Hi. >> Hi, Carrie. >> Hello. I um sorry I'm I am at a um conference and I'm so I'm trying to get all my things set up. >> So
>> nice to see folks. >> Same here. >> Hi Sophie. >> Hi Sophie. >> Hello. >> Hi everyone. >> Liv.
Hi. I'm trying to It says my video is disabled by the host. >> Oh, okay. Perfect. >> Hi everybody. >> Hi. >> Hello. >> Hello.
[Music] Hi, that was just S calling me and he asked us to to so he is there as Heather his his I guess he's using his wife's computer so um >> okay
>> glad he he he used phone a friend he's like can you just tell him I it's me because because he was appropriately disabled because we didn't know who he was So, >> no. >> I'm like, please let please let me in. >> That's funny.
>> I'm glad phone a friend worked. That's awesome. >> Thank you, Carrie. >> Of course. >> Okay. Um, so Kevin is going to be about 40 minutes late and
I'm not sure about Addie. I I didn't hear anything that he wouldn't be um attending, but maybe we can get started 703. Uh, so why don't we why don't we do that and I'll I'll call the meeting to order
and um you can just do roll call. State your full name. Uh S cell s Banti here. >> Carrie >> Carrie Danell here >> Sophie >> Sophie Hansen here
>> John >> John Wetzel here >> and Rick Lopez. Um so for tonight's agenda um we have a number of things here. Uh we're going to review the minutes from last meeting.
We'll do public comment if there is any. Um we have some hauler regulations which will be the first time I think we're seeing these so we'll have a conversation um about them. The dumpster regulations which we've already seen um
once or twice. Um hopefully we we're close to finalizing or will finalize and vote on them. Um we saw the updated fee schedule a couple meetings ago. Um and so we'll we'll take a look at it again
and and decide on whether to vote or not. But that's the plan. Um there's the turnback tracks uh meeting that's happening next week and just that whole issue and maybe a day can update
us on that and then we'll do the usual monthly report and kind of go from there. Um so uh that being said in terms of um the minutes from
August 14th, are there any uh comments, edits, changes? Okay. I had uh just two um just one is uh >> in terms of members present I think um
we ought to parenthetically state Kerry um was present at 7:25 >> just for the minutes just for accuracy sake. >> Um >> in case in case we want to look back and see why why didn't she vote on something or something like that. Um and and then
also others present. Uh we have Amelia listed and I don't think she was present at that meeting. Um so those two edits. Uh otherwise they look fine to me as well. So I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from August 14th. Do I have a
second? >> Second. Second from S. Okay. Um roll call. S. >> Yes. Carrie, >> yes. >> Uh, Joan, >> yes.
>> And Rick, yes. So, the minutes are approved. Um, I don't see any members of the public um on the screen. So, I think we will move on to um the Hall of Regulations and I'll turn it over to
Adday. >> Right. Thank you very much, Dr. Lopez. Um so during the review process for the dumpster regulation, we realized that we did not have a
holler regulation for the town of Reading. And uh we got to this point that we wanted to merge the holler regulation with the dumpster regulation. And uh at some point the board decided not to do
that. So, we had to come up with a separate uh holler regulation and um this is what we have. Um it's here for review uh purposes. Uh whatever feedback I get tonight, I will take that back to
the town council and um we'll go from there. I also believe that um DPW has a role in this regulation because they are in charge of you know recyclable goods and things like that. So I plan on
meeting with uh DPW leadership to go over the regulation and get their input as well. Har >> just ask one one question just a day. So I this came from town council. Do we know if they if it is pulled from um if
it is similar to or or or based on regulations used in other communities? Did they look at representative similars or >> Yes, they did. >> Okay. Okay. I have uh a few questions as well like
42 4.2.2. Um Haley, would you be able to pull that up or do Okay. Can everybody see that?
>> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. So, 4.2 >> 4.2.2. Okay. Towards the end of it, it says information on how the hauler will ensure that customers prevent solid
waste from being disposed with recyclables and how the hauler will notify customers of improper disposal. If a waiver is requested, the request shall be specified on the application as
well. Um, I'm a little bit lost. So, that's something I'm going to have to clarify with town council. And also 4.3.1F. Haley, can you please scroll to 431F?
Okay, it says it is the responsibility of the holler to educate customers about the waistband and inform them that they will refuse to collect solid waste mixed with waistband items that are visible to
the driver from any of their customers. Um I find I find that to be a little bit awkward as well. Um how do they educate the customers?
And then if we go to 4.3.1g it says if the hauler refuses to collect any materials from a customer, the hauler shall inform such customers in writing. of reasons for
refusal to collect solid solid waste. Additionally, by the 15th of the month, the holler shall advise the board the board of health or its agent of the customers who have received refusal
notices in the prior month. and then the board or its agent shall when possible assist the hauler with enforcement of the town's mandatory recycling program always burn requirements. So I'm not
sure how we're going to coordinate that. Um it seems like a little bit it seems like it's going to be um complicated to do that. And just one last one is uh 4.3.2.
It says residential customers may not contract with a hauler for collection of solid waste or recyclables only unless otherwise pre-approved by the board. So what circumstances would warrant
that? I would like to know. So, those are some of the things that we'll be communicating to um town council to shed some light on them. >> Okay. >> And then whatever feedback I get from the board. >> I have a couple items as well, but I'll
let Carrie go ahead. >> Sorry. Yeah. So, so I just I think that some of these things your conversation with DPW will help because they I assume are the contracting body for the um they're they're the department that has
the contract um with the the I forget who it is now. I've lost track. Is it still Republic? Um >> Republic >> and and some of these things are are required, right? I mean, they are they're already doing these things. They have to put a sticker on and tell you
that something is refused and why they are they are required to not accept certain things. There's a list of what's not acceptable. It's it's sent out by DPW I think a couple times a year, you know. So, I think it would be a matter of just checking to see are these
provisions do they match what the existing contract is and um you know what does DPW think about their the the way it works? We guess town council might have some insight on that too. And then I think um
I I'm interested to a day in the one about the providing a list of the names of the addresses of places where things have been refused. I think that's a >> that's a high bar. I mean I know that they they have to refuse. So, I'd be interested to know how this meshes with
our contract and just making sure that our that that we are reflecting what the provisions are. I think our contract is old though and I know we're preparing to move to um a new hauler. So, we may be setting
conditions for what a future contract will be. Are are you concerned about the role of staff in the about the expectation in here that there's a role for staff in the um enforcement piece? Is that one of your questions? >> Not necessarily.
>> Not necessarily. It's just it's more of the coordination. How do we coordinate that? >> Yep. >> Yep. >> And I think >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. >> No, no. And I then I think um
I mean I like the provision that that that I think the provision that we have that you can't just that individuals that we have a list right that haulers have come and said yeah we want we want
to be able to haul trash in this community and I I like that it is a it is a change but I think that if somebody's going to enter into a regular contract on it that we ought to know and make sure that they're following the town regs and that's an opportunity to
do that. Um, so it' be kind of like um I guess it's another it's not a license but it's a it's a similar thing. We have some oversight there to contribute. So, um, you know, more work, but I I think
valuable my my opinion. Um, I, you know, I I I I agree. I had pulled those those sections as well as just kind of let's make sure that we're we're we're all agreeing on the same thing. I um I don't know. Sorry, I jumped ahead of you there, Rick, but um I'm curious what
your comments are. No, I had the, you know, for 4.3.1 ENF, I had the same sort of question because it it seemed like to have Republic if they end up being our future hauler, you know, having to
educate the the community that seems like a high bar to to pass it. >> It's a requirement though. >> It is a requirement. >> Yeah. But but yeah, I think knowing how we do it, I think is is is right. Making sure it's in the contract and what
what's the standard for meeting that. >> Right. Right. I mean, I, as you say, DPW sends these out. They have, you know, a great website to find out how to, you know, get rid of anything and um exactly how you do it. I mean, it seems like so
I would just I would agree with both of you that um those those two areas ought to be discussed with DPW in terms of the the best way to do it. Um I think in a couple other comments, one is in 4.3.2
um when a residential customer um you know has a different for for whatever reason. sounds like uh has a different um hauler decides to privately
pay for a separate hallway. I think that's what it means. Um it's the second sentence says residential customer may not contract with a hauler for collection of solid waste or recyclables
unless otherwise preapproved by the board. And I'm just wondering whether we really need to get approval other than to ensure that the hauler that the um the
resident is going to contract separately uh has a permit in the town. I mean that that would be important, but otherwise I I'm not sure because if if the hauler has a permit, they're going to be following all these regulations as well.
