HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoH - 07/02/2013 Board of Health Meeting
July 2, 2013
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APPROVED MINUTES
COHASSET BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY,JULY 2, 2013
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—DOWNSTAIRS MEETING ROOM
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET, MA 02025
Board Members Present: Margaret S. Chapman, Chair(MSC)
Elizabeth L. Kirkpatrick(ELK)
Robin Lawrence (RL)
Staff Present: Felix Zemel (FZ), Health Administrator
In Attendance: Paul Davis (PD)
Diane Karcher(DK)
Keith Conforti (KC)
Al Buckley(AB)
Tim O'Brien (TO)
Jeff Johnson (JJ)
Laura Guiliano (LG)
Chris Kondrat (CK)
Meeting called to order at 7.08 pm. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday,July 30, 2013.
HEALTH AGENT'S REPORT: FZ received plans from Dr. Pompeo for 5 lots/septic systems for the next agenda
.For the prior fiscal year the department came in at$2000(10%+) under budget.There is nothing budgeted for
an Animal Inspector.We have an Animal Control Officer but not an Animal Inspector who would do rabies
control, barn inspections, dog nuisance and feral cat issues and would report to the BOH.There was a large
amount left in Medical Supplies due to funding from a PHEP grant but we may have to draw from our own
funds as grants have been reduced. Office Supplies come from Central Purchasing through the Selectmen's
Office. Replacement costs for laptops and other supplies that came from the PHEP grant will come through
the Chief Technology Officer's budget. FZ projects the proposed budget is sufficient.
CLERK POSITION UPDATE
The position was offered to an applicant with a 50/50 split between BOH and Planning/Building/Conservation.
FZ needs the person for filing, mail, managing databases(Title 5 &septic pumping logs).The clerk will cover
when FZ is not here, handle Burial Permits and delegate to FZ when appropriate. People will go to the Building
Dept.for BOH business when FZ is not in.The clerk will report to JoAnn Pilczak and FZ will make sure that the
BOH gets fair time with the clerk.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE REPORT: FZ reported that Mary Goodwin has been busy with camps. FZ has her reports
from May and June in the meeting packet.
CHL(COHASSET HEIGHTS)INSPECTION REPORTS:There are currently no violations. FZ has reports from April 30,
2012 through April 22, 2013.There is a summary of recurring violations.The road erosion has been re-graded and
repaired but the engineer recommends the grading of the access road be raised in areas where run-off occurs.
7:30 PM: VARIANCE REQUEST:SEWER CONNECTION AT 111 ATLANTIC AVENUE/APPLICANT: RALPH
DORMITZER/REPRESENTATIVE: PAUL DAVIS OF ROSANO-DAVIS
The system is beach sand and good quality soil. PD recommends that instead of digging every 3 years to see if SAS is
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July 2, 2013
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in failure to have septic tank&d-box inspected. MSC asked what would happen if there is a flood and the field fails.
FZ feels that with that soil it shouldn't happen but also the flow is low because the system is oversized for the use it
gets. If the property is sold it would be up to the new owner to connect to sewer. Mr. Dormitzer suggested that
pumping every 2 years could be excessive but would let the field relax and would indicate if there were any
problems.The system was last pumped in April 2013.
MOTION: Made by Margaret Chapman for variance approval with amendment that in addition to pumping
there would be a visual assessment of the field;the variance does not go into effect until an
acceptable covenant is recorded with the Registry of Deeds and a deed restriction be in place that
requires the property connect to sewer once sold.
SECOND: Robin Lawrence
VOTE: 3—0 Motion Carries
(Prior to the opening of the next public hearing,other business was discussed as follows)
FZ discussed "listening sessions"at the Department of Public Health (DPH) regarding a Prevention and Wellness Trust
Fund. DPH was given$60 million to allocate over 4 years with 75%being distributed for public/private partnerships
to implement research-based interventions for reducing major health outcomes. FZ is planning on attending one of
the sessions.
7:40 PM:VARIANCE REQUEST: MAIN DRAINS AND TURNOVER RATE AT SWIMMING POOL/COHASSET SWIM
CENTER. IN ATTENDANCE: DIANA KARCHER(TRUSTEE); KEITH CONFORTI (BOARD OF MANAGERS/ACTING
PRESIDENT);AL BUCKLEY(CPO OF OPERATION);TIM O'BRIEN (BOARD OF MANAGERS);JEFF JOHNSON (BOARD
MEMBER/FORMER CPO); LAURA GUILIANO(DIRECTOR)CHRIS CONDRAD(BOARD OF MANAGERS)
The flow rate for the pool didn't meet minimum turnover required for proper disinfection. Parts were ordered.
Rather than enforcement, FZ and AB decided on a variance until the parts are installed. The center will test bi-weekly
rather than monthly during the waiting period. FZ found the small pool has no main drain to circulate the water.
