– MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
October 15th, 2012
Community Center
The meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order at 7:35 PM by Suzi Peck, Chair. In attendance were: Suzi Peck, Chair, Jay Schwab, Vice-Chair, Andy Stead and Ed Welch. Stan Rosen arrived 20 minutes after the meeting began.
Also in attendance were: Jim Andrews Health Agent for Engineering, Bridget Sweet, Health Administrator, and Dr. Lester Hartman.
Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2012
Change the word tedious to arduous
Change Castle Rock to Castle Drive
“Stated that there were over 80 applicants, and this has been an arduous process to fill this role”
“Discussion regarding the Castle Drive Settlement”
Discussion continued on whether the Board of Health would require clarification from Town Counsel. This was tabled until further word from Jim Andrew’s on the status of this project.
Motion was made to accept the minutes as amended (Schwab/Peck) Stead voted in agreement. Ed Welch and Stan Rosen were not present at the 9/24/12 meeting so they did not partake in the vote.
General Business
Alice Schayer provided information to the Board of Health regarding the proposed Town Meeting bylaw, and the possibility of renumbering the regulations as suggested. This pertains to the fines related to regulations. The Board requested that Bridget Sweet flag all effected regulations; so that if this bylaw comes to pass they can be renumbered as necessary. These regulations can be amended without a hearing.
Appointments
Dr. Lester Hartman introduced himself to the Board. He has recently completed education at the Harvard School of Public Health with an MPH earned and has been in practice for 25 years as a pediatrician. Tobacco is not a dead issue; and stated that hospitalization in the Town of Sharon due to lung cancer is 7 % higher among females than in the rest of the State.(Makesmokinghistory.org) Would like to discuss banning tobacco products in pharmacies, as well as increase the purchasing age from 18 to 21. Good data from Needham to show that with this combined effort has reduced the smoking in the high school. 54% of children from non smoking homes had tested positive with nicotine in their bloodstream. Nicotine stays in bloodstream 3 days after exposure. There is no safe level of nicotine in bloodstream of children according to the surgeon general. Dr. Hartman was successful in a project with Children’s Hospital in Boston to remove benches that were close to the entrance; where smokers would congregate. This drove smokers away from the entrance.
Dr. Hartman has deep concerns about the children in Town. One smoker contributes to people’s exposure to nicotine. 90% of lifetime smokers start before the age of 18. By changing the purchasing age to 21; it becomes more difficult for teenagers to have access. 18 year olds in high school can currently buy tobacco products and distribute to their friends who are underage. Increasing the age to 21 can curb that activity. Access to tobacco also contributes to this, so by eliminating pharmacies there are fewer access points will decrease tobacco use. Several surrounding communities are deliberating the increase of the age to 21, Walpole and Medfield. Currently Walpole already has a pharmacy ban in effect. There are 200,000 deaths per year due to second hand smoke. By the end of 2020 the goal will be to reduce the percentage of smokers in the US from 19 percent to 12 percent.
Jay Schwab asked how increasing the purchase age was spearheaded. Dr. Hartman answered that Al Stern a pediatrician wrote this regulation, and currently the only town with the increase in age is Needham. Some communities are deliberating the increase over a span of years. The Town of Needham incorporated the pharmacy ban and the increase in age simultaneously. Andy Stead questioned the effectiveness of this regulation in regards to the pharmacy ban. Suzi Peck questioned the possibility to mandate pharmacies that sell tobacco create a sign warning of the hazards of smoking. Dr. Hartman expressed that the more important facet of this regulation would be to increase the age from 18 to 21. No solid data on pharmacy ban alone; but the combination of two decreased the smoking rate by 50% in youth.
Dr. Hartman continued that a combination of reducing the locations that can sell tobacco (pharmacy ban) and by increasing the purchase age to 21, a reduction of smoking would occur in Town. Ed Welch suggested that Dr. Hartman come to the high school to discuss the risks associated with smoking to increase their awareness. Dr. Hartman believes that peer pressure will override this type of discussion, but would be more than happy to speak to the high school. This is the 5th town out of 20 that Dr. Hartman has had these discussions with. Discussion involving e-cigarettes ensued, and Dr. Hartman stated that the Town of Walpole has banned their sale.
The question was raised by the Board how Needham quantified the reduction of tobacco use in high schools. This was achieved through youth at risk surveys, paid for by the Metrowest Healthcare Foundation. The question was asked how accurate these surveys are; and Dr. Hartman stated that the Harvard School of Public Health uses these surveys often to calculate data.
The Board requested information regarding this survey; as well as information regarding the overall hazards in regards to particulates in tobacco smoke. The smoke and the nicotine are the causative factors, and there is no data that breaks down the risks of nicotine versus the particulate smoke. Recurrent otitis media and recurring respiratory infections are the effects of exposure. Dr. Hartman will research and submit to the board. Will look forward to receiving this information, and revisit the possible ban and increase of purchasing age in later November/December.
Dr. Hartman also discussed lyme disease in this area, and the recent increase in cases of anaplasmosis. Anaplasmosis is a result of the tick bite, and there no associated rash; however terrible rigors. Lyme is a year round problem that increases when the thaw occurs. 50% of people with lyme disease will never know that they have it. 30 days after the onset of the rash is when the test is 95% positive, prior to that it is clinically based. Deer ticks are the vector. No data available where Sharon falls for lyme incidence in the State. He suggested the release of tick shower cards to reinforce the importance of checking oneself every day. Tickencounter.org by URI is an excellent resource for tick information. Dr. Hartman does not agree with collecting ticks and having them checked for lyme. There is no guarantee that this exposure will cause lyme disease. The question was arisen on reporting requirements; Dr. Hartman stated that all lyme is reportable. Sheila Miller public health nurse does receive lyme reports. Sam Telford is an entomologist from Tufts where more information can be collected. The Board expressed desire to increase outreach in the schools. No medication should be used in excess of 28 days; Dr. Hartman follows the guidelines of the ISDA.
Definition for new construction
A draft of clearer definitions for minor additions and major additions was discussed. These definitions aim to provide the most protection to the environment as possible, pending the varying types of renovations that have occurred across town. No change in the definition of bedroom, however this drafted proposal would fill in the gap with a definitive square footage. Minor addition is the increase of habitable space of less than 120 square feet. This would replace the current 7.11.
Living area shall not include unfinished basements, garages, decks of unheated porches.
Jim Andrews feels that if you are going to clean it off the foundation; it should be treated as new construction. There should be no way that this type of construction goes in under the guise of a repair. In regards to the proposed minor addition, a certified System Inspector shall inspect the system. If this system fails, it must be upgraded or replaced to meet current standards in Title V and Article 7. A major addition; in a system constructed after 1995 a certified System Inspector shall inspect the system. If this system is a failure; it must be upgraded or replaced to meet current standards in Title V and Article 7. For systems that were constructed prior to 1995, the system shall be upgraded or replaced to meet current standards in Title V and Article 7.
Discussion regarding the possibility of variances granted in these circumstances continued, as well as these two proposed definitions of minor and major additions. Jim Andrews would like adequate protection for the environment that is his goal. The time to ensure that the system is up to code; is during these renovations. The question came up if this was a Board of Health issue, or a Zoning Issue? This is a Board of Health concern according to Jim; and he desires the definitions of minor and major addition from the enforcement standpoint. This will ensure that all applicants are aware of what is expected of them from the beginning.
The proposal does not take the distinction of Zone I or Zone II of a Sharon public water supply. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all systems are compliant, regardless where the system is located.
Non habitable space and habitable space are not defined in current regulations. There is no definition of living area in the proposed regulation. According to Jim, habitable space and living area are the same.
Suzi asked Andy to redraft this proposal. Jim will reach out to Joe Kent with this as well, and work with Andy to redraft this proposal.
Dog Regulations:
Tabled for future meeting
Recall Effectiveness Checks
Discussion on the recall effectiveness checks on the retail establishments that are affected by the Sunland Peanut Butter recalls. The recall has been effective, and forms remitted to the Department of Public Health Food Protection Program.
A discussion regarding the dental amalgam petitions was initiated. The Board would like current research presented to them by Laura Henze Russell. Jay Schwab conducted some research and found an article from the International Journal of Dentistry. He does not agree with the research that has been presented, and that the risks of dental amalgam are not proven. He feels that there is no reason to pursue this issue. Stan Rosen feels that the BOH is not the determinant Board. Dentistry is regulated by the State. Jay read an excerpt from the article he referenced; stating that the organization only has one dentist in this area that supports this organization; and he doesn’t think that this organization is reputable.
Stan Rosen and Jay Schwab expressed the thought that this was beyond the purview of the Board of Health, and that there may not be a reason for the Board to pursue this issue further. Stan Rosen felt that the BOH meetings that were posted on YOUTUBE by Ms. Henze-Russell indicated that the BOH had already lent support to this cause. Suzi Peck stated that there is history of seemingly safe practices that have become health issues. She stated that asbestos, formaldehyde and anticorrosion in pipes were thought to be safe, and we all know now that they are not. Mouth disease is related to overall health and she is not willing to say that this is categorically not an issue. She would like the opportunity to hear more new research so that the Board can come to an informed decision regarding this matter. One of the petitions is for the Town to renegotiate the dental insurance for cost neutrality. Jay stated that in over 9 years he has not placed a dental amalgam, and it is a thing of the past. Another petition has the BOH as the enforcement agency to ensure that the dental offices are posting signage regarding the potential hazards of dental amalgam. This is difficult to undertake. Stan feels as though presentations to the Board are simply to lend support in a public forum to Ms. Henze Russel.
The Board feels that it would be best if new research was presented to the Health Administrator; and if new data was presented the Board would revisit these issues.
Discussion of moving the meetings to Thursdays to keep the office open during the later hours. This was tabled until all Board Members could be present to discuss.
Correspondences were reviewed.
Regular BOH meeting adjourned at 9:43PM.
Next BOH meeting is scheduled for 10/29/12.
Respectfully submitted:
Bridget Sweet
Correspondence