Board of Health

BOH MEETING MINUTES 11-08-2021 Council Committee Room, 140 Main Street Joseph Tennyson, MD, Chair Jim Griffin, Vice-Chair Phillip Short, Member – Member (absent) Also in attendance: Director John Garside and Clerk Tina Nolin Meeting called to order 6:30 pm Reading and Approval of Minutes • Minutes for October 13, 2021 meeting: Vice-Chair Griffin motioned to approve and place the minutes on file. Chairman Tennyson seconded the motion; the Board vote was 2-0 to approve the motion to accept the minutes. New Business • Director Garside Introduced Emily Lao, the new Assistant Sanitarian, to the Board. Emily graduated from UMASS Amherst with a degree in Environmental Science; before coming to Marlborough, she worked as a seasonal sanitarian for the town of Barnstable, MA. • Discussion & Update of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Director Garside updated the Board on the recent activities of the Health Department regarding COVID-19. COVID-19 Cases The number of active cases in the City is currently 57, we have 108 cases per 100K over seven days, and the average daily number of cases over the past seven days is 6.7 per day. The average number of active cases per day over the past seven days is 47.0, and the positivity rate over the past two weeks is 2.39%. We remain in the high-risk category for transmission. In the Marlborough Public Schools system-wide, eight students are in isolation (positive for COVID-19), and 12 are quarantined. At AMSA, there are four positive cases and 17 quarantined, Assabet has four positive cases and two quarantined. Vaccine Update We currently have 77% in the City with at least one dose, which is up 2% from our last meeting. We have 69% of the eligible city population who are fully vaccinated, up 1% from our November meeting. The Department will be having a couple of COVID-19 Booster clinics this week on Wednesday and Friday (November 10 and 12th) at the COA. We seem to be filling those slots with only a few more available. Next week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Nov. 15-17), we will be doing Booster clinics at our Senior Housing Facilities (240 Main St., 397 Bolton St./29 Pleasant St. and 22 Broad St.). Additionally, we have done flu and COVID-19 Booster clinics at the Police and Fire Stations since our last meeting.  Board of Health Minutes November 8, 2021 p2 Director’s Update Tobacco Control Update Since our October meeting, compliance checks have been conducted in the city. Out of 37 retailers, we had one sell to an underage consumer. As a result, a fine was issued (issued to Discount Gas); they have until next Friday to appeal it if they choose. We did get payment of the AAA Vape citation from last month; additionally, a reinspection has been done to ensure the banned product has been removed. Director Garside reminded the Board the fines are non-negotiable as the new state statute defines the amounts for all towns and cities across the Commonwealth. However, the Board has some discretion on the length of time a license may be suspended, which would go into effect following a second offense. Red Spring Road Update Since the Board’s last meeting, there have been a couple of meetings in-house between the Health Director, Engineering, and Legal. All city staff agreed that the sewer connection bylaw does apply, given that the existing sewer does run through the property. So far, Title 5 inspections completed on the property show eight out of the 26 systems passed, while 18 systems failed. Any relief from the bylaw would come through this Board, after a recommendation from the city engineer. There are several possible relief scenarios, such as, 1) time frame – the project is too big to complete before the sale, 2) upscale the failed Title 5 systems, or 3) perhaps install a less conventional low-pressure sewer system. It has also been relayed to the home owners that if they do apply for relief, at a minimum the Board would be looking for an enforceable legal agreement that would be binding and which would include security or a bond. Additionally, we would require a review of the homeowners’ documents to see who owns what and who has responsibility moving forward. Subdivision Site Plan & Special Permit Reviews The Director presented the plan for the Definitive Subdivision at 342 Sudbury Street. The city engineer has reviewed and noted plan deficiencies that need to be addressed by the applicant. These include the stormwater recharge system being too deep below grade and possibly below the groundwater elevation, and a pre-treatment device in the stormwater system should be required. Comments from Priscilla Ryder, the conservation agent, include questions relative to the riverfront area. Chairman Tennyson motioned to table any action on this plan until we have the revisions requested by the various departments; Member Griffin seconded; the vote was 2-0 in favor of the motion. Chairman Garside let the Board know that another marijuana retailer has been permitted this month, Local Roots, located at 910 Boston Post Road East. This is the city’s second retailer.  Board of Health Minutes November 8, 2021 p3 Unknown Business at Time of Posting There was no unknown business Scheduling of Next Meeting The board’s next meeting will be on Monday, December 6th, at 6:30 pm. Attendance will be in person at City Hall in the Council Committee Room. ADJOURN Vice-chair Griffin motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:53 pm; Chairman Tennyson seconded the motion; the roll call vote was 2-0 in favor to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, 12/6/2021 Dr. Joseph Tennyson Dated Cc: Board of Health Members City Council, City Clerk, and City of Marlborough Website