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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health Meeting Minutes - 05 12 2011_201402051547133057BOARD OF HEALTH TOWN OF NANTUCKET MINUTES – MAY 12, 2011 PSF-FIRST FLOOR-4 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Roggeveen, Malcolm MacNab, MD, PhD, Stephen Visco, Helene Weld, RN, and James Cooper. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. AGENDA Meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes of March 17, 2011 – approved unanimously. 2. Variance Requests: a. Tight tank request – 24 Massachusetts Avenue – The homeowners initially chose a grey water/composting toilet unit and utilized it for approximately one year. The owner is finding the system uncomfortable for their family (odor/allergy concerns). They have agreed to a seasonal use of their property if a tight tank is approved. HO Ray, although uncomfortable with this request, recommends granting the tight tank request after discussing the issue with DEP and finding out that DEP would most likely grant this request on a state level. The owners agree to seasonal usage (six months), to getting a pumping contract for the system, and to have an alarm unit installed on the system. The BOH approves the variance request, with stipulations, unanimously. b. 28 Rhode Island Avenue – tight tank request – the property is prone to erosion and with these constraints for a regular system, the owners have agreed to seasonal usage, a pumping contract and alarm system for their septic system. HO Ray recommends granting the variance with stipulations in place. The BOH unanimously grants the variance request. 3. Presentations to the Board a. Nantucket Visiting Nurses Association – Members of Vineyard Nursing Association present what they can offer Nantucket. The VNA has 75 Vineyard employees, and they have hired 12 Nantucketers to work for them here. All support staff, billing, etc. personnel will be located on the Vineyard. Chairman Roggeveen asks how the other (non-Nantucket) employees will be getting to the island. Mr. Tonti, of the VNA, states that they are mostly traveling via plane, but have had many cancellations already. There has been some ferry travel, and they have a house in Sherburne Commons to house employees. Chairman Roggeveen asks the number of staff hired from Nantucket. Mr. Tonti says they are flying BOH Minutes -2- May 12, 2011 nurses back and forth from the Vineyard but that they have hired 8 aides, one PT person and 3 RN’s from Nantucket, and that the goal is to have all Nantucketers hired. Mr. Tonti introduces Sandy who gives a list of services provided. They accept all insurances and also provide private services. Dr. MacNab asks about coordination with hospice on Nantucket. The VNA coordinates with Charlene at the hospital. Dr. MacNab asks about elder care and is worried about duplication of services. The VNA does run an elder care service program (personal care services). b. Human Services Oral Health Program – Richard Ross discusses the dental disease problem on Nantucket and introduces his co-worker who discusses a program they’d like to start up on Nantucket which targets children (prenatal through high school) with dental information, toothbrushes, care, etc. They would like to open a clinic here and become the first such one in the nation. There is discussion of putting fluoride in our water (Dr. MacNab wants to see a report/paper on the pros and cons on this idea). HO Ray states that fluorinating the water has never been discussed on Nantucket, and that there is a large portion of the island on well water which would not ever be fluorinated. This group asks the BOH to support them and discusses sending out a letter to the community with the support of the BOH. It is decided to put it off for a future date/meeting. 4. Discussion Topics a. Inspectional Services Update – Enforcement Actions 1. 40 Macy’s Lane – HO Ray provided a brief update concerning the findings associated with the carbon monoxide incident at this address. Violation letters were issued and the basement bedroom use has been discontinued. Further monitoring of the dwelling will be conducted. 2. Basement apartments – HO Ray reported a perception of increased basement use as “finished space” with the resultant increase in illegal apartments. Inspections are dependant upon complaints brought to the Health Department. 3. Illegal in-home commercial kitchens – The Health Department has been successful in closing many of the illegal commercial kitchens. These are predominantly ethnic food providers for “extended families”. All are told to cease and desist activities. The concern is that these activities will simply start up in a new location. Again, enforcement is dependant upon complaints received by the department. 4. Health Department location update – It was reported that the relocation of the Health, Building, and HDC Departments away from 37 Washington Street is extremely unlikely. It is anticipated that interior structural modifications to the building at 37Washington Street may alleviate staff concerns but will not BOH Minutes -3- May 12, 2011 occur until the fall. HO Ray noted the difficulties in operations associated with departments and files being currently located on two separate floors. 5. Mosquito Control Meeting with BOS 5/24/11 – the annual town meeting approved $100,000 for mosquito control purposes. HO Ray informed the Board the three approaches to mosquito control would be brought to the Board of Public Works by mid-summer. Those being: (a) mandate property owners to remediate the problems on their properties through the MGL nuisance regulations; (b) allowing the DPW to hire an independent licensed pesticide applicator to address those public areas accessible for the application of larvicides and (c) pursuing a long-term approach involving enabling legislation allowing the Town to function under the umbrella of the State Reclamation Board. HO Ray noted his intent to recommend the legislative approach for long-term mosquito eradication. 5. Concerns From the Public – None. 6. Concerns From the Board – None. 7. Meeting unanimously adjourned at 4:50 p.m. List of Materials Provided: Supporting documentation for 24 Massachusetts Ave and 28 Rhode Island Ave; 40 Macy Lane violation documentation; Mosquito Control notes; and handout from Oral Health Presentation. Minutes unanimously approved September 29, 2011.