11/02/1995 BOARD OF HEALTH Minutes

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MINUTES November 7, 1995 5 BOARD OF HEALTH Mr. Evans stated, "There was a teak in the plumbing." "The children had called the fire department because they were afraid the plumbing was leaking." "The fire department went there and shut off'the water heater which was leaking." "They have no hot water, the basement floor is 1/2 covered with water." Mr. Doherty questioned Mr. Evans, "The conditions you observed do they represent any type of public health threat to the neighbor's?" Mr. Evans responded, "No." Mr. Doherty questioned Mr. Evans, "We cannot dictate how a person lives, if they want to have a messy house they are entitled to have a messy house however, do the conditions you observed pose any type of potential health threat to the children living in the resident?" Mr. Evans replied, "I don't know, it was dark, I had a flashlight to look around with." "They had to cut the power but then they put the power back on." "Only one or two small lights were illuminated." "It's a potential hazard." Mr. Doherty questioned Mr. Evans, "Do you feel that we have an obligation to notify D.S.S.?" Mr. Evans responded, "They have...." Mr. Doherty relayed, "To notify D.S.S. and let them make the evaluation as to whether or not there is a threat or any type of danger to the children." "Let them act on it." "If we don't feel that we have enough information or if we don't feel that we are qualified to make that determination then perhaps we're obligated to request D.S.S. make that determination." "But, then again we must have probable cause or reason to call them in." Mr. McQuaid questioned, "How old are the children?" Mr. Evans responded, "The oldest child is sixteen and the youngest is approximately 10 years old." Mr. Doherty questioned Mr. Evans, "Did you notice any signs of physical abuse?" Mr. Evans responded, "No." "They did not want to stay with their sister at Mashpee Village." i