Lincoln Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
July 9, 2008
PRESENT: Frederick Mansfield, M.D., Chairman
Diane Haessler, R.N.
Brent Reagor, Public Health Agent
Elaine Carroll, Secretary
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The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. The minutes from the May 14, 2008 meeting were approved as written. There will be no August meeting and the next scheduled meeting will be September 3, 2008.
Septic System Review:
25 Hillside Road – Bill Murphy, septic designer, representing the owner came before the members to request three variances from the local regulations to allow for the reconstruction of a failed septic system. The requests are as follows:
1) To construct a leaching bed or field instead of leaching trenches, which is prohibited by local amendment to 310 CMR 15.252.
2) To construct a leaching facility with 6” of stone in the leaching bed instead of 12” as required by local amendment to 310 CMR 15.247.
3) To construct a leaching facility which is not increased by 50% to provide for potential garbage grinder installation whether or not a garbage grinder is initially installed as required by local amendment to 310 CMR 15.203.
Mr. Murphy said that this is an existing 3 bedroom house with no additions and they will be using the existing 1,500 gal. tank. The owners did not want to size for a 4 bedroom house. Construction at the property is complicated by a depth to groundwater no greater than 4 feet. The use of a 6” deep bed instead of trenches allows for a reduction in grading and earthwork. Designing for a garbage disposal would increase the system area by 150%, pushing the system inside the 50’ wetlands buffer or increasing the probability of encountering bedrock ledge in the excavation. The variances will allow for system construction that minimizes tree loss on a well-forested site, fits best within the layout of the lot, and does not require a pump. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to
grant the variances as requested provided that the owner files a deed restriction that prohibits the installation of a garbage grinder. The motion passed 2-0.
Public Hearing:
Codman Community Farm – Heidi Tafel and Kyra Cressotti from Codman Community Farm came before the members to seek the approval for a mobile poultry processing unit to be used at the Codman Farm in July, September and October of this year. Codman has been working with the New England Small Farm Institute as part of a pilot project for a mobile (trailer-mounted) poultry slaughtering operation that would serve a number of small scale poultry farmers around the Commonwealth. The pilot project was suggested by the Food Protection Program at DPH and would allow the unit to process limited amounts of poultry at 4-6 sites across the State. Once processed the chickens can be sold directly to consumers, restaurants or community-supported agricultural groups, but under the current laws in Mass. they
cannot be sold to markets or other re-sellers. The mobile slaughtering unit would receive a permit to operate and sell from DPH. In addition, MGL Ch. 111, Sect. 151 requires the facility to have local written approval from the Board of Health. Codman plans on processing 50 chickens in July and 100 in both September and October. This unit was recently approved and used in Concord at the end of June at Pete and Jen’s Backyard Birds, which was witnessed by Brent Reagor. Peter Lowy and Jennifer Hashley also spoke about the process that was done at their place in June. Jennifer said that there are two areas in the trailer, one is considered the contaminated area and the other divided are is considered the clean area. People cannot walk between the two areas but must go outside first. The plucking unit removes the feathers in 30 seconds. The waste water and unusable chicken parts are placed deep in an active compost pile so that
predators are not attracted to the smell. Brent said that the State Inspector will be at the events to make sure that the processing is done correctly. Jennifer said that they need to modify the chill tanks to get the water down to 40 degrees. There is a $225 a year fee for the State license. Codman Farm already has a retail license from the Lincoln Board of Health. Jennifer said that she wants to get another grant for another processing center, which cost approximately $35,000 or possibly do some fundraising. Heidi Tafel said that she has not been able to find a slaughter facility, and if you travel a certain number of miles you need a refrigerated truck. After reviewing some pictures of the process, a motion was made to approve the use of the mobile poultry processing unit. The motion passed 2-0. Brent will send a letter of approval to Codman. Heidi said that she would let the members know the date in July so
that they may be there if they wish to do so.
At 8:10 the meeting was closed and the members went into Executive Session with Town Counsel to discuss strategy for pending litigation. The following members were polled for their approval to go into Executive Session: Dr. Mansfield voted “yes”, and Diane Haessler voted “yes”. At the conclusion of the Executive Session, the following members were polled for their approval to return to the public meeting: Dr. Mansfield voted “yes” and Diane Haessler voted “yes”.
The public meeting resumed at 8:35 p.m.
Other Business:
Summer Camps – Dr. Mansfield asked Brent if all the camps had been licensed and filled out all their CORI and SORI reports. Brent said Stan Sosnicki has made sure that all camps have completed all their necessary paperwork and all camps are up and running with all the necessary licensing done.
Lincoln North Building – Brent reported that the repairs at Lincoln North are done and are being inspected tomorrow.
Contract with Concord – The members were given a copy of the contract between Lincoln and Concord, which has been renewed until June 30, 2009. They also received a copy of the activity report for the 4th quarter (April – June, 2008) from Concord Board of Health.
Eliot Community Human Services, Inc. – The members received a copy of the annual report for FY 2007 as well as the first three quarters for FY 2008 from The Eliot Center and Dr. Mansfield signed the new contract for The Eliot Center, which will expire on June 30, 2009.
Emergency Preparedness Funds – Elaine Carroll reported to the members that the funds have been received in the amount of $6,583, which will be used to purchase two trailers for the Fire Dept. for the storage of emergency equipment, a printer for the Board of Health office and printing for the emergency pamphlet prepared by the LEPC. The State would not approve the purchase of a shed so Chief Cotoni switched to trailers, which the State had approved in other towns.
Lyme Disease – Elaine Carroll informed the members of an e-mail she received from a Cambridge resident who claims that her child contracted Lyme disease from a trip to Drumlin Farm and felt that Drumlin should warn people of the danger of Lyme disease on their website. Brent said that he could get some pamphlets from the State and bring them to Drumlin, which they could have available to hand out to the public.
Bill Paid – Four bills were paid: Eliot Community Human Services for the 4th Quarter in the amount of $1,250.00 and 3 bills to the Town of Lexington – for the April, 2008 Hazardous Waste collection day in the amount of $1,139.57, May, 2008 collection day in the amount of $911.72 and June, 2008 collection day in the amount of $512.39.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine M. Carroll
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