The meeting convened at 1:00 PM. Present were Chairman Louis Fazen, III, Members Ruth C. Brefka, and Nancy A. Sacco, Public Health Director Paul C. Pisinski, Public Health Nurse Leslie Chamberlin and Administrative Assistant Barbara M. Luther.

The minutes of the September 14, 2005 meeting were approved as written.

Vouchers totaling $515.07 were approved for payment from the Board of Health Budget.

As the Board Members signed the vouchers, Mr. Pisinski advised them of his conversation with Town Counsel regarding Mr. Pisinski signing vouchers, which pertain to any monetary remuneration for either him or staff members. Town Counsel gave a verbal opinion to expedite matters because the process required to receive a written notification is quite time consuming. Town Counsel’s opinion was that although some other departments have allowed their department heads to sign off on all vouchers, it can create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Town Counsel advised that at a minimum each year the Board should take a vote authorizing Mr. Pisinski to sign all other vouchers. Mrs. Brefka moved that the Board accept the verbal recommendation of Town Counsel received on October 3, 2005 and not allow Mr. Pisinski to sign vouchers pertaining to remuneration for himself, however they do authorize him to sign other vouchers for services rendered, i.e. telephone, consulting engineer, and/or sewage disposal fees. Mrs. Sacco seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously favorable.

PETITIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Referring to a petition heard by the Board of the September 14, 2005 meeting, Dr. Fazen asked if there had been any action from Mr. Heavey, Trustee of the properties known as 84, 88, and 90 Turnpike Rd. (A.K.A. 2 Woodland St.) Mr. Pisinski said that he has spoken with Mr. Heavey’s engineer and has been advised that they are quite backlogged in staking out systems due to the rain, which in of itself is causing delays in most septic system construction. Mr. Pisinski said that he has not heard anything about who will install the system now that the Board has denied Mr. Heavey’s request to be licensed to install his own system. Mr. Heavey has stockpiled material and has placed the hay bails as required by the Conservation Commission. In conversation with Town Counsel Mr. Pisinski was advised that if Mr. Heavey doesn’t’ begin construction within a time that will allow the system to be finished before the winter the Town can take him to court in violation of the order to replace the failed septic systems.
Mrs. Sacco asked if Mr. Heavey has taken any action towards charging the Board with discrimination as he threatened to do at the last meeting. Mr. Pisinski stated that he felt that Mr. Heavey would probably wait for the Board to take him to court and then use the discrimination claim. When asked how long it takes to install a septic system, Mr. Pisinski explained that the more complex systems should take no more that a month. If there is an early frost or snow Mr. Pisinski may have to tell Mr. Heavey that he has to wait until spring to install the systems.
Dr. Fazen requested that a letter be sent to Mr. Heavey advising him that he must begin installation of the systems by November 14, 2005, which would allow him 3 weeks to complete the system before the weather becomes an issue. The letter will advise Mr. Heavey that if he does not begin installation, the Board will be forced to take legal action. Dr. Fazen suggested that the letter also remind Mr. Heavey that the construction permit for 90 Turnpike Rd. (A.K.A 2 Woodland Rd.) expires on November 15, 2005 and would have to be renewed if construction doesn’t begin before that date.

Board Members signed a Construction Permit and Septic Plans for 132 Marlboro Rd., which was unanimously approved at the September 14, 2005 Public Hearing Meeting. Variance granted for reduction in the setback distance of the Soil Absorption System to a Tributary.

REPORT ON CORE DIRECTIVES
As this was Leslie Chamberlin’s first official meeting, Dr. Fazen explained the Board’s “Core Directive” to her as projects that may take years to completely realize but give direction for the future to the Board of Health.
Tobacco Control – Dr. Fazen explained that it might be possible for the Board to get more involved in tobacco education, school, and etc., adding that in past years the Board of Health was receiving funding from the State and therefore were more able to be involved in these areas. He did explain that the Town of Southborough has joined with the Worcester Regional Tobacco Control group for checks on vendor’s compliance with the local and state regulation regarding selling tobacco products to youth and has had 100% compliance over the last three (3) compliance checks.
Emergency Preparedness/Working with other Departments
Looking at the “Core Directives”, Mrs. Chamberlin explained that her hours limit how much she is able to do and said that after her first meetings with the Board Members thought that Emergency Preparedness was a key issue for the Board, and a major thread throughout every conference or seminar she has attended lately. She gave the members a copy of the activities she has completed over the summer months and some that she is scheduled to participate in over the next few weeks. In addition to the Communicable Disease Follow-up that is mandated by the State Department of Public Health, she has attended events such as the Weapons of Mass Destructions Drill, which involved Marlboro Hospital and the Town of Marlboro Fire, Police, and Board of Health. Noting that the Fire Department was the “command central” she advised that there are specific expectations of the Board of Health in these disaster drills. She advised that she has gone to regional meetings also to meet other Public Health Nurses to gather information and get some training. She cautioned, however, that training is changing all the time and with the hours she is given to do the job she can only get minimal training. She has been allotted two (2) hours a week and is actually working an average of four (4) a week. She is keeping in touch with Mr. Pisinski as he has requested to keep him aware of the time that is required to perform her responsibilities.
Dr. Fazen said that he understood the current limitations that Mrs. Chamberlin and the Board are experiencing, but believes that working with a vision might encourage others to come on board.
Dr. Fazen explained the Region 4A responsibility of regional preparedness, the difficulties other towns are having in meeting the state requirements, and the difficulty of even finding 24/7 coverage at the regional level. Mrs. Sacco said that she had gone to the August Region 4A meeting hoping to get some answers, but found others having the same questions and concerns that Southborough is having. Mrs. Chamberlin told the Board that she had gone onto the web and found a sample of what the City of Salem is doing. She printed and brought to the meeting a copy of their form for gathering data about people interested in volunteering at an Emergency Dispensing Site. Dr. Fazen thanked Mrs. Chamberlin for her efforts while restated his belief that much of this planning and coordination should be done at a regional level. He believes that some funding for nurses and training will become available in the future. Dr. Fazen explained that he had attended a two day seminar at Fort Devens where he discovered that one main concern was that other emergency personnel didn’t even know who their Board of Health Members were. Because of this Dr. Fazen has met with the Southborough Chief of Police and will be meeting with the Southborough Fire Chief. Dr. Fazen felt that his meeting with the Police Chief was very productive, but added that some of the information he ascertained only added to the conundrum, i.e. the Police are part of a region which is completely different from the Boards of Health regions, and only overlaps regions which have been carved out for Fire Department participation.
In discussing communications Dr. Fazen showed the Board Members and Mrs. Chamberlin one of the radio-telephones kept in the Board of Health Office. With these radio-phones Board Members or staff can communicate with Police and Fire in case of an emergency where the phone lines and cells phones don’t work. Dr. Fazen asked that Mr. Pisinski give some training in the use of the radios at the next meeting. He also advised that Incident Command training is available, and Mr. Pisinski reported that he has taken the course and received a certificate. Dr. Fazen foresees the need for regular meetings between the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Department of Public Works and the Board of Health to better coordinate Southborough’s response to an emergency. While suggesting that Mrs. Brefka and Mrs. Sacco make themselves known to the other departments it was decided that Business Cards would be ordered for both members and for Public Health Nurse Leslie Chamberlin. Mr. Pisinski was asked to check with other Public Health Directors to see how other towns are handling the request for 24/7 coverage or what type of coverage they are providing on a 9 to 5 basis.
Mr. Pisinski spoke to the members about a “Non-Disclosure Statement”, which had come to the office from the MHOA. It asks each Board Member and each staff member to sign it and return it to MHOA as soon as possible. Mr. Pisinski explained that at one of the Region 4A meetings someone was concerned that in collecting all the infrastructure information we are inadvertently making the information readily available to terrorists. The Non-Disclosure Statement, when signed, prevents the person who has signed it from telling anyone anything about the information which Board’s of Health have collected in emergency preparedness. Mr. Pisinski thinks that the statement needed to be “tweaked” and suggested that Town Counsel review it and determine if it is necessary and if by signing the statement one puts themselves in jeopardy if something is unintentionally said to a family member during normal conversations.
Wellness & Obesity Mrs. Sacco provided information and forms to Mrs. Brefka regarding the elementary school’s programs regarding “Wellness Initiative”. Mrs. Sacco believes that the schools at the elementary level are on top of theses issues. This year, among other things, lists of health snacks” were sent home with the kids along with ideas of how to reward kids without giving them snacks and informational web site addresses. Mrs. Brefka asked if there was information from DPH that could be given to the schools. Dr. Fazen said that there is a new “pyramid” available from DPH, to which Mrs. Sacco advised that the schools are using the pyramid. She again stated that she feels that the schools are doing quite well over the last two years. She further explained that the D.A.R.E program is provided for 5th graders and it deals with drug abuse.
Dr. Fazen explained information in the member’s packets which had been sent to him from Dr. Timothy Stone, a former Board Member. This information was about the Wayland Health Fair on October 19, 2005. Dr. Stone had attended it last year and found it to be quite interesting. Dr. Fazen will not be able to attend but thought that other members might be interested. When it was realized that the other members would not be able to attend, Dr. Fazen asked Mr. Pisinski to speak to the Wayland Health Director after the fair to ascertain how things went, the number of attendees, etc.

NOTIFICATION OF ACTIONS BETWEEN MEETINGS & PENDING ITEMS
Mrs. Chamberlin explained some of her communicable disease follow-up activity in September mentioning that she had followed up on Lyme Disease, Meningitis, and Hepatitis B cases. She also attended some seminars. She explained that although she has been hired for 2 hours per week, she is actually putting in an average of 4 hours per week. Follow-up by phone is time consuming because it often takes several calls (5-6 per case) to gather needed information. She has discovered that some cases like meningitis can be kicked back to the state DPH if necessary. She cautioned that if a Tuberculosis episode was discovered in town it would take a very large chunk of her time, because of the need to make sure the person was taking all of their prescribed medication.

