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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH Minutes 4/4/1991BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES APRIL 4, 1991 91 .lUt MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Michael VanSplinter, Clerk Od,j1, d,-Steele, __ Edward Rosenberg, Peter Fontanini,'Henry•'Austin,-II:j ALSO PRESENT Health Agent Scott Leite 1. CALL TO ORDER at 7:30 PM by Chairman VanSplinter. 2. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes, March 21, 1991 b. Approval of Funeral Home Permit for Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home c. Approval of Residential Kitchen Permit for Chosen Chocolates, Francis Ave. 3. COMMUNICATIONS a. Memo from Town Manager, April 2, 1991, re: Closing of Special Town Meeting. b. Memo from Town Manager, April 2, 1991, re: Local Aid Cuts c. Southeastern Association of Board of Health meeting notice. d. Copy of letter to Ausimont USA, Inc., N.J., March 19, 1991, from DEP, re: Waiver Application, Denial for Compo listed as a Priority Site. 4. VISITORS 7:55 PM, hearing for Peter Collins, Septage Haulers, Inc., Abington. Mr. Collins asked for leniency in the Board's order to suspend his septage transporting and pumping license for three months. He admitted that his company did perform an acid treatment at 29 Pine St, and had forgotten that acid treatments were banned in Mansfield under Board of Health regs. He apologized, took full responsiblity, and stated that in the many years he has been in business, this is his first violation in this Town. MOTION: To reduce the suspension of Septage Haulers, Inc., Abington, to April 15, 1991. Rosenberg /Steele. 3 -2. VOTED. At this time, Chairman stated that his concern is other companies may be doing acid treatments and the Board never finds out about them. Hearing ended at 8:05 PM. 5. HEALTH AGENT'S REPORT a. Lawncare Workshop: Agent commented that it was very interesting. About 12 people attended. Liquid fertilizer is more effective, yet more hazardous to the environment. Board of Health Page 2 April 4, 1991 b. Flouridation Order Timeline: 1. Board orders flouridation to public water supply. 2. Order becomes effective 90 days after publication in newspaper. 3. Within 90 days, voters may petition against flouridation. 10% of registered voters must sign petition. Referendum then put on a ballot. 4. Election must be held at next Town election or next bi- annual State election, whichever comes first. Member Rosenberg stated that flouridation cannot be implemented until the Town can fund it. Asked if State will supervise installation when the Town is paying for it themselves? Agent will find out. c. Household Hazardous Collection Day: April 20, 1991, Great Woods, 9 -1 PM. Volunteers needed. d. Illegal Dumping: There is a State law that allows a health agent to police illegal dumping. Town meeting must approve. e. Conservation Fair: May 11, South Common. Agent suggested a display of routes and remedies of groundwater /surface water pollution. Chairman suggested a display must be catchy to the eye, innovative and exciting. Papers on a table do not attract people. f. Edgewood /South Main St. Area: 31 wells have been located in this area. It is against the law to discharge polluted water. A water test for potability is about $35.00, a stricter test, $300. Board feels that these wells should not be used until the water has been tested to be safe for drinking. Board must take a hard line until the wells have been tested and are proven not to be polluted. Five have been tested so far, and they are polluted. Board did order them condemned and capped. Agent said that the source of pollution has been found - -it's indoors on Edgewood Street. MOTION: To protect the public health, the use of the 31 wells identified with the Edgewood /South Main St. groundwater pollution situation be ordered discontinued for any purpose until the Board of Health orders otherwise, and that the well owners so be notified. Rosenberg /Austin. All in favor. VOTED g. Hazardous Sites: A realtor in Mansfield asked the Health Agent /Board of Health to put together an information sheet re: hazardous waste dump sites in Mansfield. The realtor felt this service could be a benefit to prospective buyers. Agent commented that he does receive a quarterly list from DEP listing priority and non - priority sites. Board suggested that the list be available to residents. Agent Board of Health Page 3 April 4, 1991 replied that files of sites are available in the office to peruse. h. Goward Drive: Barbara Senegal, Atty. for Mr. Parsons, Goward Drive, told Health Agent that she will be applying for a variance on behalf of her client. Agent does not want to speak with her anymore since this issue is in litigation. I. Rt. 106, East Mansfield Sewer Line: In the near future, the sewer line may be extended down East Street to Rt. 106, Eastman St. There are a couple of subdivisions proposed that will require septic systems. Agent would like to ask the developer /s to wait on the perc tests until Town Meeting votes on funding. Agent reminded Board that the Board has the authority to set a perc season. The soil permeability does not change; it's the groundwater elevations that do. The Agent has installed permanent monitoring wells in several locations to use as a benchmark for groundwater adjustments. Northridge Subdivision, Eastman St., has already applied for peres. Member Fontanini feels that if the project has begun, then they should be allowed to continue percing. J. Goals and Objectives: Town Manager asked for department goals and objectives. Chairman suggested that Agent draft several goals and objectives. k. Budget: Meeting Monday evening, April 8th to discuss department budget cuts to Selectmen. 6. OLD BUSINESS a. Agent's Job Description: Chairman VanSplinter reported that the personnel director at Norwood Hospital, who offered to review the Agent's and secretary's job descriptions, suggested that they not be too tight and detailed. 7. NEW BUSINESS 1. Personnel Policy: Chairman VanSplinter wished to address the issue of compensatory time, since Health Agent works two Saturdays a year at the hazardous waste collection days, attends two night meetings a month on a regular basis, and possibly works beyond the 37 -1/2 hours per week at various times. MOTION: To invite Town Manager to a meeting to discuss the personnel policy of the Town of Mansfield and how it relates to the Health Agent whose appointing authority is the Board of Health. Rosenberg /Steele. All in favor. VOTED. 2. Lawncare Reg: Member Austin commented that he has seen a Board of Health Page 4 April 4, 1991 couple of lawncare trucks applying fertilizer. No one as yet has applied for a permit. Agent will look into. 3. Hathaway- Patterson: Member Steele commented that it is high groundwater time and H -P should be checked out, since they have had problems with oil seeping into Rumford River. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: To adjourn at 9:55 PM. Fontanini /Austin. All in favor. VOTED Respectfully submitted, Dianne Royle, Recording Secretary NEXT MEETING: APRIL 18, 1991. See you then.