TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE

BOARD OF HEALTH

7 Main Street

Whitinsville, MA  01588

Phone# (508) 234-3272   Fax# (508) 234-0821

 

The Northbridge Board of Health approved these minutes at a meeting held December 11, 2007.

 

MEETING MINUTES ~ NOVEMBER 27, 2007

                                                                                                                                               

 

This meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mr. Paul McKeon, Chairman. Other members present were Mr. Steven Garabedian, Ms. Ann Marie Thompson and Mr. Chris Cella. Mr. Scott Chase was absent. Also present was Jeanne Gniadek, Administrative Assistant.

 

Minutes: A motion was made by Ms. Thompson to accept the minutes of November 6, 2007. Motion seconded by Mr. Cella; the vote was 4-0 in favor.

 

Oakhurst Farm Travel Center – Site Plan Review: Mr. McKeon stated that it is not the Board’s decision to approve or disapprove this project but to make sure that proper restrictions are in place which will protect public health and comply with health regulations and standards.

 

He informed the Board that he had discussed this project with Malley Engineering and that they were in agreement that the Board should require catch basins with a 500-600 gallon capacity which could be piped into a centrally-located holding tank with capacity of 10,000-gallons to contain any spills at this facility. Other comments for the Board’s review had been prepared by Ms. Gniadek based on regulations and discussion from the Board’s previous meeting.

 

Mr. McKeon also stated that the Board could require as part of the approval process that the facility install IdleAire or other similar technology which provides heat/air/electrical connections to the trucks that would utilize this facility so that they would not need to run their trucks through the night. The Board also discussed noise concerns and suggested that a sound engineer be contracted at the applicant’s expense to do a noise study so that an accurate benchmark of ambient air standards could be on file should noise complaints be received after the construction and operation of the facility.

 

Mr. McKeon also stated that he felt that these comments should be sent to the Town of Sutton Planning Board and Board of Health offices as the project also lies in Sutton.

 

Motion made by Ms. Thompson to submit comments and health concerns as drafted with copies to the Town of Sutton regarding the Oakhurst Farm Travel Center. Motion seconded by Mr. Cella. The vote was 3-0 in favor. Mr. Garabedian abstained as he is an abutter to this project.

 

A.L. Prime Energy – Tobacco Compliance Check – Permit Suspension Hearing: Present for this hearing was the manager of the A.L. Prime gas station located on Church Street. The Board informed him that during a November 6, 2007 compliance check his establishment sold cigarettes to a minor, resulting in a second offense within the past 24 months.

The manager apologized and agreed to suspend tobacco sales for a period of 15 days in accordance with Board of Health regulations.

 

Motion made by Ms. Thompson to suspend Tobacco Sales Permit for A.L. Prime Energy for the period November 28, 2007 through December 12, 2007 and to request payment of fine in the amount of $200. Motion seconded by Mr. Cella; the vote was all in favor. It was noted that the $200 fine had been paid.

 

Whitinsville XtraMart – Tobacco Compliance Check – Permit Suspension Hearing: Present for this hearing was Jeremy Sebastian, Regional Manager, and Attorney Gerald Shugrue. Atty. Shugrue argued that his client had the right to confront his accuser and asked if the accuser was present this evening. Mr. McKeon stated that he was not. The Board of Health follows the Department of Public Health guidelines for tobacco compliance checks. The youth is not present as they may continue to be used to conduct checks in town.

 

Atty. Shugrue stated that if this matter goes before District Court, then the Board would have to produce the accuser. The Board stated that they are aware of that and are prepared to do so if necessary.

 

Atty. Shugrue argued that the ticket that was issued should have been issued immediately following the alleged violation. Mr. McKeon stated that the ticket is not issued immediately to protect the youth and so that establishments don’t call each other to let them know that a compliance check is being conducted in town.

 

Motion made by Mr. Cella to suspend the Tobacco Sales Permit for the Whitinsville XtraMart for a period of 15 days in accordance with Board of Health regulations governing a second offense along with the $200 fine. Motion seconded by Ms. Thompson; the vote was 3-0 in favor. Mr. McKeon abstained. It was noted that the $200 fine had been paid.

