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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoH - 06/10/2014 Board of Health Meeting June 10,2014 1 APPROVED MINUTES COHASSET BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES DATE: TUESDAY,JUNE 10, 2014 TIME: 7:00 PM PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—SELECTMEN'S CHAMBERS 41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET, MA 02025 Board Members Present: Margaret S. Chapman, Chair (MC) Robin Lawrence (RL) Elizabeth Kirkpatrick (EK) Staff Present: Felix Zemel (FZ), Health Administrator Angela Geso (AG), Inspections Clerk Public/Guests Present: Bryan Baldwin (BB), Sewer Commission Jeff Hassett (JH), Morse Engineering Selectman Martha Gjesteby (SG),Board Liaison Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 15. The board also set up meetings for August 5, September 9 and October 14*(*to be confirmed when FZ gets his fall schedule.) REPORTS AND UPDATES Health Administrator: FZ is waiting for cancer updates. FZ and MG have applied for Melanoma Awareness grant. FZ had information on how climate changes affect tick population. His follow-up inspection at Feng Shui found only 1 critical issue (knife storage); all other previous issues have been addressed. Scott the intern is doing research on fluoride reduction in water supplies and will be conducting interviews to determine risk assessment with the aim of increasing public awareness. 7:30 PM SEWER COMMISSION UPDATE MC explained that in certain areas homeowners have to submit and be approved for a septic installation before they can apply for sewer hook-up. BB explained there is a moratorium on new hookups in North Cohasset because we are close to available flow. The Central District has significant available capacity and that if property abuts a main the resident(s) can hook up provided development is allowable (wetlands, size etc). Monies are available to study districts defined by a main and see if it makes sense to hook up. RL questioned if North Cohasset (currently with Hull) could be returned so we could keep the money in town. BB explained there is no language in the contract to "end" the agreement but we could rework the North Cohasset/Hull connection. Central and Little Harbor districts can request hookup if sewer is available per the Attorney General and DEP. North Cohasset has to get septic approval before they can hook up to sewer. RL questioned Hull not negotiating until the current contract expires. BB explained that Hull is not interested in negotiations but if we have the capacity to accommodate North Cohasset then it should be pursued. 8:00 PM DSCP HEARING — 151 SOHIER STREET- SEPTIC UPGRADE APPLICANT/OWNER: VINCENT ARRUDA REPRESENTATIVE: JEFF HASSETT OF MORSE ENGINEERING This is a single family undergoing renovations. The system was approved for 3 bedrooms; the owner wants 4. A new plan by Morse Engineering shows an increase in the leaching field and more test pits. FZ says it meets Title 5 and no variance is needed. But a 10-day notification to abutters is required even if a variance is not requested and this was not met, Morse requested a variance on the 10-day notification and was denied. The hearing was moved to July 15 so the 10-day requirement could be met. Board of Health Meeting June 10,2014 2 8:10 PM Update to Mental Health Study EK asked about someone being available as residents have asked for public outreach —either a social worker or advocate-that could access people without resources. MG said it was done before but the liability was expensive but would talk to Norwell as they tie in with the VNA. One area of concern is young adults no longer in school that need supervision. Also, drugs and weapons are a major concern and the South Shore VNA is running a drug program now. MG said drug kiosks have been successful with people dropping off expired or unused prescriptions. 8:15 PM SMOKING &TOBACCO REGULATIONS— PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION FZ wants us to be consistent with neighboring towns so our stores and vendors won't lose business especially regarding Mom-and-Pop stores. According to updates on the previous regulations, e-cigarettes will now be regulated the same as regular cigarettes and there will be no sale of blunt wraps allowed. Also there will be a $5 minimum for individual cigar sales and for 4-pks. The legal age for purchasing cigarettes and all related products will be 18 with the opportunity for the Board to revisit and possibly raise this if necessary. FZ cited figures from the Surgeon General showing that 95% of those who have smoked all their lives and/or are now chain smokers started before they were 21 and that 95% of kids under 18 get their cigarettes from people under 21. As part of departmental outreach FZ suggested focus groups in schools but MSC feels that the smoking rate of youth in this town is relatively low and that sting operations are more effective and to put the money there. MOTION: By MC to accept and adopt the Smoking &Tobacco Regulations as drafted on June 10, 2014 restricting the sale of tobacco and nicotine delivery products and that the regulation will take effect on January 1, 2015. SECOND: By RL APPROVED: Unanimous MOTION: By MC to approve the Smoking &Tobacco Regulations for work and public places to allow smoking only in designated areas at Sandy Beach Parking Lot and South Shore Music Circus. SECOND: By EK APPROVED: Unanimous 9:00 PM FOOD CODE VARIANCE (non-agenda item) FZ noted during a routine inspection that Five South Main uses a vat of butter during breakfast for toast. It is left outside to keep the butter soft. There is a code that allows for food to be left out up to 4 hours as long as the time in and time out is monitored. This is already being done but the owner is drafting a letter requesting a variance to be considered by the Board at the next meeting. MA Food Code: It is based on the1999 FDA Model Food Code which is still being used. Updated in 2009 and 2013 have not yet been officially adopted due to `bureaucracy'. FZ wants the board to adopt the 2013 Food Code as it is more in line with Serve Safe training and will be more cost-efficient when ordering new forms as he won't have to order for 1999 and 2013. The Board agreed to adopt the 2013 regulations with an effective date of July 1, 2014. 42 Pleasant Street is an abandoned dwelling that has fallen into disrepair. The Board requested Staff to ask Building Superintendent Bob Egan if anything has been done recently to clean up this property. Poultry Regulations. FZ will study other towns and then create our own regulations. With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.