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Board of Health Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, April 7, 2016
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. Thomas FitzGerald, Health Director, was also in attendance.

 

MINUTES

Mr. Tryba made a motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2016.  Ms. Brzoska seconded the motion.  The vote of the Board was unanimous.

 

MR. FITZGERALD’S REPORT

 

2 Lakemont Street  Mr. FitzGerald stated that this case is due in Housing Court in the beginning of May.  As of this meeting, no payment has been made for the water bill.
 
87 Klaus Anderson Road  Mr. FitzGerald is working with the Attorney General on this property.

 

35 Gillette Avenue  Mr. FitzGerald stated that the condemnation order was posted.
 
156 Berkshire Avenue  Mr. FitzGerald is working with the Attorney General on this property.

 

110 Hillside Road  Mr. FitzGerald issued a condemnation order for this property.

 

9 Foster Road  Mr. FitzGerald reported that the property has not been occupied for a period of time and may be a candidate for receivership.  The property is bank owned.  Mr. Tryba made a motion to have Mr. FitzGerald begin proceedings for condemnation.  Ms. Brzoska seconded the motion.  The vote of the Board was unanimous in favor.

 

256 College Highway  Mr. FitzGerald related the history of the property from 2009.  Debris and junk vehicles were removed after the initial complaint. However, the property now has more debris and trash and an alleged occupied trailer.  There are not permits for the property on file. Mr. FitzGerald took photos from a neighboring property and will issue a letter to the property owner requesting permission for a site visit.  

 

5 Brook View   Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint of rubbish and debris.
Mr. FitzGerald conducted a tanning booth inspection at A Hair Better.

 

Mr. FitzGerald notified the Board that there is a short fall in the budget.  There has been an increase in the amount of sharps being dropped off at the Board of Health office.   Ms. Brzoska made a motion to have Mr. FitzGerald do a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $1,000.00 to cover the expenses.  This is the first time that the Board of Health needed a reserve transfer.  Most years funds appointed to the Board of Health were returned to the general fund.  Mr. Tryba seconded the motion.  The vote of the Board was unanimous in favor.

 

Mr. FitzGerald reported that Grandaddy Frank’s BBQ will be preparing their food in the interior of Westfield River Brewery, but will keep the mobile smoker on the exterior due to the smoking process.  There will be no food preparation, aside from the food being smoked, on the interior of the trailer when they are conducting business at that location.  The Board agreed to have Grandaddy Frank’s BBQ retain their mobile food permit in the event they want to conduct business at another location, and have a food permit issued to them for the Westfield River Brewery location.  

 

The Board members discussed raising the age to purchase tobacco, and or nicotine delivery products from 18 to 21.  There is a bill before the House of Representatives, but it may take an extended period of time before a vote.  Raising the age in Southwick will mandate that purchasers under the age of 21 will have to go to neighboring Cities or Towns that have not raised the age to 21.  Mr. Tryba made a motion to amend the Town’s current 2014 “Regulations Limiting Youth Access to Tobacco Products and Nicotine Delivery Products” by raising the age of 18 to the age of 21 in the following sections: twice in the definition for “adult-only establishment”, four times in Section III.A entitled “Sales to Minors”, and twice in Section III.C.3 regarding signage, effective as of May 7, 2016.  Mr. Tryba also made a motion to amend the Town’s current 2014 “regulations Limiting Youth Access to Tobacco Products and Nicotine delivery Products” by adding a new definition to read “E-cigarette: Any electronic device, not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, composed of a mouthpiece, heating element, battery and/or electronic circuits that provides a vapor of liquid nicotine to the user, or relies on vaporization of any liquid or solid nicotine.  The term shall include such devices whether they are manufactured as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookah or under any other product name” and a new section to read “The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited wherever smoking is prohibited per Massachusetts Law” effective as of May 7, 2016.  Dr. Azia seconded the motion.  The vote of the Board was unanimous in favor.

 

Mr. FitzGerald notified the Board that the 1999 Food Code is being changed and would like to have the Board members adopt the 2013 Food Code.  The State is in the process of approving the code.  The Board members agreed to wait for the State approval.

 

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FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS
  • New Main Moon – The Board members discussed the repetitive issues with the restaurant.  Mr. Tryba made a motion to issue a letter to the owner of The New Main Moon stating that any further serious food service violations will result in a minimum of a three month suspension and or up to a permanent revocation of their food license.  Dr. Azia seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous in favor.  Mr. FitzGerald did conduct an inspection of the restaurant prior to re-opening.
  • Blue Boy Candle – Mr. FitzGerald met with the owner and contractor.  The business has not been open to the public for approximately 13 years.
  • Zanto’s – Mr. FitzGerald reported that they did have some minor issues relative to ceiling tile damage due to some electrical work.  Mr. FitzGerald will conduct a follow up inspection.
  • Jimmy’s – Mr. FitzGerald conducted a re-inspection of the restaurant.  There was exposed dry wall, and open tiles in the food preparation area.  In the event that the re-inspection is not satisfactory, the restaurant will be fined in accordance with the Board of Health Regulations.
  • Mr. FitzGerald commented that all of the below restaurants have continuously satisfactory inspections:
  • Moo-licous
  • Tuckers
  • American Inn
  • Red Riding Hoods Basket
TITLE 5 SIGN OFFS
  • 405 North Loomis Street
  • 113 Feeding Hills Road
  • 320 North Lake Avenue
  • Southwick Acres – Mr. FitzGerald reported that there was a plumbing issue.  He is working with the engineer to resolve it.
TITLE 5 FINAL INSPECTIONS
  • 15 Sterrett Drive
  • 39 Birchwoodd Drive
  • 136 Mort Vining Road
  • 37 Honey Pot Road
TITLE 5 SOILS EVALUATIONS
  • 405 North Loomis Street
POOL INSPECTIONS
  • American Inn
MEETINGS/TRAININGS/SEMINARS
  • WMPHA – Hadley
  • LEPC – Town Hall
  • FEAC – Westborough
  • Community Sanitation – South Hadley - Mr. FitzGerald stated that all of the State Sanitary Codes are being reviewed for amendments, revocation, revisions, or to remain the same per executive order of Governor Baker.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Nilsson, Secretary