TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE
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 February 12, 2008.
This meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mr. Paul McKeon, Chairman. Other members present were Mr. Steven Garabedian, Mr. Chris Cella, and Mr. Scott Chase. Ms. Ann Marie Thompson was absent. Also present was Jeanne Gniadek, Administrative Assistant.
Minutes: A motion was made by Mr. Garabedian to accept the minutes of January 8, 2008. Motion seconded by Mr. Cella; the vote was 4-0 in favor.
Title 5 – Wal-Mart Supercenter: Mr. McKeon informed the Board that he and James Malley, Agent of the Board, met with several of the engineers at their request regarding this project. He stated that he told those present that they had until February 15th to correct this matter or that the establishment would be shut down as Title 5 regulations stipulate that effluent cannot enter a septic system until a Certificate of Compliance has been issued.
Mr. McKeon stated that he and Mr. Malley were contacted to inspect the corrections that were made to the septic system. The Zabel filter and the cycle counters were installed. Mr. McKeon informed the Board that the pump hours which have been significantly different in the amount of time on each should show a close to equal increase in hours in the next report. Mr. McKeon stated that he and Mr. Malley also inspected the plug that had been installed in the grease trap in the compactor pad area. He stated that he and Mr. Malley were all set with that and that the only other thing we are waiting on now is information regarding the cleanouts at the ends of the laterals.
Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that Mr. Malley and Paul Hutnak, the design engineer, met in the Board of Health office today and that Mr. Hutnak made a note on the Certificate of Compliance form that the laterals were not installed per a field decision made by the installer, design engineer, and Board of Health agent. Mr. Hutnak also crossed out the note which dictates that the pressure at the ends of the laterals is to be checked and included in the required quarterly inspections of this system. Mr. Malley signed off on the Certificate of Compliance.
Mr. McKeon stated that all septic issues have been addressed and that the only remaining issue is in the food service area where the hot water is not sufficient at the hand sinks in the food prep area. Mr. McKeon stated that the store manager told him back in August that they would be installing an additional hot water tank. As of this date that has not been done. Ms. Gniadek updated the Board stating that she was told also that a hot water tank was to be installed, then they said that they were going to install instant heat fixtures at the hand sinks. Ms. Gniadek stated that she received a message from Kathleen Drea that the plumber, John D’agostino, states that there is no problem with the hot water so they were not going to do anything.
Ms. Gilchrist is scheduled to conduct a re-inspection at Wal-Mart on Saturday. Mr. Garabedian offered to accompany Ms. Gilchrist on this inspection.
Motion made by Mr. Cella to hold off on the Occupancy Permit until the issue of the hot water has been addressed. Motion seconded by Mr. Chase; the vote was all in favor.
Cease & Desist – Tonight’s Dinner Is: Present for this meeting was Ms. Kim Toomey. It was brought to the Board’s attention that Ms. Toomey was operating a catering business from her home. As residential kitchens are not allowed to prepare potentially hazardous food, Ms. Toomey was issued a cease & desist and was asked to appear before the Board this evening. Ms. Toomey stated that she was unaware of this regulation. She stated that most of her business is operating as a personal chef and asked if that required a license. Mr. McKeon stated that if she prepares food in other people’s homes for their consumption then she does not need a license from the Board of Health. She cannot prepare food in her kitchen for others to consume. Ms. Toomey stated that she is looking into finding a kitchen that is already licensed in which to operate. Mr. McKeon informed her that if she finds a kitchen in another town then she would be licensed by that town’s Board of Health. Ms. Toomey was provided with information on attaining the state food codes.
Food Permits Church Kitchens: Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that she would like the Board to require the churches in town to obtain an annual food permit. This would allow us to inspect annually and would also eliminate the need for one-day food permits when the churches hold special events. Mr. Garabedian stated that in Milford they license and inspect the churches. Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that St. Patrick’s parish is applying for a license as they want to sell fish and chips through lent. St. Patrick’s was pleased with the idea of an annual license which would cover their numerous events throughout the year and would eliminate the one-day food permit application process. The Board requested that Ms. Gniadek start issuing letters to the churches to inform them of this licensing requirement, that there is no permit fee associated with it, and that the Board will work with them if any upgrades are necessary.
Tobacco Control Program – Invitation to Retailers: Ms. Antoinette Raymond of the Blackstone Valley Youth Tobacco Prevention Program is offering tobacco sales retail training for employees of establishments that sell tobacco products. Ms. Raymond requested that the invitation be allowed to say that the training is sponsored and supported by the Northbridge Board of Health.
Motion made by Mr. Cella for the Northbridge Board of Health to sponsor and support this tobacco sales retail training. Motion seconded by Mr. Garabedian; the vote was all in favor.
Tobacco Control Program – Retailer Compliance Inspections: Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that this matter was placed on the agenda to determine if they wished to utilize some of the remaining mini-grant funds to conduct annual retail inspections of tobacco sales establishments to ensure that permits and signage are properly posted and are in compliance with state and local regulations. Ms. Gniadek stated that she has since learned that the Blackstone Valley Youth Tobacco Prevention Program will be conducting this annual inspection so it will not be necessary to use grant funds for this purpose.
