Marion Health Director Lori Desmarais brought to the Marion Board of Health’s October 5 public meeting attention a conversation she had with Marion Building Commissioner Bob Grillo, who has received recent requests to install bathrooms in garages to be used for office space (not a residence.)
“Right now, we don’t currently have anything that defines whether or not they need to do anything for the septic, or add anything or coming before the board,” Desmarais explained. “Just wondering for future discussion, defining what a bedroom is or what we want the process to be (should a contractor approach the board) in those situations.”
Noting the considerable time such a subject could take, Board of Health Chairman Dr. Ed Hoffer said the subject will be on the board’s next meeting agenda.
On September 28, the town held a drive-through flu-vaccine clinic for 140 preregistered patients at the Cushing Community Center. Prior to that event, Marion had distributed 312 vaccines with a visit that day to Little Neck Village and plans to continue with home visits and clinics at Tabor Academy and Sippican Elementary School.
Desmarais said that 100 residents have responded to a survey indicating interest in the Moderna COVID-19 booster shot. She said the booster is now privately purchased and no longer free from the federal government. The cost to the town would be $115 per dose with a 10-dose minimum purchase, money that Desmarais said the Health Department has in its revolving fund. Reimbursement from Medicare would exceed that amount, and Hoffer suggested enough might be left over to vaccinate someone who is uninsured.
Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna also arrives frozen and can be refrigerated for up to 30 days.
Desmarais is working on an agreement that will allow Marion to distribute a shingles vaccine. $183.22 per dose (the vaccine requires two doses separated by several weeks.) Medicare coverage ranges between $129 and $183.
Pneumonia and tetanus are also being considered.
In other disease updates, Marion has had one mosquito among the 162 found in Massachusetts with West Nile virus, putting the town at moderate risk. There have been no human or animal cases among the 26 positive discoveries of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), leaving Marion at low risk. Most cases were found in Worcester County but some in Bristol County. “Until we have that first frost, there’s always obviously the risk,” said Desmarais.
The owners at 618D Delano Road have proposed a 1,500-gallon septic tank with six, 500-gallon leaching chambers. However, noted Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez in her report, because the dwelling has expanded from three to five bedrooms, the Marion Sanitary Code requires a tank capacity of at least 2,000 gallons.
“With the increase in flow, I’m not sure he’s aware that now it has to be an alternative system,” she said, who was waiting on a response from the owner as she reported to the board.
“So close and yet so far away from the sewer line,” noted board member Albin Johnson.
Rick Charon of Charon Associates appeared on behalf of the owner at 406 Point Road where a new construction is planned, and he told the board a second page of his proposal was missed by the board’s consultant. That page, said Charon, demonstrated the proposal’s ability to comply with size regulations.
Charon said the 8-acre property is dominated by wetlands and buffer zones. “We don’t really have a lot of room to work with,” he said, noting that the proposal includes the pressure-dose system that allows for a 50% area reduction.
With that, the board voted to approve the system as proposed by Charon.
In her report on monthly Innovative/Alternative treatment data (I/A), Rodriguez indicated successful treatment.
Reporting on Chapter 2 housing-inspection and complaint updates, Rodriguez told the board that the main structure at 28 Pitcher Street has been redone all around, including the porch. Grillo visited the site to ensure the backside obstructions were properly boarded up.
Regarding the trailer at 357 Point Road, Rodriguez said inspections were ongoing, and Desmarais relayed information from Grillo indicating that the process is nearing completion. The board voted to grant the trailer permit another two weeks.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, at 4:30 pm at the Police Station.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo