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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health -- 2020-05-06 Minutes `\``��1�1Q1uttlllllttlrrulili�i�rlf Town of Brewster \ V k E W /lr f vl' � r ' ��i BREWSTER, MMAIN SACHUSETTS 02631 - 1898 Health Department Amy L. von Hone, RS . , C.H. O . ar Q 'n Director 0% �Y PHONE : 508 . 896 . 3701 EXT. 1120 r Q 1 = FAX : 508 . 896 .4538 Sherrie McCullough, R. S. Vo `� = = brhealth(it�brewster-nia. 00v Assistant Director / � est,� `�` - �%jl�l/lllfl / Tammi Mason �$Po $ 1 ,\�,`. WWW.BREWSTER-MA. GOV Senior Department Assistant Board of Health Meeting Wednesday May 6, 2020 at 5 :OOPM Remote Participation Meeting Board members on remotely: Annette Graczewski, MT (ASCP), Chair; Carmen Scherzo, DVM , Vice Chair; Joe Ford, Penny Hausser Holeman, MPH , MA, MS and Lucas Dinwiddie Others present remotely: Amy von Hone, R. S . , C . H . O ., Health Director, Sherrie McCullough, R . S ., Assistant Health Director, Tammi Mason, Senior Department Assistant, Robin Wilcox, Sweeter Engineering, Stephanie Sequin, Ryder & Wilcox and Alexander Wentworth, Homeowner of 972 Stony Brook Road Mrs . Graczewski gave an overview of how the meeting would work and that if anyone listening to the meeting had a question or comment they could email them to healthboardmeetina@brewster- ma . aov 1 . Chairman 's announcements None 2 . Citizens Forum No questions or comments from the public . 3 . Sweetser Engineering - 121 Spring Lane (Sandyside Properties LLC) — Title 5 and Local variance requests Robin Wilcox from Sweetser Engineering presented this to the Board . The following variances are requested : 1 . To allow there to be a 15 ' separation between the SAS and crawl space 2 . To allow there to be a 16 ' separation between the pump chamber and crawl space 3 . To allow a sieve analysis in place of a percolation test 4. To allow a 9 " separation between the pump chamber inverts and groundwater 5 , To allow no reserve area 6 . To allow a 61 ' separation between the SAS and a wetland (BVW) Mr. Wilcox stated that this was a 112 acre lot with a failed septic system, which resulted from a septic inspection . There are currently 5 bedrooms in the home but with this septic upgrade, they will be downsizing to 4 bedrooms . The existing system is about 25 ' from the edge of the BVW to the North and there is an open ditch to the South of the existing system . BOH 5/6/2020 Minutes Page 2 They will be rerouting the existing septic by way of a pump chamber, elevating it up above groundwater. Because the existing tank is already in and less than the 12 " DEP requires, the pump chamber will be closer to groundwater. The tank and pump chamber will be above the adjusted groundwater. The pump chamber will have an elastomeric seal and pneumatic concrete will be used to seal the invert so that there will be no infiltration into the leaching facility. The distances to the wetlands are adequate under Title 5, however, they are less than 100' under BOH regulations and there is no place else to put the system because of the wetlands to the North & South . Mrs. Graczewski stated that all the variances requests are not on the paperwork and that would need to be fixed prior to final approval . Mr. Dinwiddie questioned the Board ' s authority with regards to the owners eliminating a bedroom . Mr. Wilcox stated that he felt the Town would be better served with the reduction to 4 bedrooms . Mrs . Graczewski stated that this is not before the Board for the reduction of a bedroom, just the variances requested . Mrs . von Hone spoke about the Environmentally Sensitive Area part of the Board of Health regulations with regards to the variances requested and stated that the Board of Health is allowed to grant variances if it is a straight forward upgrade, if additional flow was proposed, it would need to meet much stricter standards . Ms . Hausser Holeman had no comments . Mr. Ford thinks this is an improvement over what is there and has no other comments . Mrs . Graczewski thinks this is an improvement over the system that is in the ground and has no concerns with the proposed plans . Dr. Scherzo wanted to confirm that the 18` of glacier clay under the SAS would be removed and wanted to state that the Town records show this lot as having 16, 670SF and the plan shows 22, 833SF, which he believes is correct. Mr. Wilcox stated that all unsuitable material will be removed . Motion : Finding that this would be an improvement over what is currently there, and there will be a reduction in the number of bedrooms, approve the variances as requested . Revised plans need to be submitted that show the addition of the 39' variance request for the wetlands to the SAS Motion: Carmen Scherzo Second: Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Carmen Scherzo — yes Action: Motion carried Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Joe Ford — yes Lucas Dinwidde — yes Annette Graczewski - yes 4. Ryder & Wilcox — 972 Stony Brook Road (Alexandar & Kristen Wentworth) - local variance request Stephanie Sequin, Ryder & Wilcox, presented this to the Board . This is a 4 .4 acre site which is a panhandle lot. Developed area is a very long distance from road . It is a 4 bedroom home with its own Title 5 . There is a well on the property. There is Town water available but the distance is daunting . There is a detached barn which is a significant distance from the house . The owners would like to put an addition on this and make BOH 5/6/2020 Minutes Page 3 it a 1 bedroom second dwelling on the lot. The proposed addition is significantly lower than the house which makes it not feasible to tie into the existing system . A completely separate system will have to be installed and based on the estimated groundwater flow direction, which is roughly in a NE direction, the well protection zone around the existing well hovers pretty much over all of the existing system . There wouldn 't be a way to get a new system outside of that protection zone . The variance requested is to allow the proposed SAS to be 198' from the well . The soil conditions were verified as fine loamy sand . The Brewster maps say that groundwater elevation is approximately at 20 . When Mrs . Sequin converted her drawing data to data that is used for the Brewster maps, she comes up with 35 ' above groundwater (going from bottom of the proposed SAS) . There will be a 2 compartment tank with a 1500 gallon capacity because it is a second dwelling . Mrs . Graczewski stated that it is not very often that this type of variance comes before the Board and asked that Dr. Scherzo give some guidance . Dr. Scherzo stated that it was his understanding that the Private Well Regulation is only applied when you initially install the well . After it' s installed then you go with the 100' separation that is required for the well to the septic system . He is not sure a variance is even required . Mrs . Graczewski is also unsure if a variance is needed . Dr. Scherzo asked if the proposed home is a single floor. Ms. Sequin stated that it would have a drive under garage and a single floor of living space . Dr. Scherzo stated that he would like to see the Board require that the owners test this well regularly to make sure there are no issues . Mrs . Graczewski asked Mrs . von Hone if she could clarify whether or not the Board needed to grant a variance . Mrs . von Hone stated that the Board could make a motion that a variance is not needed but if that were the case, she doesn ' t believe that any conditions could be added . Motion : Variance is not required for this addition . The Board recommends that the well is tested regularly for 3 years. Motion : Carmen Scherzo Second : Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Carmen Scherzo — yes Action: Motion carried Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Joe Ford — yes Lucas Dinwiddie — yes Annette Graczewski — yes 5 . Farmers Market discussion and update for summer 2020 Sherrie McCullough , Assistant Health Director spoke about what has been happening with the Farmers Market during the pandemic . On March 23 , 2020 the Governor deemed farmers markets as an essential service . The Brewster Historical Society Farmers Market under the direction of their market manager, Sadie Hill is operating a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) delivery program . A weekly pre -ordered delivery of fresh produce, baked goods, pasta sauce, jams, beeswax candles and cheese and eggs is being offered . There are currently 11 farmers participating . All products other than fresh produce are coming from licensed retail vendors . The market manager does all the pick up BOH 5/6/2020 Minutes Page 4 from the farms, boxes the individual orders and delivers to subscribers . She is taking all necessary precautions to not spread COVID - 19 . The deliveries occur on Wednesdays . There are roughly 50 deliveries a week and there are no plans to expand on that at this point . The standard operating procedure for the Brewster Historical Society CSA delivery is as follows : Vendors will use safe handling procedures : • Wash hands and wear gloves before handling product • Wash produce/eggs to the best of their abilities • Wear gloves and mask while packaging products • Pick up/transfer of product to market manager will take place curbside • Refrigerated products (eggs and cheese) will be left out for pick up in a cooler Market Manager (pick up and deliveries) will use safe handling procedures : • Wash hands, wear gloves and mask while handling and picking up product • Refrigerated products will be stored in cooler for transport 0 Deliveries will be curbside ( or porch side) items requiring refrigeration will only be left curbside if there is a confirmation someone is home All payments will be prepaid through website, no POD will be accepted . Dr, Scherzo commended Mrs . McCullough for all the hard work she has done . He wanted to make sure that there was no market going on at the windmill . Mrs . McCullough stated that at this time it is delivery only and that they had just started talking about how to handle having an actual farmers market this summer with all the restrictions that would have to be in place . 6 . Tobacco update An informational memo was sent to all Tobacco Permit holders about the changes that were starting June 111 (ban on all flavored products, tax on vaping products, etc. ) Mrs . Graczewski spoke about the work that Ms . Hausser Holeman had done, going through the states regulations and our regulations . She wanted the Board to see everything that Ms . Hausser Holeman had done so that they could absorb it and be able to talk about it at a later date . Ms . Hausser Holeman stated that she took the model regulation as her template. The first page includes policy decisions that the State flagged for all of the Boards of Health . She then created a chart. The last column says " section ", which is the section of the model regulation that she is referring to and then the text is referring right to the exact section . If anything differs, please let her know so she can make corrections . The 3rd column is just how she compared what the model regulations states compared to what the Brewster regulation states . Mrs . Graczewski stated that this will come back at a later date due to all the evolving COVID- 19 issues . 7. COVID - 19 update Mrs. Grazcewski stated that as of 5/6/20, the Governor has ordered that everyone over the age of 2 (with the exception of those who have a medical condition that prohibits them from wearing one) must wear a mask indoors in public buildings and outside when social distancing cannot be adhered to . This does not take the place of social distancing and good hygiene. She stressed that people should be continuing to wash their hands and practicing good hygiene as this mask order is to help with the spread, not prevent it. The Governor has also created a task force which includes members of the BOH 5/6/2020 Minutes Page 5 public and private sectors to consider business resumption planning for the State . Guidance from this group is expected by May 18, 2020 and we should know more by then about the Governors planned staged opening for the State of Massachusetts. Peter Lombardi, Town Administrator has been asked to participate in similar discussions in a work group that is addressing the needs of our specific region . Mr. Lombardi, along with business leaders, other municipal employees and legislative representatives who understand the unique challenges we have had are entertaining discussions about possible advisories or possible recommendations specific to our region that might be forthcoming in addition to the State 's recommendations . Mrs. Graczewski stated that she feels fortunate that the Town has Mr. Lombardi ' s representation in the discussions . In the past several weeks, Mr. Lombardi has held a series of conversations with community stakeholders, including representatives from social services, nursing homes, police & fire departments, non - profit stay safe organizations and some business leaders . These conversations are intended to offer these representatives the opportunity to air the challenges each of them are experiencing due to the pandemic . Acknowledging that the State will soon be engaged in efforts to resume business and in recognition for the diversity of everyone' s experiences as relayed in the community conversations, Mr. Lombardi has also proposed the creation of a Brewster re - opening advisory coalition comprised of individuals from Town government, public health, public safety, natural resources, social services and the business community. This work is already taking place at the State and County level and now we will be engaging in it at the local level . The focus of the group will be to determine what works best for Brewster, including anything that appears to set us apart from the region and what may be required of Brewster residents, visitors or businesses . Mrs . Graczewski stated that she is part of that group . Mrs . von Hone told the Board that there are currently 92 cases in Brewster. 72 are in long term care facilities . She stated that outside of the cases in the long term care facilities, there have not been a lot of new cases in the last few weeks . It' s been difficult to track the numbers and part of the problem is that the National Guard is testing the long term care facilities residents and staff across the State and when they come in and test, all the data that comes from that testing block comes in as a whole . Sometimes, a positive can be in the long term care facility but they don 't live in Brewster. She also spoke about the violation fine with the new mask order. A warning would be issued first, but then a $ 300 fine can be issued . We are currently on hold with that until we can get information from the State . It is a non - criminal disposition, which usually means that we don 't control the fine, the state would . Mrs . Graczewski stated that the Governor wants compliance so education is very important. 8. Discussion and vote to endorse consensus Regional Guidance for Returning Seasonal Community This document was compiled by the legislature in conjunction with the Health Chair entities and Chamber of Commerces in several areas relative to travel on to Cape Cod . It is just an advisory that asks people to self — quarantine for 14 days and not to travel if they are displaying symptoms . Mrs . von Hone believes that this has already been released to the public. Dr. Scherzo has concerns because the Governor had issued an order requiring face coverings with a noncompliance fine ( if applicable) and this document doesn't talk about the requirement to wear the face coverings in public, it only " advises" it. Mrs . von Hone stated that it wouldn 't matter because the State order would take precedent over any Town order that is " less stringent" . Motion . Endorse the travel guidelines BOH 5/6/2020 Minutes Page 6 Motion : Lucas Dinwiddie Second : Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Lucas Dinwiddie - yes Action : Motion passed Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Joe Ford — yes Carmen Scherzo — abstained Annette Graczewski — yes 9. Discussion and vote to accept use of Electronic Signatures This is coming up because Town Hall is closed . Mrs . von Hone stated that the Board needed to vote to accept electronic signatures in place of wet signatures . Once she gets the approval she will get the correct verbiage and then it would have to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds . Motion : The Board of Health hereby recognizes and accepts the provision of MGL Chapter 110G regarding electronic signatures and that henceforth its members will execute documents either with electronic signatures or with a wet ink signature and that both will carry the same legal weight and effect . Motion : Annette Graczewski Second : Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Lucas Dinwiddie — yes Action : Motion carried Penny Hausser Holeman —yes Joe Ford — yes Carmen Scherzo - yes Annette Graczewski - yes 10 . Approve minutes from 3/18/2020 & 4/ 1 /2020 Hold off on approving these so the Board can have a chance to go over them because of the problem with the audio recording , There were no liaison reports . Informational items were noted . Meeting adjourned at 6 :30PM