So if the individual resident wants to do it, I don't see a big deal about having to come to the board or the health department. I could be missing something. But the only other um question I would ra or thing I would kind of like to insert um
somewhere is um this is one of my low pet peeves but you know maybe it's not appropriate for this but um you know when uh not infrequently um when haulers are
picking up trash They um they tend to they can be maybe one out of every 30 times. Um I don't know. Um they tend to leave the barrels right out on the street. >> Um and sometimes it's it's a third of
the way across my street. Sometimes it's almost in the middle of the street. Um, and you know, on collection day in your neighborhood, it's sort of like um you're driving one of those uh obstacle courses trying to get around the
barrels. And >> if the uh if it's a very windy day, um, and the barrels are left sort of on their side and halfway out in the street, they can really kind of blow I blow down the street. I actually last
year had an episode where they um that happened and my barrel was literally three houses down in the street uh on a very windy uh winter day. Um, so I would suggest putting in a a regulation that
says that they're required to return the recycling or the waste receptacle to, you know, the side of the street or the or the sidewalk as a, you know, as opposed to what they do now, which is most of the time they do that, you know,
and then there's enough times where um, you know, it becomes a hazard in terms of driving. That was those were my only um I think the additional comments. >> Yeah. I I just want to piggy back on Rich for a second with the um the
additional uh requirement for the for us to approve the a vendor. I think that would be taxing on like people doing construction and I think it should just be the permit. I I was reading that same paragraph as you, uh, Rich.
I don't see why they would have to come to the board for a a special permit or a special um, okay. And uh, the same thing with my barrels. I live on Hil Street and they throw them out in the middle of Hel Street. They don't last
long out there. >> Yeah, Carrie. >> Yeah, I think I'll just I As I read the requirement for board approval, I do not see I do not see a they have to come to us. I think that there needs to be an application and that that would be
something that would be sent to the you know be they sent to the department and I think I a day and staff could just put it on the agenda item and say there's a new applicant and you know DPW is you know is working
with them there they comply with 310 CMR and just I don't I don't I agree that I I don't ne I don't think requiring somebody to come in is necessary but I think it's uh making sure that the board has notice you know that that we are
seeing the the the thing if we do if we're taking on a responsibility for this then we need to um just affirm you know okay so it's part of the report now says I we there are two new people two new companies that are have like have put in applications and are going to be
hauling trash for private customers so um I would I I don't I don't have an issue with that With the application piece, I would agree that it seems excessive to ask folks to come to the board and ask the ask for our approval.
I I hope that's not what we're getting us getting ourselves into. >> Yeah. >> It'd be a month It'd be a month before they got the permit if they, you know, if they put it in tomorrow. >> Yeah. No, >> they'd have to wait a month. >> Yeah. No, I mean, it's not a Right. I
agree. We're not we're not trying to get in in the way of of of folks doing business. We just need to make sure you know it's the yes that they have a day's reviewed it or whomever he assigns it to. They've reviewed the application and
you know all the dots are all the eyes are dotted and all the te's are crossed. >> Um is how I see it. >> Same. I don't know if that's agreeable to you a day, but that's my
>> it is. But what I'm trying to figure out is what circumstances would warrant you to get your own private trash hauler if you're already paying taxes and the town is already doing it for you. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah.
>> I mean, yeah, it may be a provision that doesn't I mean, it may be one of those things of it's a just in case. We don't know. There are some people kind of just like some people choose to send kids to private school even though they're paying their taxes for the education system. There may be some I I don't know
how often it occurs, but um I think it would be that same kind of thought. >> The only thing I think of is if there is like a hoarding case and you know you're cleaning out the house, but that's just a oneoff. It's not it's a
locationational thing. It's not like a regular dent. So, That's what I would think like construction or you know you doing you have a big pile of trash but I don't think we need to meet the board for something like that. I feel like that would fall under you know if you're
doing construction on your house that should just be a permit. >> I wondered if it was referring to um condo people that live in condos because they don't get the town trash. Oh, >> I don't know why they would want to
contract with someone personally, but that was my only thought. >> Yeah, possibly. Regardless of the motive, I I I think our our reason to want to know is just to ensure that the hauler is is
permitted within the town of Reading so that they're following all the rules, you know, even though they they only have a few customers or whatever. It's really around knowing that the they haven't contracted with a private
independent hauler who we know nothing about and who's not uh permitted. That would be a problem. So I think that's the main shouldn't be more complicated than knowing that. >> Yeah. any other suggestions to this proposed
regulation that that um you know we'll we'll go back and um a day will work on it with town council and come back to us at a future meeting. Um okay, sounds like no.
>> So, do you have what you need today? >> Yes, I do. >> Great. Okay. dumpster regulations. >> Okay. So, this proposed regulation has been reviewed by the board during
previous meetings. It's been to the board at least at least twice, I believe. Uh it it has also been reviewed by the town council and at the last meeting that this was reviewed um there
were two key questions left unanswered. Uh the first was that the town council suggested merging this regulation with the others regulation but the board decided to make it a separate regulation. And the second
concern was that um uh construction demolition dumpsters uh should be exempt from the lead requirement. Um the board agreed to exempt those and the board made a motion to review
and take a vote on the revised regulation at the next meeting which is this meeting with the following conditions. Um first one was to amend some typos. Second was to remove the last sentence in 4-2
sorry 4.2.1. Let's see. Hilly, can you please put that up? >> Can we see it? >> Yep. >> Yes. Okay. So 44.2.1
it had shall maintain or operate. Let's see. So we took that out. We took uh the last sentence from 4.2.1 out and this is the revised version.
