Welcome to the board of health meeting of November 17th, 2025. Uh please note this meeting is being recorded and we we and will be available shortly hereafter for scheduled and on demand viewing on any smartphone or tablet. If anyone else is recording this
meeting, including the use of AI note takingaking apps, please notify the chairman. Uh, pursuant to Governor Healey's March 29th, 2023 signing of the acts of 2023 extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during the state of
emergency suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law until June 30th, 2027. This meeting of the Chattam Board of Health is being conducted in person and via remote participation. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the
order. reminded that persons who would like to listen to the meeting while in progress may do so by calling 508-945-4410. The conference ID is 2037984 pound or they may join the meeting online via Microsoft Teams through the link in the posted agenda. While this is
a live broadcast and simal cast on Chattam TV Xfinity channel 1072, despite our best efforts, we may not be able to provide real time access. We will post a record of this meeting on the town's website as soon as possible. I'll turn
the meeting over to our chairman, Dr. Noble Hand. >> Thank you. It shall be the policy of this board to conduct its meetings under the open meetings laws so as to encourage public participation whenever time permits and as part of agenda item discussions. We have two items on the
agenda today. But first let's establish a quorum and when I call your names please say present. Carol Boyce >> present. >> John Beckley >> present. >> Ron Bowman >> here. >> Dick Edwards >> here. Noble Hansen here. And then our alternates. Ron Weiser
>> here. Joanne Kelb >> here. Okay, good. So, first on the um agenda is a variance hearing for Barbara Rybeck, 204 Insurance Trust, 22 Taylor Pond Road, Clark Engineering LLC, and
David Clark is here to present the case for the variance. >> Uh good afternoon. Uh David Clark, uh Clark Engineering on behalf of the Rybeck family. Um, this is a project where uh they're demolishing existing dwelling. The property has been in the
family since the house was built uh I think in the late 60s or early 70s. Um so they're demolishing the house uh and uh and they required to put in a new title 5 system. It's been served by cess pools
for 50 plus years. >> Can you get a little closer to the mic first? Oh, sorry. So, uh the new system um well the resource areas uh that we had to deal with in conservation are the primarily the
coastal bank uh and uh and that is basically a coastal bank by definition and that uh um the land forms immediately adjacent to the existing house meet the criteria of a coastal bank even though
that land form was most likely man-made when the house was built. Uh, nonetheless, uh, it's a coastal bank uh, under the regulations and, uh, there is no place on the property to put the soil absorption system, the leechfield, uh,
100 ft from that as required by Chadam's regulations. Um, so in designing the house, uh, we worked around, um, having the septic system as far away from the bank as possible. So, we've tucked it into that
corner of the property. Um there's just no other place to put it. Uh regardless of of the fact that we're we're tearing down the house and building a new house, um the new house doesn't impact where um the septic
system can go. I said we've we've tucked it into the corner of the property where it's the furthest from the coastal bank. Um we've been to conservation already and got approval and we've gone to the zoning board of appeals and got
approval. Um so uh again the only variance we're that's required is that uh it's less than 100 ft from the coastal bank. We meet all the other requirements of we meet all
the requirements of title five. Um, and uh, we meet all the other requirements of the local bylaw. One thing I want to point out that uh, although this is a coastal bank, there's another house that's between this one and Taylor's
Pond. Um, so it it really is in a is a regulatory bank and not a coastal bank that provides any of the functions under the under the wetlands regulations. Um, one other point. Um, it's currently being used as a six-bedroom house. Um,
there are, uh, five bedrooms that meet the criteria of title 5 and the board of health regulations. There is a pass through room on the second floor that was used as a bedroom. Uh, when I walked through the house, there were two sets of uh,
double beds in that room. Um, so the new house is only going to be four bedrooms. So, uh, the number of bedrooms are being reduced, uh, as part of this redevelopment of the property. >> So, the pass through business that was
the old house you were talking about. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yes. >> You can see that on your existing floor plans, >> right, >> David, did you say there's test pools there now? >> Yes. >> There's my understanding there was test pools. That's >> Do you know where they are? Um, no I don't.
