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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH Minutes 2/4/1993BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES February 4, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Michael VanSplinter, Clerk Donald Steele, Peter Fontanini, Henry Austin and Carol Sosman ALSO PRESENT Health Agent Scott Leite 1. CALL TO ORDER at 7:30 PM by Chair VanSplinter in the Mansfield Town Hall. 2. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes of January 7, 1993. b. Approval of Disposal Works Installer's Permits: Grant Brothers Association, Mansfield D. Berndt Sanitation & Excavation, Attleboro c. Approval of Septage Pumping & Transporting Permits: Paul's Pumping Service, Easton d. Approval of Hauler's Permit: Waste Systems, Inc., Attleboro e. Approval of Mobile Food Permit: Jeff's Canteen, Halifax MOTION: To approve Consent Agenda. Steele /Austin. All in favor. VOTED. 3. COMMUNICATIONS a. Copy of letter to Hathaway & Patterson, from DEP, Jan. 6, 1993, re: Request for short -term measures, b. Copy of letter to DEP from Penney Engineering, Jan. 7, 1993, re: H &P's short -term measure. c. Copy of letter from Groundwater Technology to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Jan. 11, 1993, re: Former Gorham Silver Co., Edgewood St. d. Copy of letter from GEI Consultants, Inc. to DEP, Jan. 13, 1993, re: Compo Chemical. e. Copy of letter from Textron to Mr. & Mrs. Young, 25 Edgewood St., Jan, 19, 1993, re: former Gorham site. f. Copy of letter to Robert Wilson, VP, VersaCare, from BOH, Jan. 20, 1993, re: Their presence at a meeting to address concerns Board has. g. Copy of letter to Patrick Huffman, VP, Merckens Chocolate from Town Mgr. Williams, Jan. 12, 1993, re: Sewer grease problems. h. Copy of memo to Town Mgr. Williams from Health Agent, Jan. 19, 1993, re: Sewer grease problems at Merckens. i. Copy of letter from Groundwater Technology to DEP, Jan, 22, 1993, re: Dec. 1992 monthly status report. j. Copy of letter to Mark Begley from Town Mgr. Williams, Jan. 22, 1993, re: Environmental Site Assessment, 297 -301 North Main St. k. Copy of letter from DEP to Charles A. Richardson, Inc., Jan. 23, 1993, re: Recycling Permit. 1. Copy of letter from DEP to Town Mgr. Williams, Jan. 28, 1993, re: Compo Industries. m. Letter from Community Visiting Nurse Agency with attachments from Board of Health Page 2 February 4, 1993 Dept. Public Health, re: pertussis alert, hepatitis B vaccine, rubella. n. Copy of Article for Annual Town Warrant for household-hazardous waste collection, $10,000. MOTION: To submit article for household hazardous waste collection for $10,000. Steele /Fontanini. All in favor. VOTED. o. Tobacco Access Law News, December 1992, American Cancer Society. 4. VISITORS Versacare: At 7:30 Phi Alan Holmlund, President and Chief Executive Office of Versacare spoke to the Board about the organizational structure of the newly formed Versacare, which was once Attleboro Area Youth & Family Services and Human Services of Southeastern Mass. Youth & Family includes multiple services such as co -ed teenage substance abuse programs, psychiatric center with 16 beds, homeless shelter for 7 families, and a residential house in Taunton for women, etc. In FY92 for Mansfield residents, Human Services had 2,428 visits for mental health services and Family Services had 430 individuals who received either mental health or substance abuse services. The full fee is $80.00 /hr. Of the 2,428 billable hours, 485.73 were for people with no insurance and these people paid an average of $11.79 /billable hr., which resulted in $33,131.64 for free care. Mr. Holmlund thanked the Board for its long- standing support of $5,400 /year donation and hoped that someday they would consider 50 cents per capita, which now is approx. 17,500 which would amount to $8,750. When asked, he replied that Mansfield is the only community who they services that contributes yearly. one of the Board's concerns is that the $5400 goes to clients who do not have insurance. Mr. Holmlund responded that most people do have insurance, some pay on the sliding scale, and those who are in dire straights, pay nothing. No one is turned away. No triage fee is charged if a person cannot pay. Members asked that in the future, a quarterly report be sent showing that the $5400 yearly is credited toward clients with no insurance, or those who do not have the ability to pay the co -pay. Mr. Holmlund also offered to code the type of service they are getting. He reinforced that the contribution from the town is for Mansfield residents and that the Board has every right to know where and how the money is being spent. Each member was given a folder with the Sun Chronicle newspaper pullout on Versacare and a letter, report on services to Mansfield, and and outline ( of all the agencies and assistance that is offered. Board of Health Page 3 February 4, 1993 Community Visiting Nurse Agency: Nurses June Withers and Chris Delano reported on the types of services offered to the residents of Mansfield. They were: Immunizations for communicable diseases, Hepatitis B vaccine, TB testing, flu shots, lead testing, cholesterol screening, blood pressure, and glucose testing. Other services include: maternal /child services, community home