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.