HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health Meeting Minutes - 10 21 2009_201402051541503193
BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF NANTUCKET
MINUTES – OCTOBER 21, 2009
NANTUCKET SUPERIOR COURTROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Kopko, Allen Reinhard, Patricia Roggeveen, Brian
Chadwick and Rick Atherton
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m.
AGENDA
Chairman Kopko asks for comments/concerns from the public. None noted.
The minutes from July 22, 2009 are approved unanimously.
Variance Request
9 E Street – Two existing structures (2 bedrooms in each dwelling) that are in septic
failure per the HWS inspection. The septic system has been relocated away from the
coastal dune and Hither Creek. The homeowner is asking for relief from sideline setback
and the 150 foot well separation requirement. They will utilize the Presby leach facility
for nutrient reduction (the fibrous mat offers substantial reduction of nutrient loading).
Presby is approved for repair use and offers a reduction in the size of the system or a
reduction in separation of distance to groundwater (2 ft.). HO Ray recommends granting
variance. The BOH approves the variance request unanimously.
Status Report on Nantucket Harbor Watershed Protection District – HO Ray presents the
most updated map to the BOH showing inspections done in this harbor district. Of a total
of 602 systems, 554 have been inspected and 48 are not yet inspected. Some lots are now
on sewer and will be removed from our list. A number of fines (tickets) have been issued
and paid. Over the next 3-4 months, we will look at the data for recommendations.
Mr. Reinhard asks about the estuaries report and the TMDL number and whether we’ll
have to lower what is being discharged into the harbor. HO Ray states that we will have
to lower the discharge, but probably not by much. We are already ahead of the state by
performing septic inspections and upgrading systems in failure. The Health Department
and the DPW are working together on this project. Mr. Reinhard asks about the Madaket
Harbor results. HO Ray states that Madaket will be harder to reach due to the shallow
harbor, Hither Creek, greater concentration of homes near water bodies on smaller lots,
etc., but again with the septic systems being inspected/repaired, it will help us. Mr.
Reinhard asks about fertilizer reduction to help us achieve our goal and that is something
HO Ray agrees to look at in the planning.
BOH MINUTES -2- October 21, 2009
Hummock Pond Association Watershed Protection District - The Hummock Pond
Association brought some concerns to the BOH (via UMass Field Station) about the state
of Hummock Pond. At UMass’s advice, we closed the pond due to the toxic blue/green
algae bloom. The Health Department sat down with the Hummock Pond Association
along with Mr. Atherton to look at approaches to remediation. An unanswered question
is what is the limiting nutrient in Hummock Pond? In repairing septic systems around
any water body, improvement in both nutrient and phosphorous will be seen. We want to
create a zone around the pond, while researching the water, to inspect and upgrade septic
systems if necessary. HO Ray shows a tentative map of this protection zone which will
probably change over time and with research. Some time next spring, HO Ray expects to
have another map designating this zone. After research is done regarding the pond’s
chemistry, we will work on an inspection protocol similar to what is currently being done
in Nantucket and Madaket Harbors.
Dave Fronzuto of the Marine Department states that sampling has been done by the
Marine Department since 1993 and data has been given to the estuaries people.
Nantucket has been given a reduction in costs associated with this project due to the data
that has already been compiled by the town. “We are not starting from ground zero on
any of these water bodies – Hummock Pond has also been sampled.”
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Update – HO Ray tells the BOH that on Saturday, we vaccinated
about 44 pregnant women and a number of direct care health care workers at a clinic for
H1N1. No cases of H1N1 have been diagnosed to date on island. HO Ray states his
frustration with the CDC for not having vaccines available as promised. The CDC is
advising towns to cancel local clinics until production can be met (the middle of
December or so). Vaccines for H1N1 are coming in very small numbers and are given to
doctors’ offices for distribution. Since H1N1 is affecting those 25 and under at a greater
rate, the distribution of vaccine should go to pregnant women and health care workers,
children under 10, elementary, high school and college kids, then adults 25-45, and lastly
50 and over (taking into consideration those of any age with underlying health issues).
He also states that guidelines are being instituted for employees and their children with
regard to staying home from work if you have the flu, to remind folks about frequent
hand washing, coughing/sneezing into their arm, and checking in with their family
doctor.
Ms. Roggeveen states that in a discussion with Chairman MacNab of the Tick-Borne
Disease Committee, a final recommendation will be available for the BOS within several
weeks and that a working committee should continue after their final recommendation.
She also thanks HO Ray and the committee for their hard work.
The BOH is adjourned at 7:10 p.m.