Town of Concord
Board of Health
Minutes from the Meeting
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
PRESENT: Dr. Susanna Bedell, Chairman
Ann M. Snow
John M. Henderson
Brent L. Reagor, Public Health Administrator
Karen M. Byrne, Administrative Assistant
1. MINUTES & BOARD CALENDAR
The Board reviewed and discussed the minutes from the meeting of Tuesday, October 16, 2007. Ann Snow moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Jack Henderson seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
The Board reviewed the calendar for January 2008. Board members confirmed the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2008. At that meeting, the Board will hold a public hearing for comments on proposed Body Art Regulations.
2. Chairman’s Report & Reports from Other Board Members
There were no additional reports submitted.
3. Reports from Staff
Variance Review – Quarterdeck Fish & Meat Market
In December 2007, the Board granted a 3-month variance to the Quarterdeck Fish & Meat Market to store fish in a non-ANSI certified cold-holding unit (owner built case) provided that the staff measured the internal temperature of the product stored in the ice case at least once a day. It also required that temperature logs be accessible for review by the Public Health Inspector and/or Board of Health upon request.
Karen Byrne explained that in the past, staff at this establishment had difficulties complying with this requirement and that the log sheets were sporadically maintained. She said that Gabrielle White, Public Health Inspector had been working closely with their staff since September and she felt that they were committed to the task at hand. She also noted that the staff was advised that if full compliance to the conditions of this variance was maintained during this time, the Board would consider granting an extension and/or a new variance.
Mr. Reagor presented the most recent inspection report and the temperature log sheets submitted by the Public Health Inspector. He said that they had complied per the Board’s requirement to take the temperatures once per day, but noted that Ms. White advised them to better label the log sheets.
Mr. Reagor said that the Board must vote to either extend this variance and/or vote to grant a new variance that has no expiration date, but could be revoked if the facility fell out of compliance.
Several Board members felt that the information submitted was sloppy and that it should be cleaned up and standardized. Jack Henderson questioned whether the information had been “copied” because it looked suspicious (i.e., the same hand-writing on all sheets, but with different initials).
Dr. Bedell said after joining Ms. White on an actual food inspection, she felt completely comfortable relying on her judgment that the reports were accurate. Mr. Henderson said he had complete confidence in Ms. White’s abilities as well, but said that he would like to speak directly to her on the matter at hand.
Mr. Henderson said he would be willing to extend the variance, but that he felt that the next round of data submitted for review should “be more credible”. He asked whether Ms. White felt the information provided was accurate and true. Mr. Reagor said that the inspector had conducted her inspections and that the requirement to take the temperatures had been met. If the Board wanted to put additional restrictions on the variance, it was within its purview to do so.
Following additional discussion, Jack Henderson moved to extend the variance for a three month period (expiring on 3/18/08) with the proviso that a standardized form be used the entire reporting period, clearly labeled, and easily accessible for review upon request by Board of Health staff and/or members. Ann Snow seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
Dr. Bedell asked that staff make at least 3 unannounced inspections during this period of time to ensure that the records are being truthfully maintained. Mr. Reagor said that he, Stan Sosnicki and Gabrielle White would each make an inspection before March 2008.
Report from Public Health Administrator
The Public Health Administrator presented the Board with his monthly update to outline the broad scope of daily activities undertaken by the Health Division since the last meeting.
Finance & Management
The Health Division moved forward with its fee project and has completed Phases I & II which included fees for permits/licenses that expire on 12/31/07. These included Septic Installers, Haulers, Rubbish Haulers, and facilities requiring the services of the Sealer of Weights & Measures. These fees will take effect on January 1st. Mr. Reagor explained that these fees more accurately reflected the actual cost of providing the services associated with permits & licenses.
Mr. Reagor met with the Carlisle Board of Health and expected to meet with the Town Administrator for the Town of Lincoln before Christmas. His hope is to have the issues relating to the renewal of these contracts worked out within the next month or two.
Emergency Preparedness
The Public Health Administrator met with the Fire Chief, Dottie Bernard from Emerson Hospital and Debbie Bier from Concord CERT to discuss and plan the establishment of the volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in Concord. He explained that the objective of the MRC program was to strengthen communities by establishing a system for medical and public health volunteers to offer their assistance and expertise to existing medical and emergency service providers during times of community need/crisis.
There will be two volunteer recruitment meetings held on Thursday, January 17th at 12:30 pm and 7:00 pm in the Auditorium at the Ripley School Administration Building. Additional training courses will include personal/family preparedness community preparedness, first aid/CPR, and Medical Reserve Corps operations.
4. Body Art Regulations
The Public Health Administrator presented the Board with a proposed regulation for Body Art modified to suit Concord’s needs. He asked the Board to make any amendments it felt necessary. Following a brief discussion, there were none.
Mr. Reagor explained that if there were no modifications, the Board needed to take a vote to hold a public hearing to discuss the matter. A summary of the proposed regulation will then be published in the Concord Journal.
Jack Henderson moved to APPROVE the proposed Body Art Regulation, Chapter 10 as submitted and to hold a public hearing for comments on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 8:00 p.m., 141 Keyes Road, Concord, MA. Ann Snow seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
5. Septic Betterment Loans
Preliminary Approval for Betterment Liens
Karen Byrne processed loan applications for the following property(s) in November. Acting as its agent, Stanley Sosnicki, Environmental Health Inspector reviewed the Title V inspection reports for each property and confirmed that their system(s) were in failure.
· 180 Indian Pipe Lane ($20,000) – Belton
· 70 Farmer’s Cliff Road ($20,000) – DeGiacomo
Jack Henderson moved that the Board VOTE to find the onsite sewage disposal systems on the above noted properties to be a public health nuisance per MGL, CH 111, s., 127 B and 127B ½ and to authorize the initial betterment lien assessment not to exceed $20,000 to be filed at the Registry of Deeds. Ann Snow seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
There were no final betterment lien assessments in the previous month.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 p.m.
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