Okay. Well, I'd like to call to order the meeting of the board of health here on Thursday, October 23rd. Um, and seeing no no one is online for public comment, no one has come in, but we'll
we'll we'll be available for the next few minutes for that. >> Um, did we get minutes? I did not see or maybe I in all of the attachments and I think getting all the attachments here
but I do see them in now from >> I think yeah I think we should have a paper >> oh August and September >> we didn't meet in September. >> Okay that's right >> that's right we didn't have a quorum. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So anything um
Erica have you had a chance to review the minutes? Was there anything that did not look >> up similar? >> I do. I don't know if they went out via email, so you might not have seen them. >> So, I did not um as far as I saw, I did not, but I also wasn't there last meeting. So,
>> okay. >> Okay. So, we can I guess we'll have to table that. >> We'll table the discuss the the approval of the minutes until next week's meeting. >> I will. Well, I mean, you should look at them before voting on them, but um >> yeah, >> it's up to the person whether like
sometimes people will abstain from if they weren't there. Um but your vote to approve the minutes is like your confidence in the in the note takingaking and them. So, it's not necessarily like I was there, I can vouch for it, but it's if you read them
and they seem correct and you know, you have faith in the the board of health secretary who took the notes sort of thing. So, >> okay. Could someone forward that to me? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And I think we just wait anyway until next time because I haven't had a chance to look at them either.
>> Okay. >> If that's okay. So it's not it's not because of no confidence. It's because I have not had a chance to >> things. Okay. >> Do what now? I'm sorry. >> I'm seeing a couple things. Okay. >> Well, then it's good we did Kayen. >> Yep. >> Um
>> I'll let Cindy know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so, uh, that is taken care of, but and we don't have to vote for that, do we, Tom? I mean, Eric and I both say that that's okay. Um, so talk talk to us about the giant hogweed.
>> So, giant hogweed um is didn't really take up a lot of my time or work, but there is. Do you Does anyone know what giant hogweed is? >> No, I do not. So, it is a very large plant and it has like a white um flower
and I think it looks like a large version of Queen Anne's lace. I think I'm not a plant guy so I could be wrong on that. >> Um and it is the like the fibers in it are very um like irritating. So, if you
touch it or breathe it in, it can like give you a really bad rat. If you breathe it in, it can be very harmful. And I I don't know if I'm going too much of a limb to say deadly, but it can be very um bad if you ingest it or breathe it in, but if you touch it, it just
gives you a bad painful rash. Um >> I never knew that. Are there flowers in the area that look very similar or are those pretty? >> The ones that look similar are much smaller. Um >> Okay. >> So the and this the state has like a
program for it. So, what happened is I think they've had it there before, but in the area kind of between Kettlebred and the Southwick Inn, like be in that kind of wetlandy area behind the car dealership. Mhm.
>> Um they have had it there before and this department of agriculture for the state um had been in talks with um Sabrina Pooler from conservation about it and the state will come out and treat
it um and they you know carefully apply uh um not a pesticide cuz that's for animals a uh >> algicide or something >> algicide. Yeah. plant a plant killer, probably some form of Roundup.
>> U but they, you know, they have standard practices and everything to um apply it so it doesn't like kill everything else, but they want to kill it before it spreads. um before it gets to the certain growth stage or I don't know all the details of
it. But anyway, um now that we covered the the basics, the way that works with the permitting for the use of that, it needed to be declared a um public health emergency. So, I signed off on that for
um for Sabrina. >> Okay. Um, and we I did go out there one day with Sabrina and we couldn't find it. Uh, but the Department of Agriculture went out and they they did find it. So, um, >> so have they treated it? >> They did treat it already. So, that's
done. But I just because an emergency was declared because of it, I wanted to at least tell you guys about it even though >> I wasn't really a huge deal. >> Okay. Um, but I thought you guys should know. And and then the harmful algoloom, that
was kind of a big deal. Um, and I tried to keep you guys in the loop on the emails um on some of them at least. And then I my most of my updates went out um to the whole town via the code red. But um if you don't sign if you're not
signed up and anyone who watches this video, if you're not signed up through the town for Code Red um public safety alerts, I would recommend going to the town website. You can scroll all the way to the bottom and um >> there's a button that says code red and
you can sign up there. Um, mostly it's used for like police use it if there's emergencies, um, traffic stuff or, um, sometimes the town uses it for like payment reminders. And then I've, this was only the second time I've
had to use it. Um, but so I have copied in my report. Um, I guess we can kind of just skip ahead to this part. um my kind of my whole log of everything
that happened. Um which is should still be on the web. This is basically the same thing that's on the website. Um but a resident who lives on the lake reported the algo bloom. Um and it looked a lot like blue green algae to me. Um so I took pictures, sent them to
the state and they said, "Yep, that's blue green algae." Um and then they what they do is they wait for the bloom to clear and then they will come out and test. So I was following the the DPH guidance. Um and then I also lake management was also involved but they
have um slightly different um procedures I guess. So um but I stuck with following the DPH guidance and um that was to to put out an advisory, let everyone know. Um, and I I did ask DPH
about like clo closing the lake versus not. Um, and they said sometimes on really small lakes like where you can practically close it. Um, towns will do that, but um, with this lake there's so
many access points, three different ponds. Technically, the advisory was just for middle pond. um two states, so many houses, so many boats already on the water that it just wouldn't be a practical thing to try and enforce >> and you couldn't without clothes on all
three. I mean, but they feed into >> Right. Right. So, >> can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Just for visual visualization purposes, um so I know where like Saunders Marina is. Which pond is that? >> That's middle.
>> That is middle. And then the one across the street >> um like where that new cafe is or coffee shop >> now >> that is south. Okay. >> Y >> All right. Thank you. >> No problem. >> Um so it was a little it was like about
halfway up on the southwick side from Saunders on still on Middle Pond. Um so it was off of Oak Street. Um, so, >> so you said DPH treated it or or who
ended up treating >> um, they well they DPH tested it. So I think what happened and this I kind of got from talking to both um, uh, Eric Mueller from Lake Management as well as um, the environmental
toxicologist from DPH. Um, so it seemed like the strain of blue green algae or the officeria um is the official um official vocabulary for it. um
lives on the the the bottom of the um surface and it was in the shallow area and it was so warm, unseasonably warm that it like activated it and then as it was the bacteria was working it floated up to
the top. that um lake management does the alum treatments for other problems. Um but I think they had recently done an alum treatment like a few weeks earlier. Um so I think kind of what happened, why it went away so quickly was it floated
up and then found that the chemistry of the water wasn't really a good environment for the cyanobacteria to live in and it promptly died. >> So it killed itself. >> So yeah, so it it it just was so shortlived. So, um, >> now did they come back out and say that
or >> that's not that's more >> conjecture. Um, kind of, you know, we don't know for sure, >> but there's nothing left. >> But there's nothing left. So, they they came out, it was discovered on a Friday. >> Um, so then I it was like, of course, it
was like noon, 1:00 or something on a Friday. And uh so then it was like a mad scramble to get the get the notices out and get the call out and all that to everyone. Um and then on
over the weekend I got a couple reports of of algae. Um so the next week I went um with the police chief who is the harbor master. Um, and then actually
Sabrina happened to be um, at the marina when we were going out on the boat, so she joined us as well. Um, and we looked at the areas that were reported and it was just like lake weed or nothing um, nothing that was truly uh, like an a
harmful alkal bloom. Uh, which was good. And then so I think on Tuesday the state came out they test they test not only for the blue green algae but they test for the actual toxins that are produced. Um and the both levels were were very
low. Um and then their guidance is they'll test one week and then a week later and if both tests are good then they'll recommend lifting the advisory. Um, we did have a second I think on the
second Friday after No, it was actually it was like a day or so after the um the test, the first test on Tuesday the 30th. So, it must have been October 1st. There was another bloom that was reported on the
West Sfield side and that had the same timeline. It was like they I had someone sent me a picture from the morning and I was there by like 11:30 and it was almost gone already. Um so the DPH still did their their test on the following Tuesday and the levels were still so low
and both it was full all on Middle Pond. Um, so despite that more recent bloom, DPH still recommended lifting the advisory because it was so short-lived the um and the levels were so low on on the on the same pond. So
>> So they didn't do officially do the second test. >> They did the second test, but it was there had been that other bloom on another part of the lake. So >> Okay. Okay. Um, so they still did the second test, but they didn't they didn't think that second pop-up bloom would uh
would have an effect. Um so after they under their guidance I lifted the advisory and um put out that final message and just try also try with every message I tried to include the links to the state website so anybody could go
see what it looks like and um you know if you see something in the water you know think twice before you before you go in. So um >> and nothing that the boats at the marina need to worry about or anybody that was in and out of there. I don't think so. I
don't think at this scale. >> Um it was a it was a very small I mean not tiny but a relatively compared to the size of lake it was relatively small the a small cove. It was probably like three houses like a
small cove um that it was in front of. Um, so it's if it was a if it was a bigger bloom and it affected more parts of the lake, then that might be something where we would want to really try to put some more effort into like
closing down the the entrances and all that. Um, so I think some lessons learned. I think on that first day, I mean, partly because it was the Friday, um, there was some confusion. Um especially with the lake, you know, the some people felt like it was mixed
messaging of, you know, the lake staying open, but me saying, you know, don't go in the water. Um so, so that I think um some less lessons learned there for the for the town and just making sure everybody in town hall is on the same
page and um and all that. But um but overall, no one no one got sick. Um, no dogs or pets or animals got sick that we know of. So, um, >> just the algae. >> Just Yeah, just the algae. So,
>> so that was that. That was a fun um fun couple of days. >> But the hogweed and So, did the hogweed come before or after the >> I the hogweed was before? I I don't even remember the exact dates of the hogweed, but that was
>> I think that was earlier in September. >> Um, >> and I assume that's invasive. That's why we're worrying about hogweed or because it's irritating. >> I think just because it's irritating. I don't know if it's invasive or not to be honest. It might be native, but it's just >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> dangerous. >> So, do we want to go through, you know, we have the projected agenda and we have the discussion of the upcoming vacancy. Why don't we go through the rest of the agenda and and come back to that >> end with with doing that? >> Okay.
