MINUTES

BOARD OF HEALTH

May 3, 2007

 

 

 

OPENING:  The regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Health opened at 7:00 p.m.  The following members were in attendance:

Dr. Jerome Azia

Sue Brzoska

Casimir Tryba

 

Mr. FitzGerald, Health Agent was also in attendance.

 

MINUTES

 

1.          Ms. Brzoska made a motion to accept the minutes of 03/15/07 and 04/05/07.  Mr. Tryba seconded the motion and the vote of the Board was unanimous in favor.

 

MR. FITZGERALD’S REPORT

 

1.          Mr. FitzGerald participated in a drill on April 12, 2007 to test the Health Alert Network.  Mr. FitzGerald has also been ISC 300 approved.  Mr. FitzGerald will attend a no cost seminar for three days in Agawam for approximately thirty (30) hours.

 

2.          Mr. Englehardt advised Mr. FitzGerald that the tenant at 14 Depot Court had been relocated to another unit.  The bathroom in unit #14 is being renovated.

 

3.          Mr. FitzGerald conducted a Food Service Inspection at Dave’s Ice Cream, the Summer House, and Herefords.  Mr. FitzGerald noted debris around the dumpster at Herefords and will return for another inspection to ensure the debris has been removed.

 

4.          Mr. FitzGerald continued the Housing Court case for 787 College Highway until June 19th.  A dumpster has been placed on the property and the owner of the property has made some progress clearing the debris.

 

5.          Mr. FitzGerald reported that the American Inn had a reported septic system issue.  There was no evidence of surfacing.  Mr. FitzGerald was advised that an engineer had been retained to review the septic system.

 

6.          Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint concerning the dwelling at 94 Summer Avenue.  The property owner is not available to conduct repairs.  Mr. FitzGerald will do a site visit to evaluate the property.

 

7.          Mr. FitzGerald reminded the Board members that the annual Household Collection day is scheduled for May 5th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

 

 

8.          Mr. FitzGerald was requested to evaluate a vacant one acre parcel of land at 108 Hillside Road for an assessment.

 

9.          Mr. FitzGerald and Mrs. Nilsson will be on vacation for the next scheduled meeting on May 17th.  The Board members agreed to postpone the meeting until May 24th.

 

10.      Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint of a sewage outbreak at 34 Ed Holcomb Road.  Mr. Stinehart and Mr. Grannells did a site visit approximately one hour before Mr. FitzGerald was able to view the reported outbreak.  Mr. Horkun did pump the septic tank and Mr. FitzGerald issued an order to the property owner to begin repairs on the system within thirty (30) days. 

 

11.      Mr. FitzGerald issued a letter to the Recoulle’s stating that their neighbor’s wood burning stove had been permitted and inspected.

 

12.      Mr. FitzGerald advised the Board members that Mr. Searle had signed off the septic system for Dr. Alla Chesky on Fred Jackson Road.

 

13.      Mr. FitzGerald received a draft letter relative to a mandatory sewer connection for businesses who have not already connected to the public sewer system.  The Board members will review the letter for changes and/or corrections at the next meeting. 

 

14.      Mr. FitzGerald conducted a housing inspection at 137 Berkshire Avenue.  The property owner is in the process of clearing the debris.  Mr. FitzGerald will re-inspect the property.

 

15.      Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint from the property owner of 34 Beach Road concerning bubbles in the lake.  No bubbles were evident during the time of Mr. FitzGerald’s inspection, however, the property owner was advised to contact Mr. FitzGerald if the bubbles return.

 

16.      Dr. Azia was informed of a fire at McDonald’s on April 26th at approximately 9:00 pm.   The fire, which may have resulted from an electrical connection, was in a grease unit.  Dr. Azia advised the manager not to open the restaurant until it could be inspected by Mr. FitzGerald.  Mr. FitzGerald did conduct an inspection at approximately 7:45 April 27th and found no repercussions from the fire and allowed the restaurant to open.

 

17.      Mr. FitzGerald conducted research on neighboring cities and town relative to waste haulers.  Each community did issue permits to haulers and charged a fee.  There are four confirmed haulers currently conducting business within the Town.  The Board requested that Mr. FitzGerald do more research on haulers operating in Southwick.

 

18.      Mr. FitzGerald met with the superintendent of schools concerning measures to be taken in the event of a pandemic flu epidemic.  The school building could be utilized for patients that are at high risk or need acute care in the event the hospitals cannot accommodate them.  Some of the issues to be addressed include the roll of teachers and how students will continue their studies in the event of the schools being commandeered for a substantial period of time. 

 

19.      The Board issued a letter to Jeff Neece concerning floor drains.  The Board members agreed that passage through a general By-law and not a public heath regulation would provide for the greatest public participation.

 

20.      The Board members reviewed a final draft of a letter to the Board of Selectmen concerning a legal opinion from the Deputies General Counsel regarding whether the local police shall assist the Board of Health members in an emergency closure order.  The letter stated that the Board of Health, in the future, will not ask the Police Department for assistance, but will seek an injunction through the courts.  Mr. Tryba made a motion to send the letter to the Board of Selectmen.  Dr. Azia seconded the motion, and Ms. Brzoska was opposed.

 

21.      Mr. FitzGerald forwarded information from on CTY Reverse 911 system that is currently available and used by the school system.  The system could be expanded to use for public notification at a cost to the Town of $3.00 per household per year. 

 

22.      Mr. FitzGerald conducted a final inspection of the septic system installations at the following locations:

1)      Lot 9 North Pond View

2)      201 Klaus Anderson Road

3)      29 North Lake Avenue – septic tank only

 

23.      Mr. FitzGerald witnessed percolation tests at the following locations:

1)      785 College Highway

2)      112 Granville Road

3)      Lot adjoining 204 Vining Hill Road

4)      John Mason Road (Freda Brown – property owner)

5)      Lot #1 Davis Road – deep holes only

6)      85 Mort Vining Road

7)      266 South Longyard Road

8)      College Highway – Tractor Supply

   

24.      Mr. FitzGerald signed Disposal Works Construction Permits for the following locations:

1)      784 College Highway

2)      6 Amber Leaf Way

3)      9 Patriots Way 

 

MAIL

 

1.             Mr. FitzGerald received a letter from Michelle Hill requesting that no permits be issued to Crestview and Great Brook Lumber due to non-payment of taxes.

 

2.             The Board received a letter from DEP regarding the release of oil from a Coca-Cola truck in Southwick.

 

3.             Mr. FitzGerald received a Leave of Absence Policy.

 

4.             The Board received a notice that the septic system at Big Y was functioning properly.

 

5.             The Board received a draft copy from DEP on minimum standards for medical or biological waste.

 

6.             The Board received a copy of the revised Well Head Protection By Law.

 

7.             The Board received a notice of water testing at 3 Reservoir Road and 90 Will Palmer Road.  Water testing at those locations is no longer mandated.  The Board of Health will remove their restrictions on the deeds of the property relative to water tests. 

 

8.             The Board received a notice that an environmental engineer firm will be conducting studies at 532 College Highway.

 

 

As there was no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Jean Nilsson, secretary

 

 

 

 

______________________________                        ____________________________________

Dr. Jerome Azia                                                           Sue Brzoska                                                    

 

     

 

______________________________                        ____________________________________

Casimir Tryba                                                                           Tom FitzGerald, Health Agent                          

 

 

 

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