Milton, Massachusetts - Board of Health Minutes, March 2008

4. The Board welcomed our new Public Health Nurse, Caroline A. Kinsella, R.N. who began working on March 4, 2008 following the retirement of Mary A. Whitney, R.N.C after thirty-two years of service to the Town.

5. The Director reviewed the status of the proposed FY09 budget. He explained the two budgets under consideration are the contingent and non-contingent. In the Warrant Committee's recommended contingent budget, the amount of $164,385 which we requested would be reduced to $158,728. This latter amount reflects the actual amount we will need based on the difference in salary between Public Health Nurses.

In the Warrant Committee's recommended non-contingent budget, the amount would be $158,010 which is level funded from our FY08 budget appropriation. In this case, the difference would be reflected in the salary of the newly hired Public Health Nurse with the remainder coming out of general expenses.

6. Mr. Blanchard advised the Board that the reappointment of the Inspector of Animals for 2008-2009 is due. He explained how fortunate the Board of Health is to have Dr. Wolf in this position. The fact that he is Veterinarian is a great advantage. The Board agreed to reappoint Morton Wolf, DVM to this position.

7. The Director explained about a problem the former Public Health Nurse had encountered with her sick leave buy back plan at the time of her retirement. The Nurse, as well as several people in the Town's administration hierarchy had difficulty with the interpretation of the Personnel Board guidelines concerning this matter. Therefore, Mr. Blanchard requested the Board's approval to meet with the Personnel Board in an effort to amend this section of the Chapter 13 Employee's Handbook so that the former Nurse might be able to obtain the monies owed to her before July, 2009. If successful, Mr. Blanchard would then request the necessary funds from the Warrant Committee. If not, the monies will be requested in the Board of Health's FY10 budget. The Board supported the Director in pursuing this matter accordingly.

8. The Director advised that the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project will soon begin its aerial larviciding by helicopter. Also anticipated in the coming weeks will be the larviciding of catch basins, truck spraying and the testing of birds. Mr. Blanchard reviewed the procedure residents need to follow to have their property sprayed and to exempt their property from spraying. Mr. Blanchard said he would be in contact with Mr. Smith of the NCMCP to discuss treatment for mosquitoes near the high school, Fuller Village and Thatcher Montessori School. These are particular areas which had experienced problems in the past and had contacted the Board of Health for guidance and possible assistance.

On a similar note, Ms. Musto noted that the news media has reported an illness which appears to be fatal for a large portion of the bat population. She stated that since bats have been very instrumental in controlling mosquitoes, this may result in the presence of more mosquitoes. The Board agreed that this would be a good topic for a press release next month.

9. Mr. Mark Meeks of Brigham Circle Realty, the new management company for the owner of 14 Kahler Avenue, Milton attended to address the Board and answer their questions concerning a housing situation that has been ongoing since October, 2007.

Mr. Blanchard updated the Board on the situation and advised that 33 violations had been identified in an inspection requested by the tenant on Unit 1. However, due to various circumstances, including the tenants' refusal to allow admittance to repairmen, many of the violations still exist.

Mr. Meeks advised that while his company has only been involved for a couple of weeks, they have made arrangements to repair violations in the common areas of the home and on the exterior. He stated that the tenants of Unit 1 have said they have upcoming medical appointments so workmen will not be allowed access to the unit until approximately mid-April. By that time Mr. Meeks said work to other areas of the home will be completed and he hopes to begin work in Unit 1 at that time. To date, no inspection has been requested by the tenants of Unit 2.

Mr. Blanchard noted that he had notified the owner of his intent to file a criminal complaint in Quincy District Court and that was when he learned of the new management company and had his initial conversations with Mr. Meeks. Following discussion, the Board decided that Mr. Blanchard should proceed with his plan to file a criminal complaint and select a date in mid-May by which all of the violations must be corrected. If the property has been brought into compliance by that date, the complaint can be dismissed. The Board thanked Mr. Meeks for attending and for his assistance in this matter.

10. The Director informed the Board that a new keyless entry system is being installed at Town Hall. Employees and Board Chairmen will each receive a key. This new system has experienced a few problems but the end hope is that officials will be able to monitor the comings and goings of individuals into the Town Office Building.

11. In new business, Mr. Blanchard advised that a tobacco compliance check had been conducted recently with unusually poor results. Out of the seven establishments that were open at the time of the compliance check, four sold tobacco products to a minor. For three of the four, this was their first offense in twenty-four months and they will each be fined $100. However, for Tedeschi Food Shop, Houston Avenue, it was the second offense in twenty-four months. This will result in a $200. fine and a ten day suspension of their license. However the owner of the store must attend a hearing of the Board of Health prior to this suspension. The Board chose the next meeting date of Monday, April 28, 2008 at the hearing date. Prior to that time, the Health Inspector will visit the property to hand-deliver the violation notice.

A second piece of new business was the proposed plan by the owner of Radio Coffeehouse to expand his current food service practice to include full meals. Although the Health Inspector had clearly informed the establishment's chef that this would not be possible under the Massachusetts Food Code without major remodeling to the site, confusion arose with the Board of Selectmen regarding approval under the existing Common Victualer's license. Mr. Blanchard advised that the matter has been successfully straightened out and that no further action will be taken until official plans have been submitted to the Health Department for approval.

12. The Board decided to review the Public Health Nurse's job description at its next meeting because of various changes in duties that have arisen in recent years. They felt this would be a good time since our new Nurse has come on board to replace Mrs. Whitney who recently retired.