HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-25 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health
Meeting minutes
Thursday—July 25,2013
7:00 p-111.
120 Main Street, 2°d Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room
North Andover, MA 01845
Present: Larry Fixier(Chairman for meeting),Frank MacMillan,Joseph McCarthy,Susan Sawyer,Lisa
Blackburn
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 pin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC HEARINGS
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Meeting minutes from March 28,2013 and May 23,2013 were presented for signature.
Motion was made by Dr.MacMillan to approve the minutes,the motion was seconded by Mr.
McCarthy,all were in favor and the minutes were approved.
V. OLD BUSINESS ome point there will be an update with Ron Beauregard,tobacco inspector,
Dr.MacMillan stated that at s endations to change the existing Board of Health regulation.
Susan stated that the fall would be a good t
regarding tobacco sales to minors and recomin
ime to bring the issue to a Board of Health meeting for
discussion.
V1. NEW BUSINESS
Request from Dynamic Skating LTD for a
variance to conduct a Recreation Camp at Merrimack College.
Dynamic Skating missed the cut off deadline of May I"as stated in the North Andover Board of Health
Recreational Camp for Children Regulations eective 3/l/ 05.Jo McLan,owner th fi-om Dynamic
odium. Mr.McLean stated that he 20 had prhevn iously e mailed in e paperwork to the
Skating,approached the p
Health Department sometime in February,but for some reason it was never received. Mr.McLean stated
that he did eventually come in to the Health Department and met with Deb Rillahan,who is in charge of the
inspections of all summer camps. He stated that he brought his paperwork with him which was found to be
more than satisfactory. He described that he has been running this camp for 3-4 years at Merrimack College
and has also coached at Merrimack College and now has a 20 year contract with Merrimack College.He
also holds clinics at Merrimack College. Mr.McLean gave background information regarding the overnight
camp,ages of the children attending and the staff members. A discussion ensued regarding CORI and
sted that next year Mr.McLean could possibly walk down his
SORI background checks.Mr.Fixler sugge received in time. Susan Sawyer noted that Debra
application or send it certified mail in order to assure it is
July 25,2013 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Agenda Page I of 3
d to discuss and/or vote on items that are not d
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order an liste on
the agenda.
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P,MacMillan,jr,,
Health Department Staff Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant
Rillahan,who does reviews and permitting for the recreational camps,gave a positive recommendation to
grant this variance.
MOTION was made by Dr.MacMillan to approve the variance for Dynamic Skating LTD,Mr.
McCarthy seconded the motion.All were in favor to grant the variance.
VII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION
1. Update on summer intern projects.
Mrs. Sawyer discussed the three summer interns working at the Health Department. Two of the
interns are working with the public nurse,Deb Rillahan, on the subject of emergency dispensing
sites.The interns also worked on getting all town employees trained on NMS 700 and ICS 100
emergency training in case of an emergency. The effort will bring the Town back into compliance
with the state requirement.Ms.Rillahan and Mrs. Sawyer were trained up to Nims 400 this year.
The same interns also helped with checks on recreational summer camps.
The third intern worked on trash truck compliance data. The Health Department permits trash
trucks and is responsible for compliance to routes that the trash trucks can take in the town of
North Andover.Mrs. Sawyer stated that we wanted to validate compliance with the permitting
system.The intern developed an app on an ipad and sat at check points in North Andover
watching trucks going back and forth to see if they had permits/placards and if they were properly
displayed. It was observed that some trucks weren't permitted,not posting their permits/placards
properly or taking wrong routes.This data was collected and a report was generated on the
findings.Mrs. Sawyer reviewed the report. She explained how the new electronic sign that the
Health Department purchased will be utilized, so we don't have to rely on just the police presence
for compliance. Dr.MacMillan questioned the permitting season for trash trucks and if applicants
are aware of fines for not being in compliance. Sue explained the permitting process for trash
trucks and fines stating that the applicants are aware of these fines. Mr.McCarthy questioned how
long this regulation has been in place.Mrs. Sawyer stated that the BOH has always had the right
to regulate the routes trucks take in the town of North Andover but previously there wasn't a
regulation.A regulation was finally implemented and has been modified numerous times by the
Board of Health.Mrs. Sawyer stated that his whole process has probably been going on for the
last fifteen years. Mr.McCarthy questioned if other communities had regulations regarding the
routes trash trucks take in their community.Mrs. Sawyer was not sure about other communities.
Mr. McCarthy stated that he feels that there is a lot of time and energy regarding this issue and
feels that it would be better off if the regulation was eliminated. He has a problem with telling
people where they can and cannot drive on the roads. Dr.MacMillan stated that since we host the
trash plant in this community that we should have some control of what routes the trash trucks
take.The variance is there to protect the health of community.Mr.Fixler pointed out that without
the variance,trash trucks could possibly take shortcuts through neighborhoods which could cause
problems. Mrs. Sawyer stated that complaints regarding trash trucks have reduced over the past
ten years.Mr.McCarthy suggested that we take a look at this regulation sometime in the future to
discuss the problems he has with it.Mrs. Sawyer wanted to focus on the commendable job that the
intern did on this project.Dr.MacMillan commended the intern for bringing this problem to light.
Mrs. Sawyer also pointed out that the intern created an app on the ipad for dumpster inspections
and septic truck inspections for the Health Inspector to use. Although food inspections are not yet
on the computer,we are working towards that.
2. GLSD update on recent notice of discharge of foam from digesters.
Mrs. Sawyer reviewed the letter sent to GLSD by the Department of Environmental Protection
dated 7/16/13.A discussion ensued regarding the recent issue.Mr.Fixler would like an update on
this subject possibly at the next BOH meeting to keep the residents informed on what's going on.
3. Dr. MacMillan inquired about the opening of Steven's Pond.Mrs. Sawyer stated that the pond
needed to be closed a few times because of the high levels of bacteria. The pond is tested weekly
and if results are high,the beach is closed to swimming and the testing is done again. Results are
July 25,2013 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Agenda Page 2 of 3
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on
the agenda.
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant
North Andover Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
Thtiosday—July 25, 2013
7:00 p.m.
120 Main StrmeL2u" D7lnor Selectmen's Meeting Room
North Andover, MA 0 1845
sent to the Health Department and then send to all parties involved. The weather plays a big part
io the high bacteria counts.
4. Moogu|tueo—Mr. Fix]er reminded the public io6c aware of mosquitoes when they are out and to
take precautions and use repellents. There are no reports of EEE or West Nile virus in North
Andover on far this year.
5. Mr.McCarthy discussed oo article oo Lyme Disease that was reported in the Boston Globe dated
July 14'2013.He read o few highlights from this article.Itiu most important to prevent from
getting bitten and even more so to get proper treatment if Lyme is suspected. The numbers of
reported Lyme disease,ax well un other tick borne diseases are staggering. The short term and
long term effects vary fi-om person to person and are often misdiagnosed. Treatments vary from
physician to physician. The Health Department receives the reports of Lyme Disease and the
Director confirmed that N. Andover has weekly positives reported to them by the DPH.A
discussion ensued regarding how Lyme Disease is transmitted,signs of the disease and treatment
o[the disease. The Health Department will have links oo their vvu6yhe regarding tics and Lyme
disease and helpful tips for the public.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS
[%. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION made by Dr. MacMillan to adjourn the meeting.Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion and
all were|n favor.The meeting was adjourned at0:t0pm.
Prepared by:
Lisa Blackburn, Health Dept.Assistant
Reviewed b :
All Board cf Health Members&Susan Jam9m Health Director
Signed b
u ~
L the Bo Dmm��no�
July 25,2013 North Andover Board n[Health Mccd Meeting Agenda Page�} }
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on
the agenda.
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fix\er.Kdcobcr/Cleck;Francis P.MacMillan,]c.
McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant