Minutes of the Southborough Board of Health Meeting Minutes June 19, 2013 Present Chairman/Members Dr. Louis Fazen, III; Nancy Sacco and Mary Lou Woodford; Public Health Director, Paul C. Pisinski and Administrative Secretary, Cindy McLeod. Also attending the meeting: Karen Galligan, DPW Superintendent, arrived at 1:38 p.m. Opening The regular meeting of the Board of Health was called to order at 1:15 PM by Chairman Dr. Louis Fazen. Approval of Agenda Public Health Director, Paul Pisinski went over the agenda with the Board. Approval of Minutes The Minutes of the May 15, 2013 meeting were unanimously approved. Card from Linda Hubley Linda Hubley sent a card to the Board of Health thanking them for recognizing her work sharing information with residents and businesses of Southborough with southboroughnews.com. Ms. Hubley was one of the two recipients of the 2013 Dr. Timothy Stone Public Health Award. Annual Board of Health Vote of Reorganization Ms. Sacco and Ms. Woodford stated that they are content in their current roles and believe that the Board runs well with Dr. Fazen serving as Chairman. Nancy Sacco will remain Vice-Chair and Mary Lou Woodford will continue serving as Clerk. All in Favor. End of FY13 Budget Review and Recap Ms. McLeod has been scrutinizing the remaining FY13 budget. One pay period and two day are still to be expended from the FY13 budget, leaving a balance of $197.89 in Salaries to be returned to the Town. $88.18 remains in the Expense portion of the Budget which will be used to reimburse for June Mileage and to make a display area for the Dr. Stone Public Health Award at the Board of Health Office. 1
Board of Health Library Forum Dr. Fazen stated that he appeared at the Library on June 13 th for the second in a series of Public Health talks, Gun Safety and Reducing Gun Violence in Society. Dr. Fazen explained that when the talk was first announced many individuals expressed strong opinions on mysouthborough.com, leading him to expect that the library talk would be well attended. He said that less than 10 people were present. Public Nurse, Leslie Chamberlin will appear at the Library in the Fall to talk about Public Health and Elder Care. Board of Health and Long Range Planning Following discussion at the May 15, 2013 Board of Health meeting it was decided that the Board of Health would focus their efforts on installing sidewalks from the Train Station to the center of Town along Route 85, allowing people to walk and bicycle safely and to encourage use of the train. Ms. Galligan consented that many streets in Town should have sidewalks but the lack of financial resources, right of way, stone walls, the Scenic Roads Act and tree issues create a challenge in most circumstances. Ms. Galligan is planning to present a warrant article at Town Meeting for funding to create a design plan for sidewalks along Route 85 and to repair the sidewalks already in existence from the Train station to Route 9. A new mixed use development project in Hopkinton will create an increase in traffic along Route 85 to Route 9, further requiring safer conditions for pedestrians. She explained that the causeway at 85 is an obstacle as the Town owns the street but the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation owns the land under the causeway. A cantilever may need to be built at the causeway for pedestrians and bikes. The Town would need permission from the various agencies and the money to implement it. The Board of Health offered to support Ms. Galligan s warrant article. Ms. Galligan will keep the Board updated on the progress of the warrant article. Letter to Selectmen Requesting Support of the Massachusetts State Police That Criminal Charges be Made Against Trespassers at the Quabbin Reservoir Ms. Galligan explained that she sent a letter to the Selectmen asking them to support the Massachusetts State Police in their attempt to 2
appeal a decision made by the clerk magistrate to not issue criminal complaints against the seven individuals who were caught trespassing at the Quabbin Reservoir property after dark in May. Ms. Galligan thought that the Board of Health may also want to offer their support. Ms. Galligan will forward the letter to the Public Health Director to review. Scanner/Printer/Copies at the DPW Public Health Director, Paul Pisinski explained that Karen Galligan had requested monetary donations for the scanner/printer/copies at the DPW. Currently, a Senior Tax Work Volunteer for the Board of Health scans septic documents into the scanner at the DPW. Ms. Galligan is purchasing a new scanner and the old one will be moved to the Town House. She is welcoming financial assistance from departments to offset the cost of the new scanner. Mr. Pisinski explained that there is no additional money in the remaining FY13 Board of Health Budget. Ms. Galligan thanked the Board and departed. Southborough Trails Committee Mr. Pisinski advised the Board of the Trails Committee in Town and suggested that the Board may want to collaborate with them. Ms. McLeod will determine which individuals serve on the Trails Committee, the meeting schedule and will obtain contact information. Closing of the New England Primate Research Center Dr. Fazen explained that he and the Selectmen were contacted by the Facilities Manager of the New England Primate Research Center to inform them that a decision had been made and the Center will be closing. Recap of Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) Tabletop Leslie Chamberlin, Paul Pisinski, Dr. Fazen, Neil Aspesi and Mark Spurell, who heads up CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) attended the Emergency Dispensing Site Tabletop on June 12, 2013 to represent Southborough. On Tuesday, June 18 th, Mark Spurell ran a meeting at the Fire Department, where Neil Aspesi had voiced a plan to restructure the Medical Reserve Corp. (MRC) which is not functioning at its previous capacity. Dr. Fazen reported that Leslie 3
Chamberlin has become very competent in the Emergency Preparedness role. Nancy Sacco said that the MRC is supposed to be volunteer based and not the responsibility of the Board of Health to staff. She believes that as Neil Aspesi works full time, he would be better prepared for the task. The CodeRED System (the Towns replacement system for Reverse 9-1-1) will be implemented on July 1 st and employees will be trained prior to that date. Multiple staff will have the ability to use the system. Compliance Issues at 84 Oak Hill Road In January, the Sanitary Inspector was contacted by the tenant of 84 Oak Hill Road. One of his complaints is trash left on the property, which the property-owner, Mr. Aoude refused to remove. Mr. Costello sent a letter to Mr. Aoude notifying him of the complaint and giving him 30 days to begin repairs. Mr. Pisinski explained that he received an e-mail from Michael Swain, Esq. on behalf of his client, Elias Aoude. Mr. Swain said that his client had received the letter and order from the Board of Health Office and is more than willing to comply. However, the tenant Mr. Morse was the previous owner of the building which was foreclosed upon. Mr. Aoude is currently in litigation with Mr. Morse and is trying to evict Mr. Morse and his family. Mr. Aoude alleges that when he attempts to work on the property, Mr. Morse calls the police. As the nature of the housing code violations are not conditions deemed to endanger or impair health or safety of the inhabitants, and since Mr. Aoude is involved in an active litigation matter at 84 Oak Hill Road, the Board of Health will withhold any further attempts to remedy the housing code violations at this time. Sign Final Plans for Estates at Deerfoot The Board approved the plan for Estates at Deerfoot at their March 19, 2013 meeting, contingent upon receiving additional required documentation. Mr. Wambach has submitted plans displaying the required house numbers but has neglected to submit the New Construction Official Street Number Verification sheet which is required by the Board of Health. The Board agreed to sign the plans with the understanding that the permit not be released until the Street Number Verification has been received. Display for Dr. Timothy Stone Public Health Award 4
Mr. Pisinski will purchase a tension shower curtain rod and Ms. Woodford offered to purchase material and create a display area for the Dr. Timothy Stone Public Health Award at the Board of Health office. The next Board of Health meetings will be held on July 17, 2013 at 1:00 PM and September 11, 2013 at 1:00 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 3:06 PM. Respectively submitted by Cindy McLeod, Administrative Secretary Edited by Paul C. Pisinski 5