Milton, Massachusetts - Board of Health Minutes, June 2006

3. Mr. Robert Sullivan and Ms. Suzanne Brown attended to check the status of the dumpsters in East Milton Square and recent initiatives undertaken by the Board of Health. He and residents from the Adams Street/Church Street neighborhood had attended May's Board of Health meeting after seeing evidence of rodents in that area. They provided pictures of open and overflowing dumpsters that they believed were the source of the problem. The Director stated that each of the steps agreed upon last month had been taken including a letter to each food establishment advising them of the new dumpster policy which would be effective immediately. He also shared his findings during an inspection of the theatre portion of the building currently occupied by Java Jo's and Sweet Greetings. He explained that he found nothing there which could be causing a rodent problem.

The Health Inspector assured the residents that she has been closely monitoring the dumpsters and is very pleased with what she has seen. She stated that several establishments have either added another dumpster to meet their needs or have increased their pick-up schedule. Ms. Janga also noted that Dunkin Donuts has enclosed their dumpster with fencing which is kept locked.

Mr. Sullivan then asked if the DPW had agreed to expand the pickups for the refuse containers in East Milton Square which he said are overflowing. He mentioned seeing a DPW truck on a Sunday evening which drove right past. He wondered why the driver could not have just stopped and emptied them. Ms. Musto suggested that he contact the DPW directly since a resident's complaint will often receive prompt action.

4. The Board discussed initiating a Citizens Speak at the monthly meetings. This would allow residents a few minutes to address the Board with any concerns or comments they may have relative to the functions of the Board of Health. This program will begin at the next meeting.

5. Ms. Vicki McCarthy, Youth Counselor for the Town of Milton attended to discuss her position which is in danger of being abolished. Ms. McCarthy presented the Board with packets containing pertinent information as to why she believes an association with the Health Department would be beneficial to the community. She wondered if there might be grant funding available that would allow her to work in conjunction with this department. Following her presentation, the Board supported her effort and offered to do whatever they could to assist her.

6. The Director informed the Board of a request for an emergency local upgrade approval for the septic system at 456 Randolph Avenue. When he visited the site to observe a percolation test, he found septage flowing into wetlands. The Conservation Commission was made aware of the situation and a pump truck will come as needed until the system is repaired. However, due to the fact that the hole they dug to determine the percolation rate was so deep that it would be unsafe for anyone to go down into it to observe the soil, a sieve analysis was used instead to make a determination. Based on Mr. Blanchard's opinion that this was the best possible solution and was in accordance with Title V regulations, Mr. Lowney moved to grant the local upgrade approval for this system. The motion was seconded by Ms. Musto and unanimously approved by the Board.

7. Non-criminal disposition tickets and fees were discussed, specifically in relation to dumpsters. After a discussion of dumpster policies in place in other communities, the Board agreed that our present policy appears to be effective and any changes can be put off until necessary.

8. In response to a complaint about a local retailer selling chewing tobacco to a minor, the Director contacted our Tobacco Collaborative to see if a compliance check aimed solely at the sale of chewing tobacco could be held. He learned that two checks are currently planned, one of which will determine if employees can properly read the IDs of customers, but that they will also conduct an additional check targeting just chewing tobacco. Ms. Musto mentioned that the National Little League felt that it was important enough to develop a slogan aimed at deterring youth from using chewing tobacco. The Health Inspector offered to visit local tobacco retailers to determine which ones sell this product.

9. Mr. Blanchard updated the Board on the replies to the Volunteer Medical Corps. There has been a tremendous response and a training and information session is planned this week for those who have expressed interest. With a goal of 100 medical volunteers, approximately 80 replies have been received to date. The next round of recruitment will be for non-medical volunteers.

10. An Emergency Preparedness Table Top exercise is being planned to bring players not involved with LEPC to the table. Selectmen, Department Heads and School Department representatives will be invited. Local businesses are also being encouraged to develop a plan in the event of any major pandemic since it is estimated that up to 30% of all employees will not be able to report to work. Businesses to be contacted about formulating emergency plans are day care providers, colleges, Milton Academy and senior housing sites. In the event of a power outage, these sites should be aware that the fire department may not be available to evacuate them so they must develop their own plans.

Milton High School will be used in the event of a major emergency. The Director felt that a school building is ideal since it offers a kitchen for feeding volunteers, and rooms where the volunteers can rest. One concern is whether or not day care will be provided for the volunteers.

Dr. Grant stated that Dr. Al DeMaria spoke at a recent conference and stated that schools will remain open except for a planned close-down of two weeks. She expressed her surprise since this is very different from policies being followed in other states.

11. In response to a call from a Town Meeting member apparently triggered by the home on Prince Street rented to several college students, the Director investigated a pre-rental inspection policy implemented by other communities. Many communities using this approach are vacation towns. Some towns visit the site prior to renting and determine the number of renters allowed based on the square footage of the home. Mr. Blanchard explained that currently Milton is complaint based. Ms. Janga advised that much of the rental housing here is Section 8 and they conduct their own inspections. Based on the facts presented, the Board felt there was presently no need to change the way rental property is handled in the town.

12. The subject of how far employees who smoke should be from the entrance to their workplace was discussed. Mr. Driscoll explained that he had to pass through smokers to enter a local food establishment and wondered if there were any regulations governing this practice. Ms. Janga explained that there is an issue if the smoke is entering the workplace. However, she said that the establishment in question has one door inside of the outside which appears to be preventing the smoke from infiltrating the workplace. It was also mentioned that the smokers may not be employees but rather customers finishing their cigarettes prior to entering the store. Following discussion, the Board agreed that it might be best to speak to the manager and let him know in a friendly manner what was observed immediately outside the shop and ask him to please speak with his employees so that they are aware of the regulations governing smoking in the workplace.

13. The Director shared with the Board his desire to formulate a community health assessment for Milton. He presented completed copies of a similar project on which he had worked in Brookline that used graphs to explain the printed data. He suggested using the resources of nursing students at Curry College since Board of Health staff has limited manpower. The Board strongly supported this idea and asked Mr. Blanchard to keep them up to date on any progress he makes with this project.

14. Mr. Blanchard updated the Board on the topic of mosquitoes and the number of calls received by the office for private spraying. Ms. Musto said how well received last year's article in the Milton Times was which provided preventative tips to residents. She suggested reprinting that article in the coming weeks to remind residents of what precautions they should be taking. The Board agreed with this suggestion.