>> Okay. >> You said the former septic was a cesspool. >> Assesses. So that's why it was cesspool or cespools. Yes. >> And then Judy would it so officially on the order of health uh data bank it's a
five it's a previous house was a five bedroomedroom house. >> I mean we don't it's it has cessful. So we have no record of it. >> So I mean is it officially grandfathered as a fivebedroom? Yeah. I mean, it is what it is. So, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Even though it's being torn down.
>> Yeah. I mean, our policies have always been that it's it they get to keep what they have. That's pretty standard. So, and it's an existing basically an existing sixbedroom house and they're only rebuilding it as four bedrooms. So, um that's pretty standard for what we've
always approved >> on 6,000 square foot wide. >> Yep. They get to keep what they have as long as they're not going for title five variances. >> Now, those cess pools are going to have to be identified and pumped out and abandoned. Correct.
>> Yeah, they will. We can add a note to the plan that the contractor We can add a note to the plan that the contractor uh will identify where they are, pump them, and uh if they're in the way of the new system or the new foundation, they'll be removed.
>> Okay. Now, do they normally remove the old cesspools or just back fill them with sand? >> We only specify that they be removed if if they're within the footprint of the new house or the new septic system. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> There's no requirement to remove them other than pumping them and making sure that um they're back filled. They're safe from collapse, future collapse. >> Okay. Uh Dick. So the the the policy of the
board has been to grant people the ability to rebuild a house up to the size of the existing existing house. So if this had been an eight-bedroom house, they could have eight bedrooms on a 6,000 square foot
lot with a title five septic system. >> Yep. which would be totally outrageous in terms of the the the the size of the lot and the and the Yeah. >> And and is this written somewhere or this is just a policy?
>> Um >> because it seems ridiculous to me. >> It you know if you read the nitrogen loading legs regulations that they basically says for new construction or >> well this is new construction. We don't we don't call it new construction
because they're not adding flow. And the definition in title five of new construction is if you're adding flow. So they're not adding flow. They're actually getting rid of flow on this property. It's pretty unusual to have a property this small to have that many
number of bedrooms, but um occasionally I guess you do see it, but most 6,000 square foot houses are three maybe four bedrooms at the most. Mhm. >> So if they needed different variances here,
if they needed title five variances, >> um, and they were adding flow, they would that would be more, you know, we probably wouldn't want to approve that, but this is something you've always done. So >> it's it's been the standard title in
title five since 19 1995 what the definition of new construction is. Um, Um, yeah, but that's my understanding that we grandfather it, but we changed the rule so that if you already have more bedrooms than the lots allowed by
right, if you put in IIA, you don't get an extra bedroom, >> right? >> We took that away. So, we cut back there. That's one change we made. Um, but he's not they're just they're going for fewer bedrooms actually. >> But in Judy's uh note to us, it says the pool's going to be in on the property.
is I don't see it on the >> Do I say >> is that >> and a pool in the second paragraph >> in the application? >> How do they have space for a pool? That doesn't sound right. >> Yeah, we're not Yeah, if that is the
>> That's a That's a typo. >> We're not >> No pool. There's no room for a pool on this. >> Well, that whole that whole line is a typo. I'm sorry. >> Don't write. >> Okay. Um, and then there's a there's a property between the house and Taylor's Pond Road. Is that another property or
is that a lot or >> that is owned by another family member and uh we just went through the permitting process on that? We're showing it on the all the permitting plans because they're sharing a driveway, >> right? So you have some Yeah. the driveways >> separate lot. And then I I asked a
question before, h how much weight can you put with cars and trucks on top of a um leeching system for in this case it includes the septic tank, the driveways over it. >> So um all the all the septic components
are rated for vehicle loads. So um >> do they put a pound thing on it? >> No. Well, it's the the Coltech chambers. um you can either purchase them in what's called H10 or H20
um vehicle loading. So H20 refers to um highway administration rating for structural components or any components that are installed subsurface. And that means that a vehicle with 20,000 lb axle
load. So you think of a a large box truck or a cement truck. um that's 20,000 lbs per axle and then that's what that s that component um can resist with with proper back
filling and um uh at least 12 in of cover material over it. >> So the sept we've specified each 20 components throughout this system. >> So you have to specify special components because it's under a driveway to make it take more weight. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um, all right. And so the septic system and the leeching system, there's no way to put it 100 feet away from the coastal bank that that the property is all less than 100 ft. So that the question I always ask is can you could you improve the position on the lot and
