Board of Health

No Meeting in August September 03, 2015 An organizational meeting was held at 5:00 p.m. Present were: Ian Murray, Chairman; John Bogdasarian, M.D. Member, Sandra Knipe, R.N. B.S.N. Member; Stephen Curry, Director; Mark Piermarini, Whitman & Bingham. Local Upgrade Approval: Mark Piermarini, Whitman & Bingham is here seeking a (LUA) Local Upgrade approval for 1450 Rindge Road according to 310 CMR 15.405. There is a strip of wetland that goes through the back of the property. He has already been before the Conservation Commission and was approved with an order of conditions. They had him add an impervious barrier on both sides toward the wetlands in the proposed plans. Due to conditions of the site at the time of the percolation testing and high ground water, the soil was sent out for a sieve analysis. The proposed system will be mounded with a septic tank to a pump chamber. He is asking for a 3 foot separation of ground water from 4 feet and a separation reduction from 50 feet to 34 feet from the wetlands. The property has city water. The land testing was conducted on May 6, 2015. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the 3 foot separation of ground water from 4 feet. Ian Murray seconded the motion. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the reduction of the required 50 foot separation between the leach field and wetlands to 34 feet. Ian Murray seconded the motion. Minutes of Meetings: Minutes of July 09 and July 23 meetings were accepted as presented. Staff Reports: A short discussion took place regarding reportable diseases and follow up regarding the Public Health Nurse report. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the Nurse’s reports for July and August. Ian Murray seconded the motion. At the last meeting the Food & Milk Inspector’s reports were submitted from January to April of 2014. The 2014 Food & Milk Inspector’s reports have been submitted in their entirety. We are close to completing the 2014 BOH Annual Report. Food establishments are inspected twice a year which is mandated by the State. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the Food & Milk Inspector’s reports for 2014. Dr. Bogdasarian seconded the motion. Bill H.1950 – Continued Discussion: At the last meeting the Board agreed to have our Director write a letter regarding Bill H.1950. Mr. Curry discussed the Bill with members of the Montachusett Public Health Network (MPHN). The members didn’t think the bill would go anywhere and were not interested in writing a letter. Sandra Knipe was not happy with this decision and feels that the bill is not in the best interest of public health. Representatives John Zlotknik, of Gardner and Paul Frost, of Auburn are sponsoring the Bill. The MPHN folks do not think the bill will survive. Our Director felt that the letter would have more substance if all eleven communities were involved. Mr. Curry did some research before the meeting; there has been no action on the bill since July 14, 2015. The Board decided to hold off on sending a letter but would like to keep the bill on the agenda for future discussion. Dr. Bogdasarian received a letter and articles from Dr. Lester Hartman regarding the Tobacco 21 Initiative. The packet will be scanned and sent to the board members to review. The Board also discussed the opioid crisis in Fitchburg and the surrounding towns. The MPHN with Fitchburg as lead agency of the Eastern towns have just received a Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative grant from DPH-BSAS totaling $100,000 a year, with the potential for seven years or $700,000. This is in addition to the Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative grant (MOAPC) which also has the potential for 7 years and $700,000 towards this and other substance abuse prevention. There are several strategies already in place and ongoing in these grants to assist with the crisis. LUK will be the subcontractor to provide a Coordinator and to meet grant requirements. Ian Murray is very interested and would like to be involved with the grant. The Health Department recently sponsored an Overdose Vigil and it was attended by approximately fifty people. Sharps containers were given out and educational flyers were available on numerous topics regarding substance and opioid use and abuse. Narcan trainings were advertised as well as the how to handle and dispose unused and unwanted medications. Sandra Knipe was under the impression that CHC could not dispense Narcan. Our Director stated that not only is the CHC issuing Narcan, the MPHN has contracted with them to cover the cost of Narcan for those who can’t afford it. The police have used Narcan eleven times within the past two weeks; the fire department about thirty seven times this year. There has been eleven deaths this year due to overdoses in the city. Ian Murray asked if there has been any repeat offenders. Our director responded that it is a big concern of the police. Their fear is that users will push it to the limit because of Narcan. According to Dr. Bogdasarian, there are overdoses every day in the ER at Leominster Hospital. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is tracking who gets treatment or will start requiring treatment for those after Narcan is administered. The Quilt is projected to be in Fitchburg on September 21, 2015 for two weeks. It was generated in Denver, Colorado at the All-America City Conference. There were 130 applicants; Fitchburg was one of twenty five finalists. The Board discussed various places where the quilt could be displayed as well as a press release. Ian Murray made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Bogdasarian seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:05p.m. Respectively Submitted, Tina M. Kreidler Principal Clerk/Stenographer