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 4, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N.; Dr. John Bogdasarian, M.D.; Ian Murray, Chairman; Stephanie Holinko, Food & Milk Inspector; Dennis Bradley, Body Art (Micro Hair) Practitioner; Susan Christensen, Substance Abuse Coordinator; Doug Smith, Engineer; Joan Hamlett, Director Tobacco Control Alliance; Carmen Sanchez, Nursing Student Regis College; Caroline Tamfu, Regis College Nursing Student. Substance Abuse Coordinator, Susan Christensen: Mr. Curry introduced Susan Christensen as the new Substance Abuse Coordinator for the City of Fitchburg. Mrs. Christensen will handle the Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative Grant. This program aims to reduce opioid fatalities and overdoses within five communities in the Montachusett Public Health Network. Mrs. Christensen noted two upcoming events. Community Narcan Training and Listening Session on Tuesday, October 30th at 6:00 pm. at the Fitchburg Senior Center. The 2nd event will be held on October 27, 2018 from 9 to 11:00 am at the parking lot of the city offices at 166 Boulder Drive for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the appointment of Susan Christensen as the Substance Abuse Coordinator for the City of Fitchburg. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Approve Meeting Minutes: Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the August 4, 2018 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Dr. Bogdasarian abstained from the August 4, 2018. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the September 6, 2018 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Mr. Murray abstained from September 6, 2018. Natural Gas Infrastructure: Mr. Curry stated Dr. Stephen Jones talked to the Board of Health back in August via telephone regarding the health risks of natural gas. Mr. Jones sent the latest list with the number of Boards that have agreed to send a letter to the governor stating their concerns about the health risks of natural gas. Mr. Jones has drafted a letter for the Boards to sign to the Governor requiring an independent and comprehensive health impact assessment prior to authorization of any new natural gas infrastructure, including, pipelines, compressor stations, and storage facilities in the Commonwealth. Dr. Bogdasarian suggested a letter stating “The Fitchburg Board of Health supports a thorough study of health hazards of the natural gas pipelines and support the construction of safe infrastructure. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion for the Board of Health create a letter summarizing our thoughts with the regard to the construction of the natural gas infrastructure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Motion was 2nd by Sandra Knipe. All were in favor, motion carries. Tobacco Control Alliance Update, Joan Hamlett, Director: Ms. Hamlett stated she is here with an update of the new law that amends many sections of the currents laws relative to tobacco sales and what action municipalities can take. Ms. Hamlett stated Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner have already taken most of this action with the exception of the following two; 1. No exemption for Parents and Guardians: The new law removes the exemption that permitted parents and guardians by or give tobacco products to their children. 2. Age 21 Signage: Retailers must post a sign provided by the Department of Public Health indicating that the sale of tobacco product to anyone below the minimum legal sales age is prohibited. The sign will include the exemption for anyone born before December 21, 2000. There are already signs available for those municipalities that have or will increase their minimum sales age to 21 on or before December 20, 2018. Ms. Hamlett stated she would like the BOH to allow an open written comment period between now and November 1, 2018 BOH meeting. Ms. Hamlett will hand deliver to each merchant a letter announcing the open written comment period for the owner to sign off. Many area tobacco retailers have asked and expressed they would like to see it go to straight to 21 to avoid the gap year penalties. Ms. Hamlett stated the new law changes the definition of “smoking” or smoke” to include electronic cigarettes or other similar products and any products “that rely on vaporization or aerosolization”. This means that vaping is now banned in locations that have been smoke-free since the initial smoke-free workplace law went into effect in 2004. The Fitchburg Citgo on 75 Main Street held a promotion with one of the distributors and they planned on doing this once a month for six months. This promotion was a customer could buy one pack of cigarettes and get one pack of Newport cigarettes free. This was reported to Tobacco Control and Ms. Hamlett would ask for the owner to come to a BOH meeting to explain what happened. Sandra Knipe made a motion to support a written comment period until October 31, 2018. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Hearings: Practitioner and Establishment Permit Suspension, Dennis Bradley, Micro Hair, LLC, Mr. Curry stated Mr. Bradley was permitted as a practitioner in an establishment to do Body Art/Micro Hair. The sterilization equipment has three failed spore tests in the past months. Mr. Bradley submitted a passing report today however Mr. Curry has concerns. The permit has been suspended because of the failing spore tests. Mr. Bradley is licensed to operate at 76 Summer St. Mr. Curry has reviewed his website and it appears he is operating a studio at 63 Fairmount St. The Building Department has found an alleged body art studio at 63 Fairmount St and received several complaints of a body art operation going on there. Mr. Bradley stated he is still in the learning process of his equipment and feels there is been more passing tests than failed tests within the past year. Mr. Curry stated Mr. Bradley’s permit is currently suspended and the Board needs to decide to remove the suspension, keep the suspension or revoke the permit. Ms. Knipe asked Mr. Bradley if he operates a studio 63 Fairmount St. Mr. Bradley stated 63 Fairmount St is his mailing address only. Mr. Curry suggested one more passing test before he opens November 1, 2018. Sandra Knipe made a motion to reissue the permit pending the passing of one more sample spore test at the end of October aiming for the November 1 opening date. The permit remains suspended until then. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Title 5 Local Upgrade Approval Request – 30 Pierce Ave, Doug Smith, Engineer Mr. Smith is requesting the following LUA for 30 Pierce Ave. To allow a reduction of the required 4’of naturally occurring pervious soil below the entire area of the soil absorption area. The reduction of the system location setbacks from onsite well 50’ provided. The reduction of the septic tank location to be installed less than 10’ to the building 3.5’ provided. The reduction of the pump chamber location to be installed less than 10’ to the building 5.5’ provided. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the local upgrade of the required 4’of naturally occurring pervious soil below the entire area of the soil absorption area. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the local upgrade requesting the reduction of the system location setbacks from onsite well to 50’with a conditional that the well water be tested prior to the installation and one year after. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the reduction of the pump chamber location to be installed less than 10’ to the building 5.5’ provided. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to reduce the septic tank location to be installed less than 10’ to the building 3.5’ provided. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Next meeting is scheduled for November 1, 2018. Meeting Adjourned at 6:30pm.