it doesn't look like it. Um, and then other questions from on the board. It it says proposed dwelling on an adjacent lot. Is that related to this property? Yeah, that's the that's the uh lot that's owned by another family
member that uh the these two properties will be developed at the same time. So that's why they're asked they're they only need four bedrooms on this because one of the other uh Rybeck family members are going to build a house with two bedrooms on the next property that
doesn't require any any waivers. >> Okay. So >> So that's how you get to the six. So they're preserving the six bedroomedroom right >> by a portioning it for >> well no the vacant lot is entitled to two bedrooms under your nitrogen loading
regulations. So >> um so it's it's separate from from this application >> the same lot. >> It's not the same lot >> and it's not part of this proposal. So, it's just a separate lot. >> And then >> that's how the the family is is
basically creating >> uh a sixbedroom compound, so to speak. Um they they thought about keeping the five bedrooms, but they really like the idea of having extended family members in a different building, which
>> they probably don't get along that well. >> Yeah. And so I was looking at the uh on the architectural draw drawings the the bedrooms. There's three that are named bedrooms and then and then there's office
study which is you're counting that as the fourth bedroom. >> Yes. Because it it it has a door and it's it >> it would it would it would qualify as a middle by our rules but Okay. >> 70 square feet. Yeah. And then there's an additional room down in the basement. >> Yep. That >> Okay. Other questions or comments from
the board? So, this will be a this will be a fourbedroom. Um, and the systems located as as well as it can be, it looks like. Uh, any comments from the public are on online.
And um, can I get a a motion uh to approve if there's no other comments or motion? I I'll move to approve that the U comments
>> conditions >> conditions >> in a second. >> Second. >> Do you want me >> and Judy can read the >> applicant should restrict the property to a maximum of four bedrooms and record the restriction on the deed at Barnesville County. The applicant shall submit a copy of the executed deed to the board. The engineer shall submit an
engineered asbuilt plan, including asbuilt elevations with a written certification that the system has been installed in accordance with the approved plan. No alteration of the floor plan of the dwelling will be allowed without further review by the board of health or its agent. Um,
and then that's it. >> Okay. And then um when I call your name um >> there was no consideration for putting a an IIA system in because of the size of the lot. >> When when we were when we first looked
at this project um we looked at IIA technology and keeping five bedrooms. Uh so they decided because another family member is developing the other lot, they don't they didn't need five bedrooms, they certainly didn't need six. So they
felt that the reduction in the number of bedrooms um would offset the IIA technology. >> Makes sense. >> Okay. Then when I call your name, um uh Carol Boyce, >> yes.
>> Uh John Beckley, >> yes. >> Ron Browman, >> yes. >> Dick Edwards, >> yes. >> Noble Hansen, yes. >> Uh so that variance is granted. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks, David. >> Okay. Uh, next on the agenda is uh
update on rubbish haulers affidavit form for renewals and transfer facil facility um issue with trash hauling perhaps with the trash from other towns. Judy has an update for us there. think >> yeah I just um you'd asked a couple times about this and I just wanted to
let you know that um we met with our IT department last week and we to get all of our renewals out on the um open gov platform that we use and we added for the rubbish haulers an affidavit um that
we had discussed earlier in the year um about um that they're only allowed to haul from Chadam to our transfer station C Chadam rubbish. So that's in there and that's already being used because we we were already getting renewals in. Um and
I also uh resent the in your packet there's a um an affidavit that can be used at the transfer station that will start January 1st. Um and I sent that to uh Rob Phley, our our DPW director, and
I think he's okay with it. We haven't worked out the details whether it's going to be a um on the iPad or you know how they're going to do it. Uh whether it will be a paper form with copy to them and a copy to us or um but that's that's what we're moving towards for
January 1st. >> So I just wanted to let you know >> how many different haulers will be coming through using this form. >> What did we see? >> A small number, right? >> It was a very small number. >> I think it was eight. Eight haulers applied last year. We I had given you
that list of my spreadsheet with all the different haulers and it's it's a pretty small number that come in there regularly. I was just wondering it's pretty much just Millie and um just a handful >> Nickerson >> and a few um little permits cleaners and
such who haul like Delmare um rental company hauls their own trash. There's a there's a butler's um trash butler who goes around and does some pickups at people's houses. That's pretty much it. There aren't too many.
