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Home My Public Portal AboutBoard of Health -- 2024-04-03 MinutesTown of Brewster 2198 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS 02631-1898 PHONE: 508.896.3701 EXT. 1120 FAX: 508.896.4538 brhealthr brewster-ma.gov W W W.BREW STER-MA.GOV Board of Health Meeting Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 6:30PM Town Hall, Room B Health Department Amy L. von Hone, RS., C.H.O. Director Sherrie McCullough, R.S. Assistant Director Tammi Mason Senior Department Assistant Board members present: David Bennett, Chair (Virtual); Kimberley Crocker Pearson, MS, MD, MPH, Vice Chair; Penny Holeman, MPH, MA, MS; Abigail Archer and John Keith Others present: Amy von Hone, R.S., C.H.O., Health Director, Sherrie McCullough, R.S., Assistant Health Director and Joe Smith, NSU 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM. 2. Declaration of a quorum Quorum present. 3. Recording statement Noted. 4. Chair announcements None. 5. Citizen's forum None. 6. I/A Technology Non -Compliance hearings and updates a. 56 McGuerty Road Joe Smith, NSU was present. He explained to the Board that they did an influent flow characterization to look for variables that may be inhibiting the treatment process from occurring. This is a Singulair system. After doing the influent flow characterization, it showed high quaternary ammonia, which does inhibit the treatment process. They are going to continue to work with the homeowners as far as what they are using for cleaning products, etc. in hopes of getting the numbers to where they should be. JK asked if this was a seasonal home, if there were any conservation efforts being done and if there was too much septic tank pumping. JS stated that as far as he knows it is a year-round home, he is unaware of any conservation efforts and pumping is not too frequent. JS noted that maintenance is scheduled for April 16tH b. 34 Captain Connolly Road N:\Health\from Shari\MSWORK FOLDERS\MEETINGS\BOH\4.3.24 minutes.doc AVH stated that this is a 2015 Perc Rite, Pressure Dose system, which was installed because they could not meet the 300' setback to the pond, property is in Zone II and DCPC and is also in the Herring River Watershed. They are required to have a contract with an inspection once per year. This property has not been in compliance since the system was installed. 2 letters have gone out, with the last one being a certified letter. JK stated that the residents of this home are here very infrequently. DB asked about penalties. AVH went over the fines. Motion: Proceed with the issuance of a penalty and fines against the homeowners for failure to respond to the BOH certified letter. Motion: David Bennett Second: Abigail Archer KCP asked what this meant in terms of what physically happens next. AVH stated that she would need to confirm this KCP recommended that it be run by Town Counsel for recommendations on how to proceed. Motion: Proceed with the issuance of a penalty and fines against the homeowners for failure to respond to the BOH certified letter subject to Town Counsel approval Motion: David Bennett Second: Abigial Archer Vote: 4-0-1 (JK voted no) Action: Motion carried 7. Review and discuss local BOH regulations and policy: a. Leaching Facility Setback Regulation b. Real Estate Transfer Inspection Regulation c. In -House Septic Variance Policy JK went over what he and AA met about in the subcommittee meeting. AVH stated that this needs to be a part of a much bigger discussion with regards to wastewater planning and watershed permitting. A consultant may be needed to oversee the process. DB told the Board his thoughts and that he would like to have a discussion on this at the next meeting so that everyone would have an opportunity to look over what the subcommittee put together. 8. Discuss proposed Short Term Rental Bylaw AVH — there are 2 Short Term Rental Bylaw Citizen's Petitions on the May Town Meeting warrant. They are the same ones as last November with changes made to them. They would do the following: -require all short-term rentals to register with the Town of Brewster -limit the number of short-term rentals that a property owner can register -year-round residents can register 2 homes -non-year-round residents can register 1 home The thought of the petitioner is that if the short-term rentals are restricted, it will increase the number of year-round rentals. There was a study done in Provincetown that showed that even with a Short -Term Rental Bylaw, it did not significantly increase the number of year-round rentals. There was also no substantial increase in the number of short-term rentals that were already registered with the State. The impact on staff would be not enough time to get additional staff, budget and create a program by the January 11t start date. The articles are proposing to put the Health Department in charge of the registration process and to ensure that properties meet all housing and Title 5 regulations. KCP asked if there is revenue included in this proposal. AVH stated that it would fall within the registration fees. There are currently 1100 on the State registration for Brewster. Almost all the complaints the Health Department gets are from year-round rentals. The Select Board does have this issue on their radar for FY '25. NAHealth\from Shari\MSWORK FOLDERS\MEETINGS\BO1-f\4.3.24 minutes.doc JK feels that this bylaw may be misplaced with the Health Department. DB stated that the Board of Health is not in a position to vote on or make suggestions on individual articles. 9. Update on proposed Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition for Pesticides KCP told the Board that the Home Rule for Pesticides Reduction was discussed at the Select Board meeting on the 25th. A decision was made not to place this on the spring warrant. The plan is for the Town to take some time and bring together a group of all the departments that would be impacted and hash out what the right process will be going forward. She spoke about Wild Care and their concerns with pesticides used for killing rodents. 10. Review and approve minutes from 3/6/24 Motion: Approve minutes as written Motion: Abigail Archer Second: David Bennett Vote: 3-0-2 (JK & PH abstained) Action: Motion carried 11. Liaison Reports DB- WRTF — Mark Nelson gave an update on the golf course fertilizer management. They spoke to the Ponds Coalition about the Integrated Water Management Plan. AA — Recycling Committee — swap shop will be opening soon. The Fix It clinic went really well. There will be another one held in August. They will be reinforcing messaging on paper products and what is and what is not recyclable and what needs to go where for Brewster Conservation Day. There is a sub committee working on the black plastic plant pot issue. There was an excellent report on the school organics & recycling program, at the Eddy Elementary School. PH — COA — work is still progressing on the 5 -year plan. 12. Matters not reasonably anticipated by the Chair None. 13. Items for next agenda Regulation review, BOH ideas for Conservation Day. 14. Next meeting: April 17, 2024 Noted. Informational items were noted. Meeting adjourned at 7:45PM. ** Accompanying documents in packet: agenda, I/A updates, Short Term Rental Bylaw proposal, minutes, informational items NAHealth\from Shari\MSWORK FOLDERS\MEETINGS\BOH\4.3.24 minutes.doc