HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-3-17BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF NANTUCKET
MINUTES —MARCH 17, 2011
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY -4 FAIRGROUNDS RD— COMMUNITY MEETING RM.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Malcolm MacNab, MD, PhD, Patricia Roggeveen, Helene
Weld, RN, Stephen Visco and James Cooper
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
AGENDA
..
HO Ray opens the meeting at 4:00 p.m. and asks that a Chairman and Vice Chairman be
voted upon.
1. Election of Officers - Patricia Roggeveen is elected as Chairman and Malcolm
MacNab is elected as Vice Chairman. It is decided that the Board of Health will
meet on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the Public Safety
Facility, 4 Fairgrounds Rd., Room 204 /Training Room.
2. Board's Responsibilities - HO Ray gives an overview to the new BOH what their
responsibilities will be relative to public health (disease prevention; tracking food
borne illness; H1N1, tick borne disease, etc.) and public health codes (human
habitation, food service, swimming pools, recreational camps for children, etc.)
and environmental health (harbor and pond watersheds involving nutrient loading,
septic systems, fertilizer, run off, hazardous material issues, wells, exterior lead
paint to some extent, etc.). Septic system variances will come in front of BOH
regularly due to Town, Madaket and Cisco protective zones. The BOH can create
regulatory acts with regard to public and environmental health concerns — we
have many local regulations on our town website, as well as state regulations.
Dr. MacNab asks about mosquito control. Ms. Roggeveen states that although the
town allocated $50,000 to purchase supplies, they are not actively involved in a
town wide program. Individuals must find a licensed applicator to apply the
pesticide. HO Ray states that there has never been a case of EEE or WNV on
Nantucket.
Mr. Kopko states that most of the mosquito problems occur on private property.
Dr. MacNab states that tick borne disease recommendation will not be publicly
funded and asks when the town will receive a response (from the state) regarding
hunting. HO Ray states that initial letter is being resent and hopes to get a
response soon.
Dr. MacNab discusses the desire to have the BOH meetings televised and to
investigate a public health newsletter /advertisement as much of the BOH's
mission is educational.
BOH MINUTES -2- MARCH 17, 2011
HO Ray discusses Article 68 Work Group regarding fertilizer use on Nantucket.
There is now a draft Best Management Practices document for use by landscapers
and homeowners. The BOH will be asked to adopt some form of regulation —
enforcement will be somewhat difficult. Ms. Roggeveen states that the licensing
component may make it easier to monitor and educate.
3. Mandatory Sewer Connections in Monomoy — HO Ray discusses the Monomoy,
Shimmo, Gardner Road areas and the existing sewer line in that area.
Approximately 40% of homeowners have not yet hooked into sewer despite the
regulation mandating them to do so within six months. The Health Department
will issue connection orders following town meeting due to Article 32 which, if
passed, will free up funds from the Commonwealth that can be used locally for
septic and sewer connections in the form of a low interest loan payable to the
town over 15 -20 years. Once garnered, these funds will also be very helpful for
the Madaket area.
3A. Beach Testing Forms — HO Ray discusses the weekly and monthly sampling
of our town's beaches during the summer season. Some beaches need only to be
tested monthly due to past reports. HO Ray asks the BOH to sign a variance for
these seven beaches (Miacomet, Cliffside, Surfside # 1 and #2, Sewer Beds
Beach, Madaket and Cisco) which again allows for the monthly testing.
BOH unanimously grants variance request.
4. Concerns from the public — Mr. Kopko states that the BOH is a powerful board
and that HO Ray is knowledgeable and approachable if anyone needs further
clarification on any issues.
Meeting is unanimously adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
List of Materials Used: Memo regarding extension of beach sampling variance and seven
beach sampling application variances.
Minutes approved unanimously May 12, 2011.