Plans/Licenses Signed by Public Health Director
Construction Permits
18A Lovers Ln. Ari Haseotes Complete Replacement 3 Bedroom
8 Clemmons St. Ted Luchette Well
60 Latisquama Rd. Frederick & Shirley Ware Complete Replacement 4 Bedroom
1 Country Lane Steven Ratner New 4 Bedroom

18 Leonard Dr. Loren D. Pettibone Complete Replacement 3 Bedroom
10 Main Street Raymond Hokison Complete Replacement 5 Bedroom
Licenses
Lora B. Russell Phaidra Nail Salon Massage Therapist New
Stephen Morris Morris Funeral Home Funeral Director Renewal
Jason Duboise Dave Fisher Contracting Installer New
Anita L. Polich Theracopia Massage Therapist New
Nancy Katz Bromley The Chocolate Gift Residential Kitchen New
Michael Weishan Michael Weishan Stable Renewal
Tim Konowitz Miles of Excavating Installer New
David Kenny Casaceli Trucking, Inc. Installer Renewal
Lorna R. Wilson Jokove Image Enhancement Massage Therapist New

Flu Clinic – Mrs. Chamberlin and Mrs. Luther explained the status of the plans for two flu clinics in November. Unfortunately the DPH does not seem to know when vaccines will be available to Boards of Health. Tentatively, we have chosen November 3, 2005 and November 17, 2005 for the clinics to be held at the Senior Center. Mrs. Chamberlin suggested that the clinic hours be 9AM to 2PM on November 3rd and Noon to 4PM on November 17th. Mrs. Chamberlin will have assistance from a Medworks Nurse from Marlboro Hospital, which is also where she will be getting the syringes, etc. Concern was expressed regarding doctor’s standing orders, and also allowing Mrs. Sacco to assist in administering the vaccines. Mrs. Sacco is not an employee of the town and therefore would not be covered under the town’s insurance if she was to be stuck by a needle during administration of a vaccine. Dr. Fazen was concerned with the liability he might place his practice under if he was the one to sign the standing orders. While the staff researches these concerns, it was decided that Mrs. Chamberlin will officially be working for Medworks while administering vaccinations and therefore the clinic can be under their doctor’s orders. The fee of $40 per hour will have to be adjusted to accommodate Mrs. Chamberlin as well as the one other nurse they will be providing, but for this year’s clinics this scenario seems to be the best.
It was decided that a notice would be placed on the cable advising people that there will be Flu Clinics held in November, but that the dates have not yet been established.

BUDGET
Mr. Pisinski gave members a copy of the draft FY 2007 Board of Health Budget pointing out that he has made every attempt to remain fiscally conservative as the former Board Members have directed and in compliance with the Budget Directive from the Board of Selectmen. Things have been getting done with the limited staff and resources so their directive was not to add any requests to the budget. Mr. Pisinski explained that he felt that it is important to protect the Public Health, by submitting a more realistic total budget request and if necessary letting the Advisory Committee reject the requests for funding of necessary programs. Noting that Health Departments notoriously are ignored, Mrs. Chamberlin suggested that just one Hepatitis A case in a Food Handler would grab people’s attention, and although that is not something that is expected Tuberculosis is getting closer to Southborough than people would want to think. There is a perception among people that “that type of illness” is not going to be found here. Now that she is working as Public Health Nurse, she will track things like tuberculosis over the next year and be able to report how the trends seem to be going. Discussion continued about testing volunteers in school, when Mrs. Brefka asked if volunteers are still being tested. Mrs. Sacco will check with the schools.
Mr. Pisinski provided each member with the first draft of the 2007 Budget and a breakdown of the salary proposals. He proposed increasing the Public Health Nurse from 2 hours per week to 4 hours per week. He advised the Board Members that the line item for Nextel and the line item for auto insurance may be able to be cut. Board Members suggested that Mr. Pisinski may want to increase the amount allocated for gasoline for his vehicle. Mr. Pisinski also proposed a new line item which would keep an engineering consultant on retainer to investigate things like “stinky stream” or pollution complaints. He pointed out that the report from Fuss & O’Neal was inconclusive because by the time money was appropriated from the Selectmen’s budget the problem had passed. It is necessary to investigate these issues as soon as they are reported. While explaining a call, that he received yesterday, which requested an investigation of possible pollution on a woman’s deck, Mr. Pisinski said that he would not be surprised if the Advisory Committee didn’t approve of the request, but felt that it was important that at the Town Meeting citizens realized what the Board of Health is up against. He distributed a copy of a letter from a Mr. James Richardson of 1 Constitution Drive requesting the Board to investigate an odor which develops each spring in a swamp.

The meeting adjourned at 3:05 PM

Respectfully submitted by: Barbara M. Luther, Administrative Assistant to the Board of Health