Town of Concord
Board of Health
Minutes of the Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
PRESENT: Ann M. Snow, Chairperson
David J. Burgess
Deborah R. Farnsworth
Dr. Susanna Bedell
Brent L. Reagor, Public Health Director
Karen M. Byrne, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS: Judith Quanrud, FINCOM, 36 Rollingwood Lane
1. MINUTES & BOARD CALENDAR
The Board discussed the minutes from the meeting on October 21, 2008. David Burgess moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Dr. Bedell seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
The Board reviewed the calendar for December and confirmed the meeting date of December 20, 2008.
2. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
Ann Snow reiterated the Board of Selectmen’s request that all boards and committees review the Selectmen’s Goals and Objectives for FY2009 each month to ensure that everyone remains on the same page as it related to fiscal matters. Board members reviewed items relevant to its purview including additional revenue sources (fee increases recently adopted), increased financial support from major Non-Profit Entities in Concord (the Concord Cares Project). The Board will continue to review these objectives at monthly meetings.
3. REPORT FROM PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR
Brent Reagor, Public Health Director (PHD) presented the Board with his monthly update outlining the activities undertaken by the Health Department since last meeting. In lieu of writing a separate report, he advised the Board that he would now submit the weekly updates he provides to the Town Manager.
Concord Cares Program
The PHD was very enthusiastic about the progress the Concord Cares Steering Committee had made in a month’s time to lay out strategies for combating the winter home-heating crisis. He noted that the Trinitarian Congregational Church was making this their major winter fundraising effort with all donations forwarded to Concord Cares. Other partners include the local Concord Business Alliance.
Mr. Reagor said that he was looking at the Concord Cares Program as the “caulk that fills in the cracks” and/or gaps that other assistance programs cannot fulfill for someone in need. He noted that if a person was able to receive some assistance from Concord Cares, it would then free up other household monies to perhaps purchase food or pay another utility bill.
The committee has been coordinating a volunteer corps that will assist residents in weatherization techniques and was quickly implementing a comprehensive marketing and outreach campaign. The goal was to have everything up and running by Thanksgiving.
Spring Intern Projects
The Health Department has posted (4) four possible projects for an intern from the BU School of Public Health in the spring of 2009. Mr. Reagor only plans to have one intern work with the staff during the spring.
- Community Triage/Assistance Center Planning
- Large & Small Animal Disaster Planning
- Community Health Assessment Framework Development
- Beryllium Contaminated Material Combustion Threat Analysis
Healthy Eating Active Lifestyles
Ann Snow and Karen Byrne commended Dr. Bedell on her presentation at the Healthy Eating Active Lifestyles seminar where she and Debra Stark from Debra’s Natural Gourmet were the feature speakers. It was a well attended program for an evening event, but the Council on Aging is hoping to be able to utilize a public meeting room in the mornings and/or afternoons which are more conducive to the senior population.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
Chapter 3.00 Wastewater Management Regulation
The Board opened a hearing for comments on Concord Board of Health Regulation – Chapter 3.00 Wastewater Management Regulation. There were none from the audience or the Board.
Deborah Farnsworth moved that the Board approve Concord Board of Health Regulations Chapter 3: Wastewater Management Regulation. David Burgess seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
This regulation supersedes all earlier wastewater regulations adopted by the Concord Board of Health and will take effect on January 1, 2009.
5. SEPTIC BETTERMENT LOAN PROGRAM
Preliminary Approval for Betterment Liens
Karen Byrne processed loan applications for the following properties in October. Stanley Sosnicki, Environmental Health Inspector reviewed the Title V inspection reports and confirmed that the systems were in failure:
- 67 Peter Spring Road ($11,000) – Asadorian
- 59 Mallard Drive ($11,000) - Isenberg
David Burgess moved that the Board VOTE to find the onsite sewage disposal systems on the above listed properties to be a public health nuisances per MGL, CH 111, s., 127 B & 127B ½ and to authorize the initial betterment lien assessments not to exceed $11, 000 to be filed at the Registry of Deeds. Deborah Farnsworth seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
Final Betterment Lien Assessments
The onsite sewage disposal systems for the following properties have been completed and all invoices have been processed by the Health Division Administrative Staff:
- 108 Blueberry Lane ($15,350) – Shih
- 70 Farmer’s Cliff Road ($20,000) – DeGiacomo
- 46 Pine Hill Lane ($20,000) - Palmer
David Burgess moved that the Board VOTE to issue the Order to Assess the Betterment for the above listed properties and that order shall be forwarded to the Town Collector. Dr. Bedell seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
6. Town Meeting Discussion
Karen Byrne provided the Board with a copy of a report from the Finance Director to the Selectmen outlining the execution of the Community Septic Management Program Interim Loan Note through the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (WPAT). Also attached was a spreadsheet prepared by Ms. Byrne outlining the monies spent to date from the original debt authorization of one million dollars from the 2004 Concord Town Meeting.
In August, Ms. Byrne informed the Board that there was approximately $56,000 remaining from the one million dollars borrowed by the Town from DEP for this program. At that time, it was determined that offering (5) loans at $11,000 to help defray some of the costs associated with replacing a septic system was the best way to maximize the benefit of the program to the community. Once these funds are expended however, the program will be put on hiatus until an affirmative vote at Town Meeting to borrow additional funds is received.
Mr. Reagor and Ms. Byrne also met with members of the Finance Department and reviewed the program in its entirety to determine whether changes needed to be made to the screening process, loan requirements, what works, and what could be improved upon. They also discussed that the true cost of replacing systems had increased significantly since 2004 and if the Board chose to move forward with a Warrant Article in 2009 to fund this program, it would be wise to increase the debt authorization to two million dollars and increase the maximum loan amount to $30,000.
Following a brief discussion, Board members reiterated their commitment to this program and agreed that a Warrant Article should be moved at Town Meeting to approve a debt authorization of 2 million dollars for the purpose of funding the Community Septic Management Program through the Water Pollution Abatement Trust.
Ann Snow and Brent Reagor will attend the Selectmen’s Coordination Meeting on December 6, 2008 to discuss the Board’s plan to move an article in April 2009.
Other Business
Mr. Reagor provided the Board with a copy of a letter from a resident requesting support for her proposal to amend the language of the section of the Town of Concord Bylaws governing the control of dogs; specifically adding language for the proper disposal and removal of feces above and beyond the current requirements. He also provided a copy of his response to the resident advising that if she wanted to discuss this matter with Board of Health for inclusion on the December 16th agenda, the Health Department would require a written request by December 8th.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:55 p.m.
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