Public Meeting
January 22, 2009
Grace Gouveia – Room 10
5:00 p.m.
Members Present: Jerry
Anathan, Duane Gregory,
and John Livingstone.
Members Absent: Tom Gaudreau and Ken Janson
Staff: Jane Evans, Health Agent
Brian Carlson, Health Inspector (excused)
The meeting was called to
order at 5:03 p.m.
Public Comments
There were none.
Old Business
415-417 Commercial Street
Appeal Health Agents Decision
A letter dated January 22nd
was received from Lester J. Murphy, the attorney for the owner, Harriet Hobbs,
asking for a continuance of the case. He
wants to meet with Russell Braun prior to his appeal; Russell has been on
vacation.
Motion: Move to continue the case until the next
meeting on February 12th.
Motion: Duane Gregory Seconded: Jerry Anathan Vote: 3-0-0.
New Business
6 Duncan Lane
Appeal Health Agents Decision
for required 6’ door opening
Kathy Schiappa & Helen
Ryde, the two owners, presented their case to the BoH. They are planning major renovations to the
property and their architect told them that all they needed for a room opening
was 4 ft and thus it would not be considered a possible bedroom. 6 ft as the minimum opening has been the
policy of the board for quite some time.
The Town’s website published regulations does not state this. Duane and Jane both recalled that this was
part of the bedroom definition but perhaps it was never properly published. If
necessary, the board will advertise a new public hearing to include those
specifics in the bedroom definition.
.
Motion: Move to uphold the Health Agent’s decision on
the need for a six-foot opening.
Motion: Duane Gregory Seconded: John Livingstone Vote: 3-0-0.
New Member Application
Mark Phillips, a local
inn-keeper, has expressed an interest in joining the BoH and was interviewed
for a short time. Mr. Phillips said that
his background is in finance but he’s really interested in what the BoH is
doing. He’s always been concerned that
his guests are well taken care of and he’s heard a lot of stories from them
regarding other places they have stayed and their concerns. He feels all this is related.
The BoH shared a few stories
about difficult cases they have had in the past and they stressed that they are
a regulatory board. Jane said that before
her coming on as Health Agent there had been a series of health agents supplied
by the County which meant the office had no real continuity. She also added that it was important that
anyone wishing to join the BoH not have a personal agenda.
John expounded on the BoH
sense of fairness in any cases they hear and the sense of consistency as
evidenced by the last case they had just heard.
Motion: Move to appoint Mark Phillips as an alternate
to the BoH.
Motion: Jerry Anathan Seconded: John Livingstone Vote: 3-0-0.
Approval of Minutes for
January 8, 2009
Motion: Move to approve the minutes of the January 8th
meeting.
Motion: John Livingstone Seconded: Jerry Anathan Vote:
3-0-0.
Discussion
Proposed Rental
Certification Regulation
This is an ongoing adjustment
of Part XIV – Habitations for Rent.
There were concerns about
heating, a second means of egress, and legal issues entailed in the new
document.
John Livingstone felt that
the town counsel should be asked if there were any legal ramifications for any
of the by-law.
Health Agent’s Report
Jane said that Candace Nagel
has asked to be put on the next meeting’s agenda regarding rescinding the “no
dogs on the beach” mandate for, at least, the winter months.
Jane also said that she went
to a conference in Taunton and it was very informative.
Health Inspector’s Report
Brian sent an update to the
Chair via e-mail. Amongst other things
he detailed an ongoing problem with an owner regarding a rental.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
E.
Rogers Gaudiano
Approved by the Board of Health on
______________________,2008
Duane Gregory, Chair