and health services, and acute care program. Fire, police, nurses are at high risk for hepatitis B, since they are susceptible to being in contact with blood and /or bodily fluids. CVNA would be willing to conduct a clinic for those at risk. Mrs. Royle will contact Mr. Button, Civil Defense Director, to help with,arrangements. Nurse Withers said that $500 of the $16,450 contracted is set aside for those people to have no insurance and require free health care. Medicare rules have opened up and made things a little easier for them, she commented. At present, the agency is well staffed and doing very well. Hourly rate is $31.00. Nurse Delano reported that an immunization clinic will be conducted at Mansfield Depot, Francis Ave.,'multi- purpose room, May 6th. Mrs. Royle will reserve rooms at the Town Hall for an August clinic, which could be helpful to college -age kids, and the multi - purpose room at the Jordan - Jackson Elementary School in March. Board was grateful for both presentations, i.e., Versacare and Community Visiting Nurse Agency and felt that they were very informative. 5. HEALTH AGENT'S REPORT a. Budget Meeting on Jan. 30th: Went well. Asked for $2,000 for water testing. Appears they will support $10,000 for household hazardous waste collection, but not $2,000 for testing since there is no immenient danger or need. b. Composting Area /DPW Garage: Site is loading up fast with things that don't belong there, e.g., building debris, stumps, etc. Since gates are not locked, it's assessible for dumping whatever. Agent will contact DPW one more time,-cautioning them to watch what is being dumped. If they disregard the notice, further action will be taken. c. DEP Site Assessment: Marcel Bolitz, DEP, will come to meet with members during the day. Members cannot make daytime meetings. Agent will ask for evening or Saturday. d. Rabies: Clinic for cats, February 27th, $6.00 /shot, 1:00 to 3:OOPM e. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day: Request for proposal has been sent to four companies and advertised in Mansfield News, as required by law. Tentative date: April 18th or 27th. Board of Health Page 4 (, February 4, 1993 f. Peres and Plans: 8 peres and 39 plans. 6. OLD BUSINESS a. Sewer Reg: Attorney Joe Hannon will send back his comments on February 16th re: Article 1 of the Sewer Connection Regulation. b. Fluoridation: Vote by the Board, June 20, 1991, was to order fluoridation and on January 2, 1992, Board voted to defer action for funding until it is economically feasible. Board continues to agree with the vote and not to ask capital improvements committee for funding, since it appears that the Town is still not fiscally stable. c. Smoking Reg: Board members were sent the model non - smoking bylaw from the State and a copy of North Attleboro's reg. Member Steele passed out an article by George Will, sydicated columnist entitled, "Healthier Lifestyles Would Stem Health Care Cost ". Mr. Steele read and compared both regulations and strongly urges Board to adopt the North Attleboro reg with minor revisions. Mr. Leite spoke with No. Attleboro's health agent Karl Drown, who said that if he could, he would reconsider the section that is prohibits smoking in restaurants. Board feels it makes more sense to tie non - smoking into the common victuallers license (Selectmen issue), since it really does not belong with the food service permits that fall under the State Sanitation regulation. Member Austin asked about devices for vending machines. Citations would be given to the owner of the facility, i.e., store, restaurant, laundromat, etc. State law enforces sale of tobacco to minors. Hopefully next meeting reg will be revised and voted upon. Agent will contact Dept.Public Health for case law. c. Nonny Boys: Now serving soup. Agent has not been in for awhile, but will go soon. d. Heimlich Maneuver: Chair VanSplinter asked if the Board could adopt a regulation that requires posting, in restaurants, of the heimlich maneuver. Member Austin commented that Mr. Button, Civil Defense Director, has a 15 minute video re: this topic. He will ask to borrow it for the Board to view. Member Sosman cautioned that she would not want to see untrained people attempt this procedure because the method is posted on restaurant walls. e. Paine House, Rumford Ave.: Member Austin asked if the house is till standing. Agent responded yes and said that no orders can be issued until Sept. 1993. Board of Health Page 5 February 4, 1993 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Graphic Arts, Winthrop St.: Member Fontainini reported that he was told hazardous waste has been dumped there. Agent will check out. b. Housing Inspection Fee: Agent received a letter from Keith Properties, who asked that the $75.00 housing inspection fee be reduced. If it cannot be reduced, they commented that they could hire a registered santitation engineer to do the required -by -law inspections. Board cannot reduce fee, and felt that if they wanted to hire.a sanitation engineer, they may do so, and discover that the BOH fee is cheaper. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: To adjourn at 10:10 PM. Fontanini /Austin. All in favor. VOTED. Respectfully submitted, Dianne Royle Recording Secretary NEXT REGULAR MEETING: FEBRUARY 18, 1993 0 C