HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoH - 10/29/2019 APPROVED
COHASSET BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY October 29, 2019
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—Basement Conference Room
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET, MA 02025
Board Members Present: Public Health Agent:
Robin Lawrence, DDS, MPH, Chairman Pam Fahey, MPH
Lynn Doxey, MPH,Vice Chair Field Engineer
Michael Pollastri, PhD, Clerk Jason Federico
Recording Secretary: Public Health Nurse:
Amy Davis Mary Goodwin, RN
6:00 P.M. Meeting called to order
6:01 P.M. 17 Adams Road Septic Variance/Easement Request
In attendance for this hearing: Richard Henderson, Ohrenberger De Lisi & Harris, LLP, Linda Indek, 17 Adams
Road, Ellliot Seaborn, 600 Jerusalem Rd.
Materials for this agenda item:
• Plan of Land Jerusalem Road, dated 8/24/92
• Plan of land 17 Adams Road, dated 10/22/19
• Quitclaim deed & letter for variance
Mr. Henderson reviewed an old sub-division plan dated 8/24/1992 with the Board for 17 Adams Road and 600
Jerusalem Road area showing Lots A, B, C, & D.The septic system for 17 Adams Road &600 Jerusalem Road are
on the division of Lots B & D. Dr. & Mrs. Indek, 17 Adams Road, have entered into an agreement to sell Mr. &
Mrs.Seaborn, 600 Jerusalem Road, a half-acre parcel of land.The parcel is referred to as Parcel A on a new plan
entitled "Plan of Land 17 Adams Road" prepared by Cavanaro Consulting dated 10/22/19. The septic field and
other components of the system servicing 17 Adams Road are located within and will remain within Parcel A.
The proposed deed to Parcel A will give Dr. & Mrs. Indek an easement to access, repair, upgrade, maintain or
replace,the portion of the system that is on parcel A.The easement will also permit the Board of Health to enter
onto Parcel A should the Indeks violate MassDEP Title 5 regulations or the Cohasset Board of Health Title 5
Supplemental Rules and Regulations. Mr. Henderson is asking the Board to approve a variance to allow the
Indeks to have an easement to access their system within Parcel A. No vote was taken
6:10 P.M. 285A North Main Street Sanitary Issue, Update
In attendance for this hearing: Ricarda Carfagno, 381 North Main Street, abutter
Material used for this agenda item: None
On September 19, 2019 Ms. Fahey sent an Order to Correct Violation letter to the property owner at 285A North
Main Street. The letter gave the property owner 30 days to remove personal property items that were on or
over the property line of 281 North Main Street and to also remove piles throughout the property that would
serve as animal habitats. Ms. Fahey and Bob Egan, Building Inspector,visited the property on October 29, 2019
and observed that no cleanup has been completed. The piles of debris were still present. The Board discussed
how to move forward with this issue so the property owner will abide by the Town Nuisance Regulations.
APPROVED
MOTIONED BY: Ms. Doxey moved that 14 days from tomorrow, 10/30/19, the Board will access the
property owner at 285A North Main Street a $100.00 fine per day if there has been no cleanup progress. If
there is a dumpster and the property owner is showing signs of cleaning up the debris the fines will be
deferred for another 14 days. If nothing happens in the 28 days an accumulated fine of$1400.00 plus a daily
$100.00 fine will be instituted.The Board will look into removal of a nuisance at the property owner's expense
as stated in the Cohasset Board of Health Nuisance Regulation 5.08: Additional remedies available to affect
compliance
SECONDED BY: Dr. Pollastri
VOTE: 3-0
6:45 P.M. 541 Beechwood Street Lot 1 New Septic Design Plan
In attendance to represent this agenda item: Stephen Bjorklund, property owner
Material used for this agenda item:
• Application for Disposal System Construction permit
• Septic System Design Plan dated 10/10/2019, date stamped 10/15/2019
• Form 11 Soil Suitability Assessment for On-Site Sewage Disposal
Mr. Bjorklund reviewed the new septic design plan for 541 Beechwood Street Lot 1 with the board.The system
will be a gravity fed system. The new system meets all setbacks, groundwater separation, and zoning. Mr.
