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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-25 Board of Health Minutes � A BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES October 25, 2001 Gayton Osgood called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Gayton Osgood, Chairman, Francis P. MacMillan, M.D., Member; Sandra Starr, Health Director. TOBACCO REGULATIONS Board discussed plans to have open meeting in November for the tobacco sales to minors issue. Diane Pickles of Healthy Communities has typed up a draft of the regulations. The meeting will be advertised in the newspapers. FLU CLINICS Ms. Starr spoke regarding the flu clinics that have been done at all the nursing homes. The Royal Crest resident community will be done this week. The big clinics at the Senior Center will start on December 5'h. The fee for the flu shot for those aged 64 and under will be between$10.00 and $12.00. EMERGENCY RESPONSE Ms. Starr spoke regarding Police, Fire, and Board of Health working together on possible anthrax reports. Police said they would only involve Board of Health if a suspicious substance is sent to DPH. BUDGET PROCESS Ms. Starr must start working on the new budget next Tuesday. What direction do we want the health department to take?Community health needs assessment, longer hours for the town nurse, bio-terrorism funds that may be approved by the state? NEW HEALTH INSPECTOR Ms. Starr stated there is no money for training;Brian LaGrasse must be certified before he can do either food or Title V inspections. He has done some food training with Sue Ford in Amesbury and has been set up to take a pool inspector certification class that Sue had Page Two October 25, 2001 been scheduled for. Brian does have a level two Hazmat certification that could be renewed. Mr. Osgood mentioned we need a new sanitarian. Fire department may hire five health inspectors and Chief Dolan told Ms. Starr he is applying for it in his budget. We also need a full time nurse. New personnel are beyond our current budget. All town job descriptions are being reviewed and reclassified. Mr. Osgood would like another Registered Sanitarian. GLSD Dr. McMillan asked if we still get complaint calls from the police. Ms. Starr replied we do on occasion, but usually the citizens call the Board of Health directly to file an odor complaint. Mr. Osgood asked if we had sent a letter to tell GLSD they need to clean the equipment and set up a better venting system. Ms. Starr said they had been sent a letter but nothing has been done. The board suggested she send another letter to GLSD and cc the Town Manager. Ms. Starr also said we need DEP to help back us up. Dr. MacMillan would like an emergency response team set up for major outbreaks. POLICE DEPARTMENT—AIR QUALITY Ms. Starr spoke regarding the air-quality problems that are still bad at the Police Department. Nothing has been done. Dr. MacMillan would like a letter sent to Town Manager, Mark Rees regarding the Police Department -that it is a public health hazard. LOT 11 EVERGREEN—PHEASANT BROOK Mr. Couillard feels he is having a lot taken away. However, Ms. Starr reminded the board that he had been given two more lots that were not in the original plan, so he is still ahead by one lot. The Board understands why Mr. Couillard is trying to develop the lot, but feel it is not buildable. The idea was proposed that it could possibly be graded and used for a playground. They also don't feel there is much hope for sewer in that area. Ms. Starr would like them to come and appear before the Board to discuss this lot. November 15"will be the next meeting. It is planned early because of Thanksgiving. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Dr. MacMillan, seconded by Gayton Osgood, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. John S. Rizza, DMD, Clerk BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES November 29, 2001 Dr. MacMillan called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM explaining that he would chair the meeting with the assistance of Dr. Rizza since Mr. Gayton Osgood would not be attending. Meeting was being held at the Senior Center immediately following the last scheduled flu clinic. MEMBERS PRESENT: Francis P. MacMillan, M.D., Member; John Rizza, DMD, Member, Sandra Starr, Health Director;Brian Lagrasse, Health Inspector;Debra Rillahan, Public Health Nurse. LOT 11 EVERGREEN-PHEASANT BROOK Spokesman Mr. Matthew Watsky for owner Mr. Couillard feels Lot 11 could be buildable. The Board of Health has said that the site is basically all rock and has no usable soil. The owner also feels the vernal pool issue was wrongly placed on the lot after the subdivision was approved. However, they agree there is a very small area for a septic system. Mr. Watsky agrees that a three-bedroom or larger home could not be built on the lot, but he feels a smaller two-bedroom home should be allowed. Since the Board has not approved the two-bedroom plan yet, it is considered a new plan and will be considered by the Board after a consultant review and before the next meeting on December 20th PUBLIC HEARING—CHANGES TO TOBACCO REGULATIONS Regarding fees and permit suspensions for sales of tobacco to minors, Dr. MacMillan opened the hearing for public comment. Diane Pickles spoke for Healthy Communities and explained the statistics and data gathered thus far. She explained that the town has a very low rate of compliance and feels the fees currently charged don't do enough to convince the stores to comply. She feels the new proposed regulations are tougher and more clearly defined. Mr. Sharp, storeowner of Richdale's, asked to speak. In seventeen years of "stings" he stated he never had a compliance problem. He was caught twice last year and feels he is being unfairly punished. Mr. Sharp feels he has proven himself over the years and shouldn't suffer because of his employees. He feels the cashier who actually sells to a minor should be fined or fired. The Board explained he had the right to make such rules in his own shop, but the Board only has the right to deal with the owner directly. In the end we must hold the owner accountable for mistakes made by his employees.