>> Well, because when I was looking at the usability of the form, the thought crossed my mind having a check off box. >> Yeah. >> Having it like the names of the companies above and then just to make the guy that's doing it give them a
little less writing to do. >> Sure, we could do something like that. Um, >> and then I was wondering whether the word affidavit should go on the top above Sure. The other >> certification form.
>> I like the word affidavit better, but I don't know. >> Um, so this form would apply to >> affidavit, too. >> This form would apply to anybody who's weighing in by the tonnage and and bringing >> Right. Right. >> That's how Mr. Failey would >> commercial hollers. Yep. >> Right.
>> And so you you made up this form and you're you're giving it to Mr. Failey, but has he has he had a discussion with you about um in instituting this and whether it'll be okay with his personnel and all that kind of thing? >> I mean, we haven't had a long discussion. He hasn't he hasn't said
that he didn't like it at all. So, um right from the start he's >> So, this could be an NCR um copy with a white copy, you know, and then he leaves with the yellow behind. I mean, the driver takes the yellow with him. I don't know what they whether they use iPads for weighins and stuff now. They
might have something like that as well. So I I have to I just have to work out those details right >> with him. But um this would this is the essence of the form. I can try to do a checkbox with a bunch of different haulers. We have other Yeah.
um if there's anybody uh occasionally um a resident might have to go over the scale for some reason, that type of thing if they're bringing in a bunch of stuff or whatever. So,
um yeah, it should be pretty straightforward. Uh, and I, uh, so we went over the new application form that Judy uh, put together and we sort of approved that. So that's and it has an attestation part to it where they say they're only going
to dump trash from Chadam. So that's and that application thing will be used in December. I think the renewal is January 1st. >> Y, >> so that's all set. And then >> Well, they're renewing now. So >> yeah. Okay. >> So they're using it already. And then the letter you sent out informing them
of the changes and and are uh reinforcing the fact that it's only Chadam trash. You have not heard back. Have you heard back any >> no >> um blowback from them or questions or comments? >> I sent that out. I said we're happy to discuss it with you. You're happy to come in or talk to the board directly. I
I sent them to everybody on our list and did not hear anything from any of them. >> Okay. So >> Okay. Yeah, I think that's I think that's uh pretty good. Any other questions or comments or >> just curious what's the status of the uh
the floor of the of the waste building the repairs on the floor on >> Oh, the floor >> as far as I know that's go you know there I think it got approved in the budget in the uh at town meeting. So maybe this I can find out for sure. How do they
>> that's the next phase I think. How do they do that work while the b while the building is in actual daily use? >> They might have to use like >> off trucks or something, you know, >> temporarily for people to throw their >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm sure they have a plan
for that. >> Well, they're closed on Wednesday, >> but that's true, too. >> Then and then in in the next phase, the um guard house there will be right adjacent to the way the weighing platform. So when these trucks come in, they'll be
right next to that. It'll be more convenient. >> Oh, is that true? >> When they redo the >> when they redo it. So it's it'll actually even get easier for them with with the new part. >> Okay. >> Oh, any uh questions from the public or comments online or >> No. >> Any other comments or questions about
the trash hauling? Uh >> all right. Um, okay. Then any um public comments in general or future agenda items request. >> I just have a reminder that um Wednesday
is the um opioid settlement funds here uh listening hearing sessions. They start at 6. You can watch them online or you can come in person to the um community center. There's also I sent you all a copy of it today. There's also
a link with a survey in there that I would love if everybody would fill out. Um, we're trying to get as many citizens in Chadam to fill out the survey. It's a quick, you know, quick >> You sent us something today by email. >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Yep. Um, so yeah, >> I I've never heard the phrase listening hearing before. What What's a listening hearing? >> It's a listening >> Nobody can speak. >> No, no, no. It's a it's just a term for to have for us to listen to them
basically. So they come and they we we have somebody who's going to facilitate it by asking questions of the public um to try and engage some discussion on how we should use the >> you want them to speak up. So >> right so we're listening to them. We're
