2003-09-18City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board:
Board of Health
Subcommittee:
Date:
September 18, 2003
Place:
Beverly Council on Aging, Arts & Crafts Room
Board members present:
Frank Carbone, Jr., MD, Joseph W. Walsh, Jr. and William J. Alpine,
Jr., Esq.
Board members absent:
Others present:
William Burke, Director of Public Health
Recorder:
Judith Balboni.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.
The Board reviewed and accepted the minutes of August 21, 2003 meeting.
First on the agenda was Kathleen Sturm, 110 Dodge Street requesting a permit to raise and keep
six hens on her property. She presented board members with detailed packets including diagrams
of property and her intentions. She informed members that she went to all of her neighbors and
abutters with the same information packets. Mr. Burke informed Ms. Sturm that three letters were
received by Health Department.
However, no direct abutters responded. The Board reviewed Ms. Sturm’s plans and will take
under advisement.
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Pat Zingariello has been out for 5 weeks due to surgery but she will be returning September 23.
The annual flu clinic has been scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2003 at the Senior Center
from 9:00 – Noon.
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Dane St. Beach had to be closed August 22 – 30 due to elevated levels of the geomean. Posted
signs were lifted after re-testing. Beach testing has now been concluded for season.
Beverly had a second bird test positive for West Nile Virus on August 20, 2003. It was found on
the corner of Beckford and Cabot Streets. The first bird was found on Colonial Road and
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submitted on August 4. We will not be collecting anymore for testing. However, the State will
continue to accept calls and monitor where the dead birds are being found.
Mr. Burke met with the Dental Clinic staff regarding the recent budget cuts. If the staff worked
the same amount of hours as last year we would have shortfall of $7,100. The cut to the dentist
line item will reduce dentists’ hours for the year to 111 compared to for last year, which translates
to approximately 35% reduction.
Mr. Burke has been working on updating the 1994 Fee Schedule. He has gathered some
comparisons from other towns. The Board went over line by line the current fees and the
proposed fees. Some changes are still probable.
Chairman Carbone asked about the review of Biotech regulations. Mr. Burke has been checking
with other communities. It was suggested that this could be discussed with other cities and towns
at regional meetings of Boards of Health along with tobacco control and disposal of mercury
contained thermostats in the waste streams.
The Board took up discussion regarding request from 110 Dodge Street to permit 6 hens.
Chairman Carbone asked what plans Ms. Sturm had for chicken waste and eliminating odor
problems. A 6-foot fence will be installed, 6 hens to begin with, and hen coop to be 25- feet from
nearest property line.
Motion made by Mr. Walsh to accept, with conditions stated. Mr. Alpine seconded motion. Vote
in favor under conditions stated. To be reviewed after probationary period of 1 year. Ms. Sturm
to be notified.
A tentative date for meeting of regional boards of health has been set for Thursday, October 23,
2003 at 7 pm at the Senior Center upstairs hall.
The next scheduled meeting is October 23, 2003.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Balboni