The meeting commenced with a request from Jack Maloney, representing Alexandra Esman, to upgrade a three-bedroom house on Hadwan Road to a four-bedroom residence. Maloney described the property’s details, noting the presence of town water and its proximity to wetlands, requiring a 50-foot and 100-foot buffer. He proposed using a Presby system suitable for a four-bedroom house, which necessitated fill and grading up to 3.6 feet from the abutting lot line. The board considered two variances related to the town’s regulations on impervious barriers and fill. Maloney confirmed that the abutter, Esman’s parents, had no objections.

After discussing the project’s suitability, board members expressed unanimous support for the proposal, noting that the impervious barrier was a reasonable approach given the site’s specific circumstances. With no abutters present to voice concerns, a motion to grant the variances was passed unanimously.

Following this, the board postponed a hearing regarding a project on Aspen Road due to last-minute design changes. The hearing was rescheduled for January 8, 2015. The meeting then transitioned to a discussion on public health monitoring, particularly regarding air quality.

Health Director Francis Dagle led the conversation on the acquisition of ten air quality sensors from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The board brainstormed potential locations for these sensors, with an emphasis on schools and town-owned properties to facilitate easier installation and power access. They also considered existing air quality monitoring stations at the wastewater treatment plant to ensure data calibration with the new sensors.

Board members highlighted the importance of sensor placement in high-population areas or near pollution sources, such as schools, high-traffic areas, and industrial operations. Concerns were raised about uneven distribution, particularly avoiding scenarios where sensors might be concentrated on one side of a major highway. Locations near Long Lake were suggested due to town accessibility, while monitoring around cannabis shops was proposed following previous nuisance complaints.

The board acknowledged the need for input from the Water and Electric departments regarding existing sensors. A proposal to collaborate with a local state university’s Geographic Information System (GIS) program was discussed, which could involve students assisting in mapping and planning the optimal placement of sensors. This initiative would consider factors such as elevation and wind patterns, providing a comprehensive geographical map of existing and proposed sensor locations.

There was a consensus on the necessity of a balanced sensor distribution across the town. The board planned to develop a list of starting locations for sensor placement, with a follow-up discussion scheduled for January 8 to review further developments and outline next steps.

Attention then turned to health data reporting and budgetary considerations. The board reviewed a report template for December 2024, which included inspectional data and community health observations. Concerns were raised over the timeframe of the data and the need for clarity in reporting. A discussion on the unusually high number of tuberculosis cases, totaling seven for the year, emphasized the importance of monitoring trends and alerting the board to significant case numbers promptly.

Budget discussions revealed a proposal for a part-time inspector and nurse, highlighting the need for detailed budget transparency. A comparison with the fire department’s budget underscored the expectation that health department costs would not be fully offset by revenue. The board also examined the introduction of a new interactive inspection form for food establishments, hosted on the OpenGov platform, to educate business owners on health code requirements. Additionally, a formal process for catering notifications was proposed to enhance food safety monitoring.