2/27/1997 BOARD OF HEALTH Minutes

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} TES February 27, 1997 2 BOARD OF BEALTH we're going into the time period now where we're going to start closure construction of the landfill and-m ore inspections on their part." "we will have facts and figures to back us when we meet with the Selectmen on our budget. Mr. Cram directed the agent to forward a memo to the Selectmen requesting they meet with the Board once they review the budget. APPOINTMENT: Rental - 559 Cotuit Road Mr. Cram stated, "We have a letter on file from the owner, IVIS. Mc vitt, requesting we continue this matter as her husband is out of the country and is expected t return in March." Vis, Vicki McDevitt (landlord) and 11r. Shawn I eCatald (tenant) were in attendance for this scheduled appointment. Mr. McQuaid stated, "I went out to the site at the request of the landlady to make sure that the company they hired t inspect the septic system wason-site and entry to the dwelling was available." " Then I arrived the landlady, real estate agent and homeowner were thee, neither ofthe companies had showed up yet." "I subsequently received a call from our office that the company to inspect the heating system had arrived shortly after I left.". "It's been our policy that,with these types of housing inspections to not put the Board of Health in between a landlord tenant problem." "eve will go out to do a housing inspection at the request of a tenant .air landlord if the code, "Minimum Standards for Human Habitation" are not met." "That is why I went out there initially and deterni ned that indeed, the heat in the upstairs two bedrooms was not meeting the code." "Subsequently, l&. Evans went out there and found several other minor violations such as a handrail missing to the upstairs." `These were minor things that Mr. Evans put in writing arra seat certified and gave the landlord certain number of clays to complywith." "It has been my understanding up until novo, that there is a defmite problem between the tenant and landlord *n this situation,to the point where the landlord had attempted to have a contractor erne in and at least study the situation, make recommendations as to how t fix the heating situation and they were not allowed access because the tenant may not have been present." " In talking to FIs. McDevitt today and yesterday I can sympathize with her request that this matter be postponed at least until her husband gets back from Guam which to my understanding will be two weeks from tonight."' "Both, Mr. & Mrs. McDevitt will be available to meet with the Board two weeks from' tonight.' "I think they have made a legitimate effort to address the problems." "There are extenuating circumstances not only with the Icevitt's but with the tenants that in my opinion, I