Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Meeting Held Via Zoom Thursday, March 11, 2021, 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: January 14, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the meeting minutes of January 14, 2021. 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 January 11-March 5, 2021. Ms. McGrath stated the majority of complaints are COVID-19 related, such as masks, social distancing requirements in restaurants, cleaning of debit card readers, restaurant capacity, and also fitness class capacity. There have also been some trash complaints. Ms. McGrath outlined the current capacity rates per the Governor, and the plan to move to Phase 4 of opening on March 22 if the COVID-19 rates continue to drop. New Business: Request for Keeping of Animals Permit Tingting Xue, 98 Prospect Street North (2 chickens) Tingting Xue was present before the Board via Zoom. Ms. McGrath stated the applicant is requesting the keeping of 2 chickens on her property. The coop would be behind the dwelling near the garage and would be 10 feet off the rear and side property lines. All direct abutters have been notified and none have provided feedback in objection to or support of this request. Dr. Nedelman noted that the notices were hand delivered. Ms. McGrath confirmed that she discussed this with the Town Solicitor who stated this is an acceptable method of notification. Dr. Nedelman asked what the distance is from the back of the house to the proposed coop. Ms. Xue stated it is Braintree Board of Health, March 11, 2021 Page 2 of 3 approximately 20 feet. Ms. McGrath stated the manure will be composted. She notified the applicant to prevent wildlife entering the coop area the fencing should be buried into the ground. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the request for 2 chickens, 98 Prospect Street North. Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes Ryan O’Rourke, 14 Tingley Road (12 chickens) Ryan O’Rourke was present before the Board via Zoom. Ms. McGrath stated the applicant is requesting the keeping of up to 12 chickens. The proposed coop is 3 x 3 x 3 feet with a 5 x 10 foot fenced run. The manure will be composted. The coop will be adjacent to a shed, 10 feet from the side and rear property lines. The direct abutters have been notified. Ms. McGrath stated she feels 12 chickens is excessive for a property this size. Mr. O’Rourke stated 6 chickens would be acceptable. He stated the run is fenced, as well as the yard, to protect the chickens. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the request for 6 chickens, 14 Tingley Road Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes Dr. Bregoli expressed concern that abutter notifications may not indicate the number of chickens an applicant is requesting. Ms. McGrath stated that going forward she will ask the applicants to include the number of chickens requested on their abutter notifications. Request for Variance of Lifeguard Provision, Royal Lake Condominium, 3 Royal Lake Drive Ms. McGrath stated that Royal Lake Condominiums did not open their pool last year due to COVID-19 restrictions so there is no bather load data. They are hoping to open the pool this year and are moving forward with this request. She reported that traditionally this property has a very low bather usage. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the request for variance of lifeguard provision, Royal Lake Condominium, 3 Royal Lake Drive Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes Braintree Board of Health, March 11, 2021 Page 3 of 3 Informational: Ms. McGrath reported that effective March 1 the Governor stopped sending COVID vaccines to local municipalities. The Mayor is working with Brewster Ambulance to try to partner on vaccines, but they too are dependent on the state to provide vaccine doses. The town will be completing the second dose clinics and Brewster will be running a first dose clinic to complete vaccinations for the 75+ year old community. She stated to date they have been able to vaccinate approximately 1500 residents, first responders, and clinicians. Ms. McGrath announced that Norfolk County Mosquito Control will be starting their annual spring aerial larvicide application for wetlands. In May the town will be offering their annual rabies clinic. Next Meeting: April 15, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Nedelman-yes; Dr. Bregoli-yes