Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Johnson Meeting Room, Town Hall 1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree MA Thursday, October 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m. IN ATTENDANCE: Dr. Arthur Bregoli, Chairman Dr. Philip Nedelman, Vice Chairman Laurie Melchionda, Clerk ALSO PRESENT: Marybeth McGrath, Director of ML & I Dr. Bregoli called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Meeting Minutes: September 13, 2018 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the meeting minutes of September 13, 2018 Second By: Dr. Bregoli Voted 2-0-1 (Melchionda abstained) List of Complaints: The Board reviewed a list of complaints received from September 10 - October 12, 2018. Board members asked if a results or resolution column could be added to this report in the future. Ms. McGrath stated she would look into this, as a software program generates this report. New Business: 1) Request for Well Variance (Roadway Setbacks), 28 Elmwood Avenue Ms. McGrath stated that the applicant is requesting a permit for the installation of an irrigation well. The proposed location of the well will meet the setback to the dwelling, which is 10 feet, and to the back property line which is 25 feet. However, it will not meet the roadway setback. The inspector has been to the property and does not foresee any problem. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman that the request for variance be approved. Second By: Mrs. Melchionda Unanimously Voted Old Business: 2) Sierra Club Presentation, Natural Gas Infrastructure (tabled from August 2018 meeting) Braintree Board of Health, October 18, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Ms. McGrath stated that Dr. Steve Jones is going to provide a presentation via conference call. She checked with the Town Solicitor, who indicated a conference call is allowable in this instance since the presenter is not an elected or appointed official. Within the Board’s meeting packet was informational materials provided by Dr. Jones for their review. Ms. McGrath was able to successfully establish the conference call with Dr. Jones, who offered his presentation. Dr. Jones stated he is a public health physician and worked many years for the Centers for Disease Control. He stated they are asking the board to consider the risks involved with natural gas and to possibly write letters to the Governor and Commissioner of Public Health outlining their concerns and asking for a comprehensive health impact assessment for pipelines, compressors, and storage facilities. Dr. Jones stated that gas companies are required to report what is in their gas, and they report that it contains carcinogens, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and radioactive elements like radon. Burning of natural gas can contribute to respiratory trouble and premature death. It affects climate change and causes damage from fire and explosions. Cooking with gas can be harmful to children. A study showed that in homes where there were gas stoves that did not use ventilation there were increased rates of asthma and respiratory problems in children. He stated he has spoken to approximately 25 boards and some boards have been concerned enough to send out warnings to their communities. Dr. Nedelman asked if this discussion is addressing the proposed gas facility in Weymouth, or the danger of gas stoves in homes. Dr. Jones stated this is more about the fact that natural gas itself has risks and not specifically about Weymouth. However, the risks involved with gas would indicate that a compressor station in Weymouth is not a good idea. Dr. Jones stated that Braintree has 149 gas leaks, which is less than some of the larger communities like Springfield and Worcester, but is considerably more than most of the communities in Massachusetts. He stated the board may want to consider addressing this with town leadership and putting pressure on the gas company to fix these leaks. Dr. Jones stated this project started in April 2017 when Marcia Benes, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards sent a letter to all 351 boards in the Commonwealth asking them to consider the risks and to consider signing onto a group letter to the Governor. Some boards did not sign on, opting to send their own letters. Mrs. Melchionda asked if Dr. Jones has seen results of a comprehensive health assessment and has it been able to identify the actual risk pertaining to gas. Dr. Jones stated there is an assessment being conducted relative to Weymouth and this could serve as a model, though it is being done under time constraints. Braintree Board of Health, October 18, 2018 Page 3 of 4 Ms. McGrath stated she is not aware of any other assessments that have been done in Massachusetts. She is involved with the Weymouth assessment and they are getting close to completing it and the data is being evaluated. Dr. Bregoli asked how many children were assessed in the cross sectional study cited. Dr. Jones stated he does not have that information, but can send the entire article to the Board. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak to them. Ms. McGrath confirmed with Dr. Jones that he is asking that the Board review and consider drafting a letter to the Governor asking that any proposed new or expanded natural gas infrastructures be required to have a comprehensive health assessment. Dr. Jones stated that is one option, however, the Board can consider sending letters regarding any risk associated with natural gas that they are concerned about. He stated he will send a copy of a letter that Amherst sent as an example. Ms. McGrath read a statement from Mayor Sullivan expressing his opposition to the proposed compressor station in Weymouth and thanking the Board for their work. Dr. Bregoli stated he thought this presentation was going to focus on the proposed compressor station, not the overall dangers of gas. Dr. Nedelman asked if there is more asthma now as opposed to 40 years ago. Mrs. Melchionda stated there has definitely been an epidemic of diabetes and asthma from the late 1980’s into the 1990’s and she feels this has to be from an environmental source. Ms. McGrath stated that the Board should consider drafting a letter to the Governor asking that any proposed new or existing natural gas infrastructures be required to have a comprehensive health assessment done. Dr. Nedelman stated he is opposed to sending a letter. Ms. McGrath cited the recent problem with gas lines in the Merrimack Valley area. Dr. Nedelman stated he does not see a correlation with that situation and asked what alternative source of energy would be used as opposed to natural gas. Dr. Bregoli recognized audience members who wished to speak. Michael Cavanaugh of Sustainable Braintree stated the energy from the proposed compressor station in Weymouth is not going to be consumed in Massachusetts, it is going to be liquefied and exported. Braintree Board of Health, October 18, 2018 Page 4 of 4 Dr. Nedelman asked where they get their gas from now. Mr. Cavanaugh stated probably from a shale formation in Pennsylvania. He stated they do not need new sources of gas and Sustainable Braintree is in favor of renewable, clean energy which does not have contaminates, such as solar, battery storage, wind, and new technologies not yet developed. Dr. Nedelman asked if he would eliminate the use of natural gas in a perfect world. Mr. Cavanaugh stated he just removed gas from his home and only uses electricity, which is powered through gas, some nuclear, and solar. He stated the future of energy is not fossil fuels. Michael Lang, East Braintree Civic Association, addressed the Board. He stated one of the first projects he worked on was the Clean Harbors incinerator. He stated a health study was conducted in association with that project and they did pinpoint asthma and cancer clusters in the area. He stated in listening to this presentation he realized that he has a gas water heater that is vented to his chimney, but his gas stove is not vented at all. He stated this is something that should be considered. He recommended the Board take a look at this and start a conversation about perhaps better building codes and better venting in residences and public buildings. He stated his main concern right now is the compressor station which he has no doubt will cause serious problems. Dr. Bregoli stated he sees no issue with sending a letter to the Governor requesting a comprehensive health impact assessment for any natural gas infrastructure that is being proposed or expanded. Motion By: Mrs. Melchionda to prepare a letter to Governor Baker requesting a comprehensive health impact assessment be required for any new or expanded natural gas infrastructures to be sited/proposed in Massachusetts. Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted Motion By: Mrs. Melchionda to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted Next Board of Health Meeting: November 15, 2018