Tom Berkowitz Trucking – Site Assignment Modification – MEPA Decision: The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs issued a determination under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) that the Tom Berkowitz Site Assignment Modification does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. The Secretary notes that the project as submitted will not impact the Riverfront Area or other wetland resources and that should there be any material change to the project the proponent will be required to file a Notice of Project Change.
Tom Berkowitz Trucking – Conservation Commission Filing – Request for Determination: The Board received a copy of the Request for Determination of Applicability filed with the Northbridge Conservation Commission by Norfolk Ram Group for the Tom Berkowitz Trucking Site Assignment Modification to make a determination of whether the water body across the way from their facility on Douglas Road is a river or a pond. The Conservation Commission has scheduled a public hearing to address this application on February 13, 2008.
Sunset Drive – Drainage Easement – Correspondence: Mr. McKeon stated that The Board had received additional correspondence from Mr. Arthur Kroll, Mr. Burnham Miller, and the Northbridge Conservation Commission. That correspondence was distributed to the Board members.
Mr. McKeon stated that he and Mr. James F. Malley, Jr., Registered Professional Engineer, and agent of the Board had gone out to the Kroll property on January 24, 2008 to obtain a water sample for fecal coliform testing. Mr. Malley’s report was distributed to the Board. It notes that there was no evidence of effluent breakout from the system. Mr. McKeon stated that they were unable to obtain a water sample.
Mr. McKeon stated that he would prepare a letter to Mr. Kroll informing him that a water sample has not been taken as there was no evidence of system breakout. Mr. McKeon noted that the water table is low right now and that the system may show signs of failure when the water table is higher. He and Mr. Malley will conduct another site inspection when the water table is higher.
Mr. McKeon requested that a memorandum be sent to the Conservation Commission and the Town Manager indicating that he and Mr. Malley inspected the property and there was no evidence of system failure or effluent breakout at this time but that a subsequent inspection will be conducted when the water table is higher.
Old & New Business: Ms. Gniadek provided the Board with a packet of information detailing the Chapter 43D – Expedited Permitting Provision. This information was provided to the Board from the Northbridge Planning Board. As this provision requires Town Meeting approval, the Planning Board is asking that the Board review this information and submit a letter of support to them. Ms. Gniadek briefly explained some of the highlights of this program. Motion made by Mr. Cella to send memorandum to Planning Board supporting the Chapter 43D Expedited Permitting program. Motion seconded by Mr. Chase; the vote was all in favor.
Information regarding the Commonwealth adoption of Massage Regulations was discussed by the Board. A letter from Town Counsel was also received providing the Board with guidance in this matter. Town counsel notes that it does not appear necessary to revoke licenses that have already been issued but if an applicant requests it then the Board should vote to revoke the license and refund the application fee. Motion made by Mr. Cella to refund massage therapist license fees only upon request by licensee. Motion seconded by Mr. Chase; the vote was all in favor.
Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that the 1316 Hill Street – APR Property is stabling horses. As this land is under an Agricultural restriction which does not permit the stabling of horses for recreational or boarding purposes Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that she spoke with Michelle Padula at the Department of Agriculture who is already investigating this matter. The purpose of the call to Ms. Padula was to check as to whether this was an allowed use so that an order to obtain a stable permit from the Board of Health could be issued. Ms. Padula has asked that the Board give the Department of Agriculture a little more time to investigate the issue before issuing an order or a permit. It was noted that the Town of Northbridge is a co-holder of the restriction.
Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that she had received a complaint of worms in split peas purchased from Wal-Mart. The peas were brought into the office and examined by Ms. Terry Gilchrist and several other health officers in Westboro who were able to examine the product under a microscope. They could not be certain that the white material in the product were worms. The complainants were not satisfied with this answer. Mr. McKeon requested that Wal-Mart be informed of any future complaints regarding this matter.
Mr. McKeon informed the Board that the Northbridge Sewer Department had contacted him in regards to a sewer blockage caused by a grease build up. This blockage was on Providence Road near Brian’s Restaurant. Ms. Gniadek informed the Board that Ms. Gilchrist had conducted an inspection of this facility and noted that a grease trap log is not being kept. She advised the owner to have the trap professionally cleaned once a month and to submit records of those cleanings to the Board of Health office. The Board requested that notice be sent requesting the appearance of the owner of Brian’s Restaurant, Brian Snay, at the next Board of Health meeting.
Correspondence: Correspondence dispersed to the Board included:
1. Public Health Fish Advisory – Rice City Pond
2. MEMA – 211 Emergency Information System
3. Town Manager’s Office – Spring Annual Town Meeting – Close of Warrant
There being no further business, motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM was made by Mr. Cella, seconded by Mr. Garabedian – all in favor.
Attested by,
Jeanne M. Gniadek, Administrative Assistant