HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-10 Board of Health MinutesThe Board of Health meeting came to order on August 10, 1994 at
5:30 pm in the Berger Room of Town Hall. Present at the meeting
were members William Murphy and Cathy Baranofsky, staff Ruth
Cogan and public Bill Bergeron (Hayes Engineering) ,
Mike Rosati
(Marchiotta Engineering), David Hamel (Charles James Associates)
Linda Morrill, Kimberly Murphy, Sharon McCauley, Judy and George
Shannon, Barbara and Hank Bardol, Cathy Walsh.
The minutes of July 14, 1994 were approved 2:0:0 as presented.
The minutes of June 9, 1994 were tabled.
Public Hearing - regulations for "Application Review Fees, Spe-
cial Account" : There was no public comment. The Board approved
the regulations 2:0:0 as presented.
Public Hearing - regulations for "Sale or Gift of Tobacco to
Minors": There was no public comment. The Board approved the
regulations 2:0:0 as presented.
Update on Tobacco Control Project - Cogan gave an update on the
current status of activities. The Stoneham Board of Health has
submitted a letter to DPH requesting to join Reading's contract.
Public Hearing - Schoolhouse Condominium trash: Murphy gave an
synopsis of the situation to date. Hamel summarized activities by
the management company which have occurred since the March Board
of Health meeting. He noted that the pest control company's
opinion. Morrill of Unit 2 noted that the situation has improved
but that she still has some insect activity. Murphy noted that
she has policed the area. Bardol noted that she felt that the
activities done thus far have been inadequate (i.e., wrong size
.exhaust fan). George Shannon noted that the building has a spe-
cial permit and does not have the usual buffers to a neigh-
borhood. He would like the trash room built to the requirements
approved by the Town, however, he said that the Building Depart-
ment is unable to locate the plans to determine exactly what was
required. He would like the Town to require the building to ex-
haust all remedies to make the trash room acceptable before
having the trash outside. Walsh noted that the building was ap-
proved for occupancy by the Town. Judy Shannon felt that
remedies were being done piecemeal and would like all remedies
done together to see whether they could work.
Murphy and Baranofsy both noted that they had been to the
premises on two separate occasions, including that day. With
present conditions of odor, moisture and insufficient size they
did not feel that this room was an acceptable way to store
trash. They agreed with the earlier vote of the Board which was
that the trash from the individual units are not to be stored in
the basement trash room.
A discussion was held about an alternative of weekly or biweekly
pick up of the trash at curbside. Tenants would keep their trash
in the unit until the pick up date. With both a.garbage disposal
and trash compactor in each unit and biweekly pick up, trash
would not be in the unit for more than 3/4 days at a time. This
solution would eliminate the odor/insect 1-1
pro em for basement
tenants of the building, would eliminate the dumpster concerns of
the neighbors, and would provide a mechanism similar to the trash
pick up of Reading residents whose trash is picked up by the
Town. It was made clear that it would be the condominium
association's responsibility to pay for the trash pick up. Walsh
was the sole dissenter to this solution as she felt that her dis-
posal would create an odor in her unit.
Revised Definitive Subdivision - Fienemann Circle: The Board
voted 2:0:0 to approve the revised plan as submitted. -
Preliminary Subdivision - Anson Lane: The Board voted 2:0:0 to
approve the plan with the condition that the minimum cellar floor
elevation is at least two feet above high groundwater.
Definitive Subdivision - Ashley Woods III: The Board voted 2:0:0
to approve the plans with the condition that the side slopes of
the detention area are no steeper than 3:1.
Tobacco Control Project, continued: The Board discussed revising
the existing regulations and expanding the subject matter. Cogan
noted that the Town Manager very strongly recommended that the
Board adopt the regulations rather than submitting a warrant to
Town Meeting, unless it included smoking in the workplace. The
Board discussed including the following subjects in the regula-
tions - vending machines, number of smoking seats in a res-
taurant, public places, and selling to minors. They instructed
the Director to draft regulations for smokefree restaurants and
arrange for an early morning meeting with restaurant people to
discuss the proposal.
other business: Cogan noted that applications have been received
for a new Preadolescent Nurse.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm
Ruth L. Cogan, MPH
Director