the recording now and for the sake of the recording I will say that this is the December 17th meeting of the board of health. We have a quorum present myself Katherine Hilton the chair we have Garrett Simson Noren
Pe and Arlene Reid Whim Lavine is absent and we also have as our guest David Gillis who is our new health agent. >> Welcome Thanks. >> Thank you so much for joining the
meeting from far away. >> Oh, my pleasure. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> We just pulled in so >> Oh my goodness. >> Not long ago. So, >> yeah. >> So, let's um let's get the the first
thing out of the way, and that's the minutes from last meeting. >> Can I do I hear a motion to accept these minutes? I'll move. >> So moved. >> Oh, >> second. I'll I'll second. >> Okay. All right. Any discussion?
>> Any changes or anything like that? All right. So, all in favor of expecting accepting the um the minutes? Garrett? >> Yes. >> Noren, you're muted.
>> Yes. Arlene. >> Yes. >> And Cat. Yes. So, so that is that. Um before we um start a conversation with Dave,
um I wanted to report to you on what I have learned about battery energy storage system regulation here in town. I had an extremely long hour and a half conversation with Lenny Zurwanka and um
Lenny um basically does not want to see us adding any more requirements. He is um willing and quite able to um to
enforce the fire code, no more, no less. And I happened also to talk to Mo Gregoire who told me that um that Lenny is exemplary in this guard with this regard with respect to these storage systems in home applications that he is
very very strict and follows the clo code very closely. So I I I think we can have a lot of confidence in him. I asked him among other things. And by the way, he he lent me his copy of NFPA 855,
which is the um which is the fire code for um for battery storage systems. So, we can I'll I'll uh make some I'll make some scans of the relevant pages, although I got the impression from him that they're all relevant and
there's probably a hundred or two and they're in tiny print. But um anyway, we have access to that. So I asked him the question that was raised at our last meeting, which was, is there um an
emergency response plan for the um for the storage system on Pratt Corner Road that's associated with that um um solar installation there. And he said it's pretty simple. They told him, and by they I assume the operators of that
system, they said if it catches fire, let it burn and just make sure that it doesn't catch anything else on fire, >> right? I I gather that the thing is if it catches fire, um it's ruined and there's no point in trying to save it
and make a mess. Um, basically all you do is just wait for it to burn out and um avoid uh what Lenny called exposures, which is something else catching fire. >> So I um also asked Michael Decara about
whether or not there is a um an emergency plan >> at the Wheelark track. That's what we're talking about, right? Yes. >> Yeah. On Corner Road. And he said he did not think so, >> but he said that he thought that the
batteries that they have there are not lithium ion batteries. They're a step down, considerable step down in terms of fire risk. They are lithium iron and I think there's manganese in there too. So it is a on the on the hierarchy of fire
risks in these battery types, it is a good deal lower than a lithium ion system. in in that um in that webinar that we um that we watched about about them, it gave that table and it showed
the lithium ion ones and then it showed that next one which I think is the one that you're talking about and they did say that um most systems now are using that battery and not the lithium ion battery. >> Good to know. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> That's what I mean that's what the
webinar as I recall. >> Yeah, I forgot that piece but good to know. Yeah. >> Um, so, so I got the impression from both Lenny and Mo that, uh, there's,
there's no real reason for us to be regulating these systems in a residential context. >> Okay. Um, so that I mean I think basically what we've been
asked and urged to do is is put some limits on the big commercial type systems that would be associated with a a solar a solar array or something like that um on a commercial scale.
The likelihood of that happening uh it seems pretty low, doesn't it? I mean, from what we learned in that that webinar, I mean, they're supposed to be, you know, attached to a um some kind of energy generation system and also
adjacent to um some kind of substation or other other facility for moving energy back and forth. And that seems at least for now like something that's just not going to be not going to happen
here. I'm not suggesting that we want to just not have a regulation, but um um I think we need to think about limiting it to higher than a certain number of I
don't know megawatt hours or kilowatt hours or whatever it is that would that would leave smallcale and residential scale systems
um to the to other entities like uh the fire chief, the electrical inspector, and the building inspector. Any thoughts on that from you guys? Well, although I don't think it's likely that a big mega system would look to be
installed in Shootsbury, it's it's not impossible. If the wheel track was constructed, then somebody could propose clearing a whole another tract and doing another installation. Um, but
I agree with you that a big mega project is unlikely given our terrain and the amount of forested land that we've got. I think there are enough hurdles for an entity to get over to put
one here in Shootsbury, but not impossible. And then the only other thing I would say about it is that although Lenny and um Mo have maybe a handle on
the fire r the electrical code and the fire risks. Um there are other things like the wa like where are they drawing the water from? are they, you know, the depletion, the risks of depleting the
aquifer and the use of PAS and stuff like that and do we want to be mindful of those issues in case a system is proposed? Um, >> yeah. Yeah. If we're talking about a
commercial type system, I absolutely I don't think that we should just give up on the idea of a regulation, but I think we should narrow it down to something that would be remotely >> um within our ourction. But I do want to
point out that I I think the the reason it works at the Wheelock property is that they have um access at least I think this is true that they have access to the substation down Pratt Corner Road.
>> Okay. >> Right. And I as to the best of my knowledge we don't have any substation any others. Okay. >> And uh so so that would be a real obstacle. Nevertheless, you know, what we do now is gonna is going to be enforced for the future and sure things
can change. So, >> they certain they can. Yeah. >> Interestingly enough, um Lenny is not worried about fire risk from these. what he is worried about and he told me that he anticipates or
speculates that the next houseire is going to be from battery operated tools >> like lawnmowers and weed whackers and stuff. After talking with him, I came straight home and unplugged mine. Um
>> um >> and so we agreed, he and I, that um um when he is less busy, and maybe me too, um we're going to collaborate on some
public education about that, about safety, fire safety with respect to electric batteries and chargers. Mhm. >> I don't think we should leave bikes out of that. Cat, >> I'm sorry. >> We shouldn't leave bicycles out of that,
too. >> Right. Right. There was that fire in Ammerst. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Right. I don't know if there are many in town here, but there might be. >> And I mean, it only takes one to start a fire, right?
>> Right. Does anybody know if if they have more advanced lower fire risk batteries in use in those electric bikes? >> I don't know. >> That'd be that would be interesting to
find out. Um you guys I I I don't mean to interrupt but um I'm good friends with a thermal engineer and a mechanical engineer and he's also got a uh master's degree in like four different areas and
he works for Rathon in the space systems and the military applications and we were discussing the lithium ion battery storage systems and containment systems and the fire suppression systems and the P5 FOS contamination to your acryers and
that sort of thing. And he was telling me, we had a long discussion, there's some new battery technology coming out now that they're getting away from alum um they're getting away from lithium and they're going it's more aluminum based battery which is not a priority pollutant. So if something they had a
big fire or something and they had to put it out uh you wouldn't have any POS or anything like that getting into your aquifer or any priority pollutant or heavy metal uh would be contamination to those aquifers. So there are some new technologies, but I know out in Wendel,
Mass, they had a big I don't want to say protest, but they had a big uh a big uproar over the battery storage system for lithium battery storage systems. And in Orange, there was a uh Hunts Farm. He he owns a big battery array uh I mean
solar array system down here, and he's trying to get a huge um megawatt lithium storage system. and he called me to do some consulting for him and there's some hold up right now with the town on their bylaws and stuff and and the fire chief
is really not up on uh the containment system. So there was some uh back and forth with some consultants he's working with. So, uh, a lot of it right now is up in the air. And a lot of these systems, uh, a lot of these small towns don't don't really know how to deal with
it and how how to, u or put in any bylaws or any kind of variances or zoning, uh, systems or, you know, that kind of stuff, uh, in order to regulate it. So, um, but there is there is new, um, new battery technology,
uh, coming out very soon that's going to be, uh, a lot less, uh, impactful to the environment, let's put it that way. So, >> right. Yeah, we've we've seen some some stuff about that and we know that it's not yet commercially available, but I'm
sure it will be before too very long. Um, I don't know if you know this Dave, but the battery energy storage systems are classified by the state as as basically solar energy. They count toward this Massachusetts climate goals.
Um so they are sheltered to some extent from um zoning regulations but they are not sheltered from board of health regulations because our powers are different and they derive from different parts of the the the code. So that's
that's why we are doing this because it's not something we particularly wanted to do but um we've been encouraged to do it by by others. Well, thanks for letting me uh just pine in there for a little bit.
>> No, no, that's good. That's good. >> Um, now Garrett, you have a thing you want to talk about, I believe, unless we have more that to talk about the storage, battery storage. >> Did we want to uh
take David first or before we touch on that or do you want me to go ahead? >> I want you to go ahead. >> Okay. Uh so I sent out this afternoon in case other board members didn't receive it um an email that came out from for
COG through the health and medical coordinating coalition um on behalf of MAFco. So MAF for David is the >> uh oh why did the acronym just leave me? >> Yeah, >> that's horrible.
>> Yeah, I just I just went over Garrett. I just went over that. Yeah. Yeah. Uh >> there are so many acronyms here. >> Mohawk Area Public Health Mohawk. >> Yeah. Mohawk Area Public Health Coalition. Um
so MAFCO is required through the CDC and MDPH grant to do a discussion based exercise this budget period. Um, and there's been a separate committee
within MAFCO that has been working with a contractor to organize the exercise. Um, I'm not a part of that committee. Um, they've set the date for the exercise and surprisingly it's very soon. So, they announced the exercise on this past
Monday and it's January 7th. Um and all um the requirement based on the grant from DPH is that all Franklin County communities participate >> and that the participation be reflective
of public health, emergency management, public safety. >> Okay. >> Um and so the exercise is uh like I said on the 7th, it's um in the morning in Greenfield. Um, >> I'd like to attend that, guys. I mean, I
I don't care about the money or being paid or anything, but I do it. Uh, like the reason why I say that is because I'm I'm working on a master's degree right now and uh environmental health and safety management and through Rochester Institute Technology and uh my
environmental engineering uh finally getting that engineering degree. So, um uh all this is is a plus for me. That's why I like this job is because I'm seeing a whole another side of the environmental world uh coming out of manufacturing and and that in industrial
and and and those regulations are very strict and OSHA and NFPA rules are you know I get into all kinds of stuff with that as well but um yeah anything like that you guys want to do and I also heard that you guys out in Shootberry
were trying to fight MWRA for some uh you know some kickback because there, you know, we're basically protecting their wershed and up in here in Orange in the Swift River that everything that flows down into the Quabin. I think I'd
like to get involved in something like that as well. just to let you guys know um because our our sewer rates and our um you know we just uh required by EPA to upgrade our wastewater treatment system and it's like a 22% increase in
sewer rates because of the chemical cost in the uh increase in volume in the wastewater treatment plant. I've been in the wastewater fields for 36 I don't want I don't want to go there because I'm I'm a young 62 but you know what I'm saying. It's just like like they do all
this stuff, but then all of a sudden these small rural uh communities who are just basically all septic systems and stuff are paying for the water for Boston to drink, but we're not getting any benefit from it. And it's really our
watershed, you know what I mean? So, it's it's just my opinion. I think I think you know those five towns and I had relatives who lived in those five towns that were flooded and um you know I I think we should get some compensation from that. We should we
should have some benefit from that you know um but that's just my opinion. Um >> right we we as a board of health don't really have anything to do with that. Um um what would have to happen and this is basically a thing in the legislature is
they'd have to adjust the um the payments in lie of taxes because um the what we are losing in taxes from that from the protected land uh is far less than it would be worth to us.