All right. >> Hugede isn't invasive. >> It's not invasive. >> It is. >> It is. >> I had to Google my own. >> Yeah. >> I immediately when I saw that thought Harry Potter, you know. Well, I'm
thinking Hogweed and probably Hogwarts or whatever. >> Okay. So, um, anything to add to Trisha's report that came out if you guys sent that out. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, >> in Septe
County um, so we are exploring some spending options including a November or December newsletter um, with topics uh, including holiday stress, cold and flu season, food safety, and we're going to try to get that out to all residents if we can. We're kind of working with Locka
Printing to hopefully spend down some grant funds and, you know, try to publicize our health district a little bit more. Um, Trisha wanted me to add that uh Taland, Granville, Russell, Blandford, and Southwick all had successful flu clinics. I guess it's the
most residents they've had come to uh Granville. They have 80 people come receive vaccines, which is huge for them. Um as well as Russell is going or sorry, excuse me, Taland is going to be having Wellness on Wheels, the bus come to their town hall next Wednesday um
with a bunch of other health vendors. We're kind of making it a miniature wellness fair. So that's exciting. They'll be doing flu shots as well. I don't know if they're going to have CO shots. They said maybe. So, and then finally, we did have a meeting with our state program coordinator. Um he's happy
with where we're at right now with the grant and our work plan. um he is hopefully going to come attend one of our board meetings to kind of have next steps in the vision for public health excellence grant um hopefully we'll see. Um and he's also helping us
navigate a little bit of public health mistrust and vaccine skepticism because we're really struggling with that. Um and then as well lastly we're doing a food and clothing drive in November. So that's exciting and that'll be in all of our towns. >> Okay. And would that be where would that
be located here? >> We're gonna have them pretty much everywhere. So, every town hall is going to have one and then potentially the libraries will have one if we can get yeses from everybody. >> Okay, you're good. Anything we can help with from a a board perspective right now?
>> I don't think so. Trisha and Marian are great, so they can they've got it handled pretty much. I just kind of do the budgeting stuff. So, >> and and um recent issues with funding everything okay because this is a state.
>> It's it's a little bit of state and a little bit of federal funding. So, we were worried for a minute, but it seems like everything settled. The only thing that was affected is metric. So, there were I don't know if you want to talk more about that. You might know a little. >> Yeah, I have a little bit of that. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, we did lose some funding there. So,
I don't know if the roll out's going to be it will be affected. um which will affect our FY27 budgeting, but we'll see. >> Okay. Okay. >> But 26 looks >> looks okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Nothing crazy as of now. Hopefully it stays that way. And as far as I've
been told, the the the current we have a three-year um contract with the state for the grant and all of the funding for all of the shared service arrangements throughout the state um for those three years is in
a bank account. A lot some of it's a mix of state funds and ARPA funds from the feds, but they they're not waiting on it from the fed feds. It's sitting in a bank. So at least for until the end of FY27, >> yes, >> we're the funding is there. >> Okay.
