Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
OCTOBER 15, 2009
A posted meeting of the Hingham Board of Health (Board) was held in the East Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Shilts at 2:08pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Chairman
Peter Bickford, Member
Stephan White, Member
STAFF PRESENT
Bruce Capman, RS, Executive Health Officer
James Toomey, Esq., Hingham Town Counsel
AGENDA
Dr. Shilts reviewed the proposed agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the agenda was approved with additions.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
Atty. Toomey addressed the Board for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy relative to Hingham Health Dept. employee Mr. Michael McDonald.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Bickford and Seconded by Mr. White and it was VOTED;
To enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to MGL c. 39, § 23B (3), for a period of approximately twenty (20) minutes, to discuss litigation strategy in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.
* members in favor: Bickford, White and Shilts
Open meeting resumed at 2:48pm
MINUTES
Dr. Shilts reviewed with the Board the public meeting minutes from October 8, 2009.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Bickford and Seconded by Mr. White and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To accept the October 8, 2009 public meeting minutes as drafted.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL:
HEALTH AGENT POSITION
Mr. Capman discussed the open position of Health Agent due to the resignation of Mr. McDonald. Mr. Capman said that he would review the remainder of the department’s 2009/10 personnel budget and expected workload specific to the Health Agent position, and provide the Board with his recommendation at the next meeting about filling the position. He added, as an aside, that there is presently a hiring freeze which covers Town employee positions under the authority of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Capman stated that during the short-term he would continue to perform the necessary field inspections, review all septic system upgrades, investigate public complaints, but likely assign percolation tests to our consulting engineer, Green Environmental.
HINGHAM BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
HINGHAM INDUSTRIAL PARK STUDY
Mr. Capman mentioned that the Board of Selectmen are asking for assistance from the various permitting Boards to help pay for a $50,000 study of the Industrial Park area. He mentioned that the Planning Board has funded $10,000 toward this effort from available funds that had not been allocated. Dr. Shilts said that he was familiar with the Selectmen’s study which has to do with a proposed project associated with the South Shore Hospital.
Thereafter, the Board requested that Mr. Capman obtain more information concerning this issue.
SCHEDULING
The next regular meeting was tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 6pm.
ADJOURNMENT
The October 15, 2009 public meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 3:02pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health