HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100107 - Board of Health - Meeting MinutesMinutes for the Board of Health meeting on January 7, 2010
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Present:
David Edson, Chairman
Mark Gates, Vice Chairman
Paul Wright, M.D.
Edward F. Wirtanen, Public Health Administrator
Anna Rogers, Administrative Assistant, IAA, LUPP
The Board began the meeting at 7:05 PM by welcoming Ms. Rogers, Inspections
Administrative Assistant, who will be taking the Minutes for the Board of Health
meetings under the new Department of Land Use, Planning and Permitting (DLUPP).
The Board reviewed the Minutes of December 17, 2009. Dr. Wright moved that the
Minutes be approved as written. Mr. Gates seconded the motion and all members voted
in favor.
1. Appointments:
1.1 7:15 PM: Medallion Builders, 15 DiCarlo Road – Ben Corsini,
Medallion Builders, described the proposed work room over the garage.
He stated the addition of the room will increase the room number count to
10 and the septic system is designed for 4 bedrooms. He stated it will be a
finished work room with heating, but no closets or plumbing. Mr. Edson
asked about windows in the room and Mr. Corsini stated there are two
existing windows and two proposed windows. Mr. Corsini stated the
garage is 2 floors high, so there will be no exterior changes except the
windows. He stated the new room will be at the same level as the first
floor of the house, but the owners will have to exit the house before
entering the work room. A discussion was held regarding handling deed
restrictions at the office level. A discussion was held regarding deed
restrictions in their current form and whether it would be helpful for the
Board to draft their own restrictions, as the version from the Department
of Environmental Protection is geared toward new construction. Mr.
Gates asked if the homeowners were made aware of the deed restriction
and the option to upgrade the septic system to a 5 bedroom system instead
and Mr. Corsini stated he gave them all the information on it. Mr. Gates
moved to approve the deed restriction. Dr. Wright seconded the motion
and all members voted in favor.
2. Agenda Items:
CSMP Loan Program. No applications or actions required.
3. Office Update:
a. New Business
3.1.2 2011 FY Budget for Board as submitted 12/28/09 – Mr. Wirtanen stated
he is anticipating meetings with the Town Manager in the near future to
discuss the budget. He stated things have slowed down for the
Department, but he tried to be conservative with the budget. He stated he
Minutes for the Board of Health meeting on January 7, 2010
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will let the members know when the meeting will be held. He stated he
expects the Town Manager will submit the budget for the entire Town
Hall to the Finance Committee.
3.1.3 Annual Town Report Department Narrative for approval – Mr.
Wirtanen stated he added the updated department information and used the
same format as previous versions.
Mr. Gates asked if there have been any problems with trench permits. Mr.
Wirtanen stated those are handled through the DPW.
Dr. Wright asked how long septic installers licenses are valid for. Mr.
Wirtanen stated they are valid for one calendar year. He stated they are in
the process of renewing all the septic installers, septic haulers and rubbish
haulers. He stated food establishments licenses will be renewed starting in
June.
Mr. Edson asked what constitutes a semi-public pool. Mr. Wirtanen stated
facilities such as EMC and the Laborers Training Center have pool that are
available for workers and outings, but not publically open.
Dr. Wright moved that they submit the Department Narrative as written
for the 2009 Annual Town Report. Mr. Gates seconded the motion with
all members voting in favor.
3.1.4 Letters of reference for staff, food inspector and health agent – Mr.
Wirtanen stated these letters were prompted because the food inspector
was interviewing for a part time position with the state and needed a letter
of reference. He stated he figured it would be good to have letters of
reference on file for all the staff. Dr. Wright moved to sign the letters of
reference for Mr. Wirtanen, Mr. Besso and Ms. Grossman as written. Mr.
Gates seconded the motion with all members voting in favor.
3.1.5 Emergency Communication - Code Red – Authorization to use
$4,750.00 from PHEP grant for this reverse 911 system – Mr. Wirtanen
stated the Town has moved away from the Connect CTY system it had for
notifying residents of emergency and non-emergency events. He stated he
would like to use $4,750.00 from the PHEP grant to pay for a 6 month
contract for the new Code Red system. He stated the new system is for
emergencies only, but it allows for more accurate isolated location
notification. He stated many times this grant money is either wasted or
turned back into the state, so it would be a win-win for the Town.
Mr. Wirtanen stated he would also like to look into buying a new larger
refrigerator to store vaccines at the Fire Station. He stated the Board also
got notified that they won’t be getting the gloves, wipes, etc. with the
H1N1 vaccines.
Mr. Gates moved to authorize the use of the PHEP grant money to pay for
a 6 month contract with Code Red. Dr. Wright seconded the motion with
all members voting in favor.
After a discussion about cost differences between Connect CTY and Code
Red, Dr. Wright asked why Code Red cost less. Mr. Wirtanen stated they
are new to New England and probably just trying to get their name out
there for now.
Minutes for the Board of Health meeting on January 7, 2010
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3.1.6 BOH permanent records relocation – Mr. Wirtanen stated the Board’s
archived records, except 11 active boxes, will be stored at the Fruit Street
DPW facility. He stated the active boxes along with 7 lateral file cabinets
will be kept at Town Hall.
Mr. Edson asked about Point Software and whether the final bill had been
paid and Mr. Wirtanen stated yes, it was paid by the Building Department.
Mr. Wirtanen stated presentations will be set up in the near future
regarding permitting software for the DLUPP.
3.1.7 Revised Order of Succession/Confidential Directory – Mr. Wirtanen
presented revised Order of Succession and Confidential Directories to the
members.
3.1.8 Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM unless BOH meeting? – Mr.
Wirtanen stated the Town Manager has stated that all offices need to be
open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily. He stated he leaves the office early
on the Friday following Board meetings, but monitors e-mail and phone
messages from home. Mr. Gates argued that he believes the only ones
who can set Board of Health hours is the Board itself. The Board decided
that closing the office on Friday’s after Board meetings at 12:00 PM is
acceptable.
3.1.9 Revised vacation schedule – Mr. Wirtanen stated he had originally asked
for four days off in mid-January, but would now like to take two days off
in mid-January and 3 days off in late January. Mr. Edson signed off on
the requested days.
b. Old Business
3.2.1 Administrative Assistance – Mr. Wirtanen stated they have started the
cross training for the administrative assistants. He stated Judi Murphy has
continued to provide some assistance in the office. A discussion was held
regarding the Loan Program and whether it would still be handled in the
office.
3.2.2 H1N1/Seasonal Flu vaccination program. Mr. Wirtanen stated a public
clinic has been set for January 23rd at the Middle School for H1N1
vaccines with a snow date of January 30th. He stated they have started
pre-registration online and in the office. He stated Hopkinton Drug also
has some vaccines available. Dr. Wright asked about a clinic for Seasonal
Flu vaccines. Mr. Wirtanen stated he is waiting to hear from the VNA and
would most likely schedule the clinic at the Senior Center. He stated he
will send the members more information on both clinics when he has the
specifics.
3.2.3 Proposed new tobacco by-law – Mr. Wirtanen stated the by-law is for
review purposes at this meeting. He stated if the Board voted to do so, it
would be inserted into the local by-laws. Mr. Gates stated he doesn’t like
it and it is a bad direction to go in. Mr. Edson stated he sees issues with
enforcement. Mr. Gates stated it would be better dealt with at Town
Meeting and Mr. Wirtanen agreed that it would hold more value with the
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Town weighing in on it. The matter was put on the Agenda for the
January 21, 2010 meeting.
3.2.4 Future Meetings – Mr. Wirtanen stated the office staff now has to go
through the Facilities Department to book meeting rooms. Dr. Wright
stated he will not be able to attend the February 18th meeting. Mr. Edson
stated he is not sure of his schedule yet.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Rogers Approved on: January 21, 2010