DK presented information verifying there is one pool with 2 zones and a barrier for handicapped access and children
to swim in the shallow end. FZ maintains there are 2 pools that are physically separated and share a surge tank. DK
stated there is a main drain in the larger section.She had documentation from 1973 indicating the zones within 1
pool.The small pool is 20,000+gals; large is 150,000+;small has a skim drain. FZ says the board should get a ruling
from the state as to whether it is one pool or two. RL asked if this would restrict operation of the pool. FZ will do it
without any restrictions until we get the determination. MSC said that even if we gave them a variance it would have
to go to the state and DPH would have to inspect it. FZ said if it's determined to be one pool we have no issues. MSC
asked if the skimmers are adequate for one pool. FZ said the small pool doesn't have skimmers;water is fed in
through the bottom and goes out through drains. MSC asked why we are inspecting what is considered a private
pool. DK cited a regulation from 1969 that stated the pool is a private trust and not a community pool; no one can
use the pool without paying a fee either through membership or a scholarship. RL asked why a private pool that
requires membership be considered semi-public. FZ said this pool is considered semi-public but regulated the same
as a public. RL asked if it's necessary to enact a waiver now or go to the state for determination. MSC said we could
go by the document that says it's one pool if all in agreement. FZ said it can be interpreted as one pool with 2 zones
or as 2 pools which will determine the drain. RL recommends we consider it one pool.Once the motor is installed the
pool will meet the required standards. MSC feels that since the pool has been functioning without issue since it was
built that bi-weekly testing is excessive and monthly is sufficient.
MOTION: By Elizabeth Kirkpatrick to approve the variance request for the Cohasset Swim Center in
according with 105 CRM 435.061A for allowing a reduced turnover rate until the pump is
replaced.
SECOND: By Margaret Chapman VOTE: 3-0 Motion Carries
7:50 PM:DSCP HEARING:TITLE 5 SYSTEM UPGRADE/561 BEECHWOOD STREET/MORSE ENGINEERING/IN
ATTENDANCE:JEFF HASSET FROM MORSE
As of June 4, 2013 Title 5 is being revised so the local BOH is now responsible. DEP also requires a back-up plan.
FZ explained every IA system has to comply with IA approval on new applications and for maintenance it becomes
retroactive to the newest IA approvals. DEP is issuing approvals on new technology effective immediately and
wants the back-up plan in place.There is a BVW and perennial stream bordering the property; no work is
proposed within 50' buffer zone. Proposal will abandon existing cesspool and install new micro-fast treatment
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July 2, 2013
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tank that gravity-flows to 1,000 gal. pump chamber then pressure-distributed to leaching field.Applicant is asking
for several local upgrades.All upgrades are based on siting restrictions.They are placing fill and rubber barrier to
keep level of surface run-off the same.
MOTION: #1 by Margaret Chapman to approve the local upgrade request for 561 Beechwood Street in
accordance with CMR 310.154051A to allow reduction from 10'to 9'from soil absorption
surface distance to property line because there is nowhere else to put it without a tight-tank.
SECOND: By Robin Lawrence VOTE: 3-0 Motion Carries
MOTION: #2 by Margaret Chapman to approve the local upgrade request for 561 Beechwood Street in
accordance with CMR 310. 144051A to allow for reduction of 10'to 5'from septic tank to
property line because there is nowhere else to put it within fewer reduction of feet.
SECOND: By Elizabeth Kirkpatrick VOTE: 3-0 Motion Carries
MOTION: #3 by Margaret Chapman to approve the local upgrade request for 561 Beechwood Street in
accordance with CMR 310.154051B to allow for reduction from 20'to 13'from SAS to cellar
wall crawlspace due to landscape plot size limitations.
SECOND: By Robin Lawrence VOTE:3-0 Motion Carries
MOTION: #4 by Margaret Chapman to approve the local upgrade request for 561 Beechwood Street in
according with CMR 310. 144051E to allow for reduction from 10'to 8.2'from septic plank to
cellar wall crawl space due to problems with placement in other locations.
SECOND: By Robin Lawrence VOTE: 3-0 Motion Carries
MOTION: #5 by Margaret Chapman to approve the local upgrade request for 561 Beechwood Street in
accordance with CMR 310. 154051G to allow for reduction from 400'to 275'from soil
aborption system to a service water supply reservoir;we are at extent of property line and
can't go any further without going into the street.
SECOND: By Elizabeth Kirkpatrick VOTE: 3-0 Motion Carries
MOTION: #6 by Margaret Chapman to approve the local upgrade request for 561 Beechwood Street in
accordance with CMR 310. 144051G to allow for reduction from 400'to 286' from septic tank
to surface water supply reservoir;we are at extent of property line and can't go any further
without going into the street.
SECOND: By Robin Lawrence VOTE:3-0 Motion Carries
MOTION: By Margaret Chapman to accept proposal of a septic system design plan for 561 Beechwood
Street revision date 7/2/13.
SECOND: Elizabeth Kirkpatrick VOTE: 3-0 Motion Carries
DISCUSSION OF BEACH ISSUES
RL brought up testing of pools monthly and beaches weekly and thinks it should be uniform. FZ said it is up to the will
of the board.
AT THIS POINT THE TAPE STOPPED.