Carlisle Board of Health Minutes
Meeting Date: January 13, 2009 Page 1 of 3
Approved: February 10, 2009 Printed 2/12/2009
Minutes of the Carlisle Board of Health
January 13, 2009
Present: Board Members Jeff Brem (Chairman), Chris Deignan, Bill Risso, and Michael Holland; Absent –Leslie Cahill; also present Linda Fantasia (Agent),
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. at the town hall.
MINUTES – It was moved (Deignan) and seconded (Risso) and voted 3-0-0 to approve the minutes of 10/28/08. It was moved (Deignan) and seconded (Risso) and voted 3-0-0 to approve the minutes of 11/18/08.
It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Deignan) and voted 3-0-0 to approve the minutes of 11/18/08.
BILLS – It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Deignan) to approve the bills as presented. Motion passed 3-0-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Fantasia)
Ice Storm Operations – Four Carlisle MRC volunteers participated in 2008 Ice Storm Shelter Operations – Donna Walker Margolies, Kevin Perkins, Bill Ho, and Kathy Wolf . Fantasia suggested sending a letter of appreciation to the volunteers. Brem asked to have it signed by the Board of Health and the Selectmen. The letter will also be sent to the Mosquito. Fantasia noted that the After Action Report pointed out the need for more ICS training of volunteers. She suggested offering a local training possibly in conjunction with the Health Fair. She has the name of a trainer who works for MEMA. The Board agreed.
Emerson Hospital Catchment Drill – The purpose of the drill was to test communications between the hospital and the local communities. The primary means of contact for the drill was through the Health and Homeland Alert Network (HHAN). Fantasia suggested assigning the Administrative Assistant as the back-up contact since this person would be most familiar with the emergency plans. The town dispatcher is the third contact on the call down list. This list must be kept current. Activation of any emergency plan requires a Board member.
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Summer Intern – the Board approved the proposed projects with some minor rewording. The application is due 1/16/09.
Pictometry Contract – sharing the cost of installation and training will be discussed at the next staff meeting.
Budget – The Board reviewed a proposed FY10 budget. The guideline budget is the same as last year. Salaries represent 97% of the Board’s operating budget. In order to meet cost of living adjustment of 2.5% other line items will need to be reduced. There is very little discretionary funding to cut. The Board expressed concern about meeting nursing care costs, which are difficult to predict. The Board agreed to notify Fincom that if there were nursing overruns, the town would need to provide additional funds. The town engineering budget will be cut. Frado’s attendance at meetings will be eliminated except for public hearings on variance requests. The Board agreed that the projected reduction in local aid means staying within the guideline budget.
It was moved (Deignan) and seconded (Risso) to accept the proposed FY10 guideline budget. Motion passed 3-0-0.
180 Prospect Street – the Board approved the monitoring well agreement, which will be sent to the owner. A Clivus composting waste treatment system is being installed for the new house. The Board had asked that a well be installed for sampling groundwater for e coli, nitrogen-nitrate and pH. Installation and sampling costs will be paid out of the Water Quality Funds. Risso asked what the Board would do if there was contamination. Fantasia said the I/A system will be operating under a state permit, so DEP would most likely require Clivus to address the problem.
Mosquito Control Program (Holland arrived) – David Henley, Superintendent of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Program, spoke at the Conservation Commission coffee, which was attended by Brem and Fantasia Brem said the audience had good questions. The main concern was whether a mosquito control program is effective in eliminating the threat of West Nile Virus and EEE. If results cannot be quantified it may be difficult to justify given the current budget constraints. Brem said Henley made it clear that the program does not eradicate mosquitoes. EMMCP works with the community sometimes doing wetland work that benefits the land. Larviciding is only done in catch basins and wetlands greater than 3 acres. Owners can choose to have their properties excluded. EMMCP is very
careful about notifications. Rather than asking town meeting to fund the program, Brem suggested collecting donations on the tax bills. He does not think town meeting will approve $30,000 to join EMMCP. Risso said that town meeting must decide on whether to join. The Selectmen have yet to decide on when to hold the special town meeting. The Board would need to do a presentation. Henley said he would be available. The Board is also looking for an expert to meet with the Board so that it has a better understanding of the correlation between mosquito control and incidence of disease.
