Good evening everybody. Um today is Tuesday, September 23rd, 2024, 6 pm. Uh regular meeting of the board of health. Um meet at the first floor meeting room 2. Um this this meeting is being
recorded. Um if there's anybody in the audience or online that is recording, please um um let us know um so that we are be all aware of the recording of the meeting. Um,
roll call. Dr. Christian Roman Ramirez, chairman. >> Charles Paul Serene, vice chair. >> Um, I don't have any additions or deletions from the agenda from today. Uh, I'm so sorry that I am remotely
today because of of um circumstances related to my family. I have to be um remote. Um but hopefully tomorrow I'll be at the board of health office from 9 to 10:30 I think it is. Um
uh just to work on on dispersing either the sticker um for the people that are coming for the program or any other business related to the board of health. Um according to the agendas we have septic permits for review.
Um >> yes. So in 1.3 it there are no other septic permits so that's deleted. >> And then 1.4 for Adams Road. Uh that's going to be continued to the next meeting.
>> Okay. And what about 1.5 29 Greenville Road new construction? >> I I do have that one. >> Okay. Go ahead. So this is a um new construction lot actually uh right next to the entrance
of the transport station. So that's the uh proposed plan. So we're looking at lot five which is this 3.04 acre parcel. Um there are some wetlands on the property and so they've got those
delineated along with the um 100 foot buffer on that that lot and they so uh you guys have a regulation that requires a 500 foot offset from the landfill for the well. Um so they did put that 500t offset from the liner on the plan as
well. >> Okay. Um, so they're proposing the well in the backyard and the system up by the street. It's a 2500gallon two compartment tank that'll gravity feed to four trenches. It's new construction, so
they aren't asking for any variances, so it is in full compliance. >> Okay. All right. Um, >> any recommendations, Rick? >> Yeah. So, um, you know, I reviewed it. Uh we've went through one revision. Um
it's in full compliance with the the reg. So I would my recommendation would be the have the board sign the permit for the the septic system. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve um 29 Greenville Road new construction?
>> Call a motion to approve 29 Greenville Road. >> Do I have second? Yep. >> Okay. And all in favor? All in favor say I. I. >> Uh, roll call. Roll call. Excuse me. Dr.
Christian Roman Ramirez. I >> And Charles Paul Serene. I >> Okay. Very well. Approved. >> Um, >> the only one. >> And do we also have 248 South Road
variance request too, Rick? >> Yep. So you guys can So um did did Carla forward you a copy of the written request for the variance Christian? >> Uh let me see if I have it here. Was it
one that you >> uh so I think she had forwarded it. Um I can look up my email and tell you what the date was. Mhm. >> So, I've got a tongue from her recently. Was I CCD on it? >> I believe so.
>> Okay. >> Do you not have >> It's that one right there. >> This one right here. Okay. >> What day was it? >> Uh, so it was September 16th. And it was uh the subject was agenda edition 923
25. >> Uh what was the the topic again of the email? Uh so it was re uh agenda edition 92325 board scan from a xerox multi-function printer
and that was uh September 16th. I remember reading this because the 5.8% natural light. I remember all that. Okay. And it was at uh 3:12 if that helps at all. Christian >> 3:12
p.m. Oh, agenda addish edition. Okay. Um, I'm going to read the letter if I may. >> Um, it's to the board of health Towns and building inspector Townsen from Natal Natalia Venucci.
