Board of Health

a (j. : $j CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE .&-., ;j BOARD OF hEALTH 95 PLEASANT ST, ROOM 29 GARDNER. MASSACHUSETTS 01410-2630 Members Present: Susan Avallone, RN — Chairperson Geoff Tobia, Esq. Member - Dr. Michele Parker — Member Micah Blondeau-Agent for the Board of Health Absent: Attendees Present: Jean DeMeo Alan Rousseau Paul DeMeo Mary Marsh Board of Health meeting hcld August 19, 2024 4:32 Meeting called to order. 4:33 The minutes from July 22, 2024 were approved and signed. 4:41 Health Department Updates: For Outreach and Prevention, National Night Out was postponed twice due to weather. Veronika is Looking to rescheduLe in October possibly in conjunction with a Senior Center event on the same day tentatively at City Hall. For the landfill, the Health Department should be receiving the final plans from the Civil Environmental Consultants for the erosion repairs any day. Micah has started reaching out to contractors who might be interested in giving quotes, two people came out to look at the erosion areas so they have a preLiminary idea for when the plans are received. The Health Department hasn’t received any updates as far as the exceedance on the 1-4 Dioxane. Alan Russo of 211 Betty Spring Road, Gardner expressed his concern about the potential health impacts of 1-4 Dioxane as his grandchildren use the ponds that abut the landfilL. He also stated that he thinks that the Sludge landfiLl could be a potential source of the chemical due to the hydrogeography of the area and feels that the two facilities should both be testing for it as they both utilize the same wastewater pumping station. A discussion was held about the potential health impacts of 1-4 Dioxane, the location of nearby drinking water wells, and the possibiLity of more frequent monitoring or monitoring on an expanded scope. The discussion included a suggestion by Susan Avalone for concerned residents to contact their State Representatives. Micah Blondeau discussed the scope of work needed for erosion control on letdown channels at the landfill and how it would include repair to 2 groundwater monitoring wells located between the landfill and the sludge landfill. During the discussion Susan Avallone suggested that the Board of Health members take an in-person tour of the landfill. Mary Marsh, of 150 Arcadia Road, asked if Veolia operates the sludge landfill and if they would be responsible for testing in that area. Micah Blondeau was unsure and would seek clarification from Veolia and the DPW. Micah Blondeau discussed the following Health Department Items of New Business: A quote for a better office facilityforthe transfer station. A preliminary quote of $400 a square foot and looking at about 320 square feetfor an office. The loader at the landfill is damaged and may need to be replaced. Housing and Nuisance complaints there are currently 25 cases open. There have been 19 regular food inspections as well as follow-ups for previous citations. Also, Eddie has done 17 re-inspections. There were seven food related complaints without foodborne illnesses. Jersey Mike’s had their final pre-operation inspection and have been issued theirfood establishment permits. One new Body/Art Apprentice Piercing permit has been issued. The apprenticeship will be for both tattoo and piercing and the establishment will log all work. The City of Gardner is still at low risk forTriple E and West Nile Virus, but there have been two human West Nile cases and one Triple E case. 827 Green Street submitted new plans for a new soil absorption system, which were approved. Work should begin soon on repLacing the old soil absorption system. No causes for the system failure have been identified but can be further investigated as the old system is removed. GMMHA is still pumping the tank on a weekly basis. Paul DeMeo expressed his concern with the proximity of the activities at 827 Green St to Pearly Brook and a pond at the far side of the track as well as referencing the buffer zone around Pearly Brook. He also discussed the last Conservation Commission meeting and his concerns with how GMMHA was managing the manure. He also expressed his concern the with the septic system failing in November23 and not being reported as well as the occupancy number of people on the property and using the septic system and well. Micah Blondeau responded that the approved upgrade plan calls for the same capacity as the existing system of 990 gallons per day.  Susan AvaDone asked for any further comments and there were none. 5:25 Neit meeting: Monday, September 23, 2024 at 4:30 PM here at Gardner City Hall in the Mayor’s Conference Room; adjourn. A 440 usan Avallonc RN, Chfiirperson Michele C. Parker MD, Member All conversations are documented on recordings identified as BOll August 19, 2024 Meeting.