HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-6-18Minutes for June 18, 2015, adopted Aug. 20
BOARD OF HEALTH
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad Street
Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554
www.nantucket- ma.gov
Commissioners: Malcolm MacNab, MD, PHD,
(chair), James Cooper (Vice.- chair), Helene Weld, RN, Stephen Vi:
Rick Atherton
Staff. Artell Crowley, Kathy Lafavre, Anne Barrett, H
-- MINUTES
Thursday, June 18, 2015
4 Fairgrounds Road, Community Room — 4:00 pm
Called to order at 4:00 p.m.
Staff in attendance: Artell Crowley, Interim Director of Health; Terry Norton, Town Minutes Taker
Attending Members: Malcolm MacNab, MD, PHD; James Cooper; Helene Weld, RN; Stephen Visco; Rick
Atherton, Board of Selectmen
Absent Members: None
Agenda adopted by unanimous consent
I. PUBLIC COMMENTS — ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS COMMISSIONERS AT THIS TIME
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2015 adopted unanimously
1. Follow up to Address Public Concerns
Sitting
MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Recused
None
Documentation
Supporting documents and plans, staff recommendations.
Discussion (4:01)
MacNab — Said he has reviewed the regulations and it seems a lot of the regulations were a
struggle to relate to health. The Animal Control Officer and the Agricultural Commission (Ag
Com) would like some sort of regulations. The Ag Com doesn't have the power to pass
regulations so the question is should they go to the BOH or Board of Selectmen (BOS). The
regulations were clearly not supported by the community. If the board agrees, he will refer this to
the Ag Com, which will work on their proposed regulations and to be more succinct. There had
been talk about a working group but those get complicated. The Ag Com can address the
regulations at their public meetings and take public comments and bring in experts. He proposes
to the board to let the Ag Com create the first version.
Cooper — Asked by whom the regulations would be approved.
MacNab — They would need to be approved by legal entity that has the power to pass
regulations; the Ag Com does not have that authority. He proposes those regulations would be
shorter and simpler than what was at the May 21 hearing. The chair of the Ag Com said they
would take on this task. As a representative of the BOH, he will participate in the process unless
someone else would like to take it on.
Weld — Do to the interest in this subject, she would like to see a follow up in the paper about the
process.
MacNab — He will call the newspaper June 19`h. He will insure this doesn't sit for year; but the
expertise on the subject doesn't sit on this board.
Action
The plan is approved by unanimous consent of the board.
Vote
N/A
Page 1 of 4
Minutes for June 18, 2015, adopted Aug. 20
Sitting
MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Recused
None
Documentation
Supporting documents and plans, staff recommendations.
Discussion(4:09)
Crowley — This is a request to renew and extend the Beach Water - Quality Sampling variance
renewal for Surfside 1&2 and Cisco and Cliff Side. The variance was approved by this board 4
years ago. The testing has been consistently good; no closures over the past 4 years; recommends
approving the extension for the variance for the next four years. This includes monthly rather
than weekly testing. Explained what was done for the original application for the variance.
Action
Motion to Approve the testing variance for another 4 years. (made by: Weld) (seconded by:
Cooper)
Vote
Carried Unanimously
1. 17 Ames Avenue
Sitting MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Recused None
Documentation Supporting documents and plans, staff recommendations.
Discussion Crowley — Tight Tank regulations go into effect July 1. Repair of existing failed system on 1500
square feet (SF). Applicant is requesting variance from local well to reach facility, can provide 107
feet; relief from setback from septic leach to property line, can get 11 feet; setback from septic
leach to Madaket Harbor, can get 136 feet. Mr. Crowley had asked for voluntary tight tank; the
applicant not interested. The other recommendation would be is they give 6 foot separation
between the bottom of the leach and ground water. They are proposing a micro -fast alternate
design septic system, which is approved for general use for nitrogen removal. They will pressure
dose the leach field and verify groundwater. Recommends approval of the variances with those
conditions. To force a tight tank system, he would have to prove it is a last resort; it is not at this
time.
Cooper — It is only a last resort if these three requirements can't be met.
Crowley — Noted that this is a repair of existing with no added flow. The setbacks are local under
local regulation; he meets Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
Atherton — Asked if there was a reason for not volunteering to install a tight tank.
Don Bracken, Bracken Engineering, Inc. — The Purchase and Sale Agreement was based upon
installation of a standard system with IA and applying for variances. In this case, the proposed
buyer isn't willing to go with a tight tank. The setback from the leach to the property is to a paper
road that is 40 feet wide; it isn't a typical property set back. The contract buyer is in negotiation to
purchase three lots to the south under yard sale; that would increase the property area. When
going with the drip, they will get closer to the saltmarsh, which is 130 feet deep; the drip system
has to bigger and would 101 feet from their own well. He has also set monitoring well on the site
to see if there is a variation in the water table.
Cooper — After July 1, this board won't have to grant any variances like this. We can make them
use tight tanks.
