Minutes of the Carlisle Board of Health
September 7, 2010
Present: Board Members Jeff Brem Chair, Bill Risso, Mark Caddell; Cathy Galligan; Absent: Board Member Michael Holland. Also present: Linda Fantasia, Agent and Alex Sayde (Mosquito);
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Nickles Room at Town Hall.
BILLS - It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Galligan) to pay the bills as presented. Motion passed 4-0-0
MINUTES - The Board reviewed and edited minutes of 6/29/10, 8/10/10 and 8/30/10. Galligan corrected the name of Carlisle Elderly Housing to Carlisle Village Court.
It was moved (Galligan) and seconded (Risso) to approve the minutes of 6/29/10 as corrected. Motion passed 4-0-0. It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Galligan) to approve the minutes of 8/10/10 with corrections. Motion passed 4-0-0. It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Galligan) to approve the minutes of 8/30/10 as amended. Motion passed 3-0-1 (Caddell was absent for the meeting)
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Lyme Disease Presentation - Wednesday 9/15/10 7:30 p.m. Union Hall. Brem will introduce Dr. Craven. Risso offered to run the projector and laptop. Luke Anagastopoulos has offered to film the talk for CCTV. Fantasia would like to ask the Boy Scouts to help with set up. The Board's intern, Kathryn Kinzel has set up a display at the Library and the Library has collected a number of books for circulation.
Region 4A - Fantasia has offered to be on the Executive Committee. The next meeting is 9/9/10. She is also participating in the Vision Group and Bylaw Working Group. Additional information of FY10E PHEP funding will be available after 9/9/10.
MEMA ICS Course 9/29-30 in Concord. Fantasia will attend. This is a required training for Health Depts.
Enforcement Issues - Fantasia will be mailing out the Orders next week. She will contact all owners t at Rocky Point if there are no identified trustees for the Homeowners' Association.
Budget- FY11 breakdown is waiting for final salary figures. A payroll change form was submitted for Fantasia for step increase effective 9/8/10 (Gr 8 24 yrs).
Blackboard Connect - The Selectmen are reviewing usage policy tonight; test call will follow.
Beaver Complaint on Cross Street - Beavers were cutting down a number of trees surrounding a private pond. It was determined that the problem did not meet the criteria of a public health emergency. The owner was advised to contact a trapper and the Conservation Commission.
Fees - Fantasia would like to increase the fee for a distribution box replacement from $50 to $100. Under the revised Title 5, Frado sometimes needs to make a second trip. The existing fee barely covers a half hour of his time. Since the increase was not noted on the published agenda, the Board wanted to wait on voting an increase.
Vaccine Recovery - Fantasia is still waiting for the appropriate recovery labels. She will ask the school nurse if she has a use for the refrigerator which is located in the First Aid Room at the school gym. Galligan asked about a medical take back program. Fantasia explained that the Police Chief had been contacted about running one at the end of September. It was unclear whether it was only for controlled substances or any expired, unused medications. There would not be much time to set up a full collection. This is something the Board is interested in pursuing at a later date.
788 LOWELL STREET continued - the applicant requested that the meeting be postponed until the next meeting date so that the design could be revised. A Public Hearing will be scheduled for 9/28/10 and abutters notified.
124 FIFTY ACRE WAY - Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Well application.
Present for the meeting was Stephen Smith of GeoHydroCycle, Inc. representing owner Gordon Bemis. The application is to install a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) well at the above location. Bemis provided the Board with copies of the Underground Injection Control Application submitted to DEP on 9/3/10. Residential geothermal wells must be registered with the state. The proposed well will be a 6.5-inch diameter, 1100 foot deep, standing column, open loop well. It will be located 56' from the existing drinking water well and 249' from the onsite leaching system. A location map was provided. Water drawn from the well will be returned to the same aquifer from which it was drawn. There should be no net gain or loss. There will be no system bleed discharge. There is a Public Water Supply across the street at
Assurance Technology which has been located. The well has not yet been constructed. Geothermal wells have improved significantly since they were first used in the 1950's. They work well in New England bedrock formations and provide a stable energy product. Bemis gave a brief history of the success of six 1500'wells at Trinity Church in Boston indicating showing no impact to the water table. Although the cost of electricity may be one-third higher, the overall savings for the homeowner is greater since there is no fuel cost. Payback is about 5-6 years. It should take about three days to drill the well. The well will not be connected to the household drinking supply. The GSHP will be used to both heat and cool the home. There is an energy tax credit available to the owner.
The Board expressed concern about potential contamination of groundwater from products used in the pumping and heating equipment. Bemis commented that proper construction and maintenance should prevent problems. The well will be constructed, grouted and cased the same as a typical well. The Board also asked about pump failure frequency, the need for corrosion control and procedures for abandoning a well. Bemis said it may be necessary to replace the pump over time. As for corrosion, DEP requires that the water be tested before bringing the well online. If there are problems with the water quality, they need to be addressed. Once the well has been drilled and is operational, DEP requires another round of sampling. Bemis agreed to copy test results to the Board. He also explained that DEP has a policy
on abandoned wells and must sign off on the closure.
