Board of Health

Office of the Board of Health City Hall 166 Boulder Drive – Suite 108 Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 978-829-1870 An organizational meeting was held on October 6, 2016 at 5:00 pm. Present were: Ian Murray, Chairman; John Bogdasarian, M.D. Member; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N. Member; Stephen Curry, Director; Valerie Sibley-Daigle, Northland Engineers; Chris Knuth, Leominster BOH, John Bizzotto, Resident; Michael Donnelly, Resident. Local Upgrade Approval Title 5 for 566 Mt. Elam Road: Chris Knuth is here to represent Mr. Bizzotto; 1) Requesting a Local Upgrade approval for a 3ft. offset to ground water instead of the required four foot separation. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the Local Upgrade Approval. Ian Murray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carries. Local Upgrade Approval for 1282 Ashby State Road: 2) Requesting a Local Upgrade approval for a reduction of the one foot in the required offset to estimated season high water. Valorie Sibley-Daigle is here on behalf of Herve Boucher to request a LUA for 1282 Ashby State Road. The original septic tank was installed behind the house with leach pit at 7 ft. from the surface grade. The backyard has several drainage swales, high ground water, so this design utilized the down slope of the front yard to allow for a gravity feed leaching field. Ms. Daigle stated this home as failed Title 5 inspection due to the depth of the leaching pit into the estimated Season High Water. The area has a ground water at 36” below grade and there are no wells in this neighborhood restricting the space available for the leaching area, however, the space down grade between the house and the roadway is minimal. The proposed design utilizes the small area in the front of the lot and will require a poly barrier to comply with the breakout fill and this design requires a one-foot reduction in the offset to the estimated season high water. Mr. Curry asked what the plan is for the leach pit in the back of the house. Ms. Daigle responded it would have to be destroyed under the code which states it has to be inspected and pumped clear, and then destroyed. Ms. Knipe asked if there is a well. Ms. Daigle stated it’s on town water. Mr. Curry suggested making a condition to pump the leach field and destroy it. Sandra Knipe made a motion for a one foot reduction with the condition that the previous leach field be pumped and destroyed. Ian Murray seconded motion. All were in favor. Motion carries. Tobacco Regulation Update Discussion: Chris Knuth stated Gardner will hold their public hearing on October 24, Leominster on October 25, after that Joan Hamlett would like to have a meeting to discuss when the Board wants to vote on the flavor ban. Mr. Curry suggested making this a tri-city effort and to put this back on the agenda for the November meeting for discussion as to what the other towns do based on the outcome of their hearings. Meeting of the Meeting: Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the September 1, 2016 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Recycle Dividends Grant Approval – FY 17: Mr. Curry stated the Recycle Dividend Grant is from the Department of Environmental Protection. This grant is an annual grant for the last three years and funding is based on a point value system based on the number of households served by the city’s curbside collection and disposal program. In FY“15” we received $6600, FY”16” $19,000, this year FY”17” 26,500. The expenditures will go before the City Council for approval. Expenditures will be funding an educational program on line for residents to get information on how to properly dispose items and will also provide a recycle calendar, and enhance school recycling. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the Recycle Dividends Grant and approve the expenditures. Motion was seconded by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Tobacco Flavor Ban: Mr. Curry stated there are two letters of support for the record. Doris Leger - Fitchburg resident, Adrian Ford - Three Pyramids, Fitchburg. Fats, Oil & Grease Ordinance: Mr. Curry stated many surrounding towns have regulations regarding Fat, Oil & Grease (FOG) from restaurants and commercial kitchens. Fitchburg does not have a regulation and feels the Board should not be making these decisions. The Wastewater Commissioner has designed an ordinance that will require all commercial kitchens to install a device that removes grease from the sewer system. This ordinance is now being proposed to the City Council on an informal basis for feedback. This ordinance will affect over two hundred food establishments in the city. The BOH visits these facilities twice a year and will have a place in enforcing the health end of this to make sure they are properly maintaining their systems and keeping the grease, oil & fats out of the sewer system. Staff Reports: Food & Milk Inspectors’ reports for June-September 2016. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the reports. Motion was seconded by Dr. Bogdasarian. All in favor. Motion carries.  Nurse’s reports for June-August 2016. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the reports. Motion was seconded by Dr. Bogdasarian. All in favor. Motion carries Sanitary Inspector reports for June-September 2016. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the reports. Motion was seconded by Dr. Bogdasarian. All in favor. Motion carries. Next meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2016. Ian Murray made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Dr. Bogdasarian. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.