MINUTES
BOARD OF HEALTH
March 05, 2009
OPENING: The regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Health opened at 7:00 p.m. The following members were in attendance:
Sue Brzoska
Casimir Tryba
Mr. Tom FitzGerald, Health Agent, was also in attendance.
MINUTES
Ms. Brzoska made a motion to accept the minutes of 02/05/09 and 02/19/09. Mr. Tryba seconded the motion and the vote of the Board was unanimous in favor.
MR. FITZGERALD’S REPORT
Mr. FitzGerald reported that the Pride Gas station had not paid for their tobacco permit. Apparently the permit was never forwarded when the station’s ownership was transferred from Island Gas to Pride. The station has since rectified the issue and paid for the permit.
Mr. FitzGerald advised the Board that the septic system at Lakewood Village is in failure. Repairs will need to be made in accordance with State and DEP requirements due to over 10,000 gallons per day usage.
Mr. Guido and Mr. Clegg requested that Mr. FitzGerald conduct a site visit at 327 College Highway. The dwelling appears to be inhabited, but no certificate of occupancy was ever issued. A building permit was issued in 2003, but construction was never completed, and the septic system plan was submitted in 1993, but the paperwork was incomplete. Mr. FitzGerald noted a person at the residence during his site visit, but there was no reply when he knocked on the door. Mr. FitzGerald will consider issuing a co-joint letter with the Building Department to the owner of record.
Mr. FitzGerald reported that he will attend a Housing Court meeting on Monday March 9th to review the property at 256 College Highway. Some significant improvements have been made to remove debris from the property, but the work will need to continue to remove all of the debris.
Mr. FitzGerald was requested to do a Title 5 inspection at 149 College Highway by the owner. At this time, there is no visible breaking out of sewage.
Mr. FitzGerald reported that no progress has been made at 5 and 9 Lakewood Avenue. Both structures are in disrepair and are a hazard in their current condition. Mr. FitzGerald will issue a condemnation letter for both dwellings.
Mr. FitzGerald conducted an inspection of the pool at American Inn.
Mr. FitzGerald was requested by Mr. Grannells to intercede with the public sewer issue at 71 Berkshire Avenue. The property owner claims that the Town should be responsible for any repairs to the pipe of a public sewer system.
Mr. FitzGerald advised the Board that tickets for selling cigarettes to minors have not been issued as of this meeting. He will contact Dr. Azia requesting how the tickets were issued in past violations.
ATTENDANCE
Mr. Jeff Neece and Mr. Luther Hosmer attended the meeting to discuss the public water supply tests. Mr. Neece explained that over the past three and one half years there has been an average of two to three positive coliform tests. Prior to that, the positive tests averaged one or two every five years. Mr. Neece researched possible reasons for the increase in positive reports including how the tests were taken, tests locations, and even who was doing the testing. Mr. Neece discovered that the actual test being used could be subjective dependent upon the technician reading the test. The results are concluded based on a color chart, and not on an actual bacteria count. For example, two water tests were taken at the same time from the same location. One resulted in a negative report, the other was
positive. Mr. Neece also consulted with neighboring communities who have had similar results beginning in the same time period. The tests will be conducted by two separate laboratories for a period of one year. DEP will continue to monitor the test results and may force the Town to begin chlorinating their water. At this time Southwick does receive chlorination from Springfield water. Now that the redundant well has been completed, the need for receiving water from Springfield will be greatly reduced or eliminated. Mr. Neece stated that there were never any positive tests results directly from the well head or the tank.
FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS
- Oak N’Keg
- Recreation Center
- American Inn – minor violations – Mr. FitzGerald conducted a second inspection
PERCOLATION TEST
- 20 Sterrett Drive – repair
MR. FITZGERALD ATTENDED THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS
- FEAC (Food Establishment Advisory Committee)
- WMPHA (Western Mass Public Health Association)
- HCHC (Hampden County Health Coalition)
- LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee)
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Nilsson, Secretary
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