Bjorklund also stated the property address will be 543 Beechwood Street.
MOTIONED BY: Dr. Pollastri moved to approve the septic system design plan for 541 Beechwood Street Lot 1
dated 10/10/2019
SECONDED BY: Dr. Lawrence
VOTE: 3-0
6:55 P.M. 541 Beechwood Street Lot 2 Septic System Upgrade Plan
In attendance to represent this agenda item: Stephen Bjorkland, property owner
Material used for this agenda item:
• Application for Disposal System Construction permit
• Septic System Upgrade Plan dated 10/10/2019, date stamped 10/15/2019, revised 10/28/2019, date
stamped 10/29/2019
• Form 11 Soil Suitability Assessment for On-Site Sewage Disposal
Originally 541 Beechwood Street Lot 2 required a separation to ground water variance. Mr. Bjorklund notified
abutters and Lot 2 was placed on the BOH agenda before revised plans were submitted removing the variance
requirement. 541 Beechwood Street Lot 2 does not require a variance and a vote is not required by the Board.
7:01 P.M. Approve Minutes from September 10, 2019 Meeting
MOTIONED BY: Ms. Doxey
SECONDED BY: Dr. Lawrence
VOTE: 3-0
7:03 P.M. Approve the Warrant 9/10/19 - 10/29/19
MOTIONED BY: Dr. Lawrence
SECONDED BY: Dr. Pollastri
VOTE: 3-0
7:05 P.M. Set Next Meeting Date Tuesday November 19, 2019 at 6:00 P.M.
APPROVED
7:06 P.M. Public Health Agent Report for October 2019
Food: A total of nine restaurants and the three school cafeterias were inspected in October.All establishments
requiring a re-inspection due to violations were compliant upon return.
Septic: Brian Joyce, DPW Director, and Ms. Fahey had a conference call with MassDEP—Jeff Gould, Brett Rowe
and David Burns. Regulatory Authority:
• Should new construction at 390 CJC does not occur, 380 CJC&400 CJC constitute a large system under
Title 5 (310 CMR 15.00) with flows between 10,000 gpd and 15,000 gpd and are regulated by MassDEP as the
permitting authority. Both systems are now under MassDEP control under Title 5. Ownership is currently
required to upgrade the existing failed Title 5 system at 380 CJC.
• Should new construction at 390 CJC occurs, the additional flow (for a total of approximately 21,000
gpd) would require the entire system be permitted under a Groundwater Discharge Permit 314 CMR 5.00. All
three systems would be required to tie into an onsite treatment plant.
If a Groundwater Discharge Permit (GDP) is required:
• All three systems (380-400 CJC) would be required to be tied into a treatment plant
• An on-site treatment building could be sited anywhere on the 380-400 CJC plaza property
• The system would likely be smaller than the one currently operating at Avalon across the street
• The leaching fields would be smaller in size than Title 5 designed leaching fields
• The GDP would require effluent to meet drinking water standards for routine parameters
• GDP permitting process likely to be about 6 months
• Developer is likely to maximize the flow capacity of the treatment plant to make it worth the
investment
Mr. Joyce presented the following information regarding onsite treatment plant capacity:
• 450,000 gpd maximum capacity
• 360,000 gpd 80%capacity
• 354,000 gpd rolling average
• 230,000 gpd (minimum flow on a dry day)
These figures indicate that there is only about 6,000 gpd free prior to meeting the 80% threshold. The total
plaza would be about 21,000 gpd based on design.
Mr.Joyce indicated that there is some inflow& infiltration (I&I)work going on in town that could decrease the
current rolling average.
Mr.Joyce presented the pros and cons for the two public sewer options:
1. Proposed sewer to Evergreen
2. Proposed sewer on 3A to Tupelo Pump station
Mr.Joyce pointed out that the public sewer options are subject to a Town Meeting vote in May
Additional Comments/Questions:
• Mr. Joyce asked if DEP has a preferred option between public sewer and an onsite treatment plant.
Mr.Gould replied that DEP is generally in favor of the most superior treatment before water is discharged back
into the environment. Generally a sewer can provide the best treatment, but DEP will not- "dictate" to towns.
