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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-12 Board of Health Minutes ' r Town of Reading Meeting Minutes to �� [); DJDgMOPtOPP 1 E I *• . Board - committee - commission - council: 2n $EP 19 PN 1, 38 Board of Health Date: 2018-06-12 Time: 5:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: John Costigan, Kevin Sexton, Heidi Pfiefer Members - Not Present: Others Present: Dan Ensminger, Laura Vlasuk - Health Agent, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Gina Snyder, David Zeke Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kristen Grover Topics of Discussion: Costigan called the Board of Health meeting to order at 5:00pm in the Berger Room at the Town Hall. Mary Ellen O'Neill, Gina Snyder and David Zeke - members of the Public were present. BOARD BUSINESS Costigan advised the Board there would be a member of the Public giving a presentation tonight. Ensminger took a moment to thank Pfiefer for her service on the Board. Pfiefer mentioned she would be available for next week's meeting. O'Neill asked what the presentation will be on. Costigan replied that it will pertain to natural gas lines. Vlasuk confirmed that depending on how much material gets covered tonight will determine if there will be a meeting next week. CHAIR REPORT Costigan announced a Public Health Nurse had been hired and that her start date was originally the 11" but has been pushed out to next week. He asked Vlasuk about her attendance at meetings. Vlasuk answered she would like her to come to the first meeting to meet everyone and can attend others if needed. Costigan updated the Board of the CDC's report of a Salmonella outbreak, noting to be aware of prepackaged fruits from Caito Foods. Engsminger asked if there was still an issue with Romaine lettuce. Costigan stated it's no longer growing in Arizona, that the growing season has moved to California and the problems seemed to be over. HEALTH AGENT REPORT Vlasuk stated there was nothing pressing since the last meeting and asked if the Board had comments on the Lincoln and Prescott project. Costigan stated he had no reports. Ensminger mentioned things have been quiet. Vlasuk reported her, Bracey, and Fralick have again been certified as animal inspectors and will be conducting inspections. Pfiefer Page 1 1 inquired to the status of hot water at the XX School. Vlasuk advised it was resolved before school opened the next day. MISCELLANEOUS The Board reviewed and discussed meeting minutes while waiting for Sexton to arrive. Snyder and Costigan wanted the wording changed in a few things that were written. Vlasuk asked to table the minutes as to review the video. Ensminger inquired about permits for Friends and Family Day. Vlasuk advised there were none yet, but permits for the Fall Street Fair have started coming in. Ensminger then asked in regards to the pesticide regulations draft, if mosquito spray was exempt and asked Costigan to look into It before next week. BOARD BUSINESS Costigan opened the discussion to pesticide regulations. He reiterated that as Sexton previously mentioned that before instating regulations, they should be publicized first and he had a few ideas on where to do that. He noted the Board's website, the Town's website, local newspapers, The Patch, in water bills, in the Pleasantries Senior newsletter and with Cemetery notices. Sexton stated the Board needs to talk about penalties, that it is something that needs to be discussed. Costigan mentioned the first violation would be a warning. Sexton stated the problem comes from when they run into a monetary violation and that it assumed the violation would have to be proved by testing. Ensminger added - or by actually witnessing the application. Sexton stated his issue is with how to levy a fine. Ensminger mentioned that unless someone admits it, how would a neighbor know if they might only be putting down fertilizer. Vlasuk added - or if a neighbor just doesn't like the other neighbor. Costigan stated that wouldn't happen in Reading and that it would have to be tested. Vlasuk asked how much that would cost. Costigan said he would find out. #1 asked if the difference between pesticide or fertilizer granules can be determined visibly. Costigan stated he couldn't tell the difference. Ensminger added that fertilizer is dyed now. Vlasuk asked how to prove if it was one homeowner or another. Costigan stated he thinks the first warning would be sufficient. Vlasuk suggested testing in more than one area. Costigan summarized that the Board was in agreement that the 1" offense will be a warning. Sexton asked if they will send a written notice because a warning implies an offense which will require an investigation. He mentioned that Town staff was thin right now. Costigan reiterated residents will receive notice of the pesticide policy. Costigan suggested the 2 n offense should entail a letter and a fine. He stated that companies that service homes in Reading will be an easier audience to reach than homeowners. Sexton stated he was hesitant to.put a number on a fine. Costigan said it would be a subject to meeting before the Board and determining a fine. Esminger asked it this will be a ticketing process and asked Vlasuk if she can ticket people. Sexton and Ensminger mentioned that the Board will want to know how much testing will cost. Sexton stated the Town