And then the board also um instructed me to exempt construction dumpsters from the lead requirement under 4.3.5. So um everything has been all the changes have been made and this
regulation is now ready for a vote. Okay. Any um other comments before we take a vote? Can I have a motion to um approve the the dumpster regulation? >> I make a motion to approve the dumpster
regulation >> as written here. >> I'll second. >> Second. >> Okay. A roll call. Sell. >> Yes. >> Carrie. >> Yes. >> Joan, >> yes.
and Rick. Yes. So, that regulation is approved. Um, I've been wanting to say this all day. Enough of trash talk. Now, we're going to move on to the fee schedules. >> Practicing that. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Haley, can you please put the fee schedule up? Thank you. >> Can we see that? >> Yep. >> Yes. Great. So, uh, the current fees are in red ink and the changes, uh, the
proposed changes are in black. Um, I brought this before the board, I believe in January, and, um, the board liked the idea. I sent it to town council for review
and they came up with two comments. The first comment was to clarify that the proposed increase in fees for animals only applies to animals governed by uh keeping of animals regulation which
is section 02. So if you scroll down hilly to the animals. So if you look Yeah. Right there. So it doesn't specifically say that
these changes apply to section 02. So, um, town council recommended that we add that, um, on the fee schedule and also, uh, they suggested that,
uh, the board consider holding a hearing prior to the adoption of these fees since, uh, some of the fees are being raised dramatically. Mhm. >> So, you know, like ice rink, we're going
from $0 to 150 outdoor and then indoor we're going from 50 to 100. So, town council believes those those are like, you know, uh dramatic increases and they would like they would recommend the
board have a hearing, hold a hearing before adopting these uh changes. I think with respect to the animal um edit I think um that makes a lot of sense to you know specify which animals
using the animal regulation as a as an example. um you know on the hearing I'm sort of as I as I read they said they would recommend although it's not required and so I
guess the question I'm sort of I'm a little bit ambivalent you know I the we're talking I'm ambivalent for a couple reasons one is um that
these this fee schedule was for those you don't know was developed looking at surrounding communities and looking what their highs and lows fees are and sort of picking something um that's reasonable in the middle given that our
fee schedule hadn't been updated for many years. Um and secondly, um you know, I think that the dollar amounts, um you know, for for businesses and uh
and so forth don't seem to be particularly high, like it's not something that's going to break someone's budget, I wouldn't think. And um and I would say thirdly
uh you know we're not dealing with um a very complicated issue here. This is just updating dollar amounts and um that haven't been updated for a long time. So I'm I'm not I mean if there was
a lot of sense uh by board members that we should have a hearing, we could certainly do that. I'm not necessarily um feeling strongly about it myself. Go ahead, Carrie. >> Thanks, Rick. >> First, a date. I'm sorry. I just want to
make sure I I understood you properly. The red are the existing fees and the black are the proposed fees. >> Correct. >> Okay. Okay. Um and I'm thrilled. I mean like spec like I look at rec camps I'm like oh my
goodness yes because boy rec camps are a lot of work. Um and I think that you know a fee a fee increase you know from the $10 is entirely reasonable as much as we want to be supportive of you know community recreation that's great. It's
a lot of work. Uh it it's a lot of oversight that that needs to happen. And um so I I mean I I like the the changes. Thank you, Rick, for clarifying about the the the source of these. I know that um Mass Health Officers Association has
a fee um if a a tool that you can use to assess whether the costs the assess both the costs of doing the work and then also assess the fees and see how they balance with that. Um I I'm curious if
if we looked at that. I'm curious if So, three questions. Did two questions and a comment. Did was was the review like was were we did we look at our shared services peers? Was this developed with shared services
support? >> Correct. So we used um the communities in you know within the shared services and then >> communities that are identical to reading in terms of population and so economic status.
>> Okay. Um, and is there a is there a presentation that maybe shows or a spreadsheet or something that shows that that data that Okay, great. Yes. >> So, okay. And then, um,
and then I think my comment I'll just I I I understand the the points that you raised, Rick, about whether we ought to have a hearing or not. And I think I'm actually leaning on the I think it's fair to have a to hold a hearing to let
folks know that we are changing them. We have data of why they're being changed. These changes are not arbitrary. They've been you know we can share that this is I don't know when the last time the fee schedule was updated. And you know, I think that it's um
I think that it's reasonable to hold a hearing to hear feed to to hear it to to in basically it's a hearing to invite the public do they have any comment on it. I really hope that anyone who was reviewing this fee schedule would
understand that these are reasonable changes and um you know that the board is that the board nor the town is not making money that we are we are not we are not making money on the when we issue these fees we are not even
breaking even in some instances and that um I think I I think sharing that is is useful. Um, yeah, I'm sure that there are individuals who would have, you know, why are you raising a fee? Why, you
know, and and and that's okay. I mean, that's part of what people tell me why, but and I guess I I am leaning on to the side of why don't we because we are making a lot of changes. Um, and we have very good reasons for it. So, um, I will
stop with with that. Thank you for all the work pulling this information together. I know it's it's I've done it in other areas. It's not easy. So, great job. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> S. >> Yep. Um I would also agree with Carrie,
you know, at least bring the public in. I always like to include people, not, you know, hit them over the head with the hammer and not tell them. Um, not like these fees are really hitting them over the head, but you know, if you go from zero to 300 or 0 to 200, it is a little, you know, shock that you just
got had no bill and now you have a bill. I think, you know, we do owe them a little explanations. Um, but yeah, that's, you know, pretty much whatever you guys said I agree with, plus the the the meeting, the hearing. >> Okay.
Joan, any thoughts on this? No, I I I can see both points. Um I mean they especially where they're the fees are just being brought up in line with you know commensurate areas. Um but some some of them are fairly dramatic
changes. So um >> okay >> I think you know either way is good >> if we we do have a hearing. Sounds like we probably should have a hearing. um you know a day you would want to have a
brief presentation that speaks to some of the points brought up and maybe you know a document that shows sideby-side comparisons with whether it's the Mass Health Officers Association or the um
you know or the fees these sort of average fees in the shared collaborative or or adjacent uh towns so that people can see side by side that these are not um out of the ordinary. I think that
would be useful. >> Absolutely. And and to Carrie's point about um you know the it would be harder to to document this but in terms of you know work effort I
mean some of these require an inspe paid inspector to spend time to go out um and do their thing and come back and um and so there's there's a certain administrative cost uh to doing these and a lot of these don't probably even
um you know meet that. >> Right. >> But in terms of the numbers themselves, I would just say that I you know I I'm relying on the fact that these are um you know that you've done comparisons and these are within the norm because
otherwise I have no context to know whether $50 or $200 is right or wrong or indifferent. Um especially since they're not paying it. Yeah. Carrie I'm sorry to come back again. I but but I just So in terms of logistics for
hearing, couldn't we schedule a hearing during a regular meeting and we put it for se we're holding a hearing at 7:30 on our you know our next meeting. We hold it where it's open for you know half an hour or whatever we think the reasonable amount of time is. then we
can close it and then we can come back and consider the next day as opposed to like what we did for example with the um with the um nicotine nicotine free conversation which was you know separate timing. I I I is that what we're
thinking about for for how we would conduct a hearing >> and no >> I think that's a great idea. I mean that, you know, because yes, I think that that sounds like a a good good idea because I don't my gut feeling is we're not going to get um
>> a lot of input, but uh I guess we'll see. But having it as part of um that's fine as part of one of our ris, you know, just to like add on to what I said, you know, like the retail food services, you know, the the 0 to 90
square feet went up 100 to 200. So that's 50%. But if you go down to 4,000 square ft, it goes from 100 to 750, that's like, you know, seven times as much. So if if I'm somebody who's at 4,000 square feet, I'm, you know, just
being a business person, I'm going to say, why are they only at 50% up, you know, whatever, 100%. And I went up, you know, seven times. >> It's, you know, it's they they have the right to make the argument in my my eyes. Sure.
>> It might be right in line. I'm not saying that it's not right in line, but just, you know, >> you're on mute, Gary. I can't hear. >> Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. Um I I Yeah, I mean, and I think Rick, your point of of a Jay's
presentation, I think that, you know, that's a key piece of sort of say, you know, noting Yes. And this is and in these instances we have you know a few and these establishments you know an inspection takes x hours or you know on
average or you know where I think that um being able to provide a little bit of context and and speak to it um would be worthwhile and I think that you know given the the good work they've done to gather this information I I I know it'll
be some some work to prepare there, but I the information is is there. It's just pulling it together. So, um yeah, I think that um and then having the opportunity for for people to just sort of if they still have questions after they
hear hear that presentation, um then they have a space where they can voice that and we hear them. We we've done due diligence of making sure we're we're not surpris we're not people aren't going to get surprised when they go to fill an applic you know pull a permit and like
wait I never had to pay this right >> they may still be surpris they may still be surprised but we will have done our piece of of >> trying to help them not be >> yeah yeah I mean like you know like I said before if I'm at 900 square feet
it's a quarter of 4,000 right and that's 200 and that's I mean I It's in line, right? It would would definitely be in line, but you went from all 100 to now 200, 300, 400, and 750.