>> Okay. >> And then then rather than what they are paying for it. So, so that's happening at a completely different level from from the board of health. Now, as far as this exercise goes, uh you are quite welcome to attend as our agent. Um
>> yeah, I will and really to come to anything else that uh that is interesting to you. >> Yeah. I' I've in the industry in in manufacturing, I've done a lot of emergency contingency planning, uh emergency response, hazmat, um all that
kind of stuff. Um, I've been in the hazmat role as the um, coordinator of a hazmat situation. I know the team in Orange. I know the fire chief very very well. In fact, the deputy fire chief is my cousin. So um but uh those guys and
then uh I work with a lot with the DP on hazardous waste management and those storage systems, containment systems, underground storage tanks, above ground storage tanks, oil waste systems, remediation systems and and so
uh I've always had an interest in this field. I find this field very very interesting and you you can go off on all kinds of tangents and stuff but anything like that I would I would definitely like to um attend as you as your agent and just to you know so you I
I get a kind of uh a hands-on knowledge of what's really going on and what the systems are like. Um and and that's free and then that's free education. So, um, anything like that, I'll I'll attend. And just let me, you know, you guys let me know, hey, we we're having something
out in Shoesberry. Uh, let me know. I'll come down and, uh, you know, I'll even help you with whatever you you've got going on down there and just volunteer my time because usually on the weekend, I'm not doing anything but having a girlfriend scream at me. But other than that, you know, it's uh it's I'm usually
free except for, you know, I'm religious and I go to church, but other than that, I'm I'm pretty free. So, >> so um so everybody I sent when I sent out the um the um the email with the
Zoom link in it. David's preferred email which is not his official email but his private email is is in that so you have it. So let's just keep him in the loop when we are communicating among ourselves. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um I I don't mind that. The only
thing that uh they told me in Irving was um and I just talked to a lawyer today. He said any kind of um like public meeting or anything or or thing like this uh they could come after my phone or my personal laptop uh you know
anything I have on the on on these systems and and if we had to go to court for something they could come after my my equipment. So that's why Irving recommended that I get a separate phone, separate laptop to do this kind of stuff. And I have no problem right now
using my private link. You know, you guys need anytime contact me privately. Um, but I'm just kind of lary of uh because I'm I'm in the public domain now and and it's some stuff I have a part-time business too. I I do some consulting on the side and some of that
stuff is is private. So, um, and it's private clients that I work with. Uh, it's a it's a, um, a mold business and and, uh, so I do a lot of infrared, um, thermal imaging of, uh, uh, different
stuff. Uh, so, um, and radon and and that that sort of thing. So, um, those clients don't want that information, uh, publicly available. So, I'm I'm kind of a little bit lerary, but for for the you know, interm before I I'm issued a phone
and that sort of thing. Um, and I I do have a laptop, but um for now, I I think it's safe enough to say, you know, I'm new. I I don't know anything. And uh so, um you know, it's pretty pretty easy for you guys just just to communicate me through that email. It's it's not a
problem. Okay. And >> Okay. if if you um get more equipped and then want us to change to your Irving.gov um uh email. >> Yeah. Then then what I'll do
>> Yeah. Then what I'll do is I'll bring my laptop here at my home because if you guys are meeting at night, it makes sense for me if it's all virtual to be here and not, you know, because I's 10 minutes away from me and you guys are not that far away anyways. But the thing is, if I'm going to do virtual, I have a
I have full Wi-Fi. I have all the bills and whistles here and a home office. So, I'll just bring my laptop here, my public laptop and my public phone, and we can do it that way eventually. And and it that should be within a month or so because they they order me a new
iPhone and all that kind of stuff. So, um we should be good to go. I'll just let you guys know when that happens so we can change over. Um, and then all the links to the Zoom meetings and stuff can be all sent to that Iving email um, and go from there.
>> Right. Pat, may may I address that too while um, David's talking about laptops at some point? Maybe not tonight in the meeting, but we should um bring him up to date on the collaborative and there is an iPad for him to use when doing
inspections here in uh, Shootesberry. Uh, >> yes. So that and and there's training available. >> Yeah, that whimwam. Uh yeah, I've been briefed on that a little bit. >> Okay, good. Good. >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh so I and then what I'm doing with Northfield, too, is they're
doing the same thing. And I was up there the other night and I met with them and Dr. Ruth Poti and talking talking to them about uh and Monday I'm going up for a bakery inspection, which should be interesting, but um uh an oldfashioned bakery by the way. Um so um I'm kind of
interested in that. But um yeah, I I'd like to have that equipment so when I do do site inspections of whatever, it's all logged on the computer and then it's, you know, it's PDFed and now it's public record versus me using my own
iPad or my own laptop and then, you know, it gets it gets kind of if if we ever have to go to court for anything, they're going to want to see that, you know. So, um, and my personal stuff is my personal. There's a lot of stuff on here that, um, I mean, I'm not like I
don't have anything illegal or anything, but it's just that, you know, it's personal financial stuff and like, >> right, you want you want your privacy. We understand that. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's perfectly natural. And so, if you have a separate a separate device that that is for the best, but let's let's get back to and this um and
this exercise on the Sabbath. So, oh, go ahead. Go ahead, Arlene. You're muted. >> Um, the exercise is all in person. There is no virtual option for that. Is that right? >> As far as I could understand it from
what I've read. >> Okay. >> From the email that that came out from for >> sure. That's my impression from what was forwarded along. >> Yeah. So, so I did also reach out to Lenny. Um, so Lenny just completed doing
work with MIMA to up update the town's comprehensive emergency management plan. >> Um, which does in the update, it's based off of MIMA's newer template and does a much better job of talking about public health roles,
>> um, which is is good. Um, so I reached out to Lenny to see um if he would be interested in participating and and you know said that it would be a good opportunity to bring some people together to
>> consider the updated simp and in the context of a scenario. Um, one of the benefits to doing it is that the consultant will generate an afteraction report for the for the town
>> which benefits uh emergency management. So if there are things that are identified that um they might want to seek grants for or you know request additional funding for um that can be a helpful
document. So, um, I offered to meet with Lenny, uh, here in the next few days to talk with him about the exercise and to see if we can bring some people together. The concern that I have is that it is a workday, daytime.
>> Yes. >> Um, and so that's a little bit challenging for me to participate. I may be able to um especially where it's going to be in person. Um I may be able to navigate that. But I I just put that
out there in case um other board members might be uh able to participate in my place, but I'm going to attempt to. >> That would be great. I'm I'm able to participate. I don't not sure how much use I would be, but I can go at least.
Um, where's where in Greenfield is this um exercise going to take place? >> At the community college. >> Oh, okay. GCC. Okay. >> Okay. >> Downtown or out at the uh at the other campus? >> Uh I think it's not the downtown.
>> It says one college drive. So I assume that that's what's over there by Route Two. >> Yeah, I think I think that is where it is. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I will I will still be out here in Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, Norine. >> I'm sorry. They they they don't have a downtown facility any longer, Cat.
>> Oh, is that right? >> Interesting. I am still out here on that date. Um so I am unable. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Okay. Well, I'll plan to go. >> Okay. >> And uh so at least we'll be represented.
>> Great. >> Yeah, I'll meet I'll meet with you, Cat. I'll I'll go with you. just I just uh I I just want to observe what's going on and and >> Yeah, that'd be good. That would be excellent to have you there. >> Yeah. Yeah, no problem. >> And the other reason I think it's good for David is because it involves
multiple communities in that you cover. Um so other communities are going to be there as well. So, and I'm 75% that I can go. Um I just need to rearrange a few things. >> Okay.
>> Okay. could also be the date of our next meet, our first meeting in January, wouldn't it be? >> That's right. >> Yeah, >> that's right. Our meetings will be the 7th and the four the 21st. >> But you'll still be Well, I mean,
obviously you can participate if you're not. >> Yeah. Our travel day is the next day, the 8th >> at home. So, >> okay. Uh just to guy give you guys an update on title five. Um they're saying that in
order for me to get the septic inspector license, I have to have a year experience with the board, but I've got over I got my wastewater license and my wastewater degree back in the 80s. And so I've got 36 years plus in both
domestic and industrial wastewater treatment systems. And I know them very extremely well. and the chemistry and the biology and all that kind of stuff. Um, and what I'm doing now is I'm going to the commission and asking for them to and since I got this uh all this
technology, I know all the science uh to give me a waiver. And I've got Jeff McCarthy or or the chairman of the Irving board uh behind me and we're going to see if they're going to allow me to do the waiver so I can take the course in January. So, I'll be able to
get the inspector license probably by the end of January. So, I'll have the septic inspector license, but the soil evaluation uh definitely has to be a year. Um, so I won't be able to get the soil evaluator
um certification for at least a year. Um, but that's involved and it takes, you know, I was talking to Kathy Bridges up in North Northfield and she would she's a PE and she was telling me that there's there's a lot involved and she said it basically Dave she thinks it
would be better if I would shadow a lot of the um title five inspections with her and with with some other um fur cog people who who have done it and who are already registered sanitarians
um to gain ain the uh on like the hands-on kind of knowledge. He says because when you go to take the exam even if I learned it from a book or online you you I get more uh I get more knowledge from hands-on type of learning
than I would from from online or from a book. um which is when I was out there doing the one the other day, she was talking about the the perk perk test in the um uh the the granular um different
soils and stuff and so I was learning a lot and uh stuff I didn't know and then in proximity to wells and all that kind of stuff. So, um I think that's that's the route I want to take and I I am going to be taking the uh prep course for the regist uh the registered
sanitarian and the soil evaluator stuff. So, I want to work on that for the next, you know, 8 to 10 months and then be able to um when I go in there, I I'll pass it. I I don't think I'll have any problem passing anything, but I just want to have the time to really absorb
it so I I know it cold. You know what I mean? So, so the person who's doing um uh who's witnessing um perk tests and who is doing our um our septic system um
you know um proposal and uh evaluation is a guy named Mike Thorough and he works out of Greenfield. Okay. >> And so when I know that he has one of these things going on, I will let you
