Public Meeting
Grace Gouveia – Room 10
Members Present: Duane
Gregory, Ken Janson, John Livingstone,
and Mark Phillips.
Members Absent: Jerry Anathan
Staff: Brian Carlson, Health Inspector
Jane Evans, Health
Agent
David Gardner Ass’t Town Manager
AGENDA
Duane Gregory called the
meeting to order at
Public Comments
There were none.
Old Business
Appeal Health Agents
Decision - Bedrooms
Jay Murphy, the attorney for
the owner, contacted Jane Evans today and asked for an extension of the case.
Motion: Move to continue
Motion: Ken Janson Seconded: Mark Phillips Vote: 4-0-0.
New Business
ACO Request
Margaret Murphy, Director of
the Fine Arts Work Center has requested an ACO.
The FAWC is undergoing renovations and discovered during the required
inspection of their two septic systems that one of their septic systems is in a
state of failure. They are proposing to
redirect the flow from that system into the functioning one. It is projected that the sewer will be
available to them in spring 2010. Jane
recommends approval.
Motion: Move to recommend an ACO for
Motion: John Livingstone Seconded: Ken Janson Vote:
4-0-0.
Discussion
Repeal BoH Leash Law
Candace Nagle – Animal
Welfare Committee
Carol McDonald was the only
person representing the Animal Welfare Committee. It had been an agenda item about a month ago but
there was no quorum. Carol hoped that
Ruth Ann Cowing, the dog officer, would attend but she was unable to. Carol said that she is hoping that the
off-leash restriction will be lifted.
She and her group have worked hard getting dog clean-up stations out
there. Carol also monitors the beaches
and informs owners they need to pick up after their dogs.
Duane, giving a history of
the original restriction, said it was crafted due to a rabies concern but feels
– now that this is no longer a concern – the leash restriction should be
rescinded.
Dr. John Livingstone spoke to
Dr Lear, a vet at the Herring Cove Animal Clinic, about unleashed dogs and
their excrement which is not always picked up.
John reports there are two parasites which can survive in excrement for
a considerable period of time and they are schistosomiasis and echinacoccosis. John’s opinion is they are very dangerous to
children who many times play and walk barefoot on beaches. He further feels that until a proven solution
to eliminating the dog excrement problem is demonstrated – he cannot in good
conscience approve the free running of the dogs on the beaches during any
timeframes.
After quite a bit of
discussion, the other Board members were asked to weigh in on the issue.
Ken Janson is not in favor of
changing our by-law. He sees excrement
not being picked up and he is in favor of keeping this as it is.
Mark Phillips feels if it is
a public health concern, he would like to see more enforcement. He also feels it is really a Board of
Selectmen (BoS) issue.
David Gardner said that when
the BoH acted in 2006 – he felt that they put in a temporary regulation due to
rabies concerns. But if there is still an overwhelming feeling about the health
of the community then it is up to the board to make their decision.
John said that he would still
like to sit down with Ruth Ann and Carol McDonald and talk all this over.
Motion:
Motion: Move to continue the discussion until the
next meeting.
Motion: Duane Gregory Seconded: John Livingstone Vote: 4-0-0.
Jane Evans left the
meeting at
Revisions to Proposed BoH
Habitations for Rent Regulation
BoH Work Session
Duane said that she had
received a couple of letters from people really opposed to the proposed
inspections.
On this topic, too, there was
quite a bit of discussion with the following suggestions for a redo of the
proposed regulations, including language changes and reworking of the sections.
David Gardner took many notes
on the discussion and will rework both the HABITATIONS FOR RENT as well as the
Application Form. He was asked how the
fee for inspection had changed from $150 to $120 and David said that he had
reworked the figures.
Mark Phillips wondered if
perhaps the fee should relate to the size of the property, i.e., studio
apartment vs. 3 bedroom apartment? This
question was not addressed.
Approval of Minutes for
October 16 2008, January 22, 2009 and February 26, 2009
Only the February 26th
minutes could be approved by the members present.
Motion: Move to approve the February 26th
minutes as written.
Motion: John Livingstone Seconded: Ken Janson Vote:
3-0-1.
Health Inspector’s Report
Brian is still working with a
tenant and is making weekly inspections on the property.
Brian also reported that the
FDA will be funding the rabies vaccine program for this year. The group is funding a live testing for
rabies by trapping raccoons to check for antibodies; the test area will be from
Howland Street......west.
Board Members’ Statements
There
were none.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
E. Rogers Gaudiano
Approved by the Board of
Health on ______________________,2009
Duane Gregory, Chair