not, we are going to do there's a quick PowerPoint at the beginning kind of explaining the history of the opioid settlement funds and how they are required to be used and um what the requirements of the state that we're held to, how much money we're getting,
uh all of that which is very interesting um and good information is a lot of people they don't have any idea what this is all about. Um, and so that and and we just listening session is just an idea that we can get people to to talk to us and we're listening and we're
going to take their comments and and and use them as we move forward with our plan. So >> this money, a lot of it came from the Sack Sackler families. >> Actually, it comes from all over. Um the distributors, Walgreens, Walmart, CVS,
um bunch of different pharmaceutical companies um including Sackler. Um there's Yeah, >> it was a legal settlement. >> It was a Yeah, it's a leg and they're all there's like different money there some things are still being settled. So the money is still coming in and being
distributed. Um it's going to be coming in for the next 16 years. Is >> this a federal settlement or a state? >> It's a federal settlement. Yeah. That the >> then it's divided up. >> Chadam signed on um with the the attorney general who signed on with the
feds. So it's a you know it's a settlement through the >> in general. What are the restrictions on the use of this money? has to be used for there's like eight categories. Um harm reduction, education,
um uh actual care, uh use for um women, pregnant women, um those types of areas. Education, I said that. >> Narcan boxes, >> that's harm reduction. Yeah. Um, so there's specific areas that you, you
know, and if we want to use something and we're not sure if it fits in, we can there's all kinds of technical support through the state that we can reach out and say, can we use this money for this or not? And um, we're also using it so far to um, you know, we've we've been supporting outer Cape Health Services.
They they they have a recovery coach in town uh, once a week. We pay them for that. And we're also using it for um we've granted u behavioral health in um innovations a group that does education and outreach in the in the middle school
and the high schools. So >> and you get monthly reports or >> no at the end of the year they give us a little report and I do have >> annual report. >> What? >> They give you an annual report. You have a sense of >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean they give us a
description of how many people they served and such. Um so that's we do get that annually and I have to I just finished it last month report this to the state how much money we took in for fiscal year. So what how much we got in
how much we've used what we've used it for what's left right now and they keep track of it. So >> okay >> I just have a quick question. I did read I did get the form that you sent out the questionnaer. How do you expect or how should we expect it to get to and who do
we want it to go to um to fill it out to get the Is it just for the board? >> I think it's an online what you if you clicked on it and you said send it goes to our our um consultants. >> Okay. No, but no, I meant if if I made a
copy and gave it to people. >> You can bring that to me. Yes. If you want to hand that out, I can I can provide paper copies or um >> that definitely you can bring it to us and we can input that. >> Okay. So, >> do you have a sense of the
of how widespread this issue is in terms of impacting residents of Cadam and whether the trend line is is going down, is going up, is pretty level, horizontal.
>> Um, >> um, >> what's the nature of >> I think we have a lot of elders in town that have issues. not necessarily with opioids but um some alcohol, a lot of alcoholism and we have a lot of people
with mental health issues. Um this money can be used for any substance use disorders. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um and you know we haven't had any big issues in town in the last couple of years. Um
my understanding is that deaths from opioid use have declined in the last five years and they feel that that has to do with all the harm reduction work that that states are doing with the Narcan and the um sharps just you know
giving out sharps and all that. So, >> so the so Chadam is part of the program by virtue of having dis voted or decided to throw in with the settlement. But are
there towns here that are not participating towns because they were or did everybody >> there may be I I think all the surrounding towns are you know pretty much everybody on the Cape jump joined right in. I mean it's kind of a no-brainer. You're just exactly side on and you're getting hundreds of thousands
of dollars to do this work. So >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Okay. Thanks. >> Who is the they then when you say or presenting and and >> we have a facilitator um >> who is from the county or >> No, we hired a consultant. >> You hired a consultant.
>> Yeah. So the the five towns that are involved. >> Um >> so >> and we used our opioid funds for that. >> They will present the broad thing before the >> Yes. >> Yeah. And then >> I think it's going to be very interesting. I'm hoping >> the Narcan boxes that we already have. I think it's five or something around town. >> Just three right now.
>> Three. Do we have any idea how much Narcan is being taken from them? >> I don't I could I could reach out to the aid support group. >> Who supplies them? Who >> the aid support group of Cape Cod? >> Ah. >> And they have been we have funded them as well um with some small grants.
>> Okay. >> And what is the title of the person we hired and what are they trained to do? What are their credentials? >> We hired from the as the recovery coach or >> Yeah. >> Um I don't know what her credential she's a
person with lived experience. Um and she's a some type of a counselor. I think she's also um >> getting her education completed as well. >> Okay. >> She's been great. We I can't say anything. We we've had a lot of she participates in our monthly meetings and
good >> um she's been really good and >> she's very much in tune with the community. So >> Okay. >> And then how's it being advertised to the community? >> Um >> the uh the listeners >> how you getting the word out? >> Well, there was a paper there was an article in the paper which I sent to you
today. Um it's been it's been posted all over town. It's been going to all the social service agencies. I sent it to all the churches. Um >> Okay. >> It's been in the paper. that's been in the mainstay. Yeah, I sent you the article from the Chronicle and I was happy with that because I thought they
did a good job with it. Um, >> it may be it may if the money is readily there, it may be useful to develop a display ad of some type to run on a regular basis
in say the Chronicle so that so that everybody that re reads the Chronicle is reminded of the existence of of the services and the program, >> right? to kind of keep it in people, >> right?
>> We have one more year in our contract with with OuterCape Health and I'm hoping that in the meantime we will formed a collaborative with the other towns and we can keep the program going um throughout our communities. >> You want to keep it visible. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And aware. >> Yeah.
>> So maybe next time I I'll I mentioned to you about the credible minds platform. we can put that on an agenda and I can share that with you on the screen and show you um that other um program that we're doing on the lower cape which is
um providing mental uh mental health like self online mental health information basically what it is it's really good >> so >> okay that sounds great um any quick update on the property that we started
fines on last meeting Um, >> have they been in contact? >> She is. No, she has she's been finding her and have not heard back from them as yet. So, if at some point we're going to probably have to if she doesn't catch on
quickly, um, we're probably going to have to take them to court or something. Um, someone's quacking. >> Okay. So, I have I didn't get an update today, but Karen has sent like three or four groups of letters out. >> We'll find out.
>> Um and then we have a whole another batch for our next meeting. Um that we're waiting to hear how many people are going to end up coming to the to the board. So, >> what are what are her fines up to now? Do you know? >> God, they've got to be up to a couple
thousand dollars easily. >> It's just bizarre. >> It is, isn't it? and she has the woman's email address and everything. It's been talked to her. So, >> she's talked to her directly. Yeah. So, it's odd >> since that first conversation. She's >> Yeah. Well, no, not since then. Not
since the meeting, but No, I don't know. >> Okay. Other um comments or future agenda items requests? Uh if not, we have minutes from uh November 3rd. Uh >> and they actually include uh Chattam
border health regulation ter determination of bedroom count. Our final thing we put together that will then go to a public hearing and uh a note that Greg Berman sent to uh Jill Goldmith concerning the 32 Milh Hill cleanup is in those minutes. So
there's a lot of good stuff there. >> Can I get uh >> I'll make a motion we approve the draft minutes from November 3rd >> and a second. Second. >> Okay. Uh, Carol Boyce, >> approve. >> Yes. Approved.
>> Uh, John Beckley, >> yes. >> John Ron Browman, >> yes. >> Dick Edwards, >> yes. >> Noble Hansen, yes. Uh, those minutes are approved. And then if nothing further, uh, a motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second that.
>> Okay. Carol Boyce, >> yes. >> John Beckley, >> yes. >> Ron Bowman, >> yes. >> Dick Edwards, yes. >> Noble Hansen, yes. We are adjourned.