Board of Health

CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH ROOM 29, CITY HALL GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS 01440 (978) 630-4013 FAX (978) 632-4682 To: Jennifer A. Susen-Roy, BA. - Health Director Dr. John Mulqueen, Chairperson Susan Avallone, Member Attorney Geoffrey Tobia, Member Minutes for the Board of Health meeting held on Monday, February 27, 2017 __________________________________________________________________________________ 5:00 Meeting called to order 5:05 Chris Coughlin, City Engineer, is seeking a variance to the plumbing code for the Gardner Public Works new cold storage building. Dane Arnold, Director of Public Works, presented the plans to the board for the cold storage building located at 50 Manca Drive. Dane is before the board to request a variance to the plumbing code. Under the state plumbing code it is required to have a ladies and men’s locker room and bathroom in the building. Dane explained that the new building, of 1,480 square feet, will have a sprinkler system, but the building will have no heat because it will only house vehicles. There is a women’s and men’s bathroom in the existing Department of Public Works building as well as there will be restrooms in the new administration building next to the new cold storage building. The workers will start their day at the DPW and then go to the cold storage building to get the vehicle they will need for the day. Chris Coughlin has spoken with Ed Tonet, the plumbing inspector, as well as Roland Jean, the building inspector, and these departments have no concerns with granting a variance of the plumbing code. Motion made for granting a variance to the plumbing code. Motion passes 3-0 in favor of allowing the plumbing code variance to pass. Jennifer will write up a letter for Dane to take to the state plumbing examiners in Boston. 5:20 Special meeting minutes for January 31st 2017 approved with changes, to be signed. Regarding the January 23rd minutes, Dr. Mulqueen had some questions about the food permits, specifically the cease and desist order for Holy Spirit Church. Jennifer explained that at this time they have not completed the application that is required and so the church is not allowed to serve any food at this time. Dr. Mulqueen said that he would check into the matter. 5:25 Lian Janikas at 42 Olde Colonial Drive, unit 2, Housing issue. Lauren Saunders, Assistant Health Director and Roland Jean, Building Inspector, present to present on this issue. Lauren stated that in October of 2016 it was brought to the attention of the Board of Health that there was a water issue at 42 Olde Colonial Drive unit 2. The neighbors complained that water from Lian’s house was over flowing into their basement. The water department had to shut off the water in Lian’s house because there was an issue with her hot water heater. A police report was filed on the conditions of Lian’s house. On November 3rd Lauren and Jennifer went to the house to do an inspection. Lian could not open the door enough for them to get inside for the inspection. What Lauren and Jennifer could see from the door way was no clear passage ways in to the house. Lian was advised the expectation of the next inspection was that Lauren wanted to be able to get in the door and into the dining room area as well as the kitchen area. When Lauren returned for the follow-up inspection, not much had changed. After many attempts to get into the home to inspect, Lauren and Roland Jean, building inspector, were able to get into the basement to assess the hot water heater. Lian made very little progress in her apartment in a four month time period, therefore she was asked to come before the Board of Health.  Jennifer discussed her concerns regarding Lian being unable to inhabit her home because she has no running water, Lian is unable to get to the downstairs toilet, and the upstairs toilet doesn’t work. Other issues are no smoke detectors and there is no safe passage way to get in or out of the unit. Roland gave Lian some names of professional contractors that she could hire, and they would be able to assist her in cleaning up her home. Lian said that she will be contacting one of the contractors in the next couple of days to get things going. Lian said that she will get a plumber in to check out the hot water heater. Jennifer informed the board that the city’s recommendation is that Lian hire a company next week to remove all the trash out of the home from top to bottom. Lian would need to remove any valuables so the cleaning company would be able to go in to clean. If Lian doesn’t hire someone to come into the home to clean, the city will hire a company and then lien the property until the cost is repaid. Once the home is cleaned out, the recommendation is that the Board of Health do inspections every thirty days or sooner if needed. Lian will be responsible for having the water turned back on, take out any city permits needed, have the hot water heater repaired or replaced, have smoke detectors installed, make sure both toilets are working, as well as safe passage ways, for means of egress in and out of the home. Lian would be responsible for any cost associated with this cleanup. If the clutter starts to accumulate again and the passage ways become unsafe again the city would have to move forward in the court system for condemnation, the home would be condemned and Lian would have to move out of the home. This is not a route the city wants to take. The board members have concerns on how long this has gone on for as well as how long it will take to get things going. The board brought up that maybe Lian could check with her insurance company and see if she would have a claim to help defer the cost. Jennifer asked Lian if once the home is cleaned, would she feel she needs outside assistance with keeping up with the day to day routine. The board wanted Lian to know that there is support both at the board of health and in the community, she should not be afraid to ask for help! Lian felt she is better now and will be able to take care of the home. Lian expressed an appreciation for Jennifer, Lauren, and Roland for their help. The board agreed on Jennifer’s recommendations and would like a time line set for completion. A motion was made for phase 1 that Lian needs to get a company in and get the home cleaned up by March 15th 2017. Phase 2, follow up by Jennifer and Lauren to do inspections to make sure that Lian stays on top of the cleaning and stays in compliance with the sanitary code. Motion passed 3-0. 5:45 Old business: Bonnie Jarvela home owner of 32 Travers Street housing issues. Jennifer informed the board that a dumpster has been ordered and will be delivered to Bonnie’s residence and at her disposal for one month. Lauren showed the board new pictures of 32 Travers Street. The board believes that Bonnie has done a great job, they would like Lauren to follow Bonnie’s progress for the next year. 5:50 New business: Joan Hamlett met with all the merchants hand delivered the new regulation restricting the sale of tobacco products and nicotine delivery products (flavor ban restriction). This process went well and there were no issues and no complaints. Since then there have been three establishments inquiring about opening a smoke shop. Jennifer reminded the board that by not capping the tobacco permits allowed in the city, the thought was that smoke shops wanting to open may be an issue. Jennifer spoke to the board about the marijuana forum, Jennifer reported that there were some bills for special committees regarding dispensaries. At this time there is nothing that would be under the boards’ jurisdiction for enforcement. Seaman Energy LLC, they purchase the gas from the landfill and then resell the gas. CEC oversee the landfill monitoring of the gases at the transfer station. They will not be renewing their contract in September because they are not making any money. The Mayor as well as the city solicitor, John Flick have been notified. We will put the flares back on line and we will be in  charge of monitoring them. One thought was to use the space for solar panels, studies show that would not work because of the slope of the capped landfill. Jennifer let the Board know that the budget was submitted for 2018. Jennifer did increase the amount for public health nurses from $5,000 to $15,000. This increase should help cover any daily outpatient therapy needed for communicable diseases. Jennifer let the board know that she will be ordering new toters, 200 each trash and recycling toters. Some of the recycling toters will be paid out of the recycling dividends grant that Jennifer applied for. Jennifer will also be ordering a new truck for the transfer station, the old one is rotting out. 6:04 Next meeting, March 27, 2017 @ 5:00 pm. Meeting Adjourn. Recording proceedings were preserved and are available upon request. ________________________ _______________________ _________________________ Dr. John Mulqueen, Chairperson Susan Avallone, Member Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member All conversations are documented on recording identified as B.O.H February 27, 2017