Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Meeting Held Via Zoom Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7:00 p.m. IN ATTENDANCE: Dr. Arthur Bregoli, Chairman Dr. Philip Nedelman, Vice Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Marybeth McGrath, Director of ML & I Dr. Bregoli called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. by roll call vote: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes Approval of Meeting Minutes: July 9, 2020 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the meeting minutes of July 9, 2020. Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes List of Complaints: The Board reviewed a list of complaints received from July 6-August 7, 2020. Dr. Nedelman asked if facemask complaints are made anonymously or if the complainants name is provided. Ms. McGrath stated that it can be either. Once they receive a complaint they go out and do an investigation and make an observation. If there is a violation found the establishment is advised of the progressive enforcement. The first violation is a verbal warning, second violation is a written warning, third violation is a monetary ticket, and fourth is a cease and desist. They would have to go to court if the issue went beyond a fourth violation. New Business: Request for Permit for Keeping of Animals: Amy Barber, Granite Academy, 6 Columbian Street Present before the Board via Zoom was Amy Barber. Ms. McGrath stated Ms. Barber is requesting a permit for up to 2 lambs. She stated she is the Director of Granite Academy. A map has been provided outlining where the lambs would be kept. The area is fenced and there is a locked gate. Amy Carey has visited the Braintree Board of Health, August 13, 2020 Page 2 of 3 site and conducted an inspection and they meet all the required setbacks. The only abutter has been notified and signed off on receiving that notification. Amy Barber stated Granite Academy is a special needs school for students with social and emotional disabilities. Lambs can be very therapeutic and will be part of their curriculum. Ms. McGrath stated there was only one previous time when the Board was asked to approve a lamb permit, which was for the Braintree Historical Society, and she is unsure if that came to fruition. Dr. Bregoli stated he has no problem with the keeping of lambs on this property, as there is plenty of land. Dr. Nedelman expressed concern that the animals be well cared for. Ms. McGrath asked how they plan on protecting the lambs from wildlife. The applicant stated there is a 4 foot fence around their enclosure, as well as a 15 x 15 foot shed that has heat and cooling and they will be locked in there each night. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the permit for 2 lambs at Granite Academy, 6 Columbian Street Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes Floyd Cornell, 160 Jefferson Street Ms. McGrath stated Mr. and Mrs. Cornell are requesting a permit for up to 6 chickens. She stated a plot plan has been provided and the property meets all the required setbacks. All direct abutters has been notified and they have not received any calls objecting to this request. A detailed plan has been provided on how they plan to maintain and keep the animals. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the permit for 6 chickens at 160 Jefferson Street Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes Informational: Ms. McGrath stated beach testing has been satisfactory. There were a few high readings at Smith Beach, however, they are now doing well and the results have been coming back satisfactory. She stated they have been doing well with COVID-19, there are very few to no cases on a daily basis. They will continue to monitor this on a daily basis. She stated they will no longer be sending out reports on the weekend, although they will still be working on the weekends to ensure everything is being tracked. Braintree Board of Health, August 13, 2020 Page 3 of 3 Dr. Bregoli asked if the Board will be continuing with Zoom meetings. Ms. McGrath stated for the time being they will continue and if that changes she will let them know. Next Meeting: September 17, 2020 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes