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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health -- 2020-11-18 Minutes �i Town Of Brewster' o \\ f T 2198 MAIN STET °xW +�1 ��f� BREWSTER, MASSACHUSET 5 02631 - 1898 Health Department 0 }r FAmy L . von Hone, R. S . , C .H. O . Director U � r PHONE : 508 . 896 . 3701 EXT. 1120 Q t N = FAX : 508 . 896 .4538 Sherrie McCullough, R. S . r " y ` -= _�S •� = bthealth t brewster-ma. gov Assistant Director jJ� C RPOA 3p ����\ WWW. BREWSTER-MA. GOV m 41 /f/��7yy7/llI/lltt11111111111t111\\\\\\\���\\ Senior Department Assistant Board of Health Meeting11 ij Wednesday November 18, 2020 at 7:OOPM Remote Participation Meeting Board members on remotely: Carmen Scherzo, DVM , Chair; Penny Holeman, MPH, MA, MS, Vice Chair; Annette Graczewski, MT (ASCP), Joe Ford and Jeannie Kampas Others present remotely: Amy von Hone, R.S ., C . H .O ., Health Director and Tammi Mason, Senior Department Assistant Dr. Scherzo stated that for anyone wanting to listen to the meeting can do so via the Town of Brewster livestream at http :ZZvideo . brewster- ma . gov//`­cablecastPublicSite/? channel = 1 or on Channel 18 and anyone that has a question or comment could email them to healthboardmeeting@brewster- ma . gov 1 . Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 7 :OOPM 2 . Chairman 's announcements This week we had the hopeful news of two potential mRNA Covid - 19 vaccines having 90% efficacy, We also had the news of over 150, 000 daily new Covid - 19 cases in the United States . Then today, we had the Cape Cod Times report 69 new Covid - 19 cases in Barnstable County, double the historical number. This is a problematic increase in community spread Covid - 19 cases in primarily the nearby Mid Cape. It is most important that we navigate the near future safely while we await final approval of each vaccine. All residents need to be extra diligent about isolating, wearing a face mask, social distancing and regular hand washing . Please stay safe this Thanksgiving, this virus is scary. At Mrs. Graczewski ' suggestion, yesterday I listened to a presentation of the New England Water Environment Association on nitrogen limiting I/A systems . The highlight for me was that although Title 5 currently requires I/A systems to limit nitrogen to 19 mg/L, there is now a recognition of new technologies that limit nitrogen to 5 or 10 mg/L without an increase in cost. These more efficient systems could become the new standard and would be most helpful in lowering septic systems contribution of nitrogen to TMDL's. The names of a few of the lower limiting nitrogen technology companies are: NitROE, Fuji -Clean, Nitrex, George Heufelder' s wood chip non - proprietary technology and Hydro Kinetic Waste Treatment Systems . NitRoe, Fuji - clean and Nitrex already have provisional approval . I Citizen 's forum None. 4. Tobacco Regulation discussion Mrs . Graczewski thinks that the focus of the Health Department will be on Covid - 19 for the next few weeks, if not months and thinks that whatever the most reasonable approach for them is what she would advocate for. She stated that she had previously suggested starting with the MHOA template and incorporating the State regulation into it so that if there are changes made, going forward the Board wouldn 't have to keep revisiting the local regulation . Ms. Holeman stated that she would prefer to start with the MHOA template also . BOH 11 / 18/2020 Minutes Page 2 Dr. Scherzo stated that he spoke with the Tobacco Control group and asked them about the 2"d to last paragraph " Statement of Purpose", which deals with " Educational Institutions selling tobacco" and they thought that it was no longer relevant and could be removed with no issues. He stated that he is in favor of removing it. The Board agreed with that. Mrs . Graczewski thinks the State Regulation should be incorporated . Discussion about fines went back and forth with the Board . Mr. Ford made a motion to adopt the State Regulations and if the Board want to adjust the fines at a later date, it can be brought back to the Board . There was no second . Dr. Scherzo moved on to other sections of the regulations . Under " Definitions", Mrs . von Hone asked for clarity if the Board is essentially stating that no new adult only retail tobacco stores would be allowed . Mrs . Kampas asked if they were allowed under the Town 's Zoning Bylaws , Mrs , von Hone stated that a stand -alone store is not allowed, however, if someone were to take an existing retail store and turn a portion of it into an adult only store that may be a possibility. Mr. Ford spoke about the " incidental sales" required for a stand - alone store . Dr. Scherzo spoke about the distance between an adult store and a retail store and asked if the Board wanted to put a distance in . The Board will come back to this one . Under "Tobacco Sales", Mrs . Graczewski stated that she thinks the # of permits should stay at 10. She also spoke about violations from the same establishment within a year's time. There was back and forth discussion about the appeal process , Mrs . Kampas stated that she thought it should be in writing and submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration date . There were questions about in house variances coming back to the Board or if they would be handled by the Health Department staff. The Board agreed to bring this back to the next meeting for more discussion . 5 . Discuss & vote on updated septic variance conditions There was back and forth discussion on this . The Board agreed to bring this back to a later date . 6. Review & Approve minutes from 9/16/20, 10/21 /20 & 11 /4/20 A few minor corrections were discussed . Motion : Approve the minutes with corrections . Motion : Joe Ford Second: Jeannie Kampas Vote: Penny Holeman — yes Action : Motion carried Annette Graczewski — yes Joe Ford — yes Jeannie Kampas — yes Carmen Scherzo — yes Motion : Approve the minutes with corrections Motion : Annette Graczewski Second : Penny Holeman Vote: Penny Holeman — yes Action: Motion carried Annette Graczewski — yes Joe Ford — yes Jeannie Kampas — yes Carmen Scherzo - yes BOH 11 /18/2020 Minutes Page $ Motion : Approve minutes as written Motion : Annette Graczewski Second: Penny Holeman Vote: Penny Holeman — yes Action: Motion carried Annette Graczewski — yes Joe Ford — yes Jeannie Kampas — yes Carmen Scherzo — yes 7. Matters not reasonably anticipated by the Chair Mrs. Graczewski stated that Meg Morris, Chair of the Recycling Committee received a lifetime achievement award . 8. Next meeting : December 2, 2020 Noted , 9. Informational items Noted . Meeting adjourned at 9 : OOPM