Um, to whom it may concern. My name is Natalya Venucci Wei and I am writing to request a variance for 105 CMR 410.430. We closed our new build built home in
Townsen in March of 2024 and we are looking to finish one half of the basement 600 square ft. Now this has been approved by the building inspector. We have received notice that we are in violation of the noted requirement
listed above by the board of health. Uh with our current conditions, we are at 5.8 natural light where it is required 8% natural light. We even s suggested putting in a full glass door, but that
would only bring us to 7.5 natural light. In order to meet exceed the natural lighting requirements, we would like to come before the board of health on September 23rd, which is today, to propose our lighting design, as well as adding to a single unit heat pump in
this space. This would have been provided in the electrical permit, which we would have filed after receiving the building permit. Um so yes um um Miss uh Natalyia Venucci
way >> here present. >> Hi. Uh so uh uh you are under the consideration of the board. Um what are the um you have the proposal for um for
the variance? >> The the letter uh includes the breakdown of the items. It's so it's the additional um recess lighting um and as well as another um light fixture and the dockan um heat
pump which I I assume since this is a health code requirement for the natural light. It means lighting as well as with certain lumens and air circulation which would be provided in the heat pump. So those items that are listed there um
we're hoping will meet um the requirements according to that code. >> Okay. >> Um Rick, oh yeah, Rick, what are your what are what are your feedbacks regarding this? >> So this is the first time that this particular request has come before the
towns and board of health. Um so I asked around my office to see if any of the other towns that we cover have granted this variance before and there are um a couple that that have. So Graten and Harvard are the two okay that have done that and they you basically asked for
for what they're providing. So um if they don't meet the natural light requirement of 8% they um they added artificial lighting. So the the canless recessed lights and the the light fixture uh to to make up for for the
lack of of meeting that that 8% requirement. um they they kind of as a practice um because I would expect that this probably isn't the first time it's going to come up um with the ADUs and and people just kind of generally trying to find more space and the existing
footprint of their house. Yeah. >> Um so they what what the Kaen told me who covers those towns is that they put a threshold of 5% natural light on any variances that they considered um where where they're at 5.8% 8% it would exceed
that 5% that that those towns had looked for when granting it. Um and and so you I think that what they're doing to make up for the lack of natural light um you know 16 recess lights is is quite a few for 600 square ft. Yes. Um you so they're they're adding quite a bit of of
artificial light and um I really don't have an issue with the proposal. Um you so I'll just read from the code too as far as what the variance process is for for this. Um so it's it's 105 CMR 410 is
the code. It's the minimum standards of fitness for human habitation and um basically what it says is the uh the board of health may vary the application of the proision provision of 105 CMR410.
Um and uh if they they do grant it, it shall be in writing. Uh the factors determining that the enforcement provision in 105 CMR410 would be a manifest injustice. Uh the measures the petitioner will incorporate to ensure equal or greater protection of the
health and safety of the occupants was provided by 105 CMR410 and the date of expiration of the variance. Um, so it is a requirement that if you grant a variance that you do put an expiration date on it and um, you know, I think that it doesn't necessarily have to be a
date. So the expiration could run with the ownership of the property and when ownership changes hands, they could come in and request that the variance fee be renewed and there is a process for that. um they just have to make a written request 30 calendar days prior to the
expiration and then they'd come and present similar to they are the way they are tonight and the board would consider the variance request. >> Okay, >> any questions Paul? >> No, no, it makes sense other than are we
going to add that threshold into our >> So, so that's really up to you guys. I guess it's it's more for down the road when this comes up, you know, what what do you feel provides equivalent protection to what the code requires? And so I think part of the natural light
is that, you know, there are quite a few studies from public health that say, you know, if you don't have natural light, then it can have a negative effect on your mental health. Um, and and so I think that that's what what it at least part of what it it's getting at. So I think having some natural light is is a
good thing. You you guys just have to decide as a board what is that threshold that we're willing to grant a variance down to. Um and I think that you the 5.8% that they're proposing is is fair but in the future if this variance comes
in front of you again and it's not 5.8% it's less than that or they're not providing the same you know amount of of artificial light. What are you willing to or how much are you willing to vary from the requirement? >> And there even talk about putting a glass door in that would bring about 75.
>> Yeah. So they have a a half glass door right now. And so the thought was well if we go to a full glass will that get us up to 8% and still left them a half a percent away from it uh based on the the uh square footage of the floor space. >> Right. >> So it's brought up onto our
consideration to approve this variance then. Correct. and um and approve it as it is. Um I would say for an expiration date until the the until the the
occupancy of the house would change. Would that something that we can approve on that then Paul? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so can I get a motion to approve um the
variance on >> 248 South Road >> 248 South Row Road Variance request? >> I propose a motion to approve 248 um South Road
variance. >> I'll second it. Um, roll call. Uh all in favor Dr. Christian Roman Ramirez I until the as expiration date until the the occupancy of the house would ch um would
change. >> Yes I Charles Paul Serene also approve the variance. >> Okay. Very well. So, we'll provide that to you in writing and then we'll I'll sign off on the um
building permit application. >> Okay. >> All through online. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you guys so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Yeah. Thank you. >> Um we go to 1.7 Ye Village update. Rick,
what can you tell us? Hi. Hi, M. Uh, I forgot his name. Um, >> Greg. >> Huh? >> His name is Greg. >> Greg. Hi, Greg. >> Hi, Greg. >> Hi. Uh, um, what are the updates about
Ye Village um, regarding our request? Um Rick, >> so originally the um the board had uh put a deadline on taking care of um the issues by August 21st.
