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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-06-27587 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING JUNE 27, 1963 The re ular meeting of the Board of Health was held Thursday ,dune 27, 1963, at 7:30 P.M. in the Selectmen's Room of the Town Office Building. Mr. Outerbridge came before the Board to discuss the correction of the inadequate .sanitary system now in use at the dwelling he owns at 8. Goodwin Road. Mr. Outerbridge, earlier this week, left at the Health Office three copies of a detailed report (one for ,each member of the Board) with plot plans and photographs showing the problems involved in connecting this house to the public sewer which is within the 8 GOODWIN given distance as stated in the Board of Health Regulations. ROAD The Board studied these reports to some extent before Mr. Outer- bridge arrived at 8:00 P.M. • Mr. McQuillan explained to Mr. Outerbridge that the concern of the Board of Health was the prevention and correction of any problems relative_ to the health of the community, neighborhood or individual involved, Dr. Cosgrove stated many tunes over the years the Board has come up against problems such as this, many of them requiring court action, and although it has been an inconvenience to all concerned the menace of overflowing sewage and the odors caused from such a condition must be corrected in a manner satisfactory to the Board of Health. Mr. Outerbridge said he realized the concern of the Board of Health and that was. why he had made the detailed reports for the Board so they could better understand the problems he has encount- ered. On May #4 line "R" is the proposed replacement cesspool, as suggested by Mr. Theising, the size to be 7 x 10 feet and the cess- pool now in use to be used only as an overflow cesspool if the need arises. Mr. Outerbridge_ went on to explain the various distances to the present cesspool and the proposed cesspool from Goodwin Road also at what angles etc. these measurements were'taken. Dr. Cosgrove asked: how far is the point you refer to as "R" on May #4 from the house? Mr. Outerbridge said it was 32 feet from the house, the whole plan is outlined on page 6 of the report. Mr. Outerbridge went on to explain he had also figured out the capacity of the ppeaent cesspool and also the capacity of the proposed cesspool and feels that the proposed system will be adequate. Mr. Outer - bridge also went on at some length about the various difficulties that would be encountered if he connected to Public Sewer. One plan would require 3 man holes according to the Town Engin- eer and the other plan would involve changing the house plumbing and laying the pipe directly into the existing sewer line. time. Mr. McQuillan asked the Board if they had any questions at this 588 Mr. West said he felt more study was needed on this situa- tion, not only on the submitted reports of Mr. Outerbridgeta but hC also the Board of Health's duty in a situation of this kind. Mr. Outerbridge agreed that eventually he would have to IIconnect to the public sewer but he did state that at the present time he did not have three thousand dollars to have this work done. He did have five hundred dollars to build another cess- pool. He also stated he did not have 4744.95 to pay the leiu of betterment fee as referred to in Mr. Carroll's letter. The Board questioned Mr. Outerbridge.about the leiu of betterment charge. Mr. Outerbridge said he spoke to John Carrell, Superintendent of Public Works, about the prolonging the payments on the better- ment charge over a period of years, Mr. Carroll said "No" it must be paid all at once. Mr. Finneran read the part of Mr. Carroll's letter to Mr. Outerbridge (copy of which was sent to the Board of Health) regarding the payment in lieu of betterment. Mr. West said you (Mr. Outerbridge) speak of $1800. plus the liep of betterment charge. I see that an alternate plan costing $1000. is offered by Mr. Carroll. I explained in the report on page 4 that this plan would involve the rearrangement of the inside plumbing, the cost of which I have no idea, for the four ful-1 bathrooms on the seoond floor, 2 toilet seats, two kitchen sinks, one pantry sink and one washbowl on the first floor, Also a washing machine and a dish washing machine. It also would involve shoring up the porch and moving the flagstones. The foundation of my house is made of blocks of granite and that would create a problem to remove one of these blocks to put the pipe out from the base- ment. 1 The report submitted by Mr. Outerbridge•further explains at great length the shrubbery and etc. affected by this plan. Mr. Went wuestioned M ..Outerbridge about the• grades on the property and also the effect on the surrounding lots (house). Mr. Outerbridge went on to state that no_onehas considered the inconvenience of digging up Goodwin Road to the people living in thearea and also he claimed an electric line would be involved. Mr. Outerbridge seemed to think that six families on Hancock Street, Patriots Drive and Goodwin Road would be very upset by the inconvenience created by the digging up of Goodwin Road. He also Pelt that he and his family would have to move out of the house while this work was going on. (All these peo le are listed in the detailed report submitted by Mr. Outerbridge) Dr. Cosgrove asked how far Dresellyts house was from the present cesspool. Mr. ,0uterbridge said he would judge. about 40_or 50 feet. 1 589 Mr. McQuillan stated that as this was definitly a health hazard and as such was the Boards chief concern that this