should be the authority to pay for testing, not the homeowner. Costigan suggested having the homeowner pay for testing. Esminger said Sexton means the fine should cover the cost of testing. Vlasuk asked what needs to be tested - grass, dirt, and pellets? Costigan asked how long it might take to educate the public. Sexton estimated 2 years, noting a couple Spring cycles. Costigan said the Board wasn't trying to change behavior Page 12 and Sexton argued that yes, they were trying to get the public to change behavior if they were using pesticides now and Costigan agreed. Costigan stated that if the regulation is approved by the Board of Selectmen, the Board should spend the next few months educating the Public. Vlasuk asked if the restriction will be on the same amount of feet on every street. Sexton stated even the sidewalks are all different. Vlasuk asked if they will go by an average. Sexton commented that even a treelawn can be subjective if someone didn't have a sidewalk. The Board agreed the cost of the test will determine the cost of the ticket and Costigan reiterated he will look into the cost of testing pellets. Costigan suggested they discuss the wording to submit to the Board of Selectmen regarding the 1" offense. Ensminger and Sexton suggested leaving wording for 2 a and 3`d offenses blank and as to be determined. The Board agreed on a March 1, 2019 effective date. O'Neil suggested having a flat fine for a 2 a offense. Pfiefer suggested promoting awareness at Town Day. Costigan mentioned handing out Fliers notifying residents that they can't use pesticides like that. O'Neil mentioned making it a positive message to protect our children. Costigan asked the Board if they will be at the Board of Selectmen meeting next week and mentioned the meeting needs to be posted accordingly. Costigan asked Grover if she was making the discussed changes to the pesticide regulations. Grover replied that she was not; she was taking the meeting minutes. Sexton stated the Board should make the changes then forward them. The Board discussed the wording of the proposed changes and decided on a 3-1-19 effective date. The Board discussed what to bring to the Board of Selectmen meeting, deciding on a final draft of the regulations, a letter discussing the cost of testing and fines, and their presence. Motion to accept as amended by Sexton; motion seconded by Pfiefer. Motion carries 3-0-0. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Costigan thanked Zeke for being there. Zeke opened by stating that even though he is a member of the Climate Advisory Committee he was here tonight as a citizen. He said he was there tonight to ask the Board to consider sending the Governor a letter requesting an analysis of the impact on the impact of natural gas on residents and to then implement a process that will assess the health factors when new pipelines are created. He advised that 67 Boards of Health have sent such letters to the Governor. He discussed particulates of Benzene and Formaldehyde, the fracking process, and contribution to the Ozone layer. He noted the MA Medical Society stated they concur with the statement of the effects of natural gas. He offered that he Board could send their own letter to the Governor or sign on to their letter. He advised the Board that he brought a study of ventilation into homes and noted there had been about 95 natural gas leaks in Reading. He noted Reading has old pipes for gas lines such as Boston. Ensminger asked if Zeke was aware that Reading is replacing a large portion of pipe infrastructure. Zeke replied yes and that is the only real solution. Ensminger questioned Zeke on political motives, noting this is a political year and Zeke's affiliations with different committees. Zeke stated he was not there in a political context. They discussed gas being a cleaner burning fuel, and climate issues. Sexton stated the Board can put the item on a future meeting for discussion after they have reviewed the material. Costigan said he would like to discuss the matter and will have it put on the Agenda for the next meeting after they have had a better chance to digest it. Page 1 3 OTHER BUSINESS The Board discussed potentially changing meeting days to Wednesday starting in July and options for dates and times. Ensmiger advised the Board that a change may incur overtime for Grover. Grover advised the Board she also has Zoning Board meetings on Wednesday nights. Costigan and Sexton mentioned Tuesdays within Town Hall hours are best and part of the commitment. Vlasuk stated Tuesday during work were best though she can do Wednesdays at 7. Tuesdays at 7 would be better for her. Ensminger mentioned appointing Pfiefer as an associate, noting she wouldn't be obliged to come to each meeting. Pfiefer stated coming from Boston can be difficult sometimes. Vlasuk asked Costigan if he had the electronic copy of the regulations to make the changes on. He advised he had It at home. Costigan stated he will make the changes. Vlasuk mentioned to send copies to everyone and to Caitlin Saunders for the Board of Selectmen packet and she will need it tomorrow. Minutes of 05-15-2018 To be voted on at the next meeting in July. Next meeting Tuesday June 17, 2018 at 5:30 — Board of Selectmen Meeting OTHER BUSINESS Motion to adjourn by Costigan; motion seconded by Sexton. Motion carries 3-0-0 — Meeting adjourned at 6:20pm. Page 1 4