Shutesbury Board of Health Moves Forward with Legal Action on Long-Standing Property Issues
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Meeting Type:
Board of Health
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Meeting Date:
07/17/2024
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Recording Published:
07/31/2024
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Duration:
38 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Franklin County
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Towns:
Shutesbury
- Meeting Overview:
The Shutesbury Board of Health held a meeting to address several pressing community health and safety concerns, including the issuance of a permit for a local camp and ongoing issues with a property on Wendel Road. The Board decided to proceed with legal action against the property owners of 56 Wendel Road due to prolonged non-compliance, and also discussed communication improvements and compliance requirements for reopening a local camp.
The most significant topic discussed was the ongoing issues with the property on Wendel Road. The property owners, Greg and Kathy Steve, had received multiple notices regarding the poor condition of their property, including a letter threatening receivership. Despite these efforts, little progress had been made over nearly two years. The Board expressed frustration at the lack of response from the property owners and the slow pace of resolving the issues.
A motion to proceed with legal action against the property owners was discussed extensively. It was suggested that all relevant documentation be referred to Claudia Sarti and another party named Donna for further consideration. The Board felt that previous informal attempts to resolve the issues had not been effective and agreed that a more formal approach was now necessary. They touched on potential implications of receivership, not just from a health perspective but also concerning tax compliance and safety issues.
The debate also covered the effectiveness of having a Board of Health representative present during court mediation. In the end, the Board unanimously voted to move forward with sending all gathered materials to Claudia and Donna, facilitating the process of addressing the ongoing issues with the property.
Another topic was the issuance of a permit for a local camp, which had been closed for several years and faced new compliance requirements. The camp’s reopening was contingent on meeting several new health and safety protocols. Board members, including Sarah Fiske and Megan, conducted a detailed inspection that lasted two hours, longer than the usual fifteen minutes. compliance issues identified included the need for a medical director, emergency protocols, and approved training for counselors involved in canoeing.
Concerns about communication were raised, particularly regarding Claudia Sarti’s responsiveness as a key contact for the camp. There were issues with email communications, and it was suggested that Claudia might not have received important emails from Victoria, the camp representative. The Board expressed a desire to improve communications to ensure all parties are up to date on compliance requirements and inspection processes.
The role of Claudia Sarti as an inspector was also discussed in the context of a demolition project. Claudia was seen as possessing the necessary expertise to identify health and safety compliance actions. Communication between Claudia and another party, Donna, was deemed essential to ensure the project’s progress. The demolition of a building was debated, with some members expressing a desire for immediate action. One member stated, “I don’t see having any particular timeline, just knock it down.” However, the clarity of plans to potentially salvage parts of the building, including the front wall and a fireplace, was questioned. Claudia’s evaluation was considered essential, and it was proposed that one or more members could accompany her during inspections.
In addition, the Board discussed an upcoming groundbreaking event for a new library, scheduled for August 2nd. Logistical concerns regarding the setup of tents for the event were mentioned, including the prudence of leaving them unattended overnight. Some members were unable to assist with the setup due to prior commitments, highlighting the need for better coordination.
Updates were provided about collaborative efforts within the community, with particular satisfaction expressed regarding the prompt assistance received for camp permitting. The collaborative was in the process of finalizing a work plan and budget for the upcoming year, with adjustments requested by the state. Challenges in hiring inspectors were noted, with recent applicants not meeting expectations. The hiring process was competitive, and it was suggested that existing inspectors might be recruited from other roles.
Additionally, there was a brief discussion about mosquito reports, with one member complimenting the quality of the reports received. However, it was noted that the reports might be too detailed for public distribution. The meeting concluded with members confirming their availability for future meetings and expressing gratitude for the discussions held.
Rebecca Torres
Board of Health Officials:
Catherine Hilton, Wm Levine, Norene Pease, Arleen Read, Garrett Simonsen, Sarah Fiske (Public Health Nurse), Claudia Sarti (Health Agent)
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Meeting Type:
Board of Health
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Meeting Date:
07/17/2024
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Recording Published:
07/31/2024
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Duration:
38 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Franklin County
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Towns:
Shutesbury
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