>> Um beyond that and I I actually today went to um they had a public health excellence day at the state house. Um so Western Mass Public Health Association sponsored a bus. So there was like probably 15 20 of us from Western Mass
that went out and um there was some of the some lawmakers there. Um Robbie Goldstein, the DPH commissioner, was there and spoke and just kind of to support the the work that we do, support the the grant program, and um
you know, try to keep the keep the momentum going and keep us on everyone's radar in the state house to um and the the messaging from the lawmakers that were there and from DPH was very very good and they're
very committed to to keeping this. they've on the back end um the office that kind of supports the grants is the office of local and regional health. Um they've invested so much into that when that office when it when they were first
starting this I think was like five people if that maybe it was like three people >> and I think now it's like 20 like it's big. So I there will be challenges and um maybe not as much funding, but this
the state as far as I can tell is very committed to keeping this keeping this going and not just letting all this work go to go to waste. So um so I'm very hopeful about that, but um but it will be interesting to
>> interesting is a good word. >> Yeah. So, one thing that I'll since we're talking about it now, but I'll get to it in a different context later, but the metric that Kaen mentioned, >> um I don't know that we've talked about that much, but >> yeah,
>> it is uh I think they call it the the data solution for public health. Uh and I think it would be like a firstofits-kind thing in the nation. Um and it would have everything that that public health needs. Um, so our
health applications, inspections, um, tracking of complaints, um, and then it would also tie in with, um, the the nursing epidemiology, um, outbreaks and all of that. Um,
so that budget was significantly cut for for metric. um they haven't backed down from promising it, but their timeline is um gonna be >> quite different. >> Quite different. So um so I was actually
talking to someone who works who's the the lead person for the state that's working on on building metric and um >> she she said there the first thing they're planning to roll out is um is the inspection software. Um,
so depending I don't I don't think they knew the exact timeline initially. I think that was supposed to be in like January that that was going to be rolled out. So I would would imagine that will be pushed back somewhat but um >> because we haven't heard anything. Yeah. So
>> so depending on the timing it might work out in time. >> Exactly then. >> Right. And it's already already you know we'll everyone will be doing their budgets in >> Yeah. you know, March, March, April, May. >> So, um,
you if you can't count on it, you want to budget for the old thing. So, you have overlap. So, we'll >> we'll see what will happen. But, um, but I think that all the federal stuff I think that the state is very committed to picking up the picking
up the slack, but doesn't mean it well doesn't mean it will be easy. Yeah. So, >> well, along the same line, how how in or or are we our our um towns here, how are we going
to be affected by the new consortium that's been the new vaccine or or evidence-based consortium that Gavin Newsome, Ma California, Massachusetts, I I think many if not all of the New England states are vote. So, what's
what's been the what's been the buzz here for >> I we haven't heard we haven't heard much concrete about about that yet. Um >> I heard the creation of it like I think it's Vermont and a few other states, but
I Yeah, I haven't seen much. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Hopefully that comes because we're definitely dealing with >> I mean we hear it constantly just the the skepticism of vaccines and >> what's being rolled out. um which will affect us and that's a little scary as we're seeing some
outbreaks >> and even for people who want the COVID vaccine. >> Yeah. Where do you get it? >> It's difficult to to get it. >> Yeah. Well, hopefully we'll hear we'll hear um sometime in the near future because I think that was based on evidence and based on on uh what we've
lost. Yeah. >> The information that we've lost. So that that'll be great. >> Yeah. >> Um okay. Anything else from Trish and uh or or the Grant? >> I don't think so. >> Any updates or anything?
>> Yeah. Do you have any questions on her report? >> I don't think so. I don't think so. I think it's pretty was pretty straightforward, but that's great. That great turned out in Granville. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. >> I think there was some South residents, too. So, >> and I think the clothing drive will be a
a great thing now that the pantry, the food pantry here is not doing that anymore. >> Yes. Um, that'd be really good. >> Great. >> All right. So, we got nobody for comment and we've given people 30 minutes. Um,
so what? Oh, and now I neglected to to call the role. Have we lost? >> Oh, >> we may have lost or maybe she may have. Um, >> okay. Well, so there are two of us here. >> Yes.
>> Erica and me. Um, and of course you you two are very important to the to the process. So, anything else on uh do you want to talk about any old business with the wells and the septic regulation? What's what's going on there?
>> I you know, we haven't we've kind of had gone over the um >> the draft. Um, but I'm unfortunately I'm kind of thinking with me leaving I think it would make sense for the to table that until you know there's a new new
director cuz I >> part of me is like oh it would have been great to get that done for the new person but sometimes >> a new person would have different ideas and you know >> we don't want to rush it and then be >> then be so and you won't be around for any ramifications.
>> Exactly. Exactly. Okay. So, and there there actually was um you know a couple of those that when I started that we got the food one. There was like a inconsistency with the finding on the food one that had been passed fairly recently. I think that was passed when
>> um the person before me was here so it was like you know and then we ended up just getting getting rid of it because it wasn't totally necessary because there's so much in the food code already. So >> yeah. Um, >> so there have been quite a few accomplishments, but this one we, you
know, I think it's fine to wait until we get a permanent person in. >> Okay. >> Um, what about septic? >> Septic. Um, same thing. I mean, the we have the the perk expiration. Um,
>> were we trying to set years for that or what? What was >> We probably need to have some consistency. I remember I would have to have the minutes to look at what we >> Yeah. So I think um we had discussed
>> either extending it or allowing the health director to be the determining if it's allowed or not and then would just report to the board. Um, and then Trish Trish raised a concern which I think is a good point. Um, that
if maybe it would be better to get rid of that as a whole, the expiration um because does that kind of create a liability for the town or for the board if you know say we allow one but not
another? does that kind of give way for someone to, you know, say that they were treated unfairly or open up for liability? I don't think it would be a huge liability, but it is something to to consider. Um, >> and I think metrics, if we put metrics
around it, then we're not we're not being, you know, arbitrary, right? >> If we were to say, you know, within 10 years, yep, good. Um um if not then we are saying I like you better. your perks going to be. We'll go ahead and let that
that slide, but we can Erica, what we'll we'll wait until the three of us are together, but we were just talking about the the perks um because we had table that based upon and and I'm I'm I'm almost positive you were here um based
upon um potential liability to the town if we if we uh allow um expiration expired perks to be good enough to not have to do another perk for some and not for others. Um
>> I remember we had talked about um decreasing the amount of time it expires. So isn't it right now every eight years or is it 10 years? F >> five years. >> Every five. So what I think we discussed was increasing that amount of time.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I think we've thrown around 10 maybe and and we just kind of left it um at that. We we'll why don't we talk about that the next we'll we'll table that till Trish is here because she was the one that had the concern about liability.
