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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-22 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday—August 22, 201 7:00 p,nt. 120 Main Street, 2°d Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room North Andover, MA 01845 Present: Thomas Trowbridge,Larry Fixler,Frank MacMillan,Susan Sawyer,Lisa Blackburn I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. PUBLIC HEARINGS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting minutes from July 25,2013 were presented for signature. Motion was made by Dr. MacMillan to approve the minutes,the motion was seconded by Mr.Fixler, all were in favor and the minutes were approved. V. OLD BUSINESS Dr. Trowbridge wanted to remind the Board that he hasn't forgotten about writing a follow up letter to area pharmacies regarding the sale of cigarettes. VI. NEW BUSINESS A.Gilbert's Ice Cream—Mr. Gilbert Harb appeared before the Board to request the restrictions placed on him last year by the Board of Health be removed so he could apply for a Mobile Food permit to sell ice cream within the town. Mr. Harb's 2012 mobile food permit was suspended last summer. He was required to appear before the Board prior to being granted a future permit to operate.He was required to complete an anger management course.Mr.Harb's attorney,Thomas Torrisi,addressed the Board.Attorney Torrisi stated that Mr.Harb has successfully completed the requirements needed in order to re-apply for a mobile food permit in North Andover. Additionally,Mr.Harb met with North Andover Police Officer,Lt. Eric Foulds. Lt. Foulds submitted a written letter to the Health Department stating that Mr.Harb has satisfactorily met all the requirements needed by the police department and recommended favorable action on Gilbert Harb's application for permit to engage in Ice Cream Truck Vending,providing he satisfies all other requirements from the Board of Health. Attorney Torrisi requested that the Board remove the restriction and allow Mr. Harb to sell ice cream in town. A discussion then ensued regarding the requirements needed for mobile ice cream vendors.Mrs. Sawyer stated that there are new regulations this year requiring mobile ice cream vendors to apply for a higher level clearance from area police departments.Mr.Harb stated that both he and his wife,Najoua Harb,have applied to the police departments in Lawrence,Methuen,Andover and No.Andover and have August 22,2013 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Agenda Page 1 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 1 1 received the proper approvals needed to sell ice cream in those towns.Mr. Harb has two ice cream trucks which are driven by himself and his wife. Mrs.Harb has a permit to sell ice cream in Andover,Lawrence and Methuen.Mr. Harb is selling ice cream in Lawrence and is waiting for his permit from Methuen,which should be issued within a few days.North.Andover's ice cream truck vendor permits are seasonal and do not run the entire year.Both trucks will need to be inspected before a permit is issued. MOTION:Dr. MacMillan motioned that the Board removes the restriction placed last year and to allow Mr.Harb to apply for a mobile food permit in North Andover, pending he follows the requirements needed.Mr. Fixler seconded the motion.All were in favor and the motion was granted. VII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION A. 2013 Mosquito spraying of school and town fields. Dr. Trowbridge discussed the recent sprayings done on 8/15/13 of the town fields and playgrounds. Since the weather is_cooperative,the treatment should be effective for two to three weeks. Regarding current conditions in town, Dr. Trowbridge stated that he spoke to a resident in North Andover who seems to think that the mosquito population is reduced at the soccer field near Smolak Farms. Mrs. Sawyer noted that NEMMC has reported fewer numbers of mosquitoes in traps,but doesn't want the public to assume that since there are noticeably less mosquitos that the risk is lessened. When the numbers go down,the risk of virus is higher.Dr. Trowbridge would like the public to be aware of protecting themselves when outdoors. Wear protective clothing,use mosquito repellents and limit outdoor activities at dusk. Dr.Trowbridge stated that some towns have had positive West Nile virus reports. So far,there are no positive viral findings in North Andover.Mrs. Sawyer stated that we will get the virus testing results tomorrow, 8/23/13,and see what the recommendations are.A discussion then ensued regarding perimeter spraying and truck spraying. Dr. Trowbridge stated we are receiving regular updates and summary reports where positive reporting is occurring.We will continue to watch and hope for none but prepare for anything. B. Steven's Pond A letter was received by Dr.Trowbridge from a resident regarding dog feces possibly contaminating the lake at Steven's Pond.The resident is concerned about dogs around the pond and is asking the Board for a high level of dog control. Dr. Trowbridge stated that he wasn't sure if it's in the BOH authority to be able to enforce any laws as requested. One of the concerns stated in the letter is that the pollution in the watershed area could contaminate the drinking supply in town.The letter suggested options that could be taken in order to reduce the amount of waste from dogs. A discussion ensued regarding bacteria levels in the water at Stevens Pond and some suggestions that could help with the problem.Dr.Trowbridge stated that the requests in the letter are reasonable.Mrs. Sawyer stated that Steven's Pond will be closing 8/23/13 for the season.This year they had 11 closed days due to the high bacteria count in the water. Dr.MacMillan stated that this is not unusual due to the warm summer we have had. Dr.Trowbridge suggested that the Eagle Tribune could possibly write an educational piece regarding the importance of being a responsible pet owner and cleaning up after your pet.Mrs. Sawyer stated that there is a pooper scooper law and the local police are trying their best to have citizens follow the law.The Board of Health can't enforce these laws,however,Dr.MacMillan stated that the board can help facilitate good citizenship by requesting that the pet owners be responsible for their pets. The BOH doesn't have control over most of these things but we can educate the public. There has also been concern about dogs swimming in the town water supply. Signs are placed along town properties and Trustees of Reservation property,but it is reported that these signs are sometimes torn down or vandalized. Mrs. Sawyer has found out that the Planning Department has"doggie waste disposal stations"ready to be installed.Neither locations nor installations have been finalized for the dozen or so units.Mrs. Sawyer stated that there is a pooper scooper law. Larry noted that doggie stations make sense. Other contamination sources could be rain runoff that carries bacteria, stagnant water or geese,but the dogs get most blame. C. Lyme Disease Mrs. Sawyer discussed the article that Mr.McCarthy read at the last BOH meeting regarding Lyme Disease. Since our public health nurse,Debra Rillahan has been public about her recent diagnosis with this disease;she would like to come before the Board in September or October to address the issue. She would like to find a positive way to bring the issue to light.Dr.MacMillan thought that since this issue continues to be in the news,he stated that we have reached a tipping point that needs to be addressed on a regional if not national level. We need to find a best way to approach it.Mrs. Sawyer will look into what other communities are doing regarding the issue.Mr.Fixler emphasized that is it very important to do a tick check after coming in from outdoors.Be very aware,look closely and be observant. North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday--August 22, 201; x:00 pm. 120 Main Street, 2°d Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room North Andover, MA 01845 VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS IX. ADJOURNMENT A. MOTION made by Mr.Fixler to adjourn the meeting.Dr.MacMillan seconded the motion and all were in favor.The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm. Prepared bv: Lisa Blackburn, Health Dept.Assistant Reviewed bv: All Board of Health Members&Susan Sawyer, Health Director Signed bl: --- e Date S�igne,d Larty . e Cle k of th August 22,2013 North Andover Board of Health Meeting—Meeting Agenda Page 3 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 Fi<xler,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