approved - Abington

APPROVED
Town of Abington
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
May 19, 2008
7:00 P.M.
COTTER ROOM
Members Present: Ann Welch-Chairman, Harold Norton-Vice Chairman, Ken Coyle,
Susan Brennan, Christine Hickey, Michelle Roberts-Health Agent, Donna MannaAdministrative Asst.
Meeting opened at 7:10pm
Re-Organization
Nominations were accepted for Chairman.
MKenneth Coyle to nominate Ann Welch for Chairman.
S/Norton
All in favor
Vote 5-0
Nominations were accepted for Vice-Chairman
M/Welch to nominate Hal Norton for Vice-Chairman.
S/Brennan
Kenneth Coyle declined to be Vice-Chair.
Motion carries for Harold Norton to be Vice-Chairman.
All in favor
Vote 5-0
Agents Report(see attached)
Mr. Curran still has concerns with Walmart about the Cancer Free America Containers.
The Health Agent has been checking the bins daily and they seem to be clear of any
debris and bags. The Health Agent discussed that Senator Morrisey will be visiting the
store to support their efforts in helping the local community. The store is very neat and
clean and is performing an excellent standard.
An Abington resident, Mr. Mike DeMarco was present at the meeting and had a few
questions.
Under Old and New Business it was discussed about placing a Public Relations person
for Media. The Board would also like to have a website with information listing events,
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calendar and many other areas of interest that pertain to the Board of Health. This would
better service the residents. Ken Coyle will research the information and bring it back to
the board at another meeting.
Discussion on Board of Health meetings to stay on the 1 st and 3rd Mondays at 7pm.
Meetings will only be one a month for the Summer.
Ann Welch will contact Dr. Curtin about the Rabies Clinic requesting an invoice from his
office.
Mr. Norton would like to review the Job Description/Performance Review for the Health
Agent. At the prior meeting Mr. Norton passed out the revised Job Description and asked
for the Board to review it. Ken Coyle would like something of that nature to be placed as
a line item on the Agenda. He had not reviewed the description because it was not on the
agenda.
Discussion on office staffing and that some of the Board members would like a sign on
the door if no one is in the office.
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Discussion on Media Policy and what items should be discussed. They would like the
Health Officer to state her opinion when reporting to the papers. When she makes a
statement it could be misunderstood that she is representing the Board of Health. The
Health Officer said she gives her professional opinion on comments that are related to
Public Health.
Discussion on future programs for trash. The monies are only good for one year and
eventually the issue will arise for something to change in trash programs. The Board
needs to continue to pursue ways to increase recycling. For the next meeting they would
like to bring in the School Department to discuss increased recycling methods.
M/Coyle to have Justin perform a training session to run the camera.
S/Hickey
All in Favor
Vote 5-0
M/Norton to sell the Compost bins at $35.00 each
S/Hickey
Brennan opposed
Vote 4-1
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M/Hickey to sell the Kitchen scrap buckets at $7.00 each
S/Norton
Brennan opposed
Vote 4-1
M/Norton to accept the March 26, 2008 minutes.
S/Hickey
Coyle abstained
Vote 4-0
M/Hickey to accept the April 2, 2008 minutes.
S/Brennan
Coyle abstained
Vote 4-0
M/Hickey to accept the April 7, 2008 minutes with revisions.
S/Norton
Coyle abstained
Vote 4-0
M/Norton to accept the May 5, 2008 minutes.
S/Coyle
Hickey abstained
Vote 4-0
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M/Hickey to adjourn the meeting at 9:10pm.
S/Brennan
All in favor
Vote 5-0
Ann Welch, Chairman
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01A4144--- //I/ Pil--71.1k
Donna Manna, Vice-Chairman
ABINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
AGENT'S REPORT, MAY 19, 2008
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Restaurant/Retail Inspections:
Walmart
Subway at Walmart
Sub Galley
Abington Ale House
VFW, oven fire
Housing Inspections:
511 Stewart Drive, Building 5
Other Inspections:
1195 C Bedford St.
New Police Station
Black Diamond Tattoo Parlor
Meetings Attended:
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South Shore Recycling Cooperative, May 8th , Norwell Town Hall, Marty and
Jonathan Costa of Excel Recycling Services talked about their scrap metal business and
how they work with municipalities. Talked about Earth Day Celebration at the Hanover
Mall, Claire reported to the board that 3 tons of materials were collected, 1000 entries
for the recycling essay were received and the Patriot Cinema played Al Gore's film " An
Inconvenient Truth" for free all day. Abington will host the June 12th meeting.
I will be attending a training class for Presby Environmental Septic Technologies,
on May 21 st in Taunton. The training certification is free. I will be receiving septic plans
for 7 lots in Birchwood Knoll using this technology.
I will be attending an Agent's Meeting on June 5 th at Whitman Town Hall.
WNV/EEE and Lyme Disease/ticks will be the summer topics.
Complaints:
The State telephoned me regarding a complaint of black particles found in bagged
ice sold at the Route 18 Superstore (formerly known as Stones) I inspected the ice, brand
name Carlstadts, Tube Ice Manufactured in Everett. State Lab tested the ice and ordered
it destroyed. Fifteen bags of ice were removed and discarded from Route 18 Superstore
on Friday May 2nd.
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Steve Heffernan a former tattoo artist from Black Diamond stopped by to inform me that an artist with phony credentials is looking to work at Black Diamond.
A. W. Learned dropped off a letter of complaint. See enclosed letter.
Title V plan review to issue construction permit:
79 Center Ave.
Title V failures:
1238 Washington St.
28 Linda St.
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May 13, 2008
Selectmen Town of Abington and MAY 1 4 2008
P. Warren, Town Manager
500 Gliniewicz Way
Abington MA 0351
MA 02351
RE: Mosquito threat in Abington
References: 1. Mine of April 17, 2008 defining the
problem/solution; 2. Mine of October 2, 2006 and follow up
letters (no response) 3. D. Jamieson of 2007 (assign to
Street Superintendent) 4. Visitations by Plymouth County
Mosquito Project; 5. Refusal by Abington Conservation
Commission to allow home site development and improvements
to unfinished drainage system; 6. Reports of mosquito in
flight at Superior Court by Aty. GL Whiting in Oct 2005; 7.
Calls for spray protection by neighbors, over 10 years; 8.
Photos of 1-2" deep stagnant puddles with no flow from the
area through a culvert at Atty. Whiting's driveway; 9.
Elevation report of 1997 by Massachusetts Registered Civil
Engineer showing culvert too high to drain stagnant
puddles; 10. Observation of no-flow through culvert by town
employees.
To Whom:
Despite continuous complaints of mosquito nuisance, it
appears that the town of Abington is negligent; no action
has been taken to correct the retention of stagnant water
that breeds mosquito larvae. It is well known that the
application of larvae killing donuts has not controlled the
mosquito population. It is well known that the culvert
should be lowered to drain off the stagnant puddles.
Unless the town of Abington lowers the culvert, it is thus
known that the town of Abington is negligent in protection
from the nuisance of mosquito (and the threat of West Nile
or EEE disease, already detected in the Town of Abington.
Respectfully Submitted
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A - `-') • k-12
AW Learned III, PE (Mech., Mass.)
Box 164
N. Abington
MA 02351
Cc: Conservation Commission, Abington Healthlgent, Dept.
of Streets; Plymouth County Mosquito Control, Plymouth
County Commissioners.