A Capacity Assessment Results Toolkit (CART) was discussed by the Marion Board of Health during its April 20 public meeting.
The CART is one of many pieces of information anticipated by Marion as a member of a six-town, state-sponsored Southcoast Public Health Collaborative. Marion has used initial funds to purchase software to help process information related to inspections.
“As time goes on, they’re going to see what we need, and they’re going to help us with our needs. At this point, I don’t think we have a lot of needs. I think we look very good,” said Dr. John Howard, who estimated Marion is at 86% of the state standard.
Marion Health Director Lori Desmarais explained that the town has participated in an involved, three-part survey requiring many documents on various subjects under the board’s purview. The state developed CART by breaking down recommendations, which includes hiring shared staff such as a shared-services coordinator and an inspector.
CART is trying to generate more than the $300,000 at its disposal, and one of the hires will seek grant funding for the collaborative.
Through the collaborative, Marion purchased Relevant software that is being used for inspections of restaurants, camps and housing. “It kind of brings everything together,” said Desmarais.
The Select Board has signed off on the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA), and legal counsel is reviewing the contract. (KP Law, Marion’s Town Counsel, also represents Westport, according to Howard.)
In referencing the Public Health Excellent Grant, Howard noted that some towns and small cities lack full-time personnel for health services. “Hence, the EPA said they’d try to help … we’re in very good shape, I think, especially for a small town,” he said.
Dr. Ed Hoffer attended the meeting via Zoom from France. “They said things were going global and now I know it,” said Howard, noting that the Board of Health is Marion’s first to hold an international public meeting.
Regarding the permit issued the owner of 406 Point Road, the Board of Health had granted a variance on May 26, 2022, regarding the distance that septic was from the tank. Since then, the house has been completely demolished, and they had to redo certain parts of the foundation,” explained Desmarais. “The board may consider rescinding the variance request.”
Board member Albin Johnson sought to clarify if there had been a Title 5 approval, but Desmarais said that was not part of the application. Under a new construction even with the same number of bedrooms, the guidelines have changed as new construction means new requirements including a nitrogen-reducing septic system. The board sent a letter to the homeowner and to engineer Rick Charon, who intends to submit a revised plan.
The board discussed the matter and voted unanimously to rescind the original variance.
In other septic updates, the board is waiting to hear back from Dave Davignon regarding 4 North Drive. The board voted to approve in concert with George Heufelder’s conditioned approval of work at 88 Indian Cove Road. The board is waiting on Heufelder regarding 1 West Drive.
In her Health Agent Update to the board, Shallyn Rodriguez told the board that eight food inspections were conducted, including three new establishments and some special events. Rodriguez said the inspections “did well.”
In regards to Chapter 2 housing inspections and complaint updates, the owner of 28 Pitcher Street indicated that the vendor hired to perform work at the property has fallen ill but was expected to begin within eight to 10 days, Rodriguez reported. “We need to stay on top of that one,” said Howard.
A house in disrepair at 165 County Road was seen by Rodriguez and Marion Building Commissioner Bob Grillo, who reportedly found the property to be a hazard with its basement area open in several areas with windows missing.
The town reached out to the owner with an ultimatum to repair or demolish. Johnson noted that local developer Sherman Briggs has a sand pit abutting the property. Desmarais was awaiting an email from the other stating intentions.
In her Public Health Director update, Desmarais updated the board on disease, and Plymouth County’s plans to spray for mosquito control. She said she has updated the website and would send an email blast. The public can contact Plymouth County to perform a standing-water check. Last year, Marion found one infected mosquito. As of May 22, the town will be taking requests for spraying private property (marionma.gov.)
Marion will be among several towns to receive rabies vaccination distribution done May 9-12 by air and from May 7 to June 3 by station.
As of April 18 per the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available to the general public, but ages 65-and-over remain eligible to receive another booster shot. Desmarais said she was waiting on state recommendations.
Desmarais also told the board that Marion Finance Director Judy Mooney and Board of Health administrator Maureen Murphy visited Westport to get a better handle on the Betterment program that is not part of the collaborative.
Desmarais is preparing an updated schedule of fees to address food establishments that currently do not have seasonal inspections.
Johnson noted that permitting funds go into the town’s general budget and do not directly strengthen the Board of Health budget. “I’d like to keep the fees as low as possible. It’s kind of double taxation,” he said.
Hoffer said the whole idea is, “if you have to keep going back and back, it should hurt a little bit.” Howard and Johnson agreed.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health was not scheduled upon adjournment.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo