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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health Meeting Minutes - 08 18 2010_201402051544363047BOARD OF HEALTH TOWN OF NANTUCKET MINUTES – AUGUST 18, 2010 NANTUCKET SUPERIOR COURT – 16 BROAD STREET MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Roggeveen, Mr. Willauer, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Kopko. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Meeting called to order by Chairman Roggeveen at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA I. Concerns from the public. None noted. II. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of March 24, 2010, April 28, 2010, May 26, 2010, June 2, 2010 and July 7, 2010 are unanimously approved. III. Public Hearings. a. Hummock Pond Watershed Protection District Map. HO Ray discusses the degradation of Hummock Pond over the last several years and presents a map which was developed utilizing the HWH Map (and approved by the Estuaries Program) of the Hummock Pond Protection District broken into Zones A and B. HO Ray asks for the BOH’s approval of the map. BOH asks for public comment/concerns. None noted. BOH unanimously approves acceptance of the Hummock Pond Watershed Protection District Map. b. Local Regulation 55.00 – Inspection and Upgrading of Substandard Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Within the Hummock Pond Watershed Protection District. HO Ray states that the proposed Regulation 55.00 is the same regulation as what exists in the Nantucket and Madaket Harbor Watershed Protection Districts. The Health Department would like to inspect every septic system within this newly created protection district over the next two to three years. There are approximately 429 septic systems within this District (80 in Zone A and 349 in Zone B). HO Ray would like to have the Regulation adopted as of September 2, 2010 and give an inspection time frame for Zone A of 36 months and an inspection time frame for Zone B of 48 months. BOH asks for public comments/concerns. None noted. BOH comments/concerns. Mr. Atherton questions the inspection time frame – feels it is a bit too long given the residents’ concern relative to the pond – BOH Minutes -2- August 18, 2010 asks for a change to 24 months for Zone A’s inspection time frame. Mr. Willauer agrees. BOH can extend inspection time frames if necessary. BOH unanimously agrees to the change of time frame in Zone A to 24 months. BOH unanimously agrees to accept Regulation 55.00 with the above-noted amendment. IV. Water Quality Update – Beaches and Ponds. HO Ray presents a spreadsheet to the BOH on the water quality of our beaches and ponds. It is noted that we have some of the cleanest beaches and ponds in the state. This summer has continued to support that. There is one exception, Miacomet Pond, which has, as of this week, been closed due to high bacteria counts. Miacomet Pond is a stagnant pond with high water temperatures, has high bird activity, and there are lots of young children who frequent the pond. Therefore, this closure is not unusual over the course of the summer. However, given a week’s closure, between sampling, the counts are typically brought back to normal levels. HO Ray discusses blue-green algae in Hummock Pond and the North Head of Hummock Pond. Although this is a “non swimming” pond, there are concerns relative to blue-green algae. What exists currently is an Anabaena type of blue-green algae (which does not carry the micro toxins that the alarm went out about last year). Even with the Anabaena, it is not recommended to swim or let your dogs go in this pond due to intestinal distress if water is swallowed. The Health Department is working with DPH and is testing the pond weekly. If there is a toxicity issue in the future, the pond will be posted accordingly. Mr. Willauer asks about the red algae in the harbor and whether or not septic systems could be the cause of this. HO Ray mentions that the harbor has been tested weekly and has shown very low bacteria counts, and that the Marine Biologist should be contacted regarding testing of the harbor relative to the red algae. Mr. Atherton mentions that the BOS may want to request a report from the town’s Marine Biologist. V. Proposal for Update and Re-Promulgation of Local Biodegradable Packaging Regulations. HO Ray states that the town originally proposed this Regulation in the late l990’s. However, a number of years ago, the Health Department’s ability to enforce this Regulation was removed by the BOH. HO Ray wants to bring this Regulation before the Board of Public Works for approval, and this will include a penalty portion - $50.00 fine for the first offense and a $300.00 fine for the 2nd offense. HO Ray is working on the details with counsel and is informing the BOH tonight BOH Minutes -3- August 18, 2010 of his plans to bring forth this Regulation this fall. The education aspect will begin, and he hopes to have the Regulation enacted next year. This Regulation will deal with Styrofoam, plastic bags, etc. – the town is looking to move towards biodegradable packaging as many plastic containers are not being recycled. Plastic containers are allowed if they are recyclable. This Regulation excludes items manufactured elsewhere and delivered here (i.e. grocery stores). VI. Discussion – Determination of Date of Transition of new BOH. Chairman Roggeveen states that at the next BOH meeting, the Board should discuss criteria and needs/qualifications, and the word will be put out that applications for the new BOH are being accepted. HO Ray states that they would like 1 public health individual, 1 environmental health individual, 1 current BOH member, and 2 members of the public (with or without public health/environmental health experience). Mr. Kopko states that the new BOH should be appointed, up and running by the end of the calendar year. HO Ray looks forward to educating future BOH members over the upcoming months and thanks the current BOH for their dedicated service. VII. Concerns/Comments from the Board of Health. Mr. Kopko mentions the use of NRTA by the Health Department’s summer inspector, Mr. Ross, to perform some out of town inspections. BOH is unanimously adjourned at 6:30 p.m. List of Materials Used: Hummock Pond Watershed Protection District Map, Local Regulation 55.00, Biodegradable Packaging sheet, spreadsheet on beach water quality. Minutes unanimously approved October 13, 2010.