>> But that's it. It's all ahead. >> Okay. So, I think um we have what we need, which is to make the adjustment on the animal definition and to schedule a hearing during a future meeting as part
of one of these meetings. Um I guess that would require publishing these and and doing all the things we need to do for a hearing. >> Correct. I will. Um, >> should I do a doodle poll for the board
to pick? >> Well, we don't have to do that as long as it's during the Bville meeting. So, >> yeah, it would just be one of our during one of our regular meetings. >> Okay. >> Either next month or the month after. >> Okay.
>> Welcome, Kevin. Um okay, do you want to update us on the MBTA um turnback tracks meeting >> and and sort of where that whole process is?
>> Yes, it's uh going to be a quick update. Um there was an abundance meeting on September 9th and after that meeting the red and turnback committee um the one that Lucas I believe is the
spokesperson for the committee um you know and they represent the larger group of concerned residents. They requested to meet with the reading delegation, town officials and boards including the board of health to
present their concerns and uh the town manager has asked me to share the proposal with the board and get your feedback as well. And also there is a community meeting scheduled for September 15th, but it appears that the
Tumba committee is advocating for that meeting to be rescheduled. >> Okay. What about um the do you know if at uh the meeting um on
the 9th whether um the presentation included data from their analysis of um sound and uh toxic admissions because those are the two
areas that um we have potentially a role or not. Um did they do they present any data as part of their presentation around that? Do you know? >> I don't believe they presented like the raw data and that's what the reading tumba committee is after. That's what
they want to see. >> Okay. >> They want to see the raw data and how they came up with their conclusion. But um they promised that they will send the raw data to us and hopefully um I'll share with the board. >> Okay.
Um I don't recall whether the presentation I think it was from July that you sent me. Have we shared that with the board members? >> Not yet. >> Not yet. Okay. That would be useful cuz
that's all the data we have but it's only two slides so it's not it's not a whole lot. Um, so would you say the next steps here are um was the was the MBTA willing to share
the raw data? >> Um, >> so the MBTA sent an email indicating that they're willing to do that? Um, >> okay. >> I believe the third party has the data and >> they're willing to get the raw data and send it to us. I haven't received anything yet, but
we're hopeful that we're going to get something. And um the town manager is also um you know, he's involved and he wants to know get feedback from the board regarding you know, meeting with the the committee, the tumb committee.
>> Okay. Um that's, you know, I could imagine um Yeah. we can there I guess there's some urgency to this in terms of timing um
because I know the MBTA wants to go ahead and and get started and um it's I sort of get this sense but it would be important for us to see the raw data and anything they have be either be probably
before we met with the uh turnaround committee so that we had a chance to look at it and kind understand it uh ourselves and then have the committee come the turnback committee come and if they want to do a presentation obviously that would be be fine.
>> Absolutely. And that's exactly why they're they're advocating to reschedu the uh meeting you know from the 15th to >> correct. >> Okay. >> And yes Kevin >> I first of all sorry um late to the uh
the show here folks. I apologize. Um, in regards to the MBTA, I I'll have to go through my notes. I have it on um excellent authority that um this has happened in other places. I think it was most notably more like a train yard rather than a turnback track. And so
I'll find out the exact details, but there were several complaints lodged about um sound. Um, you know, there was one woman who lived by who lived near there in particular would always couldn't say I just, you know, I can't pinpoint it, but there's a low
admittance of noise that I'm continuing to hear um going on. So, I'm sure the MBTA does not want to give us the raw data because I I can already tell you exactly what the raw data is going to tell them, and they've been trying to figure this out for a while, actually. Um, why exactly it is having that low
admittance of sound coming off of these trainings, but it certainly is. There there are several complaints in regards to it. Um, that goes back for a while. So, um, I will do some digging on my behalf on that part. Um, but that's
that's definitely on the table. Um, it's it's not not happening. I'll say that much. >> Interesting. >> And I have it on very good authority. I'll put it put it that way.
>> Okay. Show us the data. I guess is what it comes down to. >> Yes. Uh that would be um that would be actually interesting if there were other
communities where something similar happened and what their actual real life experience was. That would be interesting to know. Um I know that um
in some of the data the uh the uh turnback committee produced was a paper um where they were looking at toxic emissions and sound um in neighboring communities from a railroad
um track railroad center in uh Southern California. And this is maybe 10 a 10-year-old study and it showed how you know the sound was high the toxic emissions but then when you read further
it was um you know a real railroad center that had 20 railroad tracks and you know trucks loading and unloading trains and trains. It was nowhere near you know so so people tend to pick and
choose their information. I mean, I saw some some data from a July presentation of uh from the MBTA, you know, those um those sound sensors. They put three sensors and they monitored for 20
minutes um you know what the sound difference was and it just seemed like a an inadequate uh amount of data. So, we'll have to see what they what they show us uh before making some judgments.
Um okay. I guess there's nothing more on that right right now. >> So, can I just ask a question? >> Sure. >> And we may not have that answer, but um you know, our board has a very wide
scoping range of authority. Um, so my question would be at at what point at what point can we put our thumb down and say, um, I'm not really too happy with the data that you came up with. We
want to stop it and uh and get our own source. >> Guess would be we can >> Yeah. No, I think I think that's a legitimate point and um and I think when
when we get the the detail data that would be an opportunity to um you know review it and have a discussion around it and uh you know call them on it if we're not comfortable with the
information. Um it shouldn't take them that long to get it to us. I would think it's just seems >> seems pretty slow. >> So, so they have come into town with a um with their collar high and their nose
is up. Um so this doesn't surprise me one bit. >> Yeah. I mean, I've been I've been at meetings too, Kevin, and and pretty much they say we're going to do it no matter what. >> Like literally, that's what they said at the meeting. >> Yeah.
>> Like we can't stop them. So, >> is that right in the end, but >> yeah, >> they can they're still going to have to prove to us what they're saying to be true is true. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They they were literally asked, you know, could they be stopped? And and
he was and he pretty much said no to us. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Carrie, Carrie, did you have your hand up? >> Yeah. Um, so I think to your question or comment, Kevin, about our
broad authority. I I'm I actually was sending sending a message. I I I volunteer to check in with the Mass Association of Health Boards on whether they have worked with other communities and have any guidance
for us on um how we where what what specific areas we can um move with strength. They provide to technical assistance. They are they work
collaboratively with um town council and and where we touch in um with them is that they have expertise you know deep expertise in board of health authority and have broad perspective of other of
what happens in Massachusetts and what's happening nationally. So, um, I will I'll check in with Cheryl or or or whomever at MAHP and see what what if I can get some communication that I can share with y'all unless a day you're already talking to them and I'm stepping
on your toes and I um I don't want to do that. >> We need all the information we can get. So, okay. Yeah. All right. So, Okay. Okay. Nothing else on that day. Oh, >> I'm sorry, Rick. Sorry. Is so Jay the
ask from the town manager. Is that is the board of health will the board of health attend? Do we want to attend? I mean, we'd want to just have to post. I >> just want to feed back if you if you thought it was a good idea and you know.
>> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, we could certainly post for a meeting if need be. >> No, it's on Monday. Is that what it is? >> Well, it sounds like they're going to switch it. Is that what you said? >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Um, moving on uh to the monthly report day. the monthly report and leave would provide uh nursing updates right after. Um in the month of August, there was one
food complaint. Um we had uh 11 food inspections. Uh we had one complaint regarding dumpster maintenance. We had five housing complaints, multiple housing violations. uh three complaints regarding uh keeping
off animals. Um there was a rooster complaint, a sick coyote, and a dead abuser. There was one change of ownership at a nursing facility, uh Bear Mountain, and
there were five uh complaints about pest sightings. Uh, five pool inspections were conducted and we had three dog bite incidents. Leave. Hello everyone. I'm just going to share
my screen. Okay. Uh, happy September everyone. All right. So, here is the monthly disease report. So, August brought us an uptick of COVID with 31 cases this past month. Uh, the stratus strain is still very active, so
please consider testing if you're feeling under the weather. Um, please note that the state um and the federal government are no longer providing free COVID test programs anymore. So, we are unable to get free tests. Um, but most
insuranceances will still offer it. If you go through your insurance, you can get them at pharmacies. Um, Lyme disease, we had seven cases in the town this past month. So, remember to always check yourself before going outside. I have three monthly blood pressure
screenings, and these are the dates for September and October. Um, our public library and Frank Tanner screenings are next week, next Monday and Thursday if you can attend. Um, next we have our September monthly
awareness topics. Uh, our first one of the day is ovarian cancer awareness month. Um, this is just bringing light to the fact that one in 91 women will be diagnosed. Um, and treatment does depend on type and stage. Also, prostate cancer awareness month,
bringing awareness that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the year 2025. So, get yourselves checked. Uh, September is also National Cickle cell Awareness Month. Um, SED is a
lifelong illness that can be managed through preventative screenings and treatment strategies. It's also National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This was posted on the Facebook page the other day and I thought it was just a really nice little image. Um, so get out there and move
with your people if you can. And then it's also fruit and veggies month. Here are some local um places and farmers markets that we have. The Wakefield farmers market on Saturdays, Wilmington on Sundays, Winchester on Saturdays, and then Wilson's Farm in Lexington, which I
love so much. Um, we also have our suicide prevention awareness month. This next Wednesday, we are going to be gathering on the town lawn from 5:30 to 7 uh p.m. for a memorial for those we have lost. I will
be there uh representing the health department. So, if you're able to come, please stop by. This is um we have two hands only CPR classes. I had one this past Monday and I have one in November. It's kind of a moot point at this point because they're
all full. So, one is passed and the second one is full. So, um look forward to more in the future. And then we also have our hearing screening coming up this next uh in two Wednesdays, September 24th at the
library. Um we had a wonderful turnout last time and we recently did it for town hall staff which was really great. Um so here's the QR code to sign up or give me a call if you'd like a slot. We have our flu clinics coming up. I'm going to be doing 1 2 3 4 seven flu
clinics at the library. Um, and here are dates and you can register now whenever you want. Um, I'm also going to be uh two days at Pleasant Street Center and one day at Frank Tanner. Um, so please contact me if you have any
questions with that. We also have three vaccine clinics that are going to be at the Koolage Middle School. We have just gotten word that COVID is going to be there. So, I'm there. It wasn't going to be there and now it's going to be there. So, um you will be able to get the CO 19
vaccine shot if you so choose. And those dates are September 26th, October 17th, and November 7th. And as always, I still have my Takeback Supplies programs. And that is on.
Let me just get Oh, >> thank you, Leah. >> Thank you. >> Can I um Thank you, Liv. Can can I ask about the um uh an update on the the wrapped um situation because I noticed
you had five complaints of pests and I don't know if those were all rats or not but um >> yes they were rat sightings and that's ratings on our website as well. >> Yeah. >> And uh what we've been doing is we've been moving those boxes based on the
complaints we're getting as well. >> Right. And um again, we've had less complaint this year than we did last year. So I see that as the way to measure uh success, >> right? >> We're not going to eliminate the rap
population. It's not going to happen, >> right? No, I know, but we're moving in the right direction. That's good. Any other comments? Oh, yeah. Terry, go ahead.
>> Um, thanks. Um, yeah. What are we doing with Wrath? We're making a less hospitable location for them. That's our we can't we can't eliminate them, but we're But that wasn't my question or comment. Um I want to um acknowledge that it's also
it's so many things this month but it's also national preparedness awareness preparedness month and I think and especially partic given today's date of September 11th I think that it's important to acknowledge both of those things. Um I know that preparedness is
something that um I don't know people think about it off you know they they try not to think about it because they don't want bad things to happen. Um but the you know the department has a role and I think that you know the work that you're doing live you with the
department in getting access to vaccinations and having these um screening things that's all part of of preparedness. it's personal preparedness and it's it's it's health and well-being. So, thank you and um
it's just great to see all the work y'all are doing. Thanks. >> N is doing an excellent job. >> Thank you. >> She's a great addition to this uh department and she completed her one-year probation um on the 3rd of
September. So, u you know, we're happy you're here, Le. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. I'm happy to be here. >> In regards to that, that's I'm sorry to just interject, Carrie, that that raised an interesting question. Chief Burns was
our head of command. Dave, who's the new head of command with the with him retiring? >> The new fire chief, um Nelson. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any final comments, questions, topics, anything else we
need to cover? It sounds like we have some followup to do on both the fee schedule and the turnaround stuff and we will do that. Yeah. And I'll watch back the um I'll watch back the beginning of this so I can see your discussions on that.
>> Okay. And on the minutes for September, we have to note that uh Kevin joined us at >> I was gonna say that 7:40ish >> doesn't happen often, but hap every now and again. >> Yeah. >> At least I knew it was coming.
>> Way better than me showing up at 7:25. So >> you still voted you vice chair though. So >> yeah. I know that was kind of Yeah, thank you. >> Yeah, >> that was that was a record-breaking meeting, though. I think that was the
fastest meeting I've ever been on. >> Ever. >> Oh, 30 minutes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I'm going to uh make a motion to uh adjourn. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second, S. Uh, roll call. S.
>> Yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. Kevin, >> yes. >> Joan, >> yes. >> And Rick, yes. So, we'll see you next month. And um
>> have a good >> All right. >> And get your get your vaccines. >> Yes. Yes.