Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Meeting Held Via Zoom Thursday, July 15, 2021, 7:00 p.m. IN ATTENDANCE: Dr. Arthur Bregoli, Chairman Dr. Philip Nedelman, Vice Chairman Juliana Melchionda, Member 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; Ms. Melchionda-yes Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 13, 2021 and June 10, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the minutes of May 13, 2021. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the minutes of June 10, 2021. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes List of Complaints: The Board reviewed a list of complaints received from June 7-July 9, 2021. Ms. McGrath stated there has been a decline in COVID related complaints since the regulations have wound down. There has been an increase in rodent complaints, traffic complaints and animal manure complaints. She has found that some of the rodent complaints are due to bird feeders, gardens, and construction. Dr. Nedelman asked if Ms. McGrath has heard any reports on taking down bird feeders. She stated the news is reporting that bird feeders and bird baths should be taken down due to a virus impacting birds in certain parts of the country, but there has been no directive from the state regarding this. New Business: Request for Variance of Well Regulation, Joseph Eck, 80 Hollingsworth Avenue Braintree Board of Health, July 15, 2021 Page 2 of 3 Joseph Eck was present before the Board via Zoom. Ms. McGrath stated there is currently a well on this property, however, they are requesting a variance to install a new well. The proposed well would be 11 feet off the dwelling, 73 feet off Hollingsworth Avenue, 26 feet off Weston Avenue and greater than 25 feet off the rear property line. The applicant is seeking a property line variance as well as a roadway variance. Mr. Eck indicated the existing well no longer produces water. This well was only drilled to 300+ feet and the new well will be approximately 600 feet. Ms. McGrath stated all direct abutters have been notified and she has not heard from any of them either for or against. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the request for variance of well regulation 80 Hollingsworth Avenue Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Request for Variance of Well Regulation, Sunny Ching, 91 Messina Woods Drive Ms. McGrath stated the applicant is seeking a variance to setback of the property line and the roadway. The proposed well will be 60 feet off the roadway, 5 feet off Jensen Farm Road, Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the request for variance of well regulation, 91 Messina Woods Drive Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Request for Variance of Well Regulation, Michael Nguyen, 41 Jensen Farm Road Ms. McGrath stated this is an abutter to the property just approved on Messina Woods Drive. The applicant is requesting a setback to the property line and roadway. The proposed well would be 60 feet off the roadway and 5 feet off the property line. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the request for variance of well regulation, 41 Jensen Farm Road Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Braintree Board of Health, July 15, 2021 Page 3 of 3 Request for Variance of Well Regulation, Anton Truong, 47 Fallon Circle Ms. McGrath stated the applicant is requesting a variance of the roadway setback only. The proposed well would be 30 feet off the roadway. All abutters have been notified and have done a signoff. She has not heard from any of the abutters either for or against. Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the request for variance of well regulation, 47 Fallon Circle Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Informational: Ms. McGrath stated that Braintree’s COVID-19 numbers have remained low, from 0-3. Numbers across the country have been increasing, and a lot of the cases are those who are fully vaccinated. She will be following this closely as the start of school gets closer and hopes that some guidelines will be available prior to that time. Ms. McGrath stated they have been conducting beach testing and were doing well up until last week when they hit a spike at Smith Beach. When there is heavy rain the DEP allows pumping of stormwater overflow into the Monatiquot River, impacting Smith Beach because of the tide changes. The beach has been closed and was retested yesterday with a result in the satisfactory level, however, once she calculates the geometric mean the numbers may be too high and the beach may have to be closed again. Ms. Melchionda asked what the town’s policy is on homeless people. Ms. McGrath stated when the Health Department is involved they work closely with the Police Department and Father Bill’s in Quincy. They also work with Manet Community Health Center who do a lot of work with the homeless community. Ms. Melchionda reported a location where she has noted a homeless man. Ms. McGrath stated she will contact the Police Department about this. Next Meeting: August 12, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes