HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-3-26BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF NANTUCKET ==
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MINUTES - MARCH 26, 2003 1'
SUPERIOR COURT ROOM ~ `
TOWN BUILDING ~~~
MEMBERS OF THE B.O.H. PRESENT: Mr. Spriggs, Mr. Soverino, Mr. Fee,
Mr. Bender and Mr. Murphy
1. Concerns from the Public -None Noted
2. PUBLIC HEARING -DRAFT REGULATIONS - Connections to New and Existing
Publicly owned Sanitary Sewer Lines
HO Ray - As a water quality issue, I have been asked by the Board to create
regulations which mandate the connection of existing and new dwellings to
sewer that exists in front of those properties at this point. At this time, if
you had a private septic system and a public sewer line ran down in front of
that home, you were not required to connect to that line. The only time you
will be mandated to connect was when the system failed, then you would be
required to connect and not re-install a septic system. We propose to change that
with these regulations, at the Board's discretion. The change being that if a sewer
line exists in front of your property, and you are on an existing septic system (even
if functioning properly) you would be mandated within a specific period to
connect to that sewer. The benefits are that many properties within watershed
districts, such as Monomoy, would get off septic and be connected to sewer.
The de-activation of these septics would take all of the nutrient-loading out of
the soils, harbor, ponds, etc. This is the reason for promulgating these regulations
that are now before you.
Jim Quinsella, Inquirer & Mirror - (for Mr. Ray) What is the cost for entering one
of these properties to the sewer lines?
HO Ray - I believe the connection fee is $2000.00. I am not certain what the cost
would be to run the pipe, etc. Sometimes a pump chamber also has to be installed
by the owner.
Mr. Quinsella -What if a homeowner is not able to come up with the necessary
money in the required time? What will the town do then?
Mr. Spriggs -That is one of the items we will discuss.
Public Hearing portion is now closed -for discussion among the Board.
HO Ray - (reads item from proposed regs) Connections to Sanitary Sewer will be
completed within (1 or 2) years from notice of availability of line for connection.
Number of years is a choice for the Board.
Mr. Spriggs -Would like Mr. Ray's recommendation on this one.
HO Ray -Would like to see all house's connected, particularly important in
Harbor Watershed Protection District.
Mr. Fee -Thinks this is a good idea, but has some concerns such as what will
effect be on Sewer Plant, would this put us into another moratorium situation?
Has a hard time voting on this issue without such information.
Hoped that D.P.W. would be able to provide some of these answers.
Mr. Soverino -Agrees with Mr. Fee. To implement these regulations, he is
concerned that there is currently not enough capacity at plant. Also concerned
about variance requests for homeowners of new systems.
Mr. Bender - Agrees with Mr. Soverino and Mr. Fee. What sewer lines are
contemplated? What is the capacity of current treatment plant? We need to
be given all this information simultaneously. This is not enough information
for the Board to make a decision. Secondly, I don't understand the variance
section 69.05 - It says: "The Nantucket B.O.H. may vary the application of any
provision of these regulations unless otherwise prohibited by State Law or
regulation in any case when in the opinion of the Board of Health lot size
restrictions or hydrological conditions make enforcement of the provision
impractical or the owner has demonstrated a degree of environmental protection
equivalent to these regulations." Also section on manifest injustice. I view
this that the Board of Health can negate these regulations at its discretion.
These words are not self-explanatory to me.
HO Ray -Every Massachusetts Regulation, no matter the subject, always
addresses the issue of variance.
Mr. Murphy -Commends HO Ray for good work and makes motion to table this
subject pending further information i.e. the sewer plant, etc.
Motion is seconded by Spriggs and commends Mr. Ray for following through
on this per the request of the Board.
Mr. Fee - recommends a date on this motion, for a time to return to this subject.
Mr. Spriggs - As chairman, will be certain that a return does occur.
Mr. Bender - A lot of pertinent work was done here that we did asked for. I'm
merely saying that we require more info. to make such an important decision.
Motion is approved unanimously.
3. BIOTERRORISM UPDATE
HO Ray - I, along with all Public Health Officers is the State have wrestled with
how much publicity this issue deserves. Many of us have decided that it needs
some public comment. As you are aware, we have an increased level of awareness
i.e. biological contaminants and weapons of mass destruction and one needs to
ask what effect that could have on Nantucket. Like other community in this
country, we need to be aware of potential and ramifications. As regards biological
weapons, our first concern is the smallpox issue. Smallpox is supposedly
eradicated other than hopefully controlled laboratory specimens. Should a case
arise anywhere in the world, life would change dramatically -immediately there
would be not transportation -intercontinental, interstate, until inoculations -
worldwide -have occurred. Those inoculations appear to be going rather well,
unfortunately because of the liability issue associated with this vaccine, there has
been a pause in the distribution of any form of the vaccine. It is anticipated that
the State will institute an inoculation team that will go to every town to administer
the vaccine, -Nantucket is a part of this program should the need arise. I am
working with the local physicians offices and NCH and we are formulating a plan
to get this done in approximately five days, - however we hope that need will never
arise.
As regards weapons of mass destruction -one would think that perhaps this is a
non-issue for Nantucket, but we do have a nuclear power plant in the Plymouth
area. That State and Federal government have stated that individuals within ten
miles of the nuclear power plant have been given potassium iodide tablets. This is
because the thyroid is the quickest to absorb nuclear radiation. No further action
is contemplated by the State at this point. There has been concern i.e. a downwind
theory that could affect the Cape & Islands and we may have to look at this issue.
There are no sources for the potassium iodide tablets outside the hospital. This is
not meant be a scare tactic, as Nantucket has a minimum exposure -but if
anything did happen, it may be best to stay indoors, windows closed, for twenty-
four to forty-eight hours. I don't want to dwell on this, just inform the board and
the public about the issues we are facing and discussing in public health right
now.
4. SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTIONS PROTOCOL UPDATE
HO Ray -The request that Mr. Bender made i.e. changes to the Septic System
Regs. that the Town has -has gone to the Septic System Advisory Committee.
The changes are being drafted in the form of an amended regulation, will then go
Town Counsel, and then on to the Board for discussion and potential adoption.
Mr. Soverino -Who is the Septic Advisory Board?
HO Ray -This group was formed around the time Title V came along in order
to update our local regs. Kevin Dale, Steve Butler, Mr. Visco, Linda Holland,
myself and one other person. Appointed by the B.O.S. about five years ago.
Mr. Bender -Peggy Fantozzi is the most knowledgeable person on the island
(besides you) on these matters -shouldn't she now sit on the Board? We should
add her if she's willing.
HO Ray - If the Board wants to include her, it is their discretion -she is
Consulted by the committee regularly now, however.
Mr. Bender -Makes motion to ask P. Fantozzi to sit on this committee. Motion
is seconded.
B.O.H. approves
B.O.H. adjourns at app. 8 p.m.