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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