Visco — Recently there have been two IA systems approved and installed on Massachusetts Ave.
Bracken — One of those clients wanted a tight tank but he couldn't get it because the state denied
it.
Action Motion to Approve the variance based upon recommendations outlined by Mr. Crowley.
(made by: Atherton) (seconded by: Visco)
Vote Carried unanimously
2. 12 Austin Farm Drive
Discussion Crowley — This won't be heard, the applicant has made the necessary changes.
Page 2 of 4
Minutes for tune 18. 2015. adopted ruff. 20
Sitting
MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Documentation
Supporting documents and plans, staff recommendations.
Discussion (4:28)
Crowley — Due to recent information from Department of Public Works (DPW) and Wastewater
Treatment Facility on grease traps, this is coming to the board. There is a current grease trap
regulation that needs updating. Between the Health Department and the DPW, there is an
initiative to rewrite the grease trap, septic and sewer regulations. Reviewed the Health
Department's responsibilities in regards to restaurants and grease traps. The problem with grease
is it is wastewater within 25 feet of fixtures in restaurants and hot water from the sink or
dishwashers hinders coagulation. They want to separate the distance to allow water to cool. Health
is responsible for interior grease traps. He has been pushing for outside grease traps on new
construction, both Health and DPW are responsible for controlling outside grease traps. There
are some facilities which can't install an exterior trap.
VILUPDAIES
1. Millie's Seating /Septic
Sitting
MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Documentation
Supporting documents and plans, staff recommendations.
Discussion
Crowley — He has met with the owners and put together a plan, which should be easy to
implement. They are looking at people eating and not seats; Millie's has a new computer program
that tells them how many people are in the facility; they have changed reservation policy to allow
reservations; they altered the 15` -floor bar making it larger and removed some seats. As long as
they stay with this plan, there shouldn't be a problem. His office will monitor them for
conformance.
Cooper — Number 3 says drinking customers will not be counted.
Crowley — It gets too complicated counting the drinkers; they will count only those dining.
MacNab — This is very clear. The 124 diners is the "magic" number.
Atherton — Thinks this more formal reservation policy will help with the flow of people.
Hank Ross, Inspector — In the past there were no reservations except for 8 or more; he thinks
this will help solve the problem. As long as the host /hostess does the job it should work.
2. Venison Donation Program
Sitting
MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Documentation
Supporting documents and plans, staff recommendations.
Discussion
Crowley — This a pilot program for Massachusetts as confirmed with the Department of Public
Health Food Protection Program. They have approval; talked to Food Bank which need more
freezers; the next issue is if there is a donor, need to figure out the price per pound; once they
have that, they find an on- island processor. The donor would pay the Food Bank after the fact.
This has to be worth stopping a day job for two or three weeks.
MacNab — He will set up a meeting with a potential donor for the program.
Atherton — Clarified that the Food Pantry pays the processor, but he's not sure where their
money come from for paying the processor.
MacNab — There is a potential donor for this program; that would pay for the processor.
Crowley — This starts with the first two weeks of the shotgun season to get this off the ground; it
can grow on from there.
Weld — Asked if the donor is willing into continue in perpetuity.
MacNab — He is not sure. Donors contribute to successful programs.
Crowley — Noted that the Food Bank maintains data transaction sheets.
Atherton — Asked who would acquire the processing equipment.
Crowley — The Health Department would issue the processor the permits; the processor has to
meet all local regulations.
Page 3 of 4
Nfinutes for June 18, 2015, adopted Aug. 20
1 Till. VII:iw [MOM: \M110[ OFFICE ■REPORT
1. New location and staff update (Kathy LaFavre Inspector, Hank Ross, Seasonal Inspector, Anne Barrett, Administrative
Specialist, Abigail Silbner, Public Health Intern)
Sitting MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Discussion Crowley — Talked about the move to 3 Chestnut Street. Reviewed new and returning staff
members. Explained new processes coming into action in the department.
Weld — Asked if Abby will be tracking all communicable diseases.
Crowley — Yes.
2. MAVEN Training
Sitting MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Discussion Crowley — On Friday the Health Department staff will receive MAVEN training, portable disease
tracking.
3. Confirmed George Heufelder discussion 7/9/2015 (tentative) re: Seasonal use of I/A within Nantucket Harbor
Watershed
Sitting MacNab, Cooper, Weld, Visco, Atherton
Discussion Crowley — Scheduled for July 9 but don't have a time; is pushing for 4 p.m. Asked what the board
wants to do about meeting.
MacNab — Keep regular meeting and add July 9 with the one agenda item and invite the BOS.
1. Weld — She was glad to see there was a follow up panel discussion at Nantucket High School on opiate abuse.
2. Visco — Asked to be sure to have maps during discussion about watershed.
3. Atherton — Back on septics, when they are being put in, BOS got a septic management plan and can sees some
questions and processes coming back to the BOS. That is why a data base is important.
Motion to Adjourn: 4:50 p.m.
Submitted by:
Terry L. Norton
Page 4 of 4