WELL REGULATIONS – The Board agreed that the regulations should only address private wells. The state is the approving authority for community water supplies. Following a recent 40B comprehensive permit, it became clear that the Board might need to consider developments with multiple private wells. This can create a well field. Holland said one option would be to set specific pump test requirements for any well that supplies more than 500 gpd. The Board should also consider irrigation wells when they are in addition to a PWS. A 24-hour flow test would show whether there is an excessive drawdown in the area. Holland asked whether the Board inspects irrigation wells. Fantasia said development of an irrigation well is handled the same as a drinking water supply. The Well Inspector
supervises the installation. Siting of the well follows local regulations. These wells are treated as potential potable water supplies. Geothermal wells also require a well permit. These are typically closed loop systems not connected to the drinking water supply. Brem said that it is possible to use the heated water for non-potable uses, such as washing a car. The Board did not think this needed to be addressed at this time. There is a certain amount of personal responsibility involved in how an owner uses his water supply. The Board considered procedures for abandoning wells. This was a problem at the Coventry Woods Development. Eventually the developer had the five public wells capped. The Board agreed that the draft, which is based on DEP Model Well Guidelines addresses this issue. Risso suggested adding language that the requirements for abandoning and securing a well are subject to enforcement by the Board of Health and within a certain
period. The Board will decide whether the additional language is necessary when it review the final draft. Holland said the two big issues to address are private wells in multi-family development and private irrigation wells in a development with a community water supply. Risso said water usage for irrigation could be significant.
The Board agreed to require a 24-hour flow test on the new well(s) and the monitoring of existing private wells within 500’ for any development with three or more housing units. Monitoring of the existing wells will be at the owner’s choice. The Board also agreed to require the testing of private irrigation wells, which are part of a development with a community water supply during the testing for the public water supplies.
A revised draft will be distributed prior to the next meeting.
CLEAN HARBORS CONTRACT – The Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for 5/30/08. There has been a considerable price increase, particularly in the set up fee, from last year. The collection is held once a year. Fantasia asked whether the Board would prefer a fall collection. It was agreed that spring works better.
It was moved (Risso) and seconded (Deignan) to approve the Agreement with Clean Harbors for a spring residential hazardous waste collection. Motion passed 4-0-0.
BUILDING INSPECTOR – John Luther appeared before the Board. He was appointed Building Commissioner six months ago. Luther noted that the two departments, health and building, often work closely together. The first item to discuss concerned the new Trench Safety Regulation. Luther agreed that there are a number of problems with the new regulation, which may make it difficult to enforce. For the Board of Health, the regulations will apply to septic system installations. Any excavation deeper than 36” and less than 15’ wide is considered a trench. The new regulation will affect sewer and water lines. Frado will note trench permit requirements during his plan review. Luther issues the permit. The Selectmen appointed him the town’s inspector. The new
regulations require that any open trench be secured with a 6’ chain link fencing or steel plates. Inspections are not required unless there is a complaint. The fee for a permit if $100.
Luther also noted that geothermal wells are another new permitting area. Currently the Building Dept. issues gas and electric permits, nothing specific to geothermal units, which can be closed or open looped. The state has given very little direction on how to evaluate these systems. Luther will be looking to the Board of Health for permitting the wells. The Board agreed the homeowners are looking to alternative means of waste disposal and home heating. The Board referred to the composting toilet at 180 Prospect Street. Luther said he was aware of the construction and noted that the two toilets cost $25,000. Ferns Country Store was looking into installing composting toilets, but not at this price.
Luther said he also works closely with the Health Agent on room counts. Brem said the Board takes a generous view on room counts. More rooms do not necessarily mean more people. A five or six bedroom system should be able to handle any size house. Luther said there are also new regulations on hydronic heating systems such as outside wood boilers. The state has devised new construction requirements. There is no grandfathering clause. Boilers must be a certain distance from the house. They can be a source of air pollution.
The Board explained that it had recently revised local septic regulations by eliminating the 50% additional leaching capacity for garbage grinders. Now this is only required if a grinder is installed. Some owners are taking advantage of the new regulation to accommodate an addition. The Board is hoping that the Building Inspector will help enforce the new regulation by checking for grinders. Luther said he would have no problem with this.
The Board also noted that it must sometimes deal with sanitary code violations. Luther agreed that the two departments should work together on building and sanitary code violations, which often overlap. He referred 103 Meadowbrook Road, which was an example of an unpermitted accessory building that involved both departments. Another example is 21-23 Bedford Road , which is in a state of disrepair. The structure, which is unoccupied, is open to the elements and may need to be demolished. Luther has been trying to get the owners to put up a safety fence and make necessary repairs. He may need to go to court to resolve the problem. The Board noted that the house is in a Historic District, which will complicate matters.
The Board asked Luther about the school generator, which has yet to be installed. Luther said he has approved the location and connections. DPW needs to dig the trenches.
The Board thanked Luther for meeting with them and looked forward to working with him in the future.
State Revolving Fund – DEP will not release the $20,000 grant until a loan has been processed. This is a change from the original guidelines. Given the budget constraints, the Board agreed to ask that the funds be released either in full or in one-half. The Board’s staff has spent considerable time preparing and advertising the loan package. The grant money would be used to reimburse the Board’s accounts. The Board agreed to send a letter to Nihar Mohanty, DEP, asking for release of the funds.
There was no further business. Meeting voted to adjourn at 10:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Fantasia
Recorder
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