APPROVED
• Mr.Gould said that the DEP's approach is to take a step-back-and-wait approach to see if the developer
can obtain a sewer tie in; DEP is technically hands off of 390 CJC until the developer applies for a GDP if they
cannot tie into sewer—basically they are taking on an auditing role for now.
• Ms. Fahey asked if there are any interim measures planned for 380 CJC Highway failed septic system
since it could be close to two years before remedial measures are in place. Mr. Gould replied that the
information that DEP has received indicates that there is not enough groundwater separation to perform a
White Knight type remedial technology. The last activity that DEP approved was a clean out of the laterals in
late August using hot water. The enforcement action is still open so if any unauthorized activity is observed it
should be reported to DEP. Also, if the BOH has concerns about the operating restaurant continuing to use the
failed system then DEP can be contacted for this reason as well.
Ms. Fahey has been attending Cohasset Sewer Commission meetings. The Commission's opinion is that it has
previously reviewed the sewer options thoroughly and there is not sufficient plant capacity to expand public
sewer in the CJC Highway area of the town.Their top priority for sewer expansion is the South Main Street/Gulf
River area.
The Board of Health received a letter from Chip Nylen stating that the Staszko team does not need to update
the Cohasset BOH regarding maintenance of the 380 CJC system. However,there is an operating restaurant at
380 CJC, and, the local BOH is responsible for upholding the State Sanitary Code and should be informed of
maintenance of the failed septic system. Correspondence with Jeff Gould (MassDEP) confirms that we need
share information regarding maintenance of the system and alert MassDEP of any new releases or enforcement
violations. Also, Mr. Gould mentioned that the two year clock for septic upgrade begins with our letter
declaring a failed system dated April 24,2019.
Mosquitos: EEE season officially ends with the first hard frost. This was the worst season for EEE in
Massachusetts since 1956.There were 12 human cases of EEE with four deaths. Outbreaks of EEE usually occur
in Massachusetts every 10-20 years. These outbreaks will typically last two to three years. The most recent
outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts began in 2010 and included nine cases with four fatalities through 2012;
therefore, based on historical trends it is highly likely that 2020 will be a bad year as well. Ms. Fahey will look
for an opportunity to meet with Plymouth County Mosquito Control over the winter to develop a strategy for
truck mounted spraying during mosquito season (August-September). Also, providing public communications
regarding reducing risk before the season starts.
7:21 P.M. Public Health Nurse Report for September 2019
Communicable Disease Reports: Anaplasmosis, 2 cases of Salmonella—unrelated, 2 cases Babesiosis,
Community Outreach/Meetings:
• On 9/12/19 Ms. Goodwin participated in the interview process with Nancy Lafauce of CEA and Miriam
Johnson HR, for a potential social work candidate for Cohasset Elder Affairs
• On 9/19/19 Ms. Goodwin attended the Southeast Chapter meeting of Mass. Assoc. of Public Health
Nurses in Hingham. Representatives from Sanofi Pasteur presented flu vaccine for this upcoming season. High
dose flu vaccine is a trivalent vaccine with 2 A's (H1N1 and H3N2) and a B influenza. Fluzone is a quadravalent
vaccine made with 2 A's (H1N1 and H31\12) and 2 B's (Victoria and Yamagata.)
• Flu vaccine production was delayed in March; the vaccine order is being delivered in smaller batches.
Flu clinics have been scheduled—first clinic is 10/28/19 at Willcutt Commons.
APPROVED
7:23 P.M. Ms. Goodwin discussed her annual performance review with the Board. Ms. Goodwin spoke to
Miriam Johnson, HR director, and Ms. Johnson recommended the Board perform Ms. Goodwin's annual
evaluation. Ms. Goodwin gave the Board the template for the questionnaire which is not specific to Ms.
Goodwin's position but, is a general form used for all Town employees. The Board agreed to assume the annual
evaluation/review of the Public Health Nurse, currently held by Mary Goodwin, and the annual evaluation/
review of the Public Health Agent/Director, currently held by Pamela Fahey.
7:30 P.M. Adjourn the Meeting
MOTION BY: Dr. Pollastri to adjourn meeting at 7:30 PM
SECONDED BY: Ms. Doxey
VOTE: 3-0