8/24/2011 BOARD OF HEALTH Minutes

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Catherine Laurent was in attendance and assisted. Other town residents who participated were from Sandwich, Bourne, Falmouth, and Air Station Cape Cod. DISCUSSION 1. Septic Inspection Regulation The Board members reviewed the Septic System Inspection Regulation and agreed on an additional change to the document under Section D, # 5. Burton Kaplan made a motion that the Health Agent prepare a new Septic Inspection Regulation reflecting the change under Section D, 35, that H 10 tanks 30 years of age or more should not be required to be replaced. Kalliope Egloff seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. 2. Revised Poultry Regulation Lucy Burton stated that the Board of Health had received quite a few calls and letters, resulting in discussions regarding the need for a Poultry Regulation in Mashpee. The Board of Health discussed the issue a few months ago, and it was decided that the calls and complaints being received could be covered under the BOH Nuisance Regulation. However, the Assistant Health Agent feels that because of the increasing number of people raising chickens and the increased number of calls and complaints being received, a Poultry Regulation has become necessary, and therefore a second attempt at a regulation has been drafted. Glen Harrington added that there will need to be a Public Hearing when/if it gets to a point where a Poultry Regulation becomes a critical issue. Glen reported that there have been 10 complaint calls over the last six months. Lucy Burton acknowledged receipt of a letter dated 8104111 from Karen Doyle and Karen Ebbling, stating that it included a number of pertinent points regarding backyard chicken coops. Lucy Burton also acknowledged receipt of a letter from Ruthann Boyd dated 8/10/11, stating her feeling that the BOH should strongly consider a poultry regulation for the town. Glen Harrington stated his recommendation that a Mashpee Poultry Regulation should include a ruling that if a property is less than half an acre, the owner would require abutter approval for raising chickens. The proposed Mashpee regulation does state that no rooster shall be kept or maintained on the registered premises unless the property is 5 acres or more. Lucy Burton stated that the Board was not ready to act on the regulation at this point, but needed to read through the document, add comments, and do some further research on property setbacks, allowing roosters, and number of chickens allowed. Kalliope Egloff felt that it would behoove the Board to send out the proposed regulation to Agricultural Commissions in towns that have poultry regulations, and ask for their feedback. Glen Harrington stated his feeling that he would like to see the poultry issue handled under the Nuisance Regulation rather than create yet another BOH regulation. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 7 PM. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Ina Schlob Recording Attachments 5