MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
June 25, 2012
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was held on Monday, June 25, 2012, beginning at 7:32 PM at the Sharon Town Office Building. In attendance were Suzi Peck, Chair, Jay Schwab, Vice-Chair, Ed Welch, and Andrew Stead. Stan Rosen arrived 10 minutes late.
Also in attendance: Cliff Towner, Greg Meister, Adam Giandominico, Judith Phillips, Joanne Craig, Michael Gelbwasser
VOTED:
Minutes June 11, 2012 (Stead/Peck)
Voted: unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 11, 2012
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
- Suzi updated board members on status of Curry College student interns. Contract has been signed to receive interns in the fall. Program has been very effective and she believe should continue.
- Diabetes Type I Cluster: It would seem that there may in fact be clusters in Sharon and it would be worth sending letter from the Board of Health to the Department of Public Health. Board of Health (BOH) will ask Sheila for guidance on letter to submit. Inquire with Ms. Miller if there is a special format for such letter.
- Proposed Dog ban and update on Waste Patrol at Veteran’s Memorial Park Beach
At the June 4, 2012 BOH meeting a Motion was made and accepted that the proposed seasonal ban of pets from Veteran’s Memorial Park would not take effect immediately, that a period of 3 weeks would be granted to review the situation, allowing the Animal Control Officer and others the opportunity to patrol the beach and see what turns up.
A weekly report has been prepared and submitted by the Animal Control Officer, Diane Malcomson. On the first day of patrol, June 5th, she reported finding one feces. She has not found any since. She has noted numerous dog walkers on the beach and has spoken with them. She asked each dog walker if they were carrying a disposal bag for dog droppings. All persons she spoke with seemed responsible and carried with them waste bags. Lots of goose droppings however were noticed.
Conflicting reports. Brett McGowan, Rec Director and Greg Miester, Conservation Agent, also walked the beach on June 5th. They found 6 piles of feces and photographed each dropping. Emails were sent to BOH members, Town Manager, and other interested parties.
Town residents also were walking the beach during the past 3 weeks. On June 19th and June 21st, Mrs. Phillips walked the beach and found feces along the path. Adam G, along with a couple of friends performed an exhaustive search of the beach the first week and found no feces, however he did find a lot of trash and goose droppings. On another occasion he did find some feces, but not sure if from a dog or coyote.
Determination. Although it would seem most people are being responsible in cleaning up after their pets, there still seems that there are others who are not.
A suggestion was made from Mrs. Phillips to close the gate located at Gunhouse Street.
Meeting Minutes
June 25, 2012
Page 2
As custodians of public health, it is the charge of the BOH to be responsible and do what in their opinion is in the best interest of the public from a health and safety perspective. But how to move forward and how to enforce? If Seasonal ban enacted from April 15 through October 15 then rules would be clear, no dogs at all during those times. Would be easier to enforce. It is the opinion of Jay Schwab that the pet ban be retained as it will afford the safety of the beach to all users and it will decrease exposure to health hazards. He further recommends that cleanup of the beach be continued on a regular basis. He admits that enforcement of the ban may be difficult and problematic, however that should not be the reason to not enact the ban.
Ban (Article 28) is currently in place. If someone wants to rescind than motion should be made, otherwise, once regulation is put in print and published, the ban becomes effective.
Regulation - Article 28
Request by Andrew Stead to change wording in section 1.0 to say: “enlisted by the Board of Health” instead of “enlisted by the Town”.
Discussion took place regarding whether boat dock area is included in the ban. It was decided to add to Section 1.0 the following: “except for pets boarding boats in the boat launch area”.
Question was raised on what Regulation would be for Community Center Beach. It is believed that currently the Community Center Beach has a year round ban on dogs. Should this ban be kept? Currently, not enforceable. For consistency then, and easier enforcement of Regulation, Article 28 would cover both beaches (Veteran’s Memorial Park Beach and Park, and Community Center Beach).
Suzi: Move that we amend present rule to Article 28 to what we voted on the last time. In section 1.0 need to change phrase: ‘those enlisted by the Town’, to ‘those enlisted by the BOH’ and add final clause to section 1: ‘except pets boarding boats in boat launch area’.
VOTE: Peck/Schwab. Unanimous, all in favor, Article 28 passes.
Motion made at 8.32pm to take a 5 minute recess.
Meeting reconvened at 8.40pm.
- Approval of meeting minutes of May 21, 2012
Comment on second page regarding animal permit hearing. Should add sentence stating that Andrew Stead recused himself from discussion and did not participate in discussion on application for animal permit.
105 Beach Street variance hearing, 3rd paragraph - there was a typo - wit should be changed to with.
In the next paragraph sentence beginning with requested by board member.... fix typo
On page 3, Lot 19 and 20 Bella Road Variance., Vote should read 4 Not in favor, 1 abstention (Schwab)
Peck moves minutes accepted as amended. Stead seconded. VOTE: All in favor.
Meeting minutes
June 25, 2012
Page 3
- Approval of May 29 meeting minutes:
short discussion about 5/29/12 meeting:
*Should spell out BOS to reflect Board of Selectman
*With respect to Sanitary Lake Study Survey, Suzi owes the Board of Selectman a letter asking to a part of the process.
*Stan questioned Selectman Powell on the $ amount voted at Town meeting. No one seemed to know anything about, and the only time $ amount appeared anywhere was in the Sharon Advocate.
Minutes should be amended to say the following:
Members of the Board of Health who met with the Board of Selectman (BOS) reported on their discussion with the BOS to discuss a Sanitary Lake Study Survey. Suzi asked the BOS to allow BOH input and requested that the BOH be part of the selection and scope process.
Accept minutes as amended (Schwab/Peck). 4 in favor, Welch abstained.
-Approval of meeting minutes of June 11, 2012
Amend meeting minutes as follows:
On June 4, 2012 a 3 week extension to the implementation of Article 28 was agreed upon by the Board to allow for the opportunity of Town officials and residents to provide feedback and to evaluate the extent of the feces problem on the beach, and to provide the Board the opportunity to rescind the Regulation should it feel it were appropriate. A copy of the proposal from Attorney Gelerman will be attached to these minutes. VOTE: In favor: Peck/Rosen/Schwab. Opposed: Stead/Welch.
Rosen moves minutes accepted as amended. Suzi seconded. All in favor
Roll call was taken to enter into executive session for purpose of reviewing resumes received for Health Administrator Position.(Peck/aye, Schwab/aye, Rosen/aye, Welch/aye, Stead/aye)
Upon completion of executive session of BOH, meeting will adjourn and will not go back into open session. Open session ended at 8.52pm
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by
Linda Callan, Administrative Assistant
CORRESPONDENCE:
*Wastewater Treatment Services, Inc. - Discontinuance of Maintenance contract for alternative septic system at 133 Oakhill Drive
* Letter to homeowner (133 Oakhill Drive) re: Maintenance contract for alternative septic system
* IDDM Incidence in Sharon Public Schools
* Executive Office of Health and Human Service: Crescent Ridge Dairy, Inc. Milk products report
*Information re: Amalgam in fillings (Laura Russell)