Um, and so Bridget did an inspection on August 21st, uh, and went through and there was one thing that she noted as far as a violation and it was, you know, there was, I guess, to say it was much
better than the last time that we were there. And I'll read Bridget's note as far as that goes. Um so it said major improvements noted during inspection uh keep up with daily cleaning and organization to maintain kitchen in a clean and sanitary manner. Uh there
would be a reinspection in 6 weeks plus or minus and so the you general cleanliness of the kitchen was much better. The entire floor had been cleaned. Um things were were properly stored. Um some things were date
labeled. And so the the thing that we noticed is it it wasn't everything that we would have liked to see date labeled. And so that was the one thing that Bridget knowed in the inspection report is that you they they had to get you know everything that was going into the fridge that uh required date labeling
needed to be labeled. Um but but there were some significant improvements made um for for that inspection. I guess you know Greg if if you want to talk and and let the board know what you've done since that August 21st. Well, we have right we have uh put a new new floor in
in the uh kitchen area. >> Okay. >> A brand new floor basically um that uh Bridget previously you know requested I would say a year ago maybe and we have done done it. Uh
we also hired a uh a cleaning company that cleans the floor and power wash the walls and floors um >> okay periodically not you know every I would say every four five weeks >> okay
>> so in term of that we we have come to a term that you know we have to keep everything in order >> okay >> and it has it has improved >> okay >> I mean uh I think uh we we come to a conclusion, you know, we have keep it up.
>> We have done that, >> right? Well, thank you. >> And and I think Greg, I I really appreciate your you you you place your word on it and and and I really appreciate that uh all the positive feedback that Rick and our senarians um
from the show board of health have brought up. Um, we wanted a perfect world to everything be in in perfect compliance, of course. So, uh, but I'm very happy that you were able to to get
most of the task done. Um, we hope that, um, we'll get you >> we'll get you in full compliance. >> Like I say, we this past year had had first part of the year wasn't good for the family. So I hope you understand
that >> with a loss of quite tragic family members but we we have gone through that so we moving forward in that next steps you know. >> Okay.
again. Sorry for your loss. >> Okay. >> Um, >> so you unless the the board has anything else to say or any um, you know, requests of of Greg, then Bridget will complete that inspection in in the six
weeks from that August 21st date. Um, so probably, >> you know, three to four more weeks and then we'll um we'll provide the board with the results of that inspection. >> Okay, >> perfect. >> Yes. Thank you very much, Rick. Rick, thank you very much for coming to the board. Okay.
>> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. 1.8 on the new sticker program presentation. Um I have here let me see if I'm able to
share it. Give me one moment. What you have is your high school yearbook picture up there. It doesn't open his high school yearbook picture. There you go. It did not come through.
Oh, I think it's your computer screen's come through. Hear us next open. I see looking at your computer
screen of the sun setting, but there's nothing else showing up. Uh Kristen, I think you're you're muted >> right now. I'm trying to up up um to upload my presentation
and let me see here. [Music] Oh, here am I. Okay. >> It's like a white border. >> Okay. Yeah, the I would guess. >> Oh, anybody in town?
>> It's broadcasting. >> All right. Okay. I apologize for the for the presentation. Um we we are still missing some numbers of course. Um but these are the numbers that we have as of right
now. Um, we have here the revenue that we have for the for the program, the subtotal office payments for the trash program, which is $161,197. Um, plus the online payments for the
program, which is $89,000. Um way zero for the purple bags $78,64 with 24 and the transfer from stabilization 160,000
giving us a total amount of 40 $488,261 with 24. And these have been the expenses that that we have incurred for the creation of the sticker. 6,187.09
um low publishing 20724 um the stipen um for for administrating the program $3,000. Oh, wait. What?
Um, we have invest on a safe $89 with 50. Um, labels for share drivers $21 with 22 and the TEO stickers $5,000.
Um as of September 18th we've given 2,150 stickers um which has been issued. Four of them are um are were given because there were defective stickers.
As of right now, we don't have a report on the tonnage on on on the trash that's been um that has been collected because the program has just started. And plus
um plus um plus for for the purpose of the program, we are not including the municipal trash. So, um, hopefully by the end of next
month, we could have I'm able to have a little bit more numbers, but for the sake of of of of the agenda, I wanted to bring the numbers that we um that we had um in front of you regarding the
program. Um, any questions? Okay. Um, let's go to 1.9, the curbside trash and recycling contract update. Um, as of
last week, we are still waiting for Shaws to to bring us back the contract. I don't have any current updates regarding that. I know that it was um I know that they're still working on it.
So, um hopefully by the next meeting we'll have some news about that. Um minutes 1.2 10 continued 1.11 invoices. Do we have any invoices, Rick? >> Paul's gone. >> Yes, I have um invoices here. We have
AT&T $4545. Um Betty Mills uh for the needles. Uh I believe that's the pickup fee. >> Yeah. For $96.75. We have East Coast Electronics,
uh, General Revolving. Okay. Oh, all right. >> It must be where it's coming from, but it's electronics recycling. >> Yes. $675 of the recycling. >> Yeah. Okay. >> N SoAnoba
Association uh Board of Health uh is $13,52.86 86 for a total of $13,8706. >> Okay. >> Any questions on any of these?
>> I don't have any questions. >> Okay. He knows. All right. So, do we call a motion to pay these or >> uh you sign them? Um
I I um you I'll submit a motion to h to have approved those bills to be signed and pay off. >> I second the motion. >> Okay. Um roll call. Dr. Christian Roman Ramirez I and approval to that and
Charles Paul Serene I to also approve it. Okay. Silent >> and we have 1.12 increase for sharps container disposal continue on 1014.
Um then we have 1.13 signage for the board of health office inside and outside. Um I think there um we need to come up with some sort of of um of a language on
the um identifying the border health office because apparently they're they're at the outside of the door there is not identified and that has to be done by code. But also um if I'm not mistaken
correctly uh we need to come up with the language on a sign for people to realize that they should come to the office in good behavior. >> Take a deep breath and then come >> I don't know the sign like that. Please
take a deep breath and then walk in and move something nice. Yeah, I know Carla was potentially working on something because she had um some some angry uh residents come in and so um you I'm not too sure where where
that stands. Um last I I knew I thought something had to be presented to the board of selectmen for them to adopt a policy on kind of office conduct. >> Okay. All right. I think we should I think we should um for the next meeting
I don't know come up with some sort of a language that we can present to the select board as a as a policy um for town hall at least. But for for right now, that should
pertain um to the board of health because right now people are coming to pick up the stickers and people have to be held accountable for their actions and they need to understand that we have only one employee for the board of health and um and and she's doing this
not only because she's salaried but also because um she loves working with the public. So, what are your thoughts about that, Paul? Um, I believe yes, we need to have a
policy um and asking people to refrain from vow vowel language. uh refrain from raising their voice and take a deep breath, bite your tongue, and let's get through this. Um, but I
don't know how to put that into words on the side. That's not going to work, too. So, >> well, I think I think that we should um we can talk about it more when Todd is back so that we can have a full board and and brainstorm as a full board to
talk more about that. So, that's something that's going to be continued on the next meeting. Then >> we'll be back. >> And 1.14 the memorandum of understanding for the sticker program update. I know that the union had signed in. Um I don't
have any updates regarding that as of that as of yet either. So that's going to be um continue on the next meeting then. >> Okay. It's also
and 1.15 next meeting tobacco fees to be determined on the next meeting. Um any other questions, concerns? >> So I think um is Carla going to be back for for this meeting to put an agenda
together? >> Yeah, I believe so because um it's going to be two weeks only. So I believe that she's going to be back. Okay. Okay. >> Okay.
>> Um, not having any other motions or considerations, can I get a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? >> I'll call a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting. >> Okay. I'll I'll second that. Dr.
Christian Roman Ramirez. Um and all in favor to adjourn tonight meeting say um by roll call Dr. Question Roman Ramirez I >> and Charles Paul Serene I >> and meeting adjured at 6:32 p.m. All
right.