Board of Health

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Dec 05 2022 8:15 am Office of the Board of Health City Hall 718 Main Street Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 978-829-1870 This was a regular meeting of the Board of Health held at the Legislative Building at 700 Main Street and recorded by FATV Studios, Thursday, November 10, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Bogdasarian. Present: Stephen Curry, Director, Dr. John Bogdasarian, Chair, Sandra Knipe-BOH Member, Ian Murray-BOH Member. Meeting Minutes: Ms. Knipe stated under the Moment of Silence, Jeffrey Stephens name was spelled incorrectly. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the September 8, 2022 minutes as amended. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Request for Special Permit:  Construction of Private Well-Etonian Parkway Lot #1 Tim Dionne-Skillings & Son, LLC-Well Drilling Matt Thibeault-Owner Mr. Curry stated Tim Dionne, from Skilling & Son is a licensed Well Driller & Matt Thibeault, property owner joined the meeting remotely. Mr. Dione applied for a construction permit. They did attempt to drill the well as they were permitted to do so however they didn't complete the process because the yield was one gallon per minute. Fitchburg regulations state that it needs to be at least 4 gallons a minute or the applicant can ask the Board for a Special Permit. Mr. Dionne stated they did drill the well and did go down approximately 1200 feet however Fitchburg Regulations state they want to see 4 GPM. They are asking to be able to move forward with the well with certain things in mind meaning setting the pump deeper than usual approximately 700 feet and installing an extra holding tank in the basement that would hold 415 gallons of water to ensure that Mr. Thibeault would have enough water on a day-to-day basis. Dr. Bogdasarian asked if it had to do with the water table in that area to why they had to go so deep. Mr. Dionne stated the Wells in that area go very deep. Dr. Bogdasarian asked if there is a downside to allowing this permit. Mr. Curry stated the applicants are proposing to put in a 415 gallon tank which is great for storing water and asked Mr. Dionne what would that bring the yield to with the tank. Mr. Dione stated it's not increasing the yield, that tank is using floats for a full on empty and obviously a safety float to shut it off. Two people in a home with a one gallon a minute should be more than enough to sustain substantial amount of use inside the house. Ms. Knipe asked if there is a dry summer what are the chances of the water drying up. Mr. Dionne stated there is a potential the aquifer could come back if it's to dry, but to give an honest answer to say a well is never going to go dry, he can’t say that. Ms. Knipe stated it seems like a big risk for the homeowner. Mr. Dionne stated he has discussed this in depth with the homeowner and they both feel that it would be a risk as is with any well owner. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to allow the Special Permit for the construction of a private well on Lot #1 Etonian Parkway. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. Ms. Knipe asked why the water quality hasn't been tested. Mr. Dionne stated the reason for that is to set up a pump at that depth is very costly so we wanted to have approval that we can move forward with the well before Mr. Thibeault had to spend a substantial amount of money to put a pump in so we can get the samples which is the next step. Mr. Curry asked if Mr. Thibeault would have any objections to putting information on the Deed so that if they were to sell the property a new property owner would be aware of the issues that could potentially happen at the property. Mr. Thibeault stated he would not object. Dr. Bogdasarian stated with the modifications he will amend the motion to grant the Special Permit at Lot #1 Etonian Pkwy for the well with the condition that it added to the Deed. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray with the conditions added. All were in favor, motion carries. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Waste Ban Regulations: Mr. Curry stated residents of Fitchburg can no longer put a mattress, box spring or textiles in your household trash. Please visit the Board of Health web page for information. There are three options to dispose of your mattress and box spring; 1. Tough Stuff Recycling located at 145 Authority Drive in Fitchburg for residents to bring mattresses and box springs. The fee for this option is $25 per item at present. The city is  trying to contract with Tough Stuff Recycling to keep the costs down. Follow the instructions on the city webpage to schedule drop off with Tough Stuff Recycling. 2. The Fitchburg Landfill will accept mattresses and box springs for a $25.00 fee per item during regular resident hours. Residents can obtain an application to purchase a permit by visiting our website. 3. Tough Stuff Recycling has a curbside collection for a $50 fee that residents can utilize by going to the City of Fitchburg website which can take you directly to their portal. Mr. Curry stated do not put mattresses at curbside once they're at curbside they become contaminated and fees will go up if they are left there and cannot be recycled. We encourage folks to utilize the three services and to make sure that we're recycling mattresses and not throwing them away so we can save landfill space. The reason for this is to prevent the landfill from filling up so quickly. As far as textiles residents can use the various clothing donation boxes scattered around the city as well as the Salvation Army on Water Street that accepts clothing. Dr. Bogdasarian noted that this is a new Regulation in Massachusetts and not just the City of Fitchburg. Bruce Colley, resident of Fitchburg stated his concern is that Tough Stuff Recycling will take these mattresses and dismantle them however what happens to that material and will it be dumped into the landfill or is there a certain place it will go. Mr. Curry stated he would encourage folks to look at the Tough Stuff website, there is a program on how they take the mattresses apart and what they do with the materials. Mr. Curry said he has done the tour and watched how they take them apart and what they do with the materials that come out of the mattress. The materials are baled and distributed to various other businesses around the country so there is very little disposal when you're taking apart a mattress. Announcements: Mr. Curry stated on Saturday, November 19th, 2022 there is a Household Hazardous Waste Day Collection from 9am to 12pm at the Fitchburg Westminster Landfill. Please refer to the City of Fitchburg’s web page for further information. Yard Waste Collection currently is approximately 2 days behind schedule. Mr. Curry understands yard waste collection is causing frustration for residents. Today (Thursday) they were working on the Tuesday route. Please leave the yard waste out at the curb. Tomorrow (Veterans Day) is not a holiday for curbside collection of yard waste and trash and recycling. Hopefully collection will occur on the Wednesday route tomorrow (Friday) as well as putting several trucks on the streets on Saturday to catch up. Residents can also access See Click Fix on the web page. This is tracked daily so if you're missed and you want to report it that's the best avenue to do so. A Community Narcan Training will be held on December 14th, 2022 @ 7 PM at the Legislative Building. There will be Resource Tables for viewing beginning at 6:30pm. There is a Ward 1 Meeting on December 12, 2022 at 6:30pm held at the Legislative Building with Councilor Bernie Schultz. Mr. Curry stated he will be attending that meeting. COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics are held at the Library every Friday from 2:00-5:00pm except when the Library is closed. Occasionally flu vaccine will be available at the site. Refer to the City website for more information. Ms. Knipe made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor, motion carries. Meeting adjourned.