Board of Health

CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 95 PLEASANT ST, ROOM 29 GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS 01440-2630 Members Present: Susan Avallone, RN Chairperson — Geoff Tobia, Esq. Member - Mieah Blondeau-Agent for the Board of Health Absent: Dr. Michele Parker — Member Attendees’ Present: Alan Rosseau Terry Gnus Board of Health meeting held December 9, 2024 4:38 Meeting caLLed to order. 4:39 Sue Avauone called for a motion to approve the minutes for both the minutes from September 23, 2024 and the minutes from October 28, 2024 which were seconded by Geoff Tobia and approved by unanimous vote. 4:40 Health Department Updates: For the landfiLL, the erosion repair bid was awarded to Jay Bates and Son with the lowest bid at $173,400. The project is expected to start in the spring due to weather conditions. An insurance adjuster and a representative from the insurance company went to the landfillto Look at the erosion areas and the need for well repLacements and leachate repairs and are looking into making a potential claim. Mr. BLondeau will be scheduling a meeting between the Public Works Department, the Conservation Department and the Health Department to align on LandfilL issues. Mr. Blondeau will aLso invite the CEC representative to the next Board of Health meeting to provide an update. ALso, for the landfill, there are some grants that were originally for technical assistance for recycling but may have opened the grant up to more soLid waste in general because of the lack of interest in recycling only projects. One of the possibilities to get funding is to hire a licensed professionalto help us with the landfiLl. Historically the results for 1-4 Dioxane at the landfill; 2009 were the first results Mr. Blondeau found where the wells were tested at drinking water Limits. In 2010 it was raised for some, not aLl, of the wells. From 2018 to 2023 all weLLs were tested at a reportable Limit of 250 parts per billion. During that time, nothing was detected as the most recent results ranged from about 5 to 15 parts per bilLion. For Food Inspections, no foodborne illness compLaints since the last meeting, one general complaint, twenty-two routine inspections and re-inspections. Chipotle should be opening soon as well as Tata’s Fonda who are moving to the old Crown Fried Chicken location for a more permanent Location.  For Housing Inspections there are fifteen new cases, nine cases were cLosed, leaving thirty open cases. For Prevention Outreach, Veronika has been working with the Game Changers program at Mount Wachusett Community College. Veronika is aLso working on Project Redemption incLuding participants from the Fitchburg and Leominster areas. Veronika has been participating in GCAT Chats for VNA Care Central. Veronika’s organizing a recovery panel at Mount Wachusett Community College, which is part of the Pathway Program for students. A Purple Paws event is in planningfor April2025, as well as a HeaLth and WelLness Fair to be held at the Middle/High schools. 4:51 New Business: None 4:53 Next meeting: Monday, January 27, 2025, at 4:30 PM here at Gardner City Halt in the Mayor’s Conference Room; motion to adjourn made by Sue Avatlone, seconded by Geoff Tobia. Susan Avatlone RN, ALL conversations are documented on recordings identified as BOH December 9,2024, Meeting.