Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
AUGUST 27, 2009
A regular posted meeting of the Hingham Board of Health (the Board) was held in the South Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Shilts at 6:04pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Chairman
Peter Bickford, Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Bruce Capman, R.S., Executive Health Officer
Leslie Badger, Hingham Animal Control Officer
AGENDA:
Mr. Capman reviewed the meeting’s agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the agenda was accepted with additions.
PUBLIC NUISANCE COMPLAINT:
178 GARDNER STREET
Mr. Capman reviewed this public nuisance complaint involving early morning rooster-related noises at this location. He added that a permit is required to house roosters of any number in Hingham, per Hingham Keeping of Animals Regulations, Section 3-10 (A).
Spokesperson: Donna Harkness (property owner)
The Board reviewed the following documents:
• Complaint Call dated 7/14/09
• Letters from Mr. Capman dated 6/4/09 and 6/30/09
• Letter from Joanne Pompeo dated 8/27/09
• Letter from Lois Levine dated 8/27/09
• Letter from Peter Hebert dated 8/27/09
The following issues were discussed:
• Consideration of an animal permit application for this location will be taken up after the public nuisance matter has been addressed.
• The BoH received complaints in 2008 and 2009 about problematic rooster noises at this location.
• Ms. Badger inspected the premises in June/09 and noted the presence of two roosters and no permit. Ms. Harkness stated that she had five roosters on the property at one time this year but there are only two now.
• Two abutters attending the meeting stated that they hear early morning rooster noise, which bothered one neighbor (the complainant), but not the other.
• The concept of light depriving and soundproofing an isolated area within the barn and placing the roosters within this area each night was discussed in limited detail.
Thereafter, the Board will query the effectiveness of any rooster-related sound limiting measures in thirty-days and pending the granting of an animal permit for this location, consider any rooster permit application.
ANIMAL PERMIT APPLICATION:
178 GARDNER STREET
Mr. Capman reviewed the animal permit application for this location.
Spokesperson: Donna Harkness (property owner)
The Board reviewed the following document:
• Animal permit application dated 08/22/08
The following issues were discussed:
• Mr. Capman described his inspection of this location earlier today. (As an aside, he mentioned that Dr. Shilts accompanied him during this inspection)
• Two roosters were identified on the property
• The property has reportedly housed animals over the past three years
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Bickford and Seconded by Dr. Shilts and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant an Animal Permit to Ms. Donna Harkness at 178 Gardner Street for the specific numbers of animals contained within the application, excluding all roosters.
ANIMAL REGULATION GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT:
ANIMALS IN HINGHAM BUSINESSES
The Board discussed the topic of businesses that employ animals for property protection.
The following guideline topics were identified:
• Such establishments should have adequate and conspicuous signage warning the public of the presence of animals used for trespass deterrence.
• Such establishments should properly notify the Hingham Police, Fire, Public Works and BoH if intending to use animals used for trespass deterrence.
• Such establishments should develop and maintain an ‘Operations Plan’ that describes the business’s animal-related operations & tactics, hours of operations, prevalent veterinary information, description of fencing and signage for the property, and 24-hour contact information.
The Board discussed a proposed policy concerning the presence of household pets within Hingham business that have public access.
“Animals that are kept within Hingham businesses should be caged, muzzled, leased, or restrained in such a manner to limit their physical contact with patrons and the public.”
EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT:
• State Barn Inspections and Animal Facility Inspections
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board a new “Animal Facility/ Barn Inspection Form”.
• Public Nuisance Report, 149 South Street
Mr. Capman and Ms. Badger updated the Board regarding this business establishment that reportedly has a number of animals present during business hours which are not restrained, caged, muzzled or leased.
Thereafter, the Board asked Ms. Badger to inspect this establishment and provide the BoH a report addressing any animal-related public safety concerns.
• Influenza H1N1 “Swine Flu”
Mr. Capman stated that the town’s seasonal flu clinic will be held at the Town Hall next month, and the H1N1 inoculation program will be conducted at the various schools for elementary school students, and the High School for other age population residents.
• Hingham Health Department Personnel:
Mr. Capman stated that a number of Health Dept. employees have recently been issued formal discipline, and that the Board will be properly advised of these matters at a later date. He added that any correspondence received by Board members regarding Health Dept. personnel should be kept confidential.
• Town of Hingham Comprehensive Master Wastewater Plan:
Dr. Shilts updated the Board regarding the Hingham Wastewater Study. He mentioned that the plan’s development committee would be meeting next month to establish final recommendations for the plan. He added that the plan does not yet include specific criteria to identify what constitutes a “high-priority” needs area. He said that the Sewer Commission seems to be promoting the expansion of town sewers around the Central Street area and east Hingham area, and this promotion is not based on study outcomes but rather on the Commission’s historical preferences.
MINUTES:
Due to Mr. White’s absence, and Mr. Bickford not having attended the 7/16/09 meeting, the aforementioned meeting minutes were not reviewed.
SCHEDULING:
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 7:00pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
The August 27, 2009 meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 7:42pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health