Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Meeting Held Via Zoom Thursday, August 11, 2022, 7:00 p.m. IN ATTENDANCE: Dr. Arthur Bregoli, Chairman Dr. Philip Nedelman, Vice Chairman Juliana Melchionda, Clerk ALSO PRESENT: Marybeth McGrath, Director of ML & I Dr. Bregoli called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. by roll call vote: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Approval of Meeting Minutes: June 22, 2022 and July 14, 2022 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the minutes of June 22, 2022 (Joint Meeting) Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the minutes of July 14, 2022 Second By: Dr. Nedelman 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 July 11-August 8, 2022. Ms. McGrath stated they are continuing to receive widespread complaints about rodent activity and they work with the residents to try to identify the sources. She stated the drought is increasing the rodent populations’ activity to look for water. They are continuing to work on the Skyline Drive property regarding housing and building code violations on the property. New Business: Request for Variance of Well Regulation: Gail & Robert Marini, 111 Sycamore Road (roadway setback) Gail Marini was present before the Board via Zoom. Braintree Board of Health, August 11, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Ms. McGrath stated the applicant would like to install an irrigation well. Staff has conducted a site inspection of the property. They would like to place the well in the front of the property, 10-17 feet from the front of the house. This would create a 53 to 63 foot setback depending on where the equipment is able to sink the well. Ms. McGrath stated they see no problem with the request. All direct abutters have signed off and she has received no comments. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the Variance of Well Regulation, 111 Sycamore Road. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Robert Herbst, 31 Hollis Avenue (roadway setback) Robert Herbst was present before the Board via Zoom. Ms. McGrath stated the applicant would like to install an irrigation well on their property. They are also installing a pool. There is no way of getting well equipment into the back yard. They are proposing 27 feet from the side property line, 10 feet from the structure, and 28 feet to the property line. They have a public water supply that is 21 feet from the proposed well location. The only place they could put the well is next to the driveway and they meet all setbacks except the roadway setback. Ms. McGrath sees no problem with the request. The abutters have been notified and no one has expressed concern. Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the Variance of Well Regulation, 31 Hollis Avenue. Second By: Dr. Bregoli Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Bodywork Establishment & Therapist Permits: Bodywork Establishment Permit Application, Kimberly Messing Hair Design, 533 Washington Street Bodywork Therapist Permit Application, Marilyn Meaney Kimberly Messing and Marilyn Meaney were present before the Board via Zoom. Ms. McGrath stated there are two components to this request. Marilyn Meaney is requesting a Bodywork Therapist Permit to operate at Kimberly Messing Hair Design. Ms. Meaney has done training and provided training documents which are included in the Board’s packet. Dr. Nedelman asked what type of treatment would be provided. Marilyn Meaney stated she will be providing Reiki therapy, which is a hands off treatment that Braintree Board of Health, August 11, 2022 Page 3 of 4 sends energy to the client. She does not do massage or body manipulation. It is a healing treatment. She would only touch the client if they requested it, and this would be a light touch to provide healing. Dr. Nedelman asked what the average length of time is that she spends with a patient. Ms. Meaney stated anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour. She stated the patient would be completely clothed and she would change the roll of paper for the treatment area between each patient. Ms. Melchionda stated her employer brought in Reiki therapists for their nursing staff during Covid and she participated. She stated it is very holistic and similar to a guided meditation to relieve stress. She feels this type of therapy is helpful for mental health at this time. Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the Bodywork Establishment permit for Kimberly Messing Hair Design, 533 Washington Street Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the Bodywork Therapist permit for Marilyn Meaney Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Informational: Covanta Operations/Recycling Center, Request for Extension/Juneteenth Holiday: Ms. McGrath stated Jeff Kunz, the Solid Waste Manager for the town, is requesting the Board signoff on this request to allow the Recycling Center to remain open on one additional holiday, Juneteenth, a federal holiday which falls in June. Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the request to allow the transfer station to remain open on the Juneteenth federal holiday. Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Ms. McGrath reported they continue to do beach testing and have had a very good season despite having a prolonged drought, which can impact water quality. Aside from one incident at Sunset Lake earlier in the season they have had no incidents. They will continue to test until the last week of August. Ms. McGrath stated she expects the flu vaccine doses to arrive at the end of August or early September so she can schedule the clinics. They do not have enough funding to Braintree Board of Health, August 11, 2022 Page 4 of 4 order the high dose senior vaccine but will offer Quadrivalent. She has not heard from the state regarding additional Covid vaccine doses. The state has offered Braintree over 7,000 additional Covid test kits and they are moving quickly. Ms. Melchionda asked if there is data available that would show seniors getting the flu because they did not have the higher dose vaccine. Ms. McGrath stated she does not have any data but could look into it. Ms. McGrath stated that the state is anticipating a higher rate of flu cases this year with people socializing more and not wearing masks. Ms. McGrath reported the state recently announced that local communities will take over doing any investigations if there are cases of monkeypox in the community. Ms. Melchionda asked what the next steps are for the proposed marijuana facility since the zoning change has been approved for distribution and cultivation. Ms. McGrath stated this will be a long process. The applicant will now have to submit an application for the facility to the Planning Board. They also have to be approved by the state Cannabis Control Commission. Ms. Melchionda expressed concern with the proposed plan to put a park area with benches and tables at this facility, which is located at the end of the Red Line, as it would create a public health problem. Ms. McGrath stated she will make note of this concern and does not anticipate this facility being operational for at least 1.5 years. Dr. Bregoli stated he does not want to see any marijuana sold in Braintree, other than medicinal. Ms. McGrath reminded the Board that there is a medical marijuana facility opening at the old site of Pier One whose permitting is controlled by the state only, Braintree has no say. Since Braintree does not allow retail sale of marijuana the facility for recreational cannot deliver in Braintree, it will only be allowed to cultivate and distribute, with distribution outside of Braintree only. Next Meeting: September 15, 2022 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes