HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health Meeting Minutes - 07 07 2010_201402051544362110BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF NANTUCKET
MINUTES – JULY 7, 2010
NANTUCKET SUPERIOR COURTROOM – 16 Broad Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Roggeveen, Mr. Willauer, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Kopko
and Mr. Chadwick.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Roggeveen at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
I. Chairman Roggeveen asks for public comments/concerns.
Ms. O’Brien asks about the signage on Hummock Pond relative to the dangers of the
pond and who placed signage there. HO Ray states that the Health Department did not
place any signage at Hummock Pond. The pond was tested about four weeks ago and at
that time there was no indication of blue green algae. HO Ray is visually monitoring the
pond every 6-7 days and has an agreement with the state to test the pond when noting a
concern. Mr. Reinhard asks about additional testing possibilities and costs associated
with it. Chairman Roggeveen states that the signage is creating public confusion and is
not based on any science. HO Ray will try to find who put up the signage and have it
removed.
II. Tick-Borne Disease Committee – There is a change on the agenda. The Tick-Borne
Disease Committee will present at a future meeting. HO Ray announces that tomorrow at
10-11:30 at Nantucket High School, there is a free public meeting to learn about tick-
borne disease from a panel of physicians and scientists regarding the testing and
treatment options available.
III. Nanahumacke – This subdivision is serviced by a single, shared septic system. A
Covenant of Easement must be signed by the BOH which allows the Health Department
to test and inspect this system. This is required by the state.
BOH unanimously agrees to sign the Covenant of Easement.
IV. Beach Closure – report on beach closure on June 24, 2010.
On the first week of testing, all 18 beaches were tested with no issues.
On the second week of testing, where only 9 beaches had to be tested, all 9 beaches
showed elevated levels of bacteria. As the numbers were almost identical at all nine
beaches, and as this occurrence has never happened in HO Ray’s 32 years in the Health
Department, HO Ray feels this was a sampling error perhaps from sample bottles which
exceeded the sterilization phase. Barnstable informed the state of the elevated levels, and
the town had to issue an advisory not to swim at these nine beaches. Both weeks of
testing were done pre-season (prior to lifeguard staffing and official beach opening). The
Health Department resampled the beaches within 24 hours and all nine beaches came
BOH Minutes -2- July 7, 2010
back fine. To date, we have not had any elevated levels on any of our beaches. We have
some of the cleanest waters in the state.
Mr. Kopko states that there are water quality discussions relative to the island
establishing an on-island lab. It’s an expensive proposition. Mr. Kopko has had
discussions with the director of the UMass Field Station relative to this subject. They
have some level of testing but would need an additional level of equipment, investment
and additional expertise to get their lab to the level the town requires. We should
formally explore a partnership concept with UMass Field Station – what the cost would
be for the town, what resources would be made available to us privately and publicly.
Could the BOH/BOS formerly recommend a study be done?
HO Ray states that we’ve discussed this before with Mr. Kopko and Mr. Fronzuto. To
set up a state approved lab on Nantucket will cost in the hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Barnstable tests our water for free and nothing beats free. They are more than
willing to retest for us – even on weekends should it be needed. I don’t see a need to
establish this type of lab on the island. It is redundant.
Mr. Kopko understands HO Ray’s position but still thinks it should be explored with
facts and figures in order to make an informed decision on whether or not the town wants
to do this.
HO Ray states that he feels this has already been done.
Mr. Kopko states that it may be worthwhile to spend several hundred thousand dollars
over 10 or 20 years, and as HO Ray states, we have some of the cleanest water anywhere.
People of the town or the Board may want to pursue this.
Town Manager Gibson discusses the 2010-2011 goals for the selectmen and suggests that
the water quality master plan be included in that discussion.
V. Assignment of Public Hearing Date
a. Hummock Pond Watershed Protection District. HO Ray discusses the degradation of
Hummock Pond. One factor is septic systems. He states that the Health Department has
created a Hummock Pond Watershed Protection District (septic system inspection
regulations within this district and map are included for selectmen). This mirrors the
Madaket Harbor Watershed Protection District and the Nantucket Harbor Watershed
Protection District. The goal is to reduce nutrient loading and as it is a fresh water pond,
he also notes that phosphorous is also a contributor.
b. Septic System Inspection Regulations within the Hummock Pond Watershed
Protection District. There are two zones created for inspection and a three year
BOH Minutes -3- July 7, 2010
inspection time frame for inspections is suggested. HO Ray suggests an adoption date for
this district (map and regulations) of September 2, 2010 and suggests an August 18, 2010
public hearing date at 6:00 p.m. (at BOH meeting). The map for this district is derived
from the Horsley Whitten study and is corroborated by the estuaries program. There is
discussion of water flows towards the pond of properties in both of these zones. Outside
of these zones, the water flows away from the pond (towards open ocean). Mr. Atherton
asks if the estuaries program would approve of our zones and asks the number of septics
within the district. HO Ray estimates approximately 450 properties and states that a list
of property owners has already been generated.
BOH unanimously accepts public hearing date of August 18, 2010 (for district map and
regulations).
VI. Variance Requests
a. 29-35 S. Cambridge Street – These are existing dwellings (one system) of
which the repair of the septic system meets maximum feasible compliance
utilizing an alternative design system with a maintenance contract in place for
the life of the system.
BOH unanimously approves variance request with stipulations.
b. 10 F Street – This is an existing dwelling which repair of the septic system
will also utilize an alternative design system with a maintenance contract in
place for the life of the system. This repair will also meet maximum feasible
compliance.
BOH unanimously approves variance request with stipulations.
HO Ray announces that he will seek approval from the state to utilize funding for repair
of septic systems which funds will be available at a low interest rate and placed on the
homeowner’s tax bill payable over approximately 15 years.
BOH is unanimously adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
List of Materials Used: Covenant of Easement; Hummock Pond Watershed Protection
District Regulation and Map; septic plans and supporting documents.
Approved the 18th day of August, 2010.