Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
OCTOBER 22, 2008
A regularly posted meeting of the Hingham Board of Health (Board) was held on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, in the South Central Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Bickford at 7:09pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Peter Bickford, Chairman
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Member
Stephan White, Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Bruce Capman, RS, Executive Health Officer
AGENDA:
Mr. Capman reviewed the meeting’s draft agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the agenda was accepted with additions.
TOWN OF HINGHAM REGULATION:
“PROHIBITING SMOKING IN WORKPLACES AND PUBLIC PLACES”
Jim Wells and Betty Nee of the South Shore Boards of Health Tobacco Collaborative presented to the Board to discuss proposed changes to the existing regulation.
Salient issues included:
Mr. Wells mentioned that there are two sets of tobacco-related regulations in Hingham; the “Youth Access” Town regulation and the “Workplace” state statute. He added that the Town’s “Prohibiting Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places” regulation is actually a compilation of statutory requirements and a few town regulatory requirements, including the new athletic fields ban.
Mr. Wells provided the Board with a 6/24/08 copy of the Workplace statute, MGL c.270, sections 1 through 5
Mr. Wells asked the Board to consider banning all retail tobacco stores due to their frequent interrelationship with drug paraphernalia stores.
Thereafter, the Board asked Mr. Capman and Dr. Shilts to reconcile the MGL c. 270-state statute with the town’s existing “Prohibiting Smoking in Workplace and Public Places” regulation.
PRIVATE WELL VARIANCE DISCUSSION:
16 CAUSEWAY ROAD
Applicant spokesperson: David Crispin
Mr. Crispin presented to the Board to discuss the issue of “open-loop” geothermal wells, the planned installation of such a well at the above-mentioned property, and possible variances that would be required.
The Board reviewed the following documents:
Letters from Mr. Crispin dated 10-8-08 and 10-20-08
Report from Mr. Capman dated 10-15-08
An non-referenced magazine article titled “This [Green] Old House” regarding open-loop geothermal wells
MA-DEP guidance document #BPR/DWM/PeP-P07-1 regarding closed-loop geothermal wells
The following issues were discussed:
MA-DEP does not have a written policy on open-loop geothermal wells
Mr. Crispin reports that there is only one other open-loop geothermal well in Massachusetts that he knows and it is located in the town of Lincoln.
The Board is in the preliminary stages of updating our “Private Water Supply Regulations”, which addresses potable and non-potable (irrigation) wells, test wells, and other relevant information.
The proposed geothermal well will be approximately 1,500 feet deep, 8’’ in diameter for the proximal casing and then 6” in diameter thereafter through bedrock
There is confusion whether open geothermal wells have an overflow component due to a temperature gradient, and at what well depth this overflow may or may not occur.
There is concern regarding any proposed well located within a Zone I public water supply protection area, an area surrounding any private water supply source well, and an area immediately adjacent to a septic disposal system.
Thereafter, the Board asked Mr. Capman to create a new permit application category for “Geothermal Wells”
Furthermore, the Board asked the applicant to provide additional information.
MINUTES:
The minutes from the September 24, 2008 meeting were reviewed.
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. White and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To approve the minutes of September 24, 2008 as drafted.
EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT:
• Tobacco Sales Violations:
Mr. Capman and Dr. Shilts updated the Board on the tobacco compliance plan re-submissions from AJ/ TigerMart and Stop & Shop. Mr. Capman added that he might need to meet with one or both of these tobacco-permit-holders to provide additional assistance.
• Hingham Health Department Employee, Michael McDonald
Mr. Capman discussed with the Board the matter of employee discipline involving Health Agent McDonald. He stated that Mr. McDonald had been suspended for two-weeks, without pay, for a second violation of Health Dept. office policy as well as Town policy.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Laurie Mathews, email
The Board received and reviewed a 10-17-08 letter from Ms. Mathews regarding a proposed electric power plant to be constructed in Brockton.
SCHEDULING:
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 6pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
The October 22, 2008 meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 8:58pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health