situa- tion be corrected in a manner satisfactory to the Board but also they try to see that these things are corrected at the least possible expense to the householder. Mr. Outerbridge said I have been in this house 13 years and it -was just last winter that the present system started to cause any trouble. The present cesspool might be 116 years old. Dr. Cosgrove said that -Andrew Dressily said a steel cesspool had been installed up there. Mr. Outerbridge said a number of people have said that but if there is one there I don't know where it is. There is a 15 foot leach line from the present cesspool but that is all.I know about. • After some further discussion Mr. McQuillan said there must be further discussion by this Board concerning this matter no de- cision can be made tonight. If .it is agreeable to the other mem- bers of this Board I would like to have our consulting engineers= Whitman & Howard, Inc., send a man out and view this Situation. They can also see if this situation is best solved by a completely new= system or if it would be less of a problem to connect directly into the public sewer. The Board agreed with Mr. McQuillan, and instructed Mr. Finneran to contact Whitman & Howard as soon as possible and set a date for them to meet with Mr. Outerbridge at his home on 8 Goodwin Road. Mr. Outerbridge felt that the Board was very understanding and fair. Mr. West explained that Mr. Outerbridge must understand that Whitman & Howard would be the deciding factor in this case. If they after their study felt that this home should be connected to public sewer then that is what the Board would have to order Mr. Outerbridge to do. Mr. West also cautioned Mr. Outerbridge that according to law the Board could without any further discussion order Mr. Outerbridge to connect to public sewer but that the Board wanted to be fair and reasonable and study both sides of this sit- uation thourghly. Mr. McQuillan thanked Mr. Outerbridge for coming in and talking to the Board and assured Mr. Outerbridge that the whole case would be reviewed by the Board as soon as the report was received from Whitman & Howard, Inc. Mr. Outerbridge thanked the Board and retired. Mr. Lincoln Cole, Chairman of the Board -of Selectmen, visited with the Board during this discussion and after Mr. Outerbridge left discussed some of the details of this case informally with the Board. The Board discussed the high milk counts on the Health Officer's report. Mr. Finneran said these were mostly repeats and he had not- 590 ified the Health Officers in the Towns where the pasteurizing plants were located. The Board asked about the regulation regarding the milk dispensers. Mr. Finneran said in checking the Regulations he. has found MILK REGULAI- that the Board would have to adopt an amendment to Chapter II, TION FOR Mirk Regulations, Section 11. Stating "No person shall serve DISPENSERS ...the person served. The use of bulk storage and dispensing of milk from self-contained, refrigerated dispensers ,is per- miaeable and shall be of such construction and so located and maintained as the Board of Health may direct. The Board voted to accept this amendment and instructed Mr. Finneran to see that it was published in the newspaper according to law. The clerk was also notified to inform the Town Clerk as required by laws of the change in regulation. MILK COUNTS The Board was very concerned over the high count of the milk tested from Willow Farm. Mr. Finneran explained that this company was just a dis- tributing station and the milk was bottled by Maple Hill Farm in Waltham and he had contacted the Waltham Inspector, who had been out to Maple Hill Farm and checked the equipment with the owner and warned them about keeping the equipment clean. The Board felt Mr. Finneran should be firmer with these dairies that have been showing such high milk counts. The Board also instructed Mr. Finneran to notify tha dairies of the new regulation in regard to milk dispensers. STREPTOCOCCAL The letters from the State Health Department regarding SORE THROATS Streptococcal Sore Throats was read by the Board and placed on file for action in the Fall when School is in session. ICE CREAM The letter to H.P. Hood & Sons, 500 Rutherford Avenue, STORE Boston, was approved by the Board. Mr. Finneran explained that this company was planning to open an ice-cream storein East Lexington and these plane were submitted for approval in order that a Common Victulars license could be obtained. 24 HAYWARD The letter to Mr. P. Vidette, 69 Middlesex Turnpike, Burl. AVENUE ington regarding the broken cesspool cover at 21 Hayward Avenue was approved by the Board. Mr. Finneran explained that Mr. Michael Vidette was the owner of record of this property and when he was contacted he informed Mr. Finneran that he had turned this property over to his nephew. Mr. Finneran had not had a chance to re -inspect this property but assured the Board he would take care of it very soon. LOT 80 The report from Whitman & Howard, Inc. on Lot #80 Partridge PARTRIDGE RD Road was read by the Board. This lot was not approved at the time of the original subdivision approval and therefore a 1 1 1 591 special inspection had to be made and approval given on this lot. The copy of the letter to Worthen H. Taylor, State Sanitary WATER Engineer, State House, Boston, regarding the feeding of Calgon SUPPLY Composition into the Town Water supply was read by the Board The letter sent by Frances L.M. Porter, Dental Hygenist, to DENTAL Superintendent of Schools giving a report on the School Dental CLINIC Program for the year was read by the Board. The letter requesting a transfer of funds from the reserve POSTURE fund for the Personal Service Account of the Posture Clinic was CLINIC approved by the Board. The letter from the Board of Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee granting this transfer of funds were read and placed on file. Mr. McQuillan was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Board for the coming year. Mr. Samuel N. Apple, 164 Wood Street, was denied permission ANIMAL to keep one horse because of the objection of the abuttors and also PERMIT due to the lack of a waste disposal system for the box stall and the limited area for disposing of manure. Mr. M. Cenauro, 30 Brookside Avenue, was denied permission to keep 2 hens because of the objection of the abuttors and also the area, was not large enough to prevent a nuisance for the abutting property owners. Permission was granted to Robert W. Canfeld, Jr.., 51 York St.. to stake a pony in his yard for a 2 week period starting August 1, 1963. The Board stipulated that this was granted for a 2 week per- iod only and the applicant must be so notified. The bill for Whitman &Howard for services through April 9, 1963 was approved for payment. Mr. McQuillan suggested a possible change of meeting date. After a short discussion it was decided that the .fourth Thursday was still the best time and the meeting date would not be changed. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING AUGUST 1, 1963 The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Thursday, August 1, 1963 at 7:.30 P.M. in the Selectmen's Room of the Town Off ioe Building. read. The minutes of the June 27, 1963 meeting were approved as Mr. West reported that he had met with the Mystic Valley 592 MYSTIC VALLEYMental Health Association on Tuesday, July 30, 1963. Mr. West MENTAL HEALTHstated that the Mental Health group had agreed to meet three ASSOCIATION or four times a year, with the representatives of the Towns sup- porting this association. The most important of these meetings will be the one at which they discuss the budget for the coming year, this will be held soon enough so that we may submit the amount required by this organization in our Budget to the app- ropriation Committee. Mr. West said he explained to the group that we would not interfer in their professional work we:were interested in how the funds for which we are responsible for were spent. Mr. West said Mrs. McCann had talked to Mrs. Jones Clerk of the Board of Health and they had agreed to a quarterly billing system. Two bills from the association were presented to the Board for approval for payment, they were for services from January 1 through June 30, 1963 in the amount of $1,250. (2 quarters) and for services from June 30 through September 30, 1963 (1 quarter) in the amount of $625. making a total of $1,875. The Board approved payment of these bills. Mr West requested that all data and bills for this associa- tion be kept in a special file so that he may have all the infor- mation before he attends the meetings of this association as representative of the Board of Health. 8 GOODWIN RD. The correspondence to and from Mr. Robert Outerbridge, 8 Goodwin Road was read and approved by the Board. After a • short discussion of this case the. Board agreed that they could do nothing more, it was now up to the Board of Public Works to see that this dwelling is connected to the public sewer. Mr. John Carroll is now working on the best possible way to connect this house to public sewer. Mr. Finneran said he would keep a check on the cesspool to see that it did not overflow again before Public Works got the sewer connection made. 6 WARREN ST. The order to Mr. Lawrence Sullivan, 8 Warren Street, was approved by the Board. Mr. Finneran reported that this problem was finally taken care of. Duo to the location of the house it had been very difficult to find someone equipped to do this work. A contractor frimi Weston was hired and a new cesspool has been constructed. Mrs. Bergl$nd the complaintant has been notified. MUNROE & The memo to John Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works HUDSON RD. Department regarding the urgency of public sewer installation on Hudson and Munroe Road was approved by the Board. Mr. Finneran reported that three houses on Hudson Road and one house on Munroe Road had sewage on the surface of the ground in the rear yards of these homes. The septic systems were obso- lete, the area had been utilized in previous repairs, therefore, because of the urgency of the situation a memo was sent to Public Works. All owners of the homes in this section have paid the deposits required for connection to public sewer as soon: as it is available. 1 The letter from Mr. John Carroll stating that the contract 1 for this sewer work had just been signed by the Board of Select- men and the work in this area would start as soon as possible. L 593 The Board was very pleased with Mr. Finneran's action in this matter and they also felt that the cooperation of the Public Works Department was very good. The increasing problem of the inadequate garbage collection GARBAGE was brought up by the Board at this time. Mr. McQuillan stated COLLECTIOI he had received many calls at home regarding this problem, Dr. Cosgrove and Mr. West said they are being questioned about the situation all the time. Mr. Finneran said the Health Department receives many calls each day regarding this problem, although the young lady on the switch board tries to put as many of the complaints through to public works as she can. The Board discussed this problem at length and although the garbage contract is handled by the Public Works Department the health problems involved and the increasing need of finding a favorable solution for the collecting and disposing of organic and inorganic wastes greatly concerns the Board of Health, The Board felt that the disposal of these wates will become a major problem in the near future and therefore something the Board must do something about right away. Mr. West said he thought that garbage disposals in the home would help relieve some of the pressure on the collectors and that he has seen how worthwhile they were in his neighborhood, it has eliminated the problem of garbage pails which can be knocked over by dogs, etc. and -also the need of garbage collectors in a whole area. The Board agreed with Mr. West that -the garbage disposals for homes on public sewer would help relieve the situation. The Board also discussed the problems of incineration or giving the contracts to a large disposal company equipped to handle a Town of this size. Various solutions to this problem were discussed by the Board and finally Mr. West said he would like to put in the form of a notion his suggestion about garbage disposals, at least for aJ.1 new houses to be built. Motion was made and passed that Mr. Finneran, Executive Health Officer, would investigate with Mr. Gray and Mr. Legro, Town Council, the possibility of the Board of Health making a Town Law that would require all new homes constructed in the future that are on public sewer be equipped with a garbage dis- posal. The Board also requested that Mr. McQuillan, Chairman, write to the Board of Selectmen, stating our concern in this matter and request an appointment for Mr. Finneran, as the Board of Health representative, to meet with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the increasing problem to the town of the disposal of garbage and refuse. The Board expressed great concern in regard to this problem and felt it was their duty to the townspeople to take definite action at this time. Mr. Finneran said a memo had been received from the Select - menta Office stating that a study was being made of the Town -By - Laws and it might be possible to insert some law regarding the garbage disposals in new homes but he woulf investigate this further, also any other possible solution. The letter from the State Health Department stating that LICENSING the Lexington Board of Health had been delegated as the Linens- CHILD CARE ing agent for all Child Care Centers in Lexington and that all CENTERS 594 licenses in the future would be $15.00 this sum to be retained by the Town. Mr. Finneran explained that the new State Regulations gov- erning these Centers had not been adopted as yet but he should have somethingto work on so that they could be licensed by January 1, 194. MOSQUITO The letter from Mr. Leonard Serkesa was_read by the Board SPRAYING and placed on file. Mr. Serkess.expressed his desire to pur- chase a home in Lexington but he wanted to find out about the insect control carried on by the Town. Mr. Finnerants reply explained the mosquito control pro- gram and also the spraying for dutch elm. This was approved by the Board. 76 HILL ST. The memo to Mr. Donald Irwin, Building Inspector, re- garding the location of the foundation at 76 Hill Street was approved by the Board. Mr. Finneran explained that a Mr. & Mrs. John McFarland had requested permission to build a home at 76 Hill Street and because of the condition of the grade of the Lot .he told them to retain the services of a sanitary engineer to plan a septic system before the Lot could be approved for building purposes. This was done and the Lot had to be rough graded because of the hill in the rear of the lot. A. plot plan was submitted to the Health Department with the location of ,the septic system on it. This was .approved by the Health Depart- ment and the lot with the septic system placed as stated on the plot plan was approved for building purposes. •When the builder of the house excavated for the foundation he struck ledge and so relocated the house foundation over, the place designated for the sanitary system as stated and accepted on the plot plan. Therefore a new engineering plan for re- locating the sewage system must be submitted before approval for the septic system can be given by the Board of Health. The builder was _notified of this action and also the owner:Mr. John McFarland. The Board approved Mr. Finneran's action in this matter and commended Mr. Finneran for being so firm on matters such as this. JOHN BRUCCHI The letter to John Brucchi regarding the emptying of raw sewage into a manhole on Bow Street was approved by the Board. Mr. Finneran explained that a complaint was received in regard to a sewage disposal truck emptting sewage in the sewer manhole in front of #3 Bow Street. The complaintant had the registration plate number of the truck and by checking Mr. Finneran found the truck belonged to Mr. Brueohi. The sewer dumping manhole is about 100 yards off Bow Street and the only time a manhole in the street is used is in cases of extreme emergencies as designated by the Public Worka De- partment. Mr. Brucchi was warned that the Board would not tolerate any violation of the requirements as stated in the regulations and on the permit issued for the disposal of sewage wastes. The Board approved Mr. Finneran's action and stated that matters of this nature must be dealt with very firmly. The bills for the care of a patient at Middlesex Sanatorium under the new State directorship was approved by the Board. 1 1