Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
A posted public meeting of the Hingham Board of Health (the Board) was held in the South Central Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. White at 6:35pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Stephan White, Chairman
Peter Bickford, Member
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Member
STAFF PRESENT
Bruce Capman, R.S., Executive Health Officer
AGENDA
Mr. Capman reviewed the meeting’s posted draft agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the agenda was accepted with additions.
SWIMMING POOL WAIVER REQUEST:
LINDEN PONDS, 300 LINDEN PONDS WAY
The Board reviewed a 6/17/10 request from Ms. Kelly Fogg to have the requirement of an on-duty lifeguard waived for certain times for their indoor athletic pool.
The Board discussed the following issues:
- The pool is designed for lap swimming, available to Linden Ponds residents only.
- The request is for a few hours early morning and at the end of the day, beyond the contract lifeguard’s established work schedule.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant a waiver from the State regulations concerning pools waiving the requirement, through the last day of 2010, that a lifeguard must be on duty for the Linden Ponds indoor pool on Monday through Friday from 5am-7am & 6pm-9pm, Saturday from 5am-7am & 5pm-8pm, and Sunday from 5am-8am, and that residents using the pool during these times adhere to a “buddy-system” of observation monitoring, and undergo appropriate instruction in emergency and safety procedures.
ANIMAL PERMIT APPLICATION:
136 FORT HILL STREET
Permit applicant: Charles Houghton
The Board reviewed the following documents:
- Report from Mr. Capman dated 7/22/10
- Inspection from Ms. Badger dated 3/17/10
The Board discussed the following issues:
- Multiple inspections of this property have revealed a consistency of clutter and poor manure disposal practices.
- Mr. Bickford expressed concern about the kennel facility at this location, regarding the questionable housing cages for the numerous beagles. Mr. Capman said that although unfortunate, Ms. Badger reported this was an acceptable industry practice for housing dogs of this particular size.
- Dr. Shilts suggested that bringing this location under the oversight of a town-permit could help facilitate substantive improvements to the overall property.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant the following variances to the Town of Hingham Regulations Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, sections 3-4(B): (the facility located less than 100 feet from a wetland is allowed), 3-4(B)(2): (insufficient distances of the chicken coop and pigeon lofts from the property line is allowed), 3-4(A): (animal units in excess of the 1.5 animal unit/acre relative to pigeons is allowed),and issue a permit to keep animals through 12/31/10, conditional that the facility owner promptly disinfect all pigeon coops as verified by the Hingham Animal Control Officer.
HEALTH AGENT CANDIDATE INTERVIEW:
Applicant: Bruce Gaylord
The Board interviewed Mr. Gaylord for the open position of Hingham Health Agent. Mr. Gaylord was given a choice of conducting this interview in open meeting or in [Executive Session MGL c.39 § 23B(8)] closed session. Mr. Gaylord selected an open meeting format.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the public meeting minutes of 6/17/10.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Bickford and Seconded by Dr. Shilts and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To approve the public meeting minutes of June 17, 2010.
The Board reviewed the executive session minutes of 6/17/10.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Bickford and Seconded by Dr. Shilts and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To approve the Executive Session minutes of June 17, 2010, and to keep those minutes confidential until any contained item has been deemed closed, at which time the Board’s discussions on these items may be released to the public.
EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT:
- Health Agent position
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board the full compliment of applications that were received for the position of Hingham Heath Agent. He added that the number of applications was unusually low due to a very brief posting of the available position due to a miscommunication from the Hingham Personnel Director.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Bickford and Seconded by Dr. Shilts and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To post the Health Agent position in the appropriate public media for at least a two-week period.
- Definitive Subdivision Application, 987 Main Street
Mr. Capman provided the Board with his 7/12/10 letter to Town Planner Lacy regarding this proposed subdivision. He added that this matter would likely be on the August meeting agenda.
SCHEDULING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 8:00am.
The Board established a tentative schedule of Wednesday evening meetings at 7:00PM on the third week of the month beginning in September.
ADJOURNMENT
The July 22, 2010 meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 8:21pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health