Board of Health

CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 95 PLEASANT ST, ROOM 29 GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS 01440 Members Present: Lauren Saunders – Health Director Susan Avallone, RN - Member Atty. Geoffrey Tobia – Member Michele Parker, MD - Member Also Present: John Deline, Minutes for Board of Health meeting held Monday June 7, 2021 ________________________________________________________________________________ *Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §20, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Gardner Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation. The transcript of proceedings will be posted on the City’s website as soon as possible after the meeting. 4:32 Meeting called to order. 4:33 Minutes from 4/26/21 Board of Health meetings were each reviewed, discussed and approved. 4:35 Local Upgrade Approval: John Deline from Deline Engineering is present by phone to request a Local Upgrade Approval for a new septic system to be built at 306 Lovewell St. In February 2021 a percolation test was witnessed by Lauren. She states that the percolation rate was 5 minutes per inch which indicates a 4 foot separation between the bottom of the soil absorption system and groundwater elevation. Mr. Deline is here to request a reduction of offset to groundwater. He states that last year a tree fell and damaged the existing manufactured home on this property and the property was beyond repair. A new 2 bedroom home is to be built on the property. Since the previous septic system was non-conforming to current Title 5 regulations a replacement system must be constructed. This request is to reduce the distance between the bottom of the soil absorption system and the seasonal high groundwater elevation from the required 4 feet to 3 feet due to the size, shape and slope of the lot. The alternative would be to build a large retaining wall; however, that would be a significant additional cost to the property owner. Also, a retaining wall is likely to disrupt the flow of ground water as the base of the wall would need to be constructed below the frost line. Lauren states that all Title 5 conditions as outlined in section 15.405(3)h that would determine whether the Approving Authority could reduce the required four foot separation have been met. After a discussion period the Board unanimously grants the local upgrade approval for 1 foot reduction in separation between the bottom of the soil absorption system and the height of groundwater elevation. Lauren informs Mr. Deline that he will need to provide a Form 9A prior to the construction permit being issued. He agrees to submit the form to Lauren and leaves the meeting. 4:48 Old Business: Curbside Municipal Trash/Recycling Contract: The contract for EL Harvey & Sons which is to commence on 7/1/21 is currently circulating for signatures from all involved City departments.  Homebound COVID Vaccinations: The City’s in-home COVID vaccination collaboration with Fire, EMS, and Heywood Hospital ended on 6/1/21 as the State has taken over vaccinating this segment of the population moving forward. The Health Department did coordinate 2 vaccination days with 14 residents being vaccinated at their homes. Heywood/PACC COVID Vaccination Clinic: This clinic will be closing on 6/24/21 and there are only 3 clinic dates remaining. There will be a meeting tomorrow with local Health Directors and Heywood Hospital to discuss what may be needed to provide vaccinations in the future. The positive testing numbers have been decreasing. As of last week’s report from the State there are currently no ‘red’ communities in Massachusetts. COVID Restrictions Ending: Effective May 29, 2021 most COVID restrictions will be lifted. This includes the Commonwealth’s mask mandate. Individual businesses are able to decide if they want to require masks or not in their establishments. Masks are still mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Keep Gardner Beautiful: On May 1st there was a city-wide community trash clean up organized by Keep Gardner Beautiful and a “nip hunt” sponsored by Anthony’s Liquors. Over 7 tons of trash and 36,123 nips were collected by volunteers and brought to the Gardner Transfer Station. There have been talks with Dianne Leblanc from Keep Gardner Beautiful, the Health Department and the Mayors’ office about putting up cameras in litter ‘hotspots’ around the city. The Health Department has the authority to issue fines up to $150 for improper disposal of trash. Transfer Station Staffing: There’s currently a temporary employee working part-time as the attendant at the Transfer Station while the supervisor is out on leave. There will be interviews for the attendant’s position in the next week or two. 5:01 New Business: In-Person Meetings: The executive order allowing remote meetings will expire on 6/15/21, in-person public meetings can now resume. 5:05 Next meeting set Monday July 26, 2021 at 4:30pm in the Mayor’s Conference room. Adjourn. _________________________ __ ___________________________ ___________________________ Susan Avallone RN, Chair Person Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member Michele C. Parker MD, Member All conversations are documented on ‘You Tube’ identified as B.O.H June 7, 2021 Meeting