The meeting began with an update on the housing rental program, emphasizing the new building code requirements that short-term rentals adhere to motel unit standards. This change mandates inspections and rental certificates, effective January 1. A new housing inspector, Brian Coughlin, was introduced, bringing his extensive background as a contractor to aid in implementing these regulations. Board members discussed the potential challenges these regulations present, with one member raising concerns about whether they would make it more difficult to rent or to be a renter. The response focused on the safety benefits of the new requirements, such as mandatory smoke detectors in bedrooms. The board stressed the importance of educating the community about these standards.

Following the housing discussion, the board addressed the lifting of a condemnation order for a property on Alban Road. The property had undergone significant improvements, transforming from a health hazard to a much cleaner and safer environment. The board unanimously approved a motion to lift the condemnation order, allowing the property to proceed with further necessary inspections.

The meeting then shifted to discuss the burgeoning topic of green burials and home burial regulations. An attorney provided insights into the process, noting the absence of specific town regulations and the reliance on state guidelines. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) role was highlighted, particularly its focus on watershed protection. The board deliberated the need for a coherent policy to guide future home burial applications, addressing concerns about environmental impacts and property record-keeping. Members emphasized the importance of establishing a framework to ensure compliance with state regulations and avoid arbitrary decisions.

In continuation of the burial discussion, the board encountered the procedural aspects of an application under review, highlighting the need for input from the Department of Public Works regarding water supply approvals. The board expressed a commitment to developing a consistent framework to guide future applications.

The board also briefly touched on updates related to infectious diseases, noting that testing for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis had concluded, while human testing for these diseases continued. The flu clinic was scheduled for October 29th, with efforts to promote it during early voting. Distribution of COVID-19 test kits was addressed, noting a high demand but current stock shortages.

Further discussions included a plastic reduction bylaw update and the promotion of an upcoming community 5K event aimed at reducing high school student fees. The meeting concluded with routine matters, including the acceptance of minutes from a previous meeting, corrections to those minutes, and scheduling the next Board of Health meeting for November 4th.