MINUTES
BOARD OF HEALTH
March 20, 2008
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
Casimir Tryba
Mr. Tom FitzGerald, Health Agent, was also in attendance.
MINUTES
The minutes from 03/13/08 were tabled to the next scheduled meeting.
ATTENDANCE
1. Mr. Dan Call, a resident of Wynnfield Condominiums, attended the meeting to inform the Board that the association was in the process of receiving an estimate from Tighe & Bond for an engineering evaluation. Mr. FitzGerald stated that the Board has not received any new information relative to the septic system failure at the complex. Mr. Call stated that the association hopes to find the cause of the failure and a solution to permanently fix the problem.
2. Mr. Nicholas Daniele, Chairman, Mr. J. Pat Ayotte, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Brian Pranka, members of the Sewer Implementation Committee attended the meeting to discuss the extension of the public sewer system. The Committee members explained the proposed expansion and the possible locations that are currently being discussed. Mr. Daniele explained that there is a time issue relative to applying for loan/grant money. The Town of Southwick is currently listed at fewer than 10,000 residents according to the last published censuses. Once the population exceeds 10,000, grant/loan funding may be limited or non-existent. Mr. Daniele also stated that one of the issues that must be taken into consideration is that, according to the law, access must me made available to all properties
that abutt the sewer line. The location of the expansion needs to take into account where the sewer line is most needed, and can be the most cost effective for the residents. Suggested locations include the lakes area, the schools, Gilette Corners including Big Y (with only a very short distance up Vining Hill Road), the industrial park, and possibly Lakewood Village. The current usage is approximated at 145,000 gallons per day. The Town has a purchased capacity of 500,00 gallons per day to accommodate the expansion. Justification for the locations include high population density areas, low land properties that may be close to the Town well and require grinder pumps, and the industrial park to possibly help with economic development. Dr. Azia questioned if the extension would take into consideration the areas of failure on north College Highway to possibly resolve the failures at Wynnfield and American Inn. The Board and Committee
members discussed the reason for Winfield's failure, which was also discussed at the last Sewer Implementation Committee meeting. During the meeting Mr. Grannells suggested that fill was brought onto the property prior to the percolation tests, and that the tests may not have been conducted in virgin soil. Mr. Pranka assured Mr. Grannells that Mr. FitzGerald does know the difference from virgin and non-virgin soil, and would never conduct a percolation test that was not in accordance with the regulations of Title 5.
Dr. Azia stated that the Board of Health has no position on where the sewer expansion needs to be located, nor was the issue ever discussed at a recent Board of Health meeting. Mr. Fitzgerald did state that though public sewers can be a benefit, but the Committee should also take into consideration that water is being diverted from the Town to Westfield considering the issues relative to the reduction of water reserves. Septic systems filter water which then returns the ground water. Septic system failures should not be a major factor in determining a specific location. Mr. FitzGerald will review the draft proposed locations and report his opinion to the Committee.
The members of the Sewer Implementation Committee expressed their appreciation in the corporation from the Board of Health.
MR. FITZGERALD'S REPORT
1. Mr. FitzGerald stated that Kathy Carlson would replace Lisa Anderson as Board of Health secretary beginning April 2nd.
2. Mr. FitzGerald submitted a resume from Katherine Johnson for the Public Heath Nurse position.
3. Mr. FitzGerald was informed that there would be a conflict if the household hazardous waste collection day is scheduled for May 3rd. Mr. FitzGerald will attempt to re-schedule the collection for another date.
4. Mr. FitzGerald received a report from Mike Pease, Tobacco Control, concerning a compliance check at Oak & Keg. Mr. Pease received an unwelcome reception when he had asked the attendant to move a humidor due to its illegal location. Mr. FitzGerald will conduct a site visit to the location. Mr. FitzGerald also confirmed that Union Mart did have a tobacco permit Mr. FitzGerald noted that the Board of Health has not "officially" raised permit fees for tobacco products.
5. Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint from a tenant at 94 North Lake Avenue concerning insufficient electrical capacity. Mr. FitzGerald conducted a site visit and discovered that the tenant may be using electricity for cooking purposes due to a lack of propane. The tenant had also received an eviction notice from the property owner.
6. Mr. FitzGerald received a report concerning a failed septic system at 32 Ed Holcomb Road. The property owner has two years to repair the system unless the failure causes an imminent health hazard, or is surfacing.
7. Me. FitzGerald noted monitoring wells across from McDonalds. The property owner stated that he was not aware of who drilled the wells.
8. Mr. FitzGerald attended an infectious disease training seminar on March 19th.
9. Mr. Fitzgerald conducted a percolation test at 12 Forster Road, a repair for soils only.
10. Mr. FitzGerald signed Disposal Works Construction Permits for 12 Holcomb Road and 68 Fred Jackson Road
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Nilsson, secretary
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