Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
AUGUST 21, 2008
A regularly posted meeting of the Hingham Board of Health (Board) was held in the South Central Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Bickford at 6:01pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Peter Bickford, Chairman
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Bruce Capman, RS, Executive Health Officer
Michael McDonald, Health Agent
Paul Brogna, Town consultant engineer
AGNDA:
Mr. Capman reviewed the draft agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the agenda was accepted with additions.
SWIMMING POOL VARIANCE REQUEST:
BLACK ROCK COUNTRY CLUB
Applicant spokesperson: none
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board a request by Mr. Ronald Schram of Black Rock Country Club management seeking a variance from state regulations regarding ladder egress requirements relative to swimming pools.
The Board reviewed the following document:
• Letter from Mr. Schram dated 8/15/08
The following issues were discussed:
• The “adult-only pool” has a maximum depth of 3.5 feet
• The pool has built-in stair steps five foot wide
• The pool area is video monitored by employees
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant a VARIANCE to the State regulations, 105 CMR 435.14 and allow the “adult only pool” at the Black Rock Country Club to have just a single set of stairs that are built-in and five-foot wide.
PROPOSED IRRIGATION SYSTEM BYLAW:
Dr. Shilts updated the Board on the current status of the Water Supply Committee sponsored Irrigation System Bylaw proposal.
The Board reviewed the following documents:
• Email from Richard Innis dated 8/20/08
• A ‘Memorandum’ from Advisory Committee representatives Richard Innis and Jerry Seelen dated 8/20/08
Thereafter, the Board gave direction to Mr. Capman and Dr. Shilts.
REVERSE E-911 TELEPHONE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM:
The Board discussed the water supply contamination emergency that recently occurred in the neighboring town of Pembroke and the reported failures encountered with their Reverse E-991 calling system, which is operated by the same county agency as the Town of Hingham.
The following issues were discussed:
• Is there a mechanism available to conduct an actual test the Reverse E-911 system in Hingham?
• Is the updated telephone number collected in the yearly Hingham town census forwarded to the county agency that manages Hingham’s reverse E-911 calls?
Thereafter, the Board gave direction to Mr. Capman to follow-up on these questions.
HINGHAM HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM:
The Board discussed the informative “Health Update” public service advertisement concerning mosquito borne illnesses, which appeared within the 8/21/08 Hingham Journal newspaper.
The following issues were discussed:
• Establishing the Health Update as a regular feature within the newspaper
• Submitting the next Health Update in September, with the topic about the Town’s revised Animal Regulations including a reminder that animal owners should apply for any necessary permit.
• Develop a list of at least twelve different common health topics for submission to the Higher Journal throughout a given year
Thereafter, the Board gave direction to Mr. Capman.
SEPTIC SYSTEM VARIANCE REQUEST:
592 MAIN STREET
Applicant spokesperson: Philip Spath
The applicant presented to the Board seeking variances to State Title-5 and to the Hingham Supplemental Regulations regarding a proposed sewage disposal system for a failed residential system.
The Board reviewed the following document:
• Report from Mr. Capman dated 8/14/08
The following issues were discussed:
• A similar request for this property was approved by the Board on 6/29/04, but has since expired
• This plan includes the use of technology
• The proposal appears to be at maximum feasible compliance
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant a VARIANCE to the State Title-5 regulations 310CMR 15.212(a), and three (3) VARIANCES to the Hingham Supplemental Rules and Regulations Sections VI.9, VI.12(a), VI.7(c), and require the twelve (12) conditions outlined in Mr. Capman’s 8/14/08 letter.
SEPTIC SYSTEM VARIANCE REQUEST:
44 TOWER ROAD
Applicant spokesperson: none
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board a request for a variance & divergences to State Title-5 and to the Hingham Supplemental Regulations regarding a sewage disposal system for a failed residential system.
The Board reviewed the following document:
• Report from Mr. Capman dated 8/14/08
The following issues were discussed:
• This plan includes the use of technology
• The proposal appears to be at maximum feasible compliance
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant a VARIANCE to State Title-5 regulations 310CMR 15.212, two (2) DIVERGENCES to State Title-5 regulations 310CMR 15.405(1)(b) & 15.405(1)(a), 15.405(1)(i), four (4) VARIANCES to the Hingham Supplemental Rules and Regulations Sections VI.9, VI.12(a), VI.5, & VI.7(b), and require the fourteen (14) conditions outlined in Mr. Capman’s 8/14/08 letter.
SEPTIC SYSTEM DISCUSSION:
SOUTH SHORE BAPTIST CHURCH, 578 MAIN STREET
Applicant spokespersons: Rod Gaskell & John Shea
Mr. Gaskell and Shea presented to the Board to discuss a proposed new septic system for a planned re-development of the South Shore Baptist Church property.
The Board reviewed the following document:
Review from Mr. Brogna dated 8/20/08
The following issues were discussed:
Mr. Gaskel stated that the applicant has satisfactorily addressed thirteen of the fifteen findings in Mr. Brogna’s 8/20/08 review, leaving aside the need to re-calculate groundwater elevation to match a mounded system (item#6) and the need to include two additional monitoring wells (item#15).
A brief review of septic treatment technology notes that decreasing nitrogen loading is not guaranteed with the use of a “Singulair” system.
There does not appear to be enough room on site for a “Bioclair” system, even though the track record of this system is reported to be very good.
An “Amphidrome Plus” system is being proposed, which involves the use of five different tanks and employs an anoxic environment for de-nitrofication. This system re-cycles effluent across the various tanks six different times over a six-hour period. Chemical additives are also used.
Mr. Brogna stated that the DEP will soon be promulgating new regulations for treatment plans located in a public water supply Zone II, which the applicant would be potentially required to adhere at some later date.
There is a remaining concern about the irregularity and lack of a consistent flow to this proposed system, which may interfere with its proper operation.
There is a remaining concern about the lack of a commitment letter from the applicant, regarding the proposed kitchen design and its long term use.
There is a remaining concern about the conservation restrictions, which needs to be obtained from the Conservation Commission.
Thereafter, the Board took no action on this matter.
TOWN OF HINGHAM REGULATION:
TOWN OF HINGHAM REGULATION, PROHIBITING SMOKING IN WORKPLACES AND PUBLIC PLACES
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board draft proposed changes to our existing regulation that addresses smoking in the workplace and in public places.
Salient issues included:
There needs to be additional clarification on what month(s) during the year that smoking would be prohibited on Town-owned beaches, if prohibited at all
It needs to be a simple explanation as to what areas on the golf course at the South Shore Country Club that smoking will be allowed or prohibited, if smoking were to be prohibited at all
Penalties should be consistent with State statutes/regulations
Thereafter, the Board took no action on this matter.
MINUTES:
The minutes from the July 17, 2008 meeting were reviewed.
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To approve the minutes of July 17, 2008 as amended.
EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT:
• Hingham Health Department Budget
Mr. Capman discussed with the Board a proposed Health Dept. ‘zero-based’ budget for 2010.
Thereafter, the Board accepted this proposed budget.
• Erickson Retirement Communities, (Linden Ponds) Emergency Wastewater Operations Plan
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board Linden Ponds’ “Emergency Operation and Contingency Plans, Section 19”, updated 8/15/08 and the “Linden Ponds Wastewater Operations, SEP-01” updated 8/15/08.
Thereafter, the Board gave instructions to Mr. Capman regarding this matter.
SCHEDULING:
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 7pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
The August 21, 2008 meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 8:08pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health