HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health Meeting Minutes - 03 24 2010_201402051544358360BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF NANTUCKET
MINUTES – MARCH 24, 2010
NANTUCKET SUPERIOR COURTROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Kopko, Ms. Roggeveen, Mr. Reinhard, Mr.
Chadwick and Mr. Atherton.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Chairman Kopko calls the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
I. Chairman Kopko asks for any comments/concerns from the public. None
noted.
II. Tick-Borne Disease Committee – Funding Discussion
HO Ray introduces Dr. Malcolm MacNab, Chairman of the Tick-Borne Disease
Committee who will present an overview of their Committee’s budget.
Dr. MacNab presents his committee’s budget proposal to the BOH for their review and
consideration. He mentions that there may be additions or deletions to this proposed
budget relative to what the town would accept or prioritize as well as what the state may
require the town to do (i.e. a survey of tick numbers ($20,000-$25,000) may or may not
be included in the budget depending on state requirements).
Chairman Kopko states that the BOH will need time to digest the information and will
count on HO Ray to give the BOH guidance on this subject.
HO Ray offers that an individual and a vehicle could address both tick-borne disease and
mosquito control for the town but due to financial concerns, it may be a long-range plan
to be taken on as the economy improves.
Chairman MacNab mentions that although the deer reduction program was thought to be
fairly inexpensive, there would be an individual needed to manage the program. He also
states, with fair certainty relative to funding, that an individual can be found to perform
disease surveillance. He also states an immediate request is that the town agrees to
upgrade the education program.
HO Ray agrees with the education upgrade request and feels it won’t burden the Health
Department staff. There is discussion of an intern within the Health Department, but HO
Ray states that hours of availability and housing are two concerns Nantucket would face.
BOH Minutes -2- March 24, 2010
Ms. Roggeveen states that this is a good first step to putting forward what the town can
do and how much it will cost for the future.
Mr. Kopko mentions that the 2011 budget is set at this point.
Mr. Reinhard states that he is concerned about the significant costs in the proposed
budget and there is lots of competition for funds throughout the town.
Chairman MacNab states that one example of fine tuning the budget is that the $22,000
deer reduction fee mainly consists of providing excess deer meat to the food bank
($70.00 per deer) and if someone volunteered to take care of this for the town, we could
reconfigure that amount. Massachusetts does not currently allow excess deer meat to be
given to a food bank.
Mr. Atherton mentions that perhaps some neighborhood groups may step forward to fund
some costs of this program.
Chairman MacNab mentions the non-profit group on Shelter Island that has done so.
III. Announcement – Home Rule Petition for separate Board of Health
HO Ray announces that the Governor has signed the Home Rule Petition creating a
separate Board of Health for the island. HO Ray thanks Mr. Curtis Barnes for his help in
this endeavor, as well as Mr. Tim Madden. With regards to formation, HO Ray asks that
applications for the Board of Health occur in August and appointment occur in
September due to the busy summer season so that HO Ray can properly educate the new
Board in the fall.
BOH unanimously agrees to HO Ray’s request.
HO Ray announces that on March 29th, there will be a meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the NHS
cafeteria to ask questions of the Tick-Borne Disease Committee and HO Ray relative to
the non-binding referendum question on reduction of tick-borne diseases.
BOH is adjourned at 6:20 p.m.