2019-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

is now proposing to expand their license to include recreational marijuana sales. Other companies that are developing Evergreen Circle are Cape Cod Dog Center, Best Buy Beverage and Cape Cod Coffee. The Board re -appointed the current animal inspectors: Veronica Warden, Assistant Health Agent, and Donald Chicoine, who is also the Mashpee Animal Control Officer. The Animal Inspectors enforced our kennel regulations and inspected nine active barns and stables. There were no confirmed cases of animal or human rabies in Mashpee. Maintaining up-to-date rabies vaccinations for all cats, ferrets, and dogs is essential in preventing human exposure. The environmental engineering firm overseeing the post -closure requirements for the Asher's Path Sanitary Landfill was maintained as Tighe & Bond. A joint three-year contract was approved for Tighe & Bond to oversee the landfill and transfer station. No environmental concerns that required any action were reported in 2019. In 2019, the Board reviewed four regulations for their consideration. The existing Innovative/Alternative On -Site Septic System Regulation was approved to amend the operation and maintenance requirements for denitrification units that are installed, which require long-term monitoring. Although the rental property by-law was passed, the by-law left a couple of decisions for the Board of Health to consider as part of a regulation. The rental property regulation is still under review. A regulation was adopted for the new marijuana -related industry to include retail sales of recreational marijuana. The recreational marijuana regulation includes uses such as research, manufacturing, cultivation and retail sales. The board adopted a Poultry Regulation to enforce backyard chickens, quail, and other domesticated birds that have grown in popularity and are sometimes involved with nuisance conditions. The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment provided the summer bathing beach sampling labor and administrative reporting to the town and state. There were one freshwater and no saltwater beach closings. Santuit Pond experienced another algae bloom that was ongoing from June 17, 2019 to July 15, 2019. The bloom re -kindled at the end of August and continued through mid -December. This was the third bloom in as many years, and the presence of a toxin associated with the bloom was identified by a private laboratory but was not confirmed by the state lab. No toxic levels of the toxin had been found in any of the previous years with the algae bloom. Advisories were posted at Ashumet Pond for a couple of weeks at the end of August due to a surface scum of algae that seemed to be concentrated and that travelled by the wind. The algae bloom did not affect the entire pond. In the fall of 2018, the Board of Health implemented the town's on-line permitting software called "Permiteyes". The software allows the applicant to apply and pay for permits, licenses, and inspections through the town website. The new system has reduced the requirement for applicants to visit town hall offices, streamlined the permit process, and allows online access to permits, licenses and property specific information. As with any database, it is only as good as its information. I would like to thank our staff, especially Administrative Assistant Christine Willander, for her professional, endless patience and determination to make the entire, monumental process happen. We would like to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt gratitude and sincere best wishes to Veronica "Ronnie" Warden, Assistant Health Agent, who retired in October 2019 after 31 years of service to the Board of Health and a total of 33 years as an employee of the town. Ronnie's work ethic and commitment to helping residents and business owners of Mashpee were her greatest attributes and, even in retirement, she continues to serve the town as a member of both the Human Services Committee and the Board of Health. Ronnie's dedication and positive attitude are an inspiring example of community service. We will also miss the expertise of respected board member Laurel Almquist, who resigned in 2019. In closing, we would like to commend our health agents and administrative staff for their professionalism, conscientiousness, and commitment to the health and safety of the residents of our town. Respectfully submitted, Brian Baumgaertel, Chair Mallory Langler, Co -Chair Veronica A. Warden, Clerk 135