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 August 2, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Present: Ian Murray, Chairman; Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N., Member; Stephanie Holinko, Food & Milk Inspector; Daniel Fisher, 1199 Franklin Rd; Walter Kirby, Partners Pub, John Dombrowski, Attorney. Title 5 Local Upgrade Approval for 1199 Franklin Road: Approval is requested from the BOH to allow a reduction in the requisite groundwater offset from a 4 feet to 2 feet with the use of the Presby System. Daniel Fisher is requesting approval to allow the use of a Sieve Analysis where a percolation test could not be performed due to groundwater interference. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the Sieve Analysis and the groundwater offset reduction for 1199 Franklin Road. The Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Meeting Minutes Review & Approval: Ian Murray made a motion to approve the June 7, 2018 meeting minutes. Sandra Knipe 2nd the motion. All were in favor. Motion carries. Natural Gas Infrastructure Presentation, T. Stephens Jones, MD: Telephone presentation. Mr. Jones presentation included information on the following topics; 1. A cross-sectional study of the association between ventilation of gas stoves and chronic respiratory illness in U.S. children enrolled in NHANES111. 2. Gas is the Past; Natural gas carries risks to our health and our planet. Cooking with gas can harm children. 3. Fitchburg – 88 unrepaired gas leaks – 2017 4. Towns & Cities whose Board of Health has signed on to group letter or written own letter to Governor Baker about health risks of natural gas. 5. Protecting Public Health from Natural Gas infrastructure in Massachusetts. 6. Draft letter to Governor Baker 7. Draft letter from BOH Sandra Knipe asked what Mr. Jones is looking for from the BOH. Mr. Jones response was for the BOH to consider the risks of natural gas and if the BOH would write a letter to the Governor as well. Ms Knipe motioned the BOH will explore the above topics and continue the discussion at a future meeting. This motion was seconded by Ian Murray. Hearing: Partner’s Pub - Operating without a food permit: Walter Kirby Food Inspector, Stephanie Holinko, stated on November 15, 2017, an inspection was performed at Partners Pub and there were several violations. Inspector Holinko returned for a routine inspection on July 25, 2018 and several of the violations cited on the November 15, 2017 routine inspection report had not been corrected. In addition, Partners Pub was operating with an expired food permit. A hearing was held to discuss with the Board of Health the outstanding violations at Partners Pub and the expired food permit, and determine any next steps. The food permit was renewed prior to the August 2nd, 2018 meeting and as a result, the expired food permit was no longer a topic of discussion at the hearing. The violations were discussed and reviewed and suggestions were made by Ms. Holinko to Mr. Kirby and Attorney Dombrowski. Mr. Kirby stated he has serious health issues which has prevented him from addressing some of the violations at the establishment. Mr. Kirby stated that he has already addressed many of the violations as he has hired a cleaning company. After lengthy discussion of the violations, Mr. Kirby stated the violations will be corrected, but time is needed. Discussions ensued about how much time should be granted. Ms. Knipe motioned to request monthly updates from all parties, regarding the progress of the corrected violations and sanitary conditions of the establishment. Ian Murray seconded the motion. The first report will be due September 13, 2018 and addressed at the regular BOH meeting. Next meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2018. Meeting location to be determined. Meeting Adjourned at 7:30pm.