DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING
SHARON BOARD OF HEALTH
November 26th, 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, Stan Rosen and Ed Welch.
Also in attendance were: Jim Andrews Health Agent for Engineering, Bridget Sweet, Health Administrator, Ed Little Animal Inspector; Michael Parilla and Gregori Simkin.
Minutes of November 8th
Discussion regarding the abbreviated format presented. This was suggested due to the meeting being recorded. Discussion on minutes; and it was suggested that the Warrant Articles be updated to reflect the corrected information as presented to the Town. There is a discrepancy with the numbering. Motion made by Ed Welch to accept the Minutes with the updated Warrant Article Information; Seconded by Jay Schwab
ALL MOVED
Suzi provided a brief update for the Board. When she met with FINCOM she erroneously reported that the Board had voted 4 opposed to the cost neutral warrant article; when the actual vote was 3 opposed 2 in favor.
Jay Schwab has been in touch with Mass Dental Society and will be receiving a statement via mail regarding this issue. Jay Schwab also voiced his opinion that he may be speaking at the Town Meeting as a resident; and not as Board of Health Member.
Discussion on how to share information with residents/dentists – ensure that all data is current and up to date; and will cover all potential hazards of all restorations. Discussion continued about the option of posting this information online.
Animal Hearing
Mr. Parilla of 349 South Main Street came before the Board to complain against his abutter’s chickens and ducks. He stated that he and his elderly mother have had adverse health effects which he believes are due to the close proximity of the chickens and ducks. He does not feel that Mr. Simkin is meeting the 50 foot setback with these animals.
The Board asked if this was a noise or odor issue. Mr. Parilla stated that he was concerned about his and his mother’s health and felt that the variance granted to Mr. Simkin should be revoked.
Ed Little, Animal Control Inspector stated that there was no variance, and at the last inspection the setbacks were met. There was no plot plan available to cross reference this information. Ed Little stated that he would go out to the location, obtain a plot plan and measure out to ensure that the setbacks are being met. He will report back to the BOH; in the meantime this will be tabled until Ed Little reports back to the Board. If the animals are meeting the setbacks, there is no need for another hearing.
Motion made by Ed Welch to table until more information is collected; Seconded by Jay Schwab
ALL MOVED
Health Administrator Job Description
Job description updates presented to the Board for review. The changes included addition of professional certifications such as the Certified Food Safety Manager, Certified Pool Operator, Registered Sanitarian or Certified Health Officer. Motion made by Stan Rosen to adopt the revised job description as presented.
Seconded by Peck
All Moved
Emergency Preparedness Updates
Bridget Sweet provided an update of the regional emergency preparedness meetings and exercises. Recent tabletop exercise occurred in Walpole bringing several communities together and different personnel together. Sharon is active in the Region 4A for Emergency Preparedness, and Linda Callan has been the representative for the office. At this time the entire town is working on TAR deliverables, Technical Assistance Review to submit to the Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Bureau. The time devoted to these activities is approximately 5 hours a week. Being new to this position and to the community, Bridget Sweet has attended several of the Regional Meetings to network and stated that it is important that the Health Department is an integral part of EP, to ensure that the Health Department has a stake in the Emergency Operations Center to provide support via sheltering and the MRC etc.
Survive and Thrive
Bridget Sweet was recently selected by NACCHO (National Association of City and County Health Officials) to become a Survive and Thrive fellow. This program pairs new local health officials who hold a supervisory role with mentors in the region. This is an opportunity fully funded by NACCHO, and the Local Public Health Institute (LPHI) affiliated with Boston University.
The program is 12 months long and there is a training in San Antonio in January that Bridget will attend. This is a great learning opportunity for the Health Department as the mentor will come to the Health Department to shepherd the direction of the local health agent.
Tobacco Definitions/Discussion
The Board reviewed the current tobacco regulations, and discussed the addition of several definitions into the regulations. The addition of Roll Your Own Machines and Nicotine Delivery Products into the regulations was discussed. The Board also discussed further the option of raising the purchasing age to 21 in town. The Board feels that this would be an excellent way to promote and protect public health, by reducing access to the high school crowd. The Board would like to draft a revised regulation incorporating these definitions and the raising of the purchasing age for the next Board Meeting. At that time the Board will decide on a date for a public hearing for this subject.
Correspondence from Building Inspector
A letter was delivered via interoffice mail 11/26 addressed to Board Members. This letter contained information that the Building Inspector had inspected a recent renovation and this renovation may have added a bedroom without going through the proper channels. The Building Inspector did not want to sign off on the final permit without Board Approval. Discussion ensued about the possibility of removing the window or upgrading the septic system to make the system compliant. The Board wanted to discuss this with Jim Andrews (who had since left the meeting) and wanted more information from the Building Inspector, Joe Kent prior to coming to a conclusion. Bridget Sweet stated that she would reach out to both individuals and report back to the Board.
Next Board meeting is scheduled for December 17th at 7:30 PM in the Community Center, and this meeting will have the public hearing in regards to the new language in Article 7.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Bridget Sweet
Correspondences
Survive and Thrive Acceptance Letter
Memo from Building Inspector Re: 31 Hampshire Street
Crescent Ridge Correspondence
Miscellaneous Inspection Reports
Monthly Nursing Reports