I would like to make a motion to call to order the Halifax Board of Health meeting on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. >> So moved. >> All in favor? >> I. >> The Board of Health, in accordance with
the provisions of MGL Chapter 30A, Section 20B, this meeting is being recorded by Area 58 Community Access Channel. It can be viewed on YouTube. The Board Chair reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed and or voted on at this meeting. Agenda
items may be may be taken out of order for time management considerations. So, the first item we're going to do, since this is the first meeting after the election, is to um
organize as chair, co-chair, and clerk. So, I am willing to stay on as chair for this term. >> Good. And I'll remain co-chair, if that's okay with you, Dave. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um so, then I will stay as chair, Candace as co-chair, Dave as clerk. I'd
like to make a motion for those appointments. >> So moved. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Um in the matter of time management, we are going to move around the agenda. We have a busy night tonight. We have some interviews that
we've got going on tonight. So, we are going to move directly into the topic of Marilyn's Landing. I'll be starting with that. Tonight, the Board is voting on issuing a letter of support for the corrective
action measures at Maryland's Landing. We have allowed for questions and comments at several meetings beginning with the September 12th, 2025 meeting. Therefore, there will be no further discussion during this meeting. Should there be any questions after tonight, I
recommend you visit the town website to review posted documentation, third-party review, and recent additions covering ground and surface water, dust, and soil acceptance criteria. Additionally, you can reach out to the health agent who can assist
in answering your questions. Before I call for a vote, I would like to make a statement. I want to reiterate that the proposed work at the landfill is corrective action. MassDEP inspected the site in the spring of 2025 and
concluded that significant repairs are necessary to ensure stormwater controls are established to eliminate the risk of cap deterioration, exposure of buried waste, and prevent leachate from leaving the site. I have visited Maryland's Landing
multiple times. I've witnessed controls, reviewed procedures, spoken to abutters, MassDEP, I've researched other landfills, and also looked into comments made at prior meetings and on social media about Maryland's Landing. I won't speak to all that I have read or heard,
but I do want to address a recent post from last week related to a dust complaint. In October 2025, a delivering site accidentally sent soil that was considered out of range for Maryland's Landing soil acceptance criteria for one
constituent, which was arsenic, even though the accompanying paperwork said otherwise. The sender notified Maryland's Landing when they realized the error a few days later. Upon receipt, the soil had been pushed and mixed with well over 13 times the
amount received with approved soil, and what it was covered. MassDEP concurred the soil did not pose a risk and could not be feasibly relocated or removed. It was later realized by the sender that only one of
the five soil samples from the stockpile showed a level exceeding Marilyn's Landing soil acceptance criteria. The other four samples were well below. Concluding that the one sample result does not pose a risk to human health or
the environment with no conditions. The sender is required to submit a PSS, which is a permanent solution statement, which includes the details that I have just mentioned and more, um, and will be posted to the Mass DEP website upon receipt.
I highlight this situation because it shows how one document, a letter from the DEP to the Dow company, can be taken out of context and cause unnecessary misunderstanding and concern. I'd like to add here that Marilyn's Landing is at the Halifax-Bridgewater
town [clears throat] line with 95% of the trucks coming through Bridgewater. The trucks are not [clears throat] driving through the town of Halifax, and there have been no complaints from Bridgewater regarding the trucks or dust. As for the abutters that I spoke to,
including Dave Parowitz of Parowitz Cycle Fabrication and the daycare center across the street, they have confirmed that they have not experienced dust blowing all over their properties. For anyone reading social media posts regarding Marilyn's Landing, please do
your own due diligence as there may be missing details. Please make calls to Mass DEP. You can contact Marilyn's Landing. You you can contact the health agent as well as I did to get the full story. Marilyn's Landing is in full compliance
with Mass DEP regulations. They follow all required dust mitigation measures and more. >> No, they don't. >> No, they don't. >> No, they don't. >> No, they don't. I'm sorry. >> Were you certified by the DEP like the town manager said? >> We're not taking comments tonight. >> you guys weren't certified by the DEP in
the town. >> Public meeting. >> We're not taking comments. We have had comments several times. >> street primarily standing here. >> We're not I'm sorry, we're not taking comments. We're not taking comments. >> it's not contaminated? >> follow up You can follow up afterwards with any questions.
>> And multiple cases of older women >> up after with any questions and comments. Thank you. They have two trucks working all day on the internal roadways and the active work areas. They also use Dow flakes at the entrance, Gorilla Snot on the site.
The soils they are using are MassDEP approved for residential zoning, playgrounds, and industrial areas and are below reportable concentrations. They are not contaminated as defined by MassDEP in their regulations. You can
confirm this using chat GPT as well. Quote, MassDEP guidance specifically notes Hey, it's research on the internet. You can look up information, all right? >> shows his dust paper is wrong. >> Enough. >> His dust paper is wrong. >> The vaulted dust is wrong.
>> You can leave your comments >> You can look it up online. >> I'm calling order. We've discussed this several times. I'm making my comments. You can leave additional comments, you can make phone calls after the meeting. >> [snorts] >> We need to move forward with this.
Based on the required repairs, all of my research on this site, other similar sites, all of the discussions, the third-party review by Tighe & Bond, and what I've witnessed with my own eyes, I support completion of the corrective action project by McDonald
Industries. I would be more concerned if another party were to come in to complete the repairs, not knowing what type of soils they would use, and what type of dust mitigation measures they would or would not use. I believe McDonald Industries is using best
practices and more. And one additional comment, we don't live in a sterile world. A landfill project is not the only potential cause for dust. I have watched dust going up and down, up and down the um power lines
with the um dirt road there when there's wind there, having nothing to do with Marilyn's Landing. You can see it when there are ATVs riding up and down. You can do My husband was mowing the lawn last week and he was covered in dirt and had dust. >> Arsenic, too. >> So,
with all that said, um I'm going to ask the other board members if they have any comments that they want to make on the topic. Have you guys been contacted >> by Marilyn's? >> So, um yes, I do have some comments. Thank you.
>> This paper on the dust was copy and paste from Stromberg. Shouldn't you be doing your own independent >> So, I think we can all agree, I hope we can all agree, that there is a problem at Marilyn's Landing that needs correction. Because if we don't fix the cap, we're going to run into more serious problems down the line.
The question is the best way to do that. Um I have been very verbal in my request along the way for a smaller action to fix this. I appreciate everything that Marilyn's Landing has done to try and fix it, and from what I understand they have made some improvements since they
took over. The independent reviewer, I appreciate their opinion, but I feel like they just said, "Yes, this is a way you could do it." I have not heard from anyone that this is the only way, correct me if I'm wrong, and I have not been presented with any alternatives to do it on a
smaller scale. While theoretically the dirt coming in is not contaminated, as you mentioned, it's not 100% a reason why I would like to see this finished with as little dirt as possible and I don't know that there is no other solution. Again, please correct me if I'm wrong.
And as far as the air quality, yes, the dust has been shown to be non-toxic, but it's an irritant. It can cause exacerbations of allergies, asthma, COPD. So, while it's not toxic, it is nuisance to people in the area and I think it's a valid concern. Uh and those are why I would like to see if there is
an option to do this on a smaller scale. I don't think we've been presented with any other options. Um the other thing I would like to say is that if I were to vote in support, I would want that letter to say very clearly that this is the final stage of this project. Because the last letter in 2017 said it was and I understand this
is corrective action, but another board in 5 years, who's to say that they're not going to vote for even taller when we're already at the last height they asked for. So, that that's just where I'm at. >> And it has been confirmed this is closing. There is an end an end date. This will be it once the corrections are
made. There should be enough on there should be enough on top there should be enough on top so that they can plant trees. It won't impact the synthetic cap. >> Um is it the only way?
>> There is I've done some research taking the cap off cuz that was something was a mention is not something it's not something you want to do. That's not what you want to do. >> They're not even close. >> How many years for this phase? >> This is once this is done once this
phase is done that's it. No. The anticipation is 4 years. Okay, and please any comments or questions we'll answer after. Okay. >> Can we fix the cap in the slope? >> submitted a report to the commissioner.
by a radar with lidar >> Okay, please order. We're not getting We're not There's no discussion. >> They're nowhere close to even this phase to even being to stop the next one. >> Is there and I don't know if this is something an independent reviewer would discuss, but can it be done with less dirt? Cuz I know that they are following
all the protocols, but there's risk there. So, in my mind, the least amount of dirt we can fix this with is in the best interest of the community and I don't I haven't heard a solid yes or no, can we do it with less dirt? >> Right. >> That's my question. >> Okay. >> That's where I'm at.
Do you have any comments? [applause] >> I don't know that [cheering] they could do it I don't know that they could do it with less dirt or not. >> Right. >> So. >> And I think the goal is to do it with all they need so that they can have that the slope that they need. They need to have that required slope.
>> Correct. >> So. Okay. Uh with that said, I am going to make a motion that the board approve um the submittal of a letter to MassDEP in support of McDonald Industries proposed corrective action soil project at
Maryland Maryland's Landing. >> There's a point of order on this. There's a point of order. What about this town meeting vote that we voted to completely shut it down and this is not separate? >> This is separate. Yes, because it needs to be that is based on the AG will
determine the AG. If the AG comes in and says, "Yep, that's that's we we um put your bylaw in place." then this is moot, okay? But by putting this in place, it's not. No. >> like you're elected >> Okay, thank you for your comments. We're
not taking any more comments. I'd like to make a motion to make a vote on the letter. Um >> And now do you know the dust study was falsified? >> There's a motion. >> That was found out today. Dave, you want a second? >> It was total dust. They now split up >> Nope, I didn't hear you. >> I second that motion.
>> I Yes, I second the motion. I'm sorry. >> All in favor? I. >> I. >> Okay. So, it's a two to one vote for the letter. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your attention to this matter. Thank you for your attendance.
We are going to be moving forward. We're preparing. We have interviews, and then we will continue with the rest of our agenda at that time. Thank you. >> Why don't we appeal this? You will give me a >> Reach out Reach out to you. What What What would I don't know what that would
be. >> I think the DEP ultimately. I think we >> And the DEP is the only one that can help us. >> state experts, you have multiple powers that you can do without the DEP. You spent a 2-hour phone call with the >> a 2-hour phone call with the state. >> You haven't exercised any of your powers.
You need to. You've got a lot of power. >> contact us outside of this meeting. We have additional items on the agenda. Please send an email or phone call to the health agent. Thank you. >> I'd like to ask you a couple of questions. Um the flyers that went up yesterday
>> It is today. >> Um today. >> Today. >> Yes. Making it sound like we're so lucky to have this in town that you put out this to the voters. Was that all approved by the board, those flyers? Saying how they've been good to the town. >> You can please send an email or make a
phone call after the meeting. We can look into the procedures after on that. >> Some of the paragraphs that word for word are copied >> They don't want to listen to the claims from the LSP. >> Word for word from state documents. Don't cherry-pick your information.
So, it's a total dust up. >> All right. We are closing any further discussion on this topic, and we're moving forward with our agenda. Thank you. Thank you. We're moving forward. Thank you. >> What about all the 40-year-old people who have cancer on Circuit Street?
And I'm one of them. And I'm a cancer nurse. I deal with arsenic. I wear a lead suit to give it and put it in a black box. And you want to tell me that >> Bang your gavel and you don't care. >> It's allowed by the DEP. >> No, you don't know what you bought all the discussion is over. We're down.
We're moving forward with our agenda. We have an an interview that we need to connect going forward. >> up by anybody. I don't get paid for any of this. Fact, when they originally approved this, the Board of Health told them there were no wells within a half mile. Everyone had wells. >> Please send your issues in writing.
Please send it in writing if you want something looked into further. Send it in writing. >> You said it was over. >> The public doesn't matter. Candace, thank you. You seem to care. >> Thanks, Candace. >> She seems to care for us. >> She won't even do a letter of approval >> You couldn't care less.
>> But that's okay. I >> You have the power to do conditions. >> You have the power to do conditions on that letter. And you don't even have the guts to do that. And I go to Mass General Cancer Center. They're investigating, they're researching our area. >> Woo!
>> I'm glad the public >> Do we have Suzanne Texeira here? How are you? >> I'm good. >> Thank you. Thank you for coming. >> Yeah, there is issues I'm talking about waste and projects done. Do you understand?
>> You can sit. That's fine. Yeah. Be comfortable. Thanks. I guess to start, so um could you please tell us about yourself? Um and what you think you have to bring to the local health department here in Halifax?
>> So, first off, my name is Suzanne Texeira. Um I started my wastewater career in 2019. Uh started with filtering out PCBs through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts gas plant. Uh
I kind of fell into wastewater, so um I understand the Board of Health is much more than just that. That's what I've seen. Um Thank you for coming. Sorry, I'm a bit nervous. Didn't realize there was going to be this many people.
Anyways, sorry. Um I watched the video from the last meeting so everyone knows what I'm going to Um To be honest, I have not ever been um agent. This is something that I've been working
towards. Um I put a lot of effort effort into being well-rounded as far as on the job, getting different licenses. Um You know, I saw the job posting and this is like Uh
probably shouldn't say This is something that I've been working towards. Um I would like to be an health agent. Um anybody I talked to, Joyce and Kingston, um you know, I worked with them. They're like, "Just keep going.
Get here. You know, uh Get Get your time in. Learn what you can. Um Be well as well-rounded as far as IA, title five, installation, service, all that type of stuff.
Again, you understand the Board of Health has a much bigger role. It's not just septic wastewater. It has to do with health schools, um restaurant stuff of that nature. >> Right. >> Um >> I did see on your application that you have
um some classes under your belt. Are you Are you currently um working on a degree or where is >> So, I did put on a pause in that. I lived with my grandparents at that time. Grandmother was ill. Grandfather was working so we took turns. Um I did pause
that. I've taken some classes um in Rhode Island. Um I got a Rhode Island license something that applies here. Um but um it's something I'm trying to gear towards, as a mom. >> Um, just to mention, so one of the, um, one
of the relevant qualifications for being a health agent, and I think in Massachusetts, cuz I think the differences there are differences between, you know, states and whatnot, um, is being a registered sanitarian or an RS. Um,
and my understanding is that, um, to be able to be qualified to be an RS, um, you do need to have a Bachelor of Science degree for that. Um, so do you have any sense of, like, when when you might, you know, finish up your
studies, or when you might, you know, have your degree so that you could, you know, move forward with that? >> Um, that is a very good question, um, that I was not prepared to answer tonight. I will be totally honest with you. Um, you know, I, uh,
I did apply to the courses, um, to try to continue my studies. Um, towards an environmental studies, um, I mean, as as long as it takes. That's not I'm not a quitter.
>> Good for you. Um, it's, you know, I it it does look like you've been trying out, you know, different positions, getting different experiences, which are all, you know, great experiences on, you know, on that your your path and your journey to
become a health agent. Um, you know, I commend you on on that. Um, I guess I might say, you know, you could also attend, do you know, do you attend Board of Health meetings, or communicate with any, um, health agents,
either in your current town, or >> tried. Um, a lot of things going on in New Bedford right now. >> Okay. Okay. Um, just, uh, >> No, that's great. >> Consideration. Yeah. Yeah. >> No, I appreciate that.
>> Um Yeah, and if >> I know I'm not the most qualified, but I'm going to give it a shot. >> Right. Right. And I appreciate your application. Um like I said, you know, having that um Bachelor of Science so that you can get that um RS certification
>> It's a good starting point to >> is is it you know, it's it's required in Massachusetts. >> Absolutely. >> Um so, yeah, I think you know, keep keep working towards that. Um and if there's anything else that we can think of to kind of help you out along
your journey, you know, we're happy to um send further you know, information as well. >> is is appreciated. >> Yeah. Um does anybody else have any any questions or any thoughts? No? >> Well, thank you guys for your time. Appreciate it.
Appreciate it. Thank you. Next day or do you want me to >> Yeah, no, you can Uh oh, actually um Yeah, I think um maybe have you step out for the next interview. Yeah. >> No, that's for you. >> Okay, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, thanks. >> Hello. >> Hello. Thank you. Um so, I'll start off and then if anyone um on the board has anything to add, um so, uh Mr. Rieger, can you tell us why
you think you are a good candidate for our health agent position, what you bring to the table, and your plans for Halifax. >> Yeah, sure. Um so first and foremost, I I've been in the public health sector uh at at the local public health level
since 2007. Um I've been in the environmental health and public public and environmental health industry since 2004. My college degree for this work began in 1999. So all things considered, I've been at this
for almost three decades. Um I've served on uh boards of health with both uh city government structures as well as small town government structures [snorts] um from the lowest level of local public health departments all the way up to
public health director. Um I've seen a a myriad of issues over the years. Um in the vast field of public health. So as far as my credentialing and qualifications and experience goes, that answers that. But more specific to the
town of Halifax um right now, there are two primary reasons why why I think I could be most effective in this position. Um one is that the town of Halifax is currently the host community for uh
public health excellence grant um which is a grant that resulted from a 2019 study by the office of local and regional health through DPH. That highlighted the shortfalls uh across 351 communities in the state of
Massachusetts at the local public health level. And they created shared services arrangements. Bob Valery, um your former health agent who passed away unexpectedly in October, hired me uh to work underneath him at the inception of that program.
And that was, um, when I began, uh, my participation and employment with Halifax, uh, through a grant-funded position. And then currently acting, functioning as the internal health agent, uh, still under grant funding. So, my time here in
Halifax has been entirely covered by grant funding. That host community facet, [snorts] uh, is is very delicate at the moment because the grant goes in 3-year cycles and FY27 is the third and final year of
the first 3-year cycle. And how things go, again, very There's a lot of question marks on the horizon after FY27. And I believe that Well, I know, frankly, that it it would
be very important to be well-connected with the knowledge and the dynamics of everything that's going on at the state level, the local level, and the regional level, and how that the the re-upping of that grant for another 3
years or not very strongly impacts the atmosphere and and the overall landscape of regional public health here in this region. And I'm also in very regular communication with with all the fellow agents in the other five communities and
have a long-standing relationship with them on a professional level. Um, so, at least for FY27, uh, I feel that it's very important, uh, for someone, um, with my knowledge to be to be
involved to see what's going to happen, uh, after that. Beyond that, the state is is very much going through and pushing a metamorphosis of the local public health structure, um, to become a a more consistent,
uh, industry overall throughout the whole state and I'm someone who's functioned in the old model for over two decades now and very much understand what the state is trying to accomplish with the new models and see myself as a as a bridge
really between the old model and the new model for the the younger college um graduates and younger people entering the local public health industry. Uh I I I'm one of
a group of people in that kind of career and age range that function as a bridge from the old to the to the new and there is a bridge required and it's you know there's there's going to be confusion and messes and trial and error and and lots of that so
I feel that I'm a very well equipped and prepared to to to lead uh the health department in Halifax in in all those areas at least through the next couple of years and and then uh
you can feel free to reassess after that you know. >> Thank you. Anybody have any comments or questions? >> I mean I would just say thank you you've done a great job so far. It's certainly been a busy um few months since you joined us. You joined us at a very I would say a more exciting time than
usual and I think you've done a great job so far. >> I appreciate that. >> Thank you. Okay I think um so we didn't I don't have we don't have on the agenda like an executive session to go to to discuss so I think what we can do is each of us can
individually reach out to the assistant so Peggy um with >> our choice >> our choice and then um >> [snorts] >> we'd go from there. >> I think we will >> Yeah. >> Do you want to go first? >> Susan? >> Sure.
