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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-26 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes 'I'litirsday, May 26, 2011 120 Main Street,2 nd Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room North Andover, MA 01845 Present:Toni Trowbridge,Frank MacMillan, Larry Fixler,Joe McCarthy,Ed Pease, Susan Sawyer,Michele Grant and Debra Rillahan I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p,m, II, PUBLIC HEARINGS Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 28,2011 Minutes to be presefited for signature—the meeting minutes were approved and signed by the Clerk of the Board. All were in favor, IV. OLD BUSINESS V. NEW BUSINESS A. Tech Environmental—Consultant to the Board of Health for Wheelabrator. An updated report on the facility and explanation of annual,monitoring will be presented, Dana Buske, of Tech Environmental, is the Board of Health's consultant in air quality matters at the North Andover Wheelabrator plant. Ms.Buske was present at the meeting to explain the monitoring procedures that Tech Environmental uses to evaluate Wheelabrator. In response to a request by Susan Sawyer,Ms.Buske visited the Holt Road facility on Wednesday,May 25,2011. This request was in response to the recent financial settlement between Wheelabrator and the Attorney General's office for alleged health and safety violations... Scott Emerson, facility operations manager,escorted the consultant and a Board of Health member,Frank MacMillan. Ms.Buske described the walk through and observations that were made at the site. From her observations and research into the AG investigation and resulting settlement,she stated that she had no concerns for the safety or public health of the community. Board Member Joe McCarthy stated his past involvement with the Wheelabrator facility.He is an expert in the field of trash to energy plants.He researched into the AG's complaint against Wheelabrator and had numerous cornments lie shared with the board and the public. Mr.McCarthy noted that Wheelabrator is in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program.Their participation in this program places them in the top.03%in effective health and safety programs in the United States, Mr.McCarthy questioned the motives of the whistleblowers,that brought these allegations to the Attorney General's office. Mr. McCarthy explained the history of the ash house,which is the center of the May 20,2011 North Andover Board of Health Meeting—Meeting Minutes Page I of 2 Nom The]Board of Health resencs 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;Pamela DeReChiaie,Health Department Assistant allegation,He noted that there is an air filtration system in the ash house and that there was no indication of any repair to the ash building,where allegedly there had been a hole, As such,lie stated that ash,which is quenched with water,could not have been noted in the air.However,water evaporating from hot ash could have been misread as ash.In conclusion,lie felt that the settlement probably was without a health and safely,basis or merit. Member Frank MacMillan described the walk through at Wh,eelabrator's North Andover facility yesterday. As a lay person,he was able to see the issues from a fresh eye. He described in detail the ash house and the process of the movement of ash from the incinerator to the enclosed house;doors in front,three sides and roof.He understands that the wetted ash is moved by loader into large trucks,covered with a loose tarp and trucked to Rochester,NH,to be placed as landfill cover. He questions that if it is ok to drive this product across the highways with only a tarp on it,how could an alleged hole in a wall be a hazard to the health and the environment. Chairman Dr.Trowbridge still has concern over the allegations and wants to request more information from the Attorney General.He indicates that it is likely there was some merit that brought the parties to this 7.5 million dollar settlement. He is concerned that the settlement may cover tip details that the North Andover Board of Health should be aware of Motion There was a motion by Dr.MacMillan to send a letter to the Attorney General's office to request additional information in regards to the allegations that are specific to Not th Andover.The motion was seconded by Mr.McCarthy. V1. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION VII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS VIII, ADJOURNMENT Reviewed b I A It Board of Health Members&Susan Smvyer, Health Director Signed b Jul..._...y 8 2011 Lat7 FKlei-,"Cle;kofltl?e-Bo'ai-d Date Signed May 26 2011 North Andover Board of Health Meeting—Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 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 fisted 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 SaNvyer,Health Director; Debra Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Pamela DelleChhde,Health Department Assistant