know and you guys can get in touch and if it's possible you might be able to go with him or sit with him or work with him. >> I can come down to Shbury and shadow him and then Yeah. Yeah, that'd be great. And then I could, you know, then I could have a knowledge of not only the knowledge of doing it but also a knowledge of the area and what systems
are in place. So I you know and after over over time I can build up you know a hands-on knowledge. Oh yeah I remember the system we put in here and we the issues we had here with you know fluial flows and all that kind of stuff and and acquers and and fill and all that kind
of stuff. So that that's that's uh experience like troubleshooting experience you can't really gain from a book. It's it's more like you've got to have you you >> you've got to be in the trenches in other words you know. So, and that's what Kathy was trying to explain to me. She says in order to be a real really
real effective um inspector in in uh you know soil evaluator, that's really how how you should do it. So, and do this. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um >> go ahead. So there's the there's the um
the soil evaluation for um um basically perk test and and soil analysis and there is the um you know witnessing witnessing that and there's um >> the title five inspections there's ex
inspections of existing septic systems um And the third thing is being able to evaluate septic system designs with respect to their compliance with title five
>> and when when are you going to be able to start coursework on doing that? >> Well, that's why I'm trying. Right now, I I got a hold of New England um interstate uh water pollution control
commission and um I'm I meet all the requirements for the advanced wastewater stuff, but I don't meet the requirements for title five. And I've got the experience, but I don't meet the the the requirement is you're
supposed to have a year experience with the board of health. And so my my contention with them is saying, "Hey guys, look, I I know the technology and I know it extremely well. I know, you know, uh about leash pitch. I know about
leech fields. I know about the PVC perforated pipe. I know about deboxes. I know about the tanks. I know about how they're set. I know some of the engineering. Um and uh you've grandfathered a lot of people in the past and they're holding these title
five inspection licenses and certifications and soil evaluator certifications and but I'm like five levels above them with the degrees and and the experience. I don't see why they won't allow me the waiver in order to
take the course which is going to be uh which is for well for the inspector it's going to be in January I believe it's January 12th and 13th and that's going to be at the D office in Worcester and I could I could get there and hop skipping a jump because I you know I'm very
familiar with Worcester. I'm down there all the time so um um it's not a big deal to me. I just have to have permission from them. Um, and I had some some uh talks with them before and they said, "Well, maybe if you submit, you
know, your resume and your credentials and your transcripts and all that kind of stuff and then let us review it and then maybe we will grant a waiver for you." So, that's the route I'm trying to take. And >> would a letter from us be helpful? >> Yeah, I think that would. And then Jeff's gonna do the same. Um, so maybe
we could get with Jeff and Ca and and maybe we could get with Kathy and say Dave Dave's, you know, he's not green in the field. It's just that there's there's two different like sectors of of waste water septic systems. There's the,
you know, the public systems versus the private systems. And it's really, you know, it's septic systems. It's just that, you know, um uh so if if I could have like three or four letters from well, like three letters from all
different boards saying, "Yeah, we think Dave has the experience and the knowledge to to take the exam and to take the course because I'll take the course and I'll take the exam. I I don't think I'd have any problem passing it." Um and I don't think I've had any problem with just the basic engineering
and the the testing of the perk testing. I I I was with Kathy. I said, "This isn't hard at all. It's just a just a rate of when it how what a perk how it perks down and and uh you know all the knowing all the units and everything and that that's not a big deal." And then I
I met with Tom Hilton from Furcog and he's another registered sanitary. He said, "Dave, it's not really that it's not really that difficult. It's just that there's some the way they originally set that commission up. It's just it was like two separate entities.