>> Sure. >> I'm going to go back to interim >> Yes, perfect. Perfect. Yeah. So, what we're just going to do, Suzanne, so we will share with um
uh with Peggy from the Board of Health office um our choice on um who will fill the position. And then she will manage any sort of like communications or letters that need to go out. >> Colby's? >> Okay. >> I appreciate you guys' time. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Very good to meet you. >> Thanks. >> What is that variance back to the disposal works permits? >> Yes. Yeah. So, we'll go to disposal works permits um for 6 East Street.
Um Bob, do you have any any comments or anything on that? >> Um nope, the the variance is uh is is feasible and and possible as far as I can tell. >> Okay. Um I would like to make a motion to
ratify um agent's approval with local upgrades and variances for 6 East Street. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. Um and then the following >> [snorts] >> um I would like to make a motion to
ratify the agent's approvals for the items listed 1 through 7. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. Um the next discussion item is 2 3rd Avenue, the betterment agreement. So,
this is just we did approve this at the previous meeting, so that it's just a case of being signed. >> It's just a case of being signed. It's in the green It's in the green folder. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'll do that. Okay.
Um so, we will move forward then. I'll sign that after. Um so, affirming any bills. So, I'd like to make a motion to affirm [snorts] uh bills paid for revolving account 25-513-FY26-12 um
for Robert Casper 1 2 and 3 as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? I. Uh I'd like to affirm the bills paid for the revolving account 25-513-FY26-13 for Kayla Smith 1 and 2 as listed. >> So moved.
>> All in favor? I. I'd like to affirm bills paid for revolving account 25-513-FY26-13 for Tieen Bond. >> So moved. >> All in favor? I. I'd like to affirm bills paid for the
landfill engineering account 01-519- FY26-01 Tieen Bond invoices 1 and 2 as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? I. Uh I'd like to make a motion to affirm bills paid for the nursing services
account 01-522-FY26 as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? I. I would like to affirm bills paid affirm bills paid for the public health excellence grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-33
1 and 2 as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? I. Make a motion to affirm bills paid for the for our uh the public health excellence grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-34 uh one as listed.
>> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. I'd like to make a motion to affirm bills paid for the public health excellence [snorts] grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-35 >> [snorts] >> for Kayla Smith one through six as
listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. I'd like to make a motion to affirm bills paid for the public health excellence grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-361 as listed. All in favor? Aye. I'd like to affirm bills paid for the
public health excellence grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-37 Robert Casper one and two as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. Uh I'd like to make a motion to approve the meeting minutes for the May 6th,
2026 and then is wait May May and May Yeah, you're right, right. And May 20th 2026 meetings. >> So [snorts] moved. >> All in favor? Aye.
I'd like to make a motion to approve the iPad gift account 2 sac 26-514-434830-02-FY26-10 AT&T as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. Uh I'd to approve the WPAT2 expenditure
27-505-5355-FY26-02 one and two as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. I'd like to approve the public health excellence grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-38 one one, two, and three as listed.
>> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. I'd like to make a motion to approve the public health excellence grant account 25-516-5430-189-FY26-39 one as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. I'd like to make a motion to approve the
public health excellence grant account [snorts] 25-516-5430-189-FY26-40 one and two as listed. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. For the following permits, I'd like to make a motion to approve the permits with condition. All required documents
and fees are submitted to the Board of Health office. Well discharge permits will not be released until water testing samples from certified well testing companies are submitted to the Board of Health and approved by the agent. Um permits listed
A through G. >> So moved. >> All in favor? Aye. I would like to make a motion to close the Board of Health meeting at 7:06 p.m.
on Wednesday, June 17th. >> So moved. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you.