Board of Health Meeting Minutes

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

Jean Nilsson

Mr. Thomas FitzGerald, Health Director, was also in attendance.

Mrs. Nilsson made a motion to accept the minutes of 11/3/16.  Dr. Azia seconded the motion.  The vote of the Board was unanimous in favor.

18 Eagle Street  Mr. FitzGerald and the Attorney General’s Office have visited this property.  Mr. FitzGerald will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office.

224 Vining Hill Road  Mr. FitzGerald and the Attorney General’s Office have visited this property.  Mr. FitzGerald will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office.

35 Gillette Avenue  Mr. FitzGerald is continuing to work with the Attorney General’s Office on this condemned property.  The building may possibly be demolished.  A demand letter from the Attorney General will be sent.

9 Foster Road  Mr. FitzGerald and the Attorney General’s Office have visited this property.  Mr. FitzGerald will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office.

16D Depot Court  Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint from the Westfield Housing Authority regarding this apartment.  Mr. FitzGerald and the Westfield Housing Authority Director inspected the property while the tenant was present.  Sanitary Code violations were found.

38 Fernwood Road  Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint from a neighbor regarding debris on this property.  Mr. FitzGerald inspected the property; rubbish, debris and old tires were found.  Mr. FitzGerald had previously visited this property for the same complaint approximately six months ago.  A Violation Notice has been sent.

71 Buckingham Drive  Mr. FitzGerald stated that the Building Inspector has sent a Violation Notice for housing and building code violations.

282 South Loomis Street  Mr. FitzGerald received a complaint regarding a large amount of debris in the yard of this rental property.  Mr. FitzGerald, the Building Inspector, and Assessor, inspected the property.  There is a significant amount of materials on the property.  Mr. FitzGerald will send a letter to the owners ordering them to clean up the yard.  This also may be referred for a possible receiver.

196 Berkshire Avenue - Mr. FitzGerald received a call from property owner concerning a beaver lodge.  The beaver has been reported as unsafe.  It has attempted to harm property owner’s dogs.  The property owner would like to trap the beaver.  Mr. FitzGerald contacted the MA Division of Fish and Wildlife for advice and will contact the property abutters to address any concerns.  

Mr. FitzGerald recommended that the Board hold a hearing in an effort to proceed with revising current town well regulations to include an irrigation well code.

Letters, sent by Certified Mail, were mailed to two property owners requiring compliance in having their water restored.  The letters were not signed for.  Mr. FitzGerald stated that both properties are currently occupied and that a second letter may need to be delivered by Town Constable.  

Mr. FitzGerald stated that the Board’s budget is in need of review as the town is beginning to look at the 2018 Fiscal Year Budget.  Copies of the budget packets were handed out to the Board.  Budget review meetings to be held in starting in February.

Mr. FitzGerald stated that Kathleen Carlson, Secretary to the Health Director and Building Inspector, has submitted her notice to retire early next year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Melissa Bridges, Secretary