2022-08-04 Board of Health Minutes

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homeowners can prevent the situation from happening again. He recommended that the Board grant the homeowners a conditional 30 -day extension that includes a management and maintenance plan from a professional landscape company. The homeowner, Brian Stowell, stated that he will not hire a landscape company. He has a disability and has been sick, but can still do some work. He stated that he has done all the work so far to comply with the orders, and maintenance going forward will be easier than it has been over the past year. He asked the Board to give him more time to prove that he can maintain it. Dr. Lopez noted that the property is currently no longer a public nuisance because the backyard has been cleaned up. However, Mr. Solarin has concerns about the property becoming a public nuisance again over the next 30 to 45 days. Dr. Lopez proposed to give the Stowells 30 or 45 days to maintain the current condition of the property, followed by another inspection 30 days after that. If the property at any time reverts to its previous condition, there would be an automatic requirement to retain a professional landscaping company. The order can be conditional anytime in the next 12 months should the property revert to its overgrown state. Board members agreed with the proposal, though Ms. Dunnell cautioned it could be setting a precedent that could create extra work for staff. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to order an inspection of the property at 34 Hartshorn Street in 30 days. If the property is reverting to its previous condition at that time, there will be an automatic requirement, per order of the Board of Health, for a landscaping company to be retained by the property owners within two weeks to manage the property. The requirement for a landscaping company will remain in place for twelve months and may be implemented by the Health Department if future inspections show that the property is reverting to its previous unacceptable condition. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Paula Curren - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Request for Variance - 365 Ash Street Mr. Solarin stated that the property at 365 Ash Street was condemned on July 20th. The occupant is in good health and is currently in a hotel. The owner has decided to comply with the order and move back in. He has requested a 90 -day extension to correct the violations. Ray Warren, the homeowner's son, stated that they are actively seeking contractors but have gotten limited responses so far. They are considering whether it is worth the effort. He is working closely with the building inspector to help his father as much as possible. Mr. Solarin stated that the corrective repairs must be made, the house must be reinspected, and the standards must be met before the homeowner can move back in. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve a 90 -day variance for 365 Ash Street, during which time the ordered repairs must be made, and a reinspection must occur prior to the building being reinhabited. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Reading Coalition Update Kevin Sexton provided an update from the Coalition's lune meeting, as he was unable to attend their July meeting. He had shared the teen mental health first aid results with the Board ahead of the last BOH meeting and noted some eye-opening statistics in them. The Coalition was running a program called "I Decide' but has since transitioned away from it, as the program was more penal than educational if someone tested positive for substances. The Coalition is picking up with the MGH program, and is taking on more themselves until they can find another pilot program to replace "I Decide". Page 1 2