 

Atty. Shugrue requested that the 15-day suspension be postponed for a period of time as he and his client may consider an appeal.

 

Motion by Mr. Cella to suspend permit January 2, 2008 through January 16, 2008. Motion seconded by Ms. Thompson; the vote was all in favor.

 

CVS – Tobacco Compliance Check: Present for this meeting was Heather Keeler, store manager, and Alice Coffi, office manager, to discuss the recent youth access compliance check which resulted in a first offense at this establishment and a $100 fine.

 

Ms. Keeler stated that she understood the circumstances but requested that a copy of these types of notices should go directly to the store. The notice of violation went to corporate headquarters and when they contacted her she was unaware that this offense had occurred. The Board agreed to update their procedures to allow for this. Ms. Keeler stated that additional trainings are being conducted with her employees. Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that the $100 fine had been paid. No further action was necessary.

 

Title 5 – WalMart Supercenter: Present for this meeting were Mike Loin, Bertin Engineering, and Ms. Kathleen Drea of Barry Porter and Associates.

 

Mr. Loin stated that the Board had received the pumping records for the grease trap at the compactor pad and that in reviewing that data it has been shown that the two most recent pumpings yielded just 110 gallons each – the tank has 1,000-gallon capacity. Mr. Loin agreed that it made sense to plug the waste line with the condition that should things change (i.e, the trap is being pumped weekly for excess flows) then this matter could be revisited.

 

Mr. McKeon agreed that this was a perfect solution to the problem. Mr. Malley is to be contacted to witness the sealing of the waste line out of the grease trap at the compactor pad. It was noted that a proper as-built plan of the septic system must also be received prior to the Board of Health signing off on this project.

 

244 Brookway Drive – Deed Restriction Discussion: Present for this meeting were Beth and Jeffrey Tubbs, owner of property located at 244 Brookway Drive.

 

Ms. Tubbs presented the Board with a 4-bedroom deed restriction for the Board’s approval and signature so that it can be recorded and her building permit for the construction of a room in the basement can be signed off by the Board of Health. Mr. McKeon signed the deed restriction as the local approving authority as acceptance had been approved at a prior meeting.

 

Quaker Street Landfill – Monitoring Requirements: Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that she had received a quote of $14,900 from Beta Group for the maintenance and monitoring of the Quaker Street Landfill for the upcoming year. CDM had quoted a contract price of $21,000. She stated that she had provided this information to the Town manager who had requested that she receive a third quote – he suggested that she speak with the DPW Director to find out what engineering firm to contact. Mr. Sasseville suggested Earth Tech. Earth Tech  was contacted and Ms. Gniadek requested a quote for this evening’s meeting. She stated that she has not yet heard back from Earth Tech.

 

Motion made by Mr. Cella to offer the Board’s recommendation to the Town manager to sign a contract with Beta Group for the maintenance and monitoring of the Quaker Street Landfill unless a quote from Earth Tech comes in at a lower rate. Motion seconded by Ms. Thompson; the vote was all in favor.

 

Berkowitz Trucking Site Assignment Major Modification – Environmental Notification Form:  

The Board reviewed the MEPA Environmental Notification Form submitted by Tom Berkowitz Trucking for the Major Modification of his site assignment to allow for tonnage of 100 tons per day. Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that in accordance with MEPA regulations, comments on the ENF must be submitted within 30 days of publication in the Environmental Monitor. She noted that the application indicates that the Riverfront Protection Act does not apply yet the Department of Environmental Protection, in reviewing the site assignment major modification application, noted in their administrative deficiency letter that the applicant needs to file a Request for Determination of Applicability with the Northbridge Conservation Commission to determine whether the Riverfront Act is applicable. This matter will be placed on the agenda for the next Board of Health meeting to consider comments on the ENF.

 

 

There being no further business, motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM was made by Mr. Cella, seconded by Ms. Thompson – all in favor.

 

Attested by,

 

 

Jeanne M. Gniadek, Administrative Assistant