Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Johnson Meeting Room, Town Hall 1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree MA Thursday, February 13, 2020, 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: January 16, 2020 Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the meeting minutes of January 16, 2020. Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted List of Complaints: The board reviewed a list of complaints received from January 13- February 7, 2020. New Business: Request for Variance (Keeping of Chickens): Robert Osborne- 500 Grove Street Robert and Daniela Osborne were present before the Board. Ms. McGrath stated this residence is on Grove Street, across from Birch Street. The proposed coop will be 25 feet plus from the side and rear property lines and at least 25 feet plus from the house. All of the abutters were notified in writing and the property owner is in agreement. The request is for six chickens, no roosters, and they will compost the waste. They are constructing a 4 x 4 x 6 wooden building with an attached run with a fence. She recommended approval, as they do not anticipate any concerns. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the variance request to keep six chickens at 500 Grove Street. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted Informational: Review of Board of Health Tobacco Regulations (Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products and Smoke Free Workplaces and Public Places): Braintree Board of Health, February 13, 2020 Page 2 of 2 Ms. McGrath stated she is bringing this up for the Board’s consideration. There have been a lot of changes with the tobacco regulations at the state level. She stated there are specific requirements for convenience stores and specific requirements for vape shops. Vape Daddy voluntarily closed in December which raised the question about the number of permits in Braintree. The current cap is 40 licenses and if a license is turned in, it reduces the number of permits. They only allow a maximum of two vape store permits. The question raised is if a store voluntarily closes, does this reduce the cap of vape stores to one. She contacted the state with this question and they responded no, it does not reduce the number to one. Therefore, if the Board wants to reduce the cap to one there would have to be an amendment to the regulation. Ms. McGrath also stated that in the Smoke Free Workplaces regulation there is nothing that speaks on the prohibition of smoking bars, although the zoning bylaw prohibits them. She stated she would like to have something in the regulation prohibiting smoking bars. Dr. Bregoli stated he has no problem with maintaining the two licenses for vape shops, but would like to add a prohibition of smoking bars. It was decided that the Board members would consider these two items and discuss them at a future meeting. Ms. McGrath updated the Board on the Coronavirus. She stated she has been sending members updates she receives from the Department of Health and will continue to do so. Next Meeting: March 12, 2020 Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted