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 June 7, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Present: Ian Murray, Chairman; Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N., Member; Dr. John Bogdasarian, M.D, Member, Jean- Francois Leblanc. Private Well Regulations discussion and adoption: Mr. Leblanc stated MASSDEP developed a model BOH Regulation for Private Wells for the use by Boards of Health in adopting a municipal regulation governing private wells, water testing and water quality within their borders. Statewide it is understood that well regulations are only from local BOH’s. The state doesn’t have any regulation or laws pertaining to well drilling aside from well drillers being registered with the state and being permitted by DEP to drill wells. It is highly recommended that the Board develop standardized forms for information requested of private well owners. Such forms may include the following; Well Construction Permit Application, Pumping Test Reports, Water Quality Report and/or Water Supply Certificate Application. These regulations would entail Well Drillers to be permitted in the city along with fees associated with it. The well drillers would have to follow the Board’s regulation as to how a well has to be drilled and where a well can be drilled. This regulation would force the well driller to perform a water test once the well is drilled. These regulations would apply to new wells being dug not wells that are currently in place unless the home is being sold. The regulations are based on MASS DEP recommendations. The owner of every well used for drinking water including those serving a property which is rented or leased shall have its water tested at a Massachusetts certified laboratory for the following chemical and bacteriological parameters at a minimum of once every two years. The owner of a rental property shall make results of all water quality tests available to all tenants of the property and the BOH. In cases where the well water does not meet the water quality standards outline above, the BOH may require the property owner to provide an alternative approved source of drinking water for the tenants. See attached Board of Health Regulations for Private Wells. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the proposed Well Regulations as presented and put into effect on September 7, 2018. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Meeting Minutes Review & Approval: Ms. Knipe stated Joan Hamlett is listed as being present at the meeting but she was not present that evening. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to approve the May 3, 2018 meeting minutes as amended. Sandra Knipe 2nd the motion as amended. All were in favor. Motion carries. Condemnation; 153 River St: Mr. Curry stated the owner of 153 River St has been deceased since 2014. The property has not been officially foreclosed therefore the Board ordered based upon the findings of inspections the entire property be condemned and finds the entire dwelling is unfit for human habitation. The occupants were ordered to vacate the building immediately. The building has been boarded and secured to prevent vagrants from entering. The side porch on the dwelling and the shed structures located on the side of the building are collapsing. The occupants were ordered to clean the property including the interior of the property of all trash and debris. The occupants failed to do so, so the Dept. cleaned the property, porches and barn of trash and will lien the property for costs incurred. Condemnation; 130 South St: Mr. Curry stated 130 South St based upon the findings of inspections the entire property be condemned and finds the entire dwelling is unfit for human habitation. The property wasn’t occupied at the time of inspection however there were serious roof leaks, plastic swimming pools catching water on the third floor and several other violations. The property is currently in foreclosure. Landfill Utility Easement Approval: Mr. Curry stated the first section at the entry way of the Landfill (Scalehouse) is owned by the City of Fitchburg. There are telephone poles on the road in that section along the entry way that power the Scale House and the Power plant. This Easement will give Verizon and Massachusetts Electric Company the ability to go onto the property to install, construct, reconstruct, repair, replace, add to, maintain and operate for the transmission and/or distribution of intelligence and telecommunications that is currently there. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the Landfill Utility Easement proposal as presented. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Forest Hill Cemetery Expansion: The Cemetery Department and DPW is proposing to expand Forest Hill Cemetery. The expansion will be across the street on Electric Ave and corner of Rollstone Road. Mass. General Law places the BOH in charge of approving cemeteries. Mr. Curry stated there will be soil testing performed to determine where estimated seasonal high ground water is measured. Curbside Rubbish Contract discussion update: Mr. Curry discussed the pricing for the new five year contract for curbside collection beginning FY 19. This contract includes the cost of residential curbside collection, extra yard waste pickup and dumpster collection for nine schools for a total of eight million dollars. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the new contract pricing for the residential curbside collection for five years. Dr. Bogdasarian 2nd the motion. All were in favor. Motion carries. FY 19 Budget update: Mr. Curry stated there are no proposed cuts for the BOH. The OPIOID/Substance Abuse Prevention proposed position, currently remains in the budget. DEP Recycling IQ Technical Assistance Project-Grant Approval: Mr. Curry stated we received a $40,000 dollar grant from DEP. Approval is needed by the City Council. This grant is to educate residents on recycling and get residents on board. The BOH Inspectors will be out on different routes and tagging recycle carts that are contaminated with trash. There will be billboards, banners and educational material available. Tobacco 21 Update: Mr. Curry stated this is going to the Senate. Ken Farbstein will be meeting with the Town of Lunenburg BOH and would like a letter of support for them to implement the Tobacco Regulations. Staff Reporting: Mr. Curry presented the Nurse’s Report & Food & Milk Inspectors reports. No Inspectors reports submitted for May. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the Public Health Nurse’s Report for May 2018. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarain. All were in favor. Motion carries. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the Food & Milk Inspectors Report from January to March, 2018. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarain. All were in favor. Motion carries. Next BOH meeting is scheduled for August 2, 2018. Sandra Knipe made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Meeting adjourned.