So, I've got to get the commissioners together to to to to allow me to take it. And once I get that and if I I think if I got the support from the boards and you guys seeing my background and and everything um and that I'm bring that
would give me uh cannon fire to them to say, "Okay, yeah, we grant a waiver for Dave to take the course and take the exam early." That way it pushes my inspection capability up rather quickly because you know you get start getting into April and May and and those areas
that's when a lot of people do the title five and they start selling properties and they need inspections and prep tests and all that kind of stuff. So um it makes >> So why don't you send me your um basically what you need to have in a
letter like this, you know? >> Okay. Yeah, I'll draft I'll draft up a letter. Yeah. And then and then what I'm going to do is I'm going to get a hold I I know the the lady at um the New England inter interstate water pollution control association. uh I'm going to
call her and say, "Okay, um to grant a waiver, um is there a format you want me to follow and to present it to their board?" And even if if I have to go to LOL to talk to him in person, I'll go down and I'll prove to
him I I know, you know, what I know and I'll I'll even make like a PowerPoint presentation to give me the waiver. Um, I'll I'll do whatever it takes because I I really want the certifications and and it it's a plus for me because I get I actually get credit for it toward my
graduate degree. So, um, that's what I'm looking for, too. So, it's like a you know, it's >> Well, obviously we're interested in getting you online doing these jobs for us as as soon >> Yeah. I mean, I'm getting I'm getting paid to do this as a job. So, I mean Yeah. I mean, the quicker I can get up
on board and get up to snuff, I mean, then you guys don't have to go out and get a consultant or get somebody in from Greenfield. I'm local. I'm five minutes away from you guys. I'm down there all the time and I know the area pretty well. I mean, I don't know every back road byway, but I have a four-wheel
drive truck and I love going, you know, driving around. I mean, Shoes is a beautiful place. So, I mean, it's like, you know, and anything I could do to help you guys out, I mean, I'm willing to do that. And and like uh not only that, if if they're uh Irving's a little bit worried about budget right now and
they they limited me to 30 hours and I told him, I said, "I'm not really overly concerned about that. I'll spend my own free time on getting educated as long as you pick up the tab of of all these certifications, everything." They said they would. I said, "Don't worry about
the hourly rate because um I know I can use these TCH's for all different kinds of of different certifications I'm going for." So, um because I'm really trying to beef up my uh my background and and for other for other reasons, but um it's
just something I've always been interested in and I I love environmental and and environmental uh engineering that stuff. So, um it's all a plus for me and >> Okay. Send me send me what you need to have said and uh and >> I'll do that and who to send it to and
so on. >> Hey um C, could you send me the um NFPA reggg for um the uh lithium battery storage too because um right now I'm I'm working for George Hunt. Uh and I'm working with his LSP, his licensed
Cypress professional down there because he wants to build a lithium uh bank down. I think it's on top of the aquifer in Orange. And um so >> yeah, that's what I hear. >> Yeah. And uh he owns he own I guess he
owns Heric's Tavern and he owns the sports blacks down there too and he's one of the biggest land owners in Honor Orange, but he has a big array and he told me he said right now that array he's generating a quarter of a million dollars from that array by putting in
this lithium battery storage. He can almost double that profit. So, I mean, hey, that's a plus. It's renewable energy, you know. So, but then again, you've got to protect the acryers. You got to protect, you know, you got to do the regulatory stuff, too. So, >> right. The thing is the the the copy of
of NFPA 855 that I have is is a hard copy. It's a book. >> Oh, okay. >> So, I I don't have it in a in a sharable format. >> No, I just need to know the number. And I I have um I think I have a prescription to NFDA. I probably can get
a download from it. >> Uhuh. It's It's number 855. >> 855. Okay. I I'll note that down. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Thanks, Cat. Thanks, guys. I appreciate, you know, I don't mean to interrupt. Go ahead. Give me >> No, no. We wanted you to be here so we
could kind of, you know, meet you. >> Yeah. >> Do we have more things we need to do at this meeting? I have nothing more. >> H >> I'm sorry. What did you say? >> I have nothing more. >> Okay.
>> Do you guys have any new construction? I heard that the guy who Karidge or whoever used to own uh Yankee Candle and now >> No, that's in Leverit. >> Oh, it's in Lever. Okay. Um and that's not under your purview, right? That's that's um Yeah. Okay.
>> Lever. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Fortunately, we don't have to deal with that. >> Well, um I had heard that Furco is thinking about making a East Franklin Regional District and I said, "Well, does that mean I'm going to take on more towns?" And they said, "Well, possibly in the future." I said, "Well, right now
I'm having a little difficulty absorbing everything from all three, you know, and it's okay, but it's just that, you know, I have one brain and um I get tired." So, >> yeah. Well, you know, the the three towns in the district, it's a it's a voluntary association. It's not like
other like they could assign other towns to it. Other towns, if they want to join, would have to, you know, ask >> you guys coalition like there is one other town, Ashefield, that that has talked about possibly joining the district, but they
haven't taken any action on that. And uh so it's something >> also C just to let you know um they've got me going over budget. So there is I I I read through it basically this today and um there's a there's they I guess they bill out to you guys uh for my
services or whatever. And um I don't know if you want to be a part of that. I can let Jeff know. Um we're going to be going over that and then and then in Northfield I'll do the same. But um how they're gonna structure that and and then I'm not really a financial guy, but
um they're gonna set the budget for the year. So um and how that >> Yeah. Yeah. The the way that happens normally is that the district meets and the district votes on the budget that the health agent um proposes, but you're
not really in a position to propose that budget. So, it sounds like Jeff will work with you and then we'll have to get together and meet on that. At at present, um, Shootsbury pays 43%. >> Okay.
>> The total budget and uh and that gets adjusted periodically as as things change in the different towns. >> Okay. >> All right. Yeah. This this is great, guys. I love this. I mean, I just uh it's it's great to meet you all and uh you know, anything you need from me and
anytime you want me to just kind of attend something or anything, just just let me know. Uh anything local or anything in Greenfield, I'm like I'm not that far away from Greenfield. I'm 10 minutes away from Irving. I'm probably 10 15 minutes away from Shbury.
Northfield's probably 10 miles away. Um, and it's I I grew up in Orange anyways and I know the Quabin area and Shoes is down, Hamilton Orchards, all that. So, um, any anytime you guys want me to come down there, it's just like, yeah, I'll
just take a Sunday drive and come down and visit with you and you can just show me what's going on and, you know, whatever. I'm a very flexible guy, too. So, I I like >> when when the weather is better, we'll we'll want to do that, but probably not right now. um whenever we have a
meeting, I will include you in the um in the list, the email list for the agenda and the Zoom link. And so you'll you'll be able to see what's on the agenda. If there's something you think is interesting, you're welcome to come to the meeting anytime. They're open
meetings. Anybody can come. Um and uh if we if we want you to to join us, we'll ask you to do that. >> Okay. Now, if I see something that um because I'm getting a lot of stuff from D now. There's a lot of things on POS coming out. Um there's some new
legislation being done by um Representative Blae. I've been in contact with S uh Sue Whips. I know her uh personally. And uh Natalie Blae is working on some POS stuff. So, I'll update you guys on what's coming up
there. Uh, because that's a big thing right now with a lot of different areas and >> including this one. Yeah. >> Yeah. And there's some new stuff coming out on uh the World Health Organization and some of how how they're going to be reporting now with CDC and NAOSH and
stuff. So, um I'm I'm familiar with that. And I've been talking with Dr. Ruth Bi who was with um Chris Donald at the Franklin County Sheriff for a while doing the opiate stuff. So um and I know her because I went to high school with her. So that was kind of strange the
other night, but um yeah. So, um, I can help out a little bit on that. And I'm not a medical person, but I can I can kind of anything I see, I'll let you guys know. Or anything from reg from a regulatory point of view, anything I see in the field and that we should be aware
of, I'll let I'll let the board know. Um, >> right away. All right. You know, that's why you guys hire me. I mean, it's kind of like, you know, I I look at a lot of stuff, guys. I'm always I don't I don't watch TV anymore. I don't have any time, but it doesn't matter because I really
really love what I do. So, um, it's cool. >> Board of Health, does anybody have questions for Dave? >> I'm thinking we could adjourn. What do you think? Any uh, >> no complaints?
Okay, I'm I am going to invoke executive privilege again and I'm simply going to declare the meeting over. >> Yeah. So, >> thank you for your time, D. >> Hey. Yeah. Good to meet you guys. Hey, and like like I said, if you guys want
to just uh uh chat or anything, feel free to give me a call or text me or email me. Um it's not a problem. Um anytime. And uh you know if there's anything going on you guys want me to be involved I I'll just do it just just for fun you know. So
>> excellent. >> Just let me know. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Have a good night guys. You too. Take care. Yep. Good night everyone everybody. Yep. Yep. Good night. Bye bye. Yep.