The Board noted that the first geothermal well in town was installed about 5-7 years ago on Cross Street. The Board estimated there are probably three or four more in town. The Board does not have a procedure for permitting geothermal wells, but the Water Supply Regulations require that the driller obtain a permit to drill the well. Installation of the well requires issuance of a UIC Registration number from the state. There were no further questions from the Board or audience.
It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Caddell) to approve the issuance of a local permit for the installation of a geothermal well at 124 Fifty Acre Way. Motion passed 4-0-0.
625 RUTLAND STREET - Ground Source Heat Pump Well application.
The Board reviewed the material provided since there was no one present on behalf of the homeowner. The well application is for three closed loop geothermal wells. The Board was concerned about the proximity of the wells to the house. An email had been forwarded to the Board which included an email from DEP issuing a UIC Registration number. DEP's approval indicated that the local Board of Health should ensure that the applicant meets all applicable setback distances stated in Mass DEP Guidelines for Ground Source Heat Pump Wells (March 2009). Galligan said that she had obtained a later guidance dated August 10, 2010. The Board compared the two documents and found a number of differences in setback requirements. The Board was uncertain which guidance to follow. The Board was also
concerned that an engineer stamped septic plan was being used as a well location plan without additional certification from the engineer and that only one page of the Request for Determination Application before Conservation was provided. Until all of the pertinent information was provided, the Board agreed to table further action. A letter will be sent to the homeowner requesting the following: unstamped location plan (engineered plan not required); complete WPA filing application; completed well permit application; official letter stating DEP approval and correct guidance.
The Board agreed that it should consider establishing a permitting procedure for geothermal wells which are becoming more popular. Many towns have procedures in place. The Board will also consider preparing a checklist for applicants prior to submitting the application.
It was moved (Galligan) and seconded (Risso) to table the request for the installation of three closed loop geothermal wells at 625 Rutland Street until a later meeting to provide the applicant sufficient time to address the Board's questions, and that the Board recommends that the applicant or a representative be present at the meeting. Motion passed 4-0-0.
Galligan offered to call Joe Cerutti at DEP for clarification on the guidance policy.
Chestnut Estates - noise complaint. Fantasia reported that the situation is under better control now that the town is providing oversight. The developer is providing the Building Inspector with regular activity reports which are shared with the land use boards. The rock hammer is no longer in constant use. Abutters are being more patient but will continue to file complaints if appropriate.
Brem turned the Chairmanship over to Vice-Chair Caddell in order to attend the Selectmen's meeting to discuss the sewer extension project.
Carlisle Public School Site Plan Review - the Board had been asked by the Planning Board to comment on the proposed construction project prior to the public hearing before the Selectmen on 9/28/10. Board of Health is asked to consider water supply, waste disposal and environmental issues. Risso who is also a member of the School Building Committee provided a brief update of the project. He presented the Board with a letter from DEP/DWS approving the work to be done in the Zone I of the Public Water Supply. The construction will be phased during the school year and over the summer. Spalding which will be demolished will be in use until the new building can be occupied. During the construction phase it may be necessary for kindergartners to travel outside to get to the cafeteria. Risso said there has been some
discussion about opening a satellite kitchen. He has informed the SBC that a Board of Health permit would be required.
The Board agreed to recommend the following to the Planning Board for consideration:
" Waste Disposal - There will be no changes to the operation of the school's waste water treatment plant. If there will be construction work near any of the system components, the components should be clearly marked in the field. No industrial waste should be discharged into the system.
" Water Supply - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Drinking Water Program issued a letter dated August 30, 2010 to the Carlisle Public Schools stating that all of the Zone I concerns relative to the proposed school addition have been addressed. A copy of the letter is attached. The Board of Health has no additional recommendations.
" Environmental Issues - The demolition of the Spalding Building may require asbestos and/or lead abatement measures for structures or materials that are currently sealed and intact. The project should address appropriate asbestos abatement and hazardous materials disposal as needed.
" Food Service - if a temporary, satellite kitchen is provided for kindergarteners, the kitchen will need to be inspected and approved by the Board's inspector prior to opening since time and temperature controls are critical to safe food handling.
Housing Production Plan - the Board was also asked to comment on the updated plan. This plan describes the efforts being made by the town relative to low and moderate income housing. The Housing Authority has already submitted the updated plan due to the deadline, but it will to consider additional comments from municipal departments. Having an active plan in place eliminates the possibility of private 40B applications for a specified period. The Board agreed with the scope of the current plan and had no specific recommendations. There was a question as to whether the potential sewer project should be mentioned.
Lyme Disease Presentation - the Board discussed the format for the presentation which will be held 9/25/10 at Union Hall. Board members offered to assist with various tasks.
There was no further business discussed. Meeting voted to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Fantasia
Recorder
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