>> Yeah. >> Um >> yeah I think I and I won't be here but um but I would say five five like five years is just too too soon. >> U because there's there's been a few that are in um the old south of country
club that you know when that was first subdivided they did all these perks and they're they're still they're still building houses. There's not many left, but there's there's a few. And um sometimes they do end up redoing the perks because when you have a huge chunk
of raw land, they're just like roughly know where the lots are and like let's do let's do two here, two here, and then someone's like, well, that's where I want to put my house. So sometimes they redo them anyway to, you know, depending on what they want to build. But um
you know it feels like those just happened like the code hasn't changed that much. >> The you know it's you know sometimes when you have one that's like 15 20 years old you're kind of >> I don't know maybe maybe it is better to
just you know we have the records but maybe it is better to just redo it. And I I think if it's a longer amount of time, whether it's 10, 15, it I think people might be more likely to be like, "Okay, well, we'll just redo it."
>> Uh but whereas when there's a six-year-old perk, it's like perfectly fine and >> people get more frustrated. >> And I think we talked about the likelihood that the perk is going to change in that amount of time. >> Right. Um >> right. It it probably wouldn't. So, >> okay.
>> Um, so I I would say either that or I I don't think it would be the end of the world to to get rid of that the expiration altogether. I think that um the the Title 5 does allow for the board of health to require an additional perk
at any at any time. So if if for some reason the the the health director or agent was reviewing the plan or um doing it the in well usually it wouldn't be there would be plan review time where it just didn't something didn't sit right
or something you could say you know I don't think this is I don't think this is right it's >> you know >> and it it might be good because I don't think we talked about what the area towns are doing >> what's Westfield doing or what's what it because at having precedence is probably
strong if we ever got push back, right? >> So, that might be something to ask the new person. >> I'll go back in my emails and print it out. So, um it is available, but I I know that um I just remember Trish did some after our
last meeting, she did some research and kind of found what some other towns do. >> Okay. >> Um so, I will I will print that out or I'll just do a reply also. It's back in the top. I'm not sure I saw that, but I It's probably sitting there. I can't say
I didn't. Um, okay. So, anything else about septic? We've already talked about your report. So, update us on or >> I have some more of my report. I just skipped for the I just skipped ahead to
uh the blue green allergy. So, um, since it seems like more, but I think it averages out to about the same, um, >> because it's been a few months. Um, so since August 5th, we've had 34 applications through Permitize and
collected $4,425. >> Yeah. >> Um, the inspections, I wasn't I normally try to do the tally of inspections. Um, but I was working on this um late last night and had my computer at home and I
couldn't access the inspection portal um from home. So um but I've been not as many as I would have liked, but I have been getting some food inspections done um and trying to take Kaen out as much as possible um on every different type
of inspection um just so she's as comfortable as possible. Um, and so Kaen is and with the any inspections I do in the next week, I have a few that I really
want to get done before I go just cuz, you know, certain people need to have their inspections and it's some of them have been a while. Um, so I'll I'll update my list before before my last day. Okay. >> Um, >> and that is 10:31, is that correct?
>> Yes, next Friday. Um, so Kaen is currently already an agent of the board. Um, we should double check. Did you ever swear in? >> No. >> Okay. So, we should double check. Are you in tomorrow or >> in person? You're remote tomorrow?
>> I was going to be remote. >> That's fine. You can be remote tomorrow. We can do it next as long as it's before I leave before the 31st. >> Yeah. So, I will talk to I'll talk to Christie tomorrow. >> Okay. Um, >> you need me to come in? I I absolutely can. I just it would just be a matter of
swearing >> swearing your life away and putting your name on the book. >> Perfect. >> Um that you're you're official. But I know the I know the board did vote on um >> allowing you to be an agent and do do inspections >> um for the town after the grant advisory
committee um voted the same to allow you to do that as part of your job. >> Mhm. Um, we also have Crystal Dugay um is the I used to work with in Westfield. She's the um assistant department assistant director over there. Um, and
she's also on the books as a backup. Um, so that for some of the the urgent inspections, I think between um between Crystal and Caine, I think that um in the short term that can can get some things done. Um, and then Tom
Fitzgerald was the he's come out of retirement twice already. >> Um, and when I had talked to him, um, he was like, I don't want to I don't want to come back, but um, but I had talked to
him a little more and um, kind of told him what was going on and everything. and he might be willing to help with just with septic. So, he wouldn't want to come back and be the the health director, but sure. Um, on a consultant sort of level, um,
he w I he didn't promise, but he said he he's open to it. >> Um, so whether that's witnessing perk tests or reviewing plans um, and doing the the final inspections, he he was uh he was open to that idea. So, um, so
depending on how things settle out, um, that that would be, um, another another person that can can help. And then also, I'm I don't want to, you know, force myself into anything, but I'm willing to help in any
way, shape, or form possible. um whether that's just a informal answering phone calls and you know giving advice or if it was a more formal sort of role and you know in the evenings or whatever come in to help do some inspections or help whatever I'm I'm
>> um as much as much time as I have you know that I can spare I'm willing to to help to I >> care about the town I care about the people and that I've worked with and the town's people so um I hate to see see
things go go ary. Um so I'm help happy to help in any way I can. >> Um permit renewals. So this is awful timing um for me to be leaving, but um it's our permit renewal season and it's
our first renewals um since we switched to permitize. Um I think that should make it easier because everyone's already acclimated and has done it last year. Um, and I think we can do that first notification right through the system. So, people
will get an email to the email they used to apply for the permit last year. And, um, so it'll be less printing, mailing, and all of that. Um, but I do imagine some people will have completely forgotten or forgotten their passwords and will uh maybe need an additional
letter or something that goes out. Um, >> and when do when do permit renewal notices go out? um usually usually late October uh early November. >> So with that said um I reached out
yesterday to Full Circle Technologies who is the company that um provide that has permitized um for a a training for the for the staff um just on the renewal process because we've never we've never done it
before. Um, I'm sure we could struggle through it and figure it out, but I'd rather have them um tell us what to do and then we can make sure Karen and Kaen and Cindy are are up on um are up on all that. And then depending on how easy it is, maybe while I'm still here, we can
send it out and um >> Okay. And that's one thing like I I can um that I might be able to help with after I leave is is with um the permitting stuff because you can I can access it remotely and um I already have as long
as my account doesn't get cut offage. >> Um >> then I could I could be happy to help with that. So >> um and then we had a um a water shut off situation. Um, so that's been standard
practice in the town for um, ever, I think, or for a long time. Um, when that there's non-payment, um, they'll do a series of notifications and warnings and then they'll shut the water off. Um,
and in the 2 and 1/2 years um, that I've been here, none of them really amount to any sort of um, major issues. Most times it's a vacant house or if it's not vacant, the person is like, "Oh, I got to go pay my bill." They pay their bill, get their water back on
relatively quickly. Um, so there was uh there was a house that um there was some funky stuff with the deed of like a a quick claim, a transfer back and forth, and we weren't sure if it was
occupied or not. and then found out it was occupied and they it had been a little while that they hadn't had water. Um so the I've always sent out and um I just use the same form letter that the town
has always used that Tom Fitzgerald used to use um of like a you know we've been board of health has been notified you don't have water this is a violation um and your house could be condemned yada yada yada. Um, so in this in this
specific case, um, you know, it had kind of time was up and hadn't paid their bill. Um, and I mean obviously if someone doesn't have water and it's been 7 days, obviously they don't have they don't have the money, >> they don't have all that other stuff yet, >> right? And if if they had the money to
pay the bill, they would have they would have done it by now. Um, so it just didn't sit right with me, the idea of condemning the house and saying, "Not only do you not have water, now you're out on the street," sort of
thing. So, >> um, >> so I did I did call some of, uh, some of my colleagues from the area and, um, a a retired inspector with with a lot of experience. Um, actually used to work
for the state as well. Um, he said, "Yeah, sometimes the towns don't shut do water shut offs. They they can lean the property and get the money back eventually. >> Um, so sometimes it takes a lot longer, but can be done." Um,
so he he was like, "I've, you know, been in towns where they've done it, and if you condemn it and you it ends up in housing court, the judge will just order the town to turn it back on regardless of payment." Um, so I was like, "Well, that's not a great look for the town,
and it isn't going to it's just going to be a waste of time and resources." So, >> um, so I talked to the the treasure collector and I think it's been done in the past where after a few days or a week they'll they'll turn it back on and
then restore service and then um and then they will pursue another another option to get the um to get the money. So, um, you know, so I kind of I think that's a much better practice to
have it, you know, a set a set timeline and not leave when especially when you know it's occupied um to leave it um you know, indefinitely without water. So, um so the water in this prop this one property, the water service was restored
today and um so that was good. Um, so that I kind of I think the kind of the balls rolling cuz DPW um John Goddard is the um the interim interim director. So when it
came time to do the shut offs, he you know kind of reached out and um and everybody's kind of knew um >> Mhm. >> within a within a few years. So, um, so it kind of made us look at it and be like, "Oh, maybe we need to like shore
up a a policy and, um, you know, not not be leaving people without water for for a long time." So, >> so we think that's in the works. >> Yes. Okay. Yep. Yep. Um, so, so the permitting and inspection
software. So, um the the new town planner, Alvin Allen, um was interested in getting some software for planning. Um and so because there was no building inspector, I sat in on some um which there should be a building
inspector soon. Um been hearing some rumblings. So hopefully hopefully everything works out. Um but uh but that should that's on the radar. Hey, how's it going? >> Good. How are you? Were you able to get on on Zoom? >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Huh. It's not let We got Doug up there and it's not letting us get on. >> Interesting. >> It's coming up with a funky note, you know, something server blah blah blah. Duo server. >> Oh, that's the um
>> and he's trying to figure out what's going on. The duo server is the uh like identity um >> like the card thing that >> I'm surprised that computer would have been set up for that. >> Is it the computer that's normally up there?
>> Yeah. >> Huh. >> That's weird. >> Yeah, >> cuz he asked us if we had a laptop and mine's home. >> Yeah. Do not >> Yeah. Sorry. Good luck. >> Yeah.
Um, >> so no building inspector now. So you've been kind of listening into everything. >> Yep. So I I sat in on the on the meetings because I'm familiar with with permit ice and um so this this company uh would have a
building module and a planning module. And at the time of the meetings, it was before we found out about the metric budget cut. So, it was like, "Oh, that could work out cuz we're going um to be ending up completely on the state software anyway, which is free." Um,
so I think it was because there's no building inspector right now and it's so far from budget time. I think that discussion of switching the building software um and doing the planning software was kind of tabled for now. Um, but I did just want to make make you
guys aware um because there is the money that pays for permodize for the board of health is like just over $6,000. Um, and that's an annual fee >> and that is in the IT budget.
>> Um, and then there's the building module is about $6,000 as well. Um, so I just wanted to make make you all aware um that that was a discussion going on.
Um, so we just will want to make sure as as budget time rolls around um that that we can't count on being able to move over our permitting software to the state software because it probably won't
be available by next July. Um, so we'll need to do, you know, at the time we were thinking, oh, maybe in July we'd be transferring our permitting software to the state one, but at this point that's probably not going to happen. So, >> and so what's the total number of what's the total dollar figure that's in it for
us? >> It's uh I can get you the exact number, but it's just over 6,000. I want to say it's six six >> 6,250. >> Okay, that's >> um but it >> I couldn't remember the exact number when I was writing this up. >> So, at this point, we want to that money
to stay and be reapported into >> I did I talked to Nicole about that as well. So, I I don't I don't foresee any issues. I think everybody's on the same page. Um, but since I won't be here, I just wanted to make sure as the board, it's technically
your budget. Um, so I just wanted to make sure you you were aware, but it's also complicated because it's actually not in the board of health budget. It's it's kind of split out. So, >> it should be designated for us. >> Yeah. Yeah. And it and who knows it if they didn't if it didn't get
appropriated or if it got taken for for something else. Um >> it it might not end up being it it would be a timing issue. So it would probably be more of a problem for for the IT budget because you know we would
probably get the invoice in July and that would get paid for the for perman but then they're still going to be short. So, it might not directly affect the permitiz cuz if they as long as they invoice quickly. >> Um, but but I either way I don't want to
I don't want anyone to have a problem with that. >> Okay. >> When the time comes. >> So, you'll pay for it if it doesn't. Okay. Okay. Got it. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. No, I'm sorry. I see that approximately 6,000. Yeah. That on the next page. Um, so that was all I
have I think on that report. Um, I'll probably think of other things um that I was like, "Oh, I should have should have talked about that." But, um, but
I'll I'll at least do before my last day. Anything else I thought of or need want to share with you guys? I'll always do an email or you and I were going to meet next week. >> I would like I would like to meet I think you had said Wednesday or Thursday of next week. So >> yes, I believe. So we'll I'll look at my
calendar before you leave. >> Three Wednesday and Thursday. Okay. I believe so. >> Cool. Um, so then two other things on my report or I they're not in my report but on the agenda the crepes tea house um septic update.
>> We might have talked about this in August but I don't think we did. Um >> crepes has been we've talked about that. >> We've talked about it a few times. So the um they still have a hearing coming up with planning. Um, but I did talk to the
their consultant, um, Steve Salvini, who's working with Crepes Tea House, and their plan is to use, I don't know if they would be getting rid of them or just not using them. Um,
but to only use one of those uh, out buildings and get their inspections and get their current occupancy for that. Um so the the occupancy for that building would be about 20 seats
>> and then their plan would be to remove permanently remove 20 seats from the the bar area in the main restaurant which I don't might still be something with planning um but said and I was I
think I and my I wrote a letter to planning um a while back and recommended at some point someone verified whether it's planning or you know I would have done it um I don't know what their timeline would be but um verify that the
number of seats actually matches but if they're I think their their capacity is like 93 or 94 or 90 somewhere right in that that ballpark um >> in the restaurant right now >> in the rest well once once they've
>> once they've moved around 110 or whatever. >> Yeah. So, uh, no, so it' still be 90. So, there's cap is still would still be 90. So, as long as however they allocate the seats, as long as it's only >> Oh, so a total of 90. So, it would actually be 70 in the restaurant.
>> Yeah. 70 in the restaurant and 20 out there. So, >> okay. Um whereas initially they were trying to do something where they would like if there were 20 people in the um in the out building then we would only have we'd have
>> 90 seats but we'd only let 70 people in. And >> that was what D was like no you can't >> you on a daily basis you can't shift your >> um you know shift that around. So um so as long as they
are still within the whole property only have the 90 seats or 93 93 whatever the exact number is. Um then they're it's not considered an increase in flow by title 5 and they're
good with septic. Um, so they they still might have issues with planning and building and all that to get though to get that one building permitted and and occupied, but um but >> what's going to happen to the others? They're either going to be removed or
they're going to be vacant. >> Uh yeah, I don't know what they're I don't know if they they've had a few planning meetings scheduled and then they they continuing it continue it. So I think I had heard that they wanted to
work to eventually you kind of have long-term plan and eventually be able to, you know, somehow use them. But, um, >> with the orientation of that lot, unless they could somehow get sewer out there, I think that would be really septic
wise, that would be really tough. Um, but I mean they're welcome to they're welcome to to try it and to have some do some perk tests and try to figure it out, but um but I think that's a tall order in in my opinion. So
>> um and then lastly, uh 20 Lakemon Street. Um that was I had to do a a septic enforcement letter on that one. Um, and not really because anyone did anything um did anything wrong, but
their um their septic their old it's an older system. It was a leech pit and it it caved in and collapsed. >> Um so they had they were you know trying to figure out what to do. They had a title 5 inspector come out and look at it and he
technically even though it was collapsed it was in sand. So it wasn't backing up. it was still accepting flow. So he was like technically I can't fail it cuz it's still working. >> Um so um but obviously it right kind of
next to their driveway so it's safety issue and uh you know eventually it will just be you know pooling up there. And >> so he um >> immediately you know told me about it what was going on and um so I and they the the people were good. They've been
having it pumped and they're on top of it. They already had a perk test. Um I don't unless I came in the past day or so. I don't think we've got a plan yet, but I know that's in the works. Um so they're doing all >> for a new >> for the new replacement system. So they're doing all the right things. They
have been all along, but um but I just had to do that enforcement letter. So that way when if they need to get their uh the tax rebate or financing or anything like that um they will need to have something that
says that there's they actually needed to put in the system. So um so I did uh did issue that um kind of vi septic violation notice um but that's all you know they even if I didn't do it they
would have fixed it anyway. So, it was more just to um make sure they had all the documentation they needed and all that. >> Um >> and also, you know, things it doesn't look like it's going that way with these people, but sometimes things change and
it seems like they're doing all the right things and then suddenly it's stagnant for forever. So, it's good to good to start the process um >> regardless. So, so that's all that I could think of, okay,
>> so far. And anything else I think of, I will uh I'll let you guys know in an email. >> Hey, I'm thinking keeping a running list and and what I would like to talk to you about is daytoday. Um uh these are some of the things that I that I wished when I wasn't chair I probably paid a little
more attention to >> now that I am chair. So, good news for you Erica. Please pay attention. you know, along and along because, you know, I I just assumed that that things
were done. So, I'd rather get a good um Yeah, I met with Naen today. Okay. And um uh we had a good conversation on on a couple of things. So, and I'm I'm thinking some of this discussion we probably close the recording because we can suffice it at saying that that we
are exploring um uh what's needed to be done um for the health the health director and and uh you know thank you so much for your contributions and for your continued interest in helping us through this. But I'm thinking some of our next discussion and Erica if you
want to stay online and and the three of us here I I'm thinking that's you know unless I'm I don't think I'm violating any open meeting laws because we're not you know this is a discussion that the board of health um can have and then make a recommendation. >> Okay.
>> Do we want to close the >> Sure. Yeah. Should we close the meeting >> and more information to come? All right. >> To turn the recorder off or does it or is that where is this far? >> You have to make the motion though to
end the meeting, >> I think. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I think we have to end the meeting. Um >> and go into executive session or whatever. Uh executive session would just be Eric and me, but I don't want to do that. I want to say >> you can go into executive session. I
think you would have to um to >> invite >> you can like allow >> for public comment. Okay. For agenda, >> but yeah, that's my one thing. It was not on the agenda. So, I don't know if we can >> I think you can just
>> I think we just close the meeting. >> Close the meeting. >> We just close the meeting. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And if we can let Cindy know that we're closing the meeting as of Do I have a motion to close the meeting as of 700 p.m.? Yes.
>> And I second it. So motion carries to close the board of health meeting. All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. I'm gonna end the recording. Bye, Erica. Wait. >> No, she can stay on for >> I'm gonna stay on. Yeah.