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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health Meeting Minutes - 04 28 2010_201402051544359297BOARD OF HEALTH TOWN OF NANTUCKET MINUTES – APRIL 28, 2010 NANTUCKET SUPERIOR COURTROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Roggeveen, Mr. Kopko, Mr. Atherton, and Mr. Chadwick. MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Willauer. Chairman Roggeveen calls the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. AGENDA I. Announcements None noted. II. Public Comment None noted. III. BOH unanimously approves the minutes of February 24, 2010. IV. 1. Request for BOH signatures on Betterment Agreement for septic repair HO Ray discusses grant funding from Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust Revolving Fund for the repair of a failed septic at 41 Friendship Lane. He asks the BOH to sign the Betterment Agreement in order for the homeowners (after their signatures are added to document) to record the document with the Registry of Deeds. There will be additional funding requested by HO Ray (between $300,000 and $500,000) to be used for future septic repairs on the island and will be available to the general public at a low interest rate (currently 2%) payable over 15-20 years as a betterment fee on their property taxes. HO Ray will request this funding at our next town meeting or special town meeting, then our request will go up to the state. Relative to 41 Friendship Lane, all supporting documents are in front of the BOH for their signatures, i.e. three estimates for the repair, as well as the betterment schedule, etc. BOH unanimously approves signage of this document. 2. Variance Request (addition to Agenda) – 2 C Street – This is an existing dwelling on Hither Creek of which repair will meet maximum feasible compliance utilizing an alternative design system with a maintenance contract in place for the life of the system. This property may not exceed a three bedroom capacity. There is discussion on conventional systems and alternative design systems and the fact that nutrient loading is greatly reduced when alternative systems are used. HO Ray states that we are improving the BOH Minutes -2- April 28, 2010 mitigation of Madaket Harbor by using alternative technology, as well as getting a head start on harbors and ponds in advance of the estuaries report. This is why the Board is seeing so many variance requests coming before them. BOH unanimously approves variance request with stipulations in place. V. Health Director’s Report 1. HO Ray discusses blue green algae in Hummock Pond and reads a statement (made available to the press) relative to Hummock Pond and the North Head of Hummock Pond. In August of 2009, UMass reports that blue green algae was found in the pond. The Health Department posted warning signs at the pond. HO Ray has asked DEP to test the pond which was done April 22, 2010 – their conclusion was that there was no cyanobacteria bloom present at that time. Contribution factors fostering blue green algae are fertilizer, animal and avian species feces, aging septic systems, and increasing temperatures in the summer months. HO Ray will continue to monitor the pond and request DEP test it as soon as it is deemed necessary. It is not testing that can be done on island – very specialized training is needed. Our town marine biologist can help us gather samples, but it must be tested off island. The testing turnaround time is only 48 hours. 2. HO Ray gives an update on weekly beach testing – Massachusetts has expanded our beach testing requirements – we must now test all rights of ways and beaches appurtenant thereto. Massachusetts Health Officers will be discussing this issue at MHOA relative to this being an unfunded mandate regarding testing and signage requirements. The state currently pays for our beach testing but will not pay for signage or the testing for the semi-public beaches. HO ray will report back to BOH at a later date as to updates or changes to this requirement. VI. Outcome of ballot question on Tick-Borne Disease/Deer Reduction (April 13, 2010) Chairman MacNab of the Tick-Borne Disease Committee is introduced and tells the Board that the town supports this initiative. The Committee suggests several issues to the Board; the concept of tick reduction; asks that a member of the Board join the deer subcommittee with Dr. White; states that the Committee would like to meet with local hunters prior to approaching the state on the extended hunt question so as to formalize a “Nantucket” driven plan, etc. BOH unanimously asks the Tick-Borne Disease Committee and local hunters to meet and come up with recommendations for the extended hunt so that the town can then approach the state. BOH Minutes -3- April 28, 2010 Ms. Carol Black states that she is disappointed in the wording of the ballot question and felt it was two questions posed to the voters – she felt that voters were confused with the ballot question. Chairman Roggeveen states that all public hearings on this matter (both locally and statewide) will be open to the public and asks for Ms. Black’s input along with the general public’s. BOH adjourned at 6:58 p.m.