove manure once a week; electric fencing to be installed around corral;
abutters: questioned management of animal; drainage questions; some expressed that they are unhappy with proposal; very concerned about odors, etc. affecting their ability to enjoy their home and yard;
Ed Little: could require manure be placed in covered steel containers, although he doubts neighbors will smell the manure. Ed Little suggested the BOH stipulate that if there is a problem with odor he be contacted to solve the problem. Ken Efron stated he has recently transplanted trees to create a double barrier; also has sections of fence he would be willing to put up. Jay Schwab noted that it sounds as though Mr. Efron would be more than willing to try to solve any problem that might develop.
Ed Welch: should be a maintenance procedure in place, developed in conjunction with Ed Little. Ken Efron stated he will do his best to keep things clean. Ed Welch stated that the proposal meets requirements....can’t go by concerns of odors, etc., unless a problem develops.
Minutes of Meeting
Sharon Board of Health
April 23, 2012
Page 2
MOVED: (Schwab/Rosen) to approve Mr. Efron’s proposal to build a stable and corral to house one horse; permit to expire November 15, 2012.
AMENDED: (Stead/Welch) to include the following conditions: a written comprehensive manure management plan, reviewed and approved by Ed Little; manure removal at least once week; and any other odor control measures necessary; application for renewal of permit be provided to BOH 60 days prior to November 15. He further suggested moving the shed over to the horse walk in area and installing a concrete floor.
FURTHER AMENDED: (Stead/Welch) following suggestion by Ed Little to wait on the last 2 items (moving the shed and installing the concrete floor) to see if they are necessary.
VOTED: Schwab, Welch, Stead, voted in favor of the proposal as amended; Rosen voted against.
Andy Stead further noted that the BOH has obligation to investigate any complaints.
Request to reduce minimum immunization age to 5
Present: Dr. Posner, Dr. Barnett, and Sheila Miller. Sheila Miller proposed reducing the minimum immunization age from 7 to 5. The Board wanted to know which vaccines would be provided/increased under this proposal. Elizabeth Barnett responded there would be only 2: MMR and Varicella....since 2 doses of each are now required for kindergarten entry.
Sheila Miller: we do get refugees into the community; .anticipates 4 additional children per year; when refer to Brockton Health Center they won’t take patients without Mass Health. Vaccines are provided free by DPH; Jay Schwab: can people come from other communities? Elizabeth Barnett: the barrier to getting appointment is not having insurance all set up; she stated that, if someone comes from another town, the vaccine is not costing the town anything. Dr. Posner: wouldn’t want an outbreak; school won’t allow child to start school until all immunizations are up to date. Stan Rosen asked about the use of the catchup schedule, which differs from regular schedule; The response was that whatever vaccines are required for catchup (per ACIP) to get into school would also be provided for 5 year olds.
Dr. Posner: as school physician he will go to school once a year and do physical exams on those who have no primary care doctor; he is part of a private practice; will not provide vaccines to children not in his practice and without insurance; history is that town nurse does the vaccines; his role is as consultant.
VOTED: (Peck/Rosen) unanimously to change policy so minimum age for vaccination is 5 for MMR, Varicella, and vaccines age appropriate for catchup per ACIP.
Warrant Article: banning dogs from Memorial Park Beach
It was noted that Lake Management Committee and Conservation Commission, as well as Finance Committee have voted in favor of supporting his article to ban dogs from Memorial Park Beach. The Board of Selectmen has voted not to support the article. Stan Rosen provided
data from other communities on this issue; most have, at a minimum, seasonal restrictions;
Stan Rosen: from a public health perspective...no matter what percentage is provided by dogs as opposed to geese...we should do anything we can do to reduce any percentage. All dog owners are not responsible.
Suzi Peck stated she is not in favor of the article because the percentage of the problem contributed by dogs is so low; she mistakenly thought dogs weren’t allowed at all during the summer....and would be in favor of banning dogs from the lake during the swimming season only. It was noted that the article is to ban dogs all year.
VOTED: (Stead/Welch) Stead, Welch, Schwab, and Rosen voted in favor of supporting the article to ban dogs from Memorial Park Beach. Suzi Peck voted against.
Stan Rosen stated he will attend the meeting April 26th on behalf of the BOH with the Conservation Commission, Lake Management Committee, and Recreation Advisory Committee to discuss this article.
Minutes of Meeting
Sharon Board of Health
April 23, 2012
Page 3
DEP NON:
The Board reviewed the Notice of Noncompliance received from DEP regarding the Landfill Post Closure maintenance. Suzi Peck noted that the BOH has the responsibility to be sure the landfill is inspected. She will contact DPW to see what maintenance is being conducted.
Email from Laura Russell
Suzi Peck noted that she received an email from Laura Russell suggesting that the seasonal lake testing begin earlier this year, due to the warmer weather....and asking how to go about making this request. Linda Rosen noted that, in accordance with the Open Meeting Law, this item should not be brought up at this meeting.
Health Administrator position
Suzi Peck reported that several members of the Board, as well as Linda Rosen, attended the Personnel Board meeting to present the revised position description; the position was rated an MP-0, one step above the current rating. At that meeting the Chair of the Personnel Board stated that the new rating would be effective immediately. Suzi Peck stated that, following the meeting, she sent a note to the Personnel Board noting that the BOH had not understood the process...and that Stan Rosen couldn’t have participated in the development of the position description (if it were to affect the incumbent)....and asked that it not become effective until following Linda Rosen’s retirement. Suzi Peck stated she heard back from the chair of the Personnel Board who said they need something from the BOH stating that the new rating should not take effect until the appointment of the new Health Administrator.
VOTED: (Peck/Stead)...unanimously to authorize Suzi Peck to send letter to Personnel Board stating that it was the intent of the BOH that the new position description take effect on the appointment of the new health administrator. It was further noted that the current job description remains in effect through June 19.
Vacancy Announcement
Discussion took place on the vacancy announcement for the Health Administrator position..including where it is to be advertised.
Stan Rosen raised the question of the number of hours of the position, since no vote had been taken on this issue to date, and wanted the Board to recognize that overtime pay (i.e., time and a half) would be required for over 37.5 hours per week (e.g., for some BOH meetings).
VOTED:(Rosen/Welch) unanimously to change the Health Administrator position from 35 hours per week to 37.5 hours per week.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 P.M.