May 6, 2013

7:00 p.m. Call to Order
1)  Minutes
      a) April 1, 2013
      b) April 1, 2013 Executive Session
      
2)  Board of Health Business
a) Health Department Activity Reports
b) Aerial Larvicide Program Update

7:15 p.m. Hearing for the Adoption of the Revised Fee Schedule

7:30 p.m.  Home Sweet Home – 754 Boston Road – Request for a Waiver of Regulations

7:40 p.m. JoAnn Jamison – 7 Woodbury Road – Appeal Hearing for Notice of Violation Order for Correction

7:50 p.m. Lawrence N. Clark – 9 Braemore Road – Request Variance for work within 25 feet of the Flood Plain

8:00 p.m. Steve Mullane – 24 Marshbrook Road – Request Variance for work within the Flood Plain

8:10 p.m. New Locust Realty Trust – Quaker Lane – Request Variance for work within 25 feet of the Flood Plain

8:20 p.m. Open Microphone

2013 Fee Schedule Recommendations

Legal Notice for Public Hearing 3/7/13

Chapter 3 Draft BodyWorks Therapy Regulations 3-13-13

Chapter 4 Draft Tobacco Control Regulations 3/13

Chapter 5 Draft Keeping of Hens  2/6/13

2013 Fee Schedule Recommendations 3/1/13

Flu activity continues to increase in the U.S. The predominant circulating type of influenza virus is influenza A (H3N2). Billerica like all communities is seeing this increase. Fortunately, the flu vaccine does contain this strain.

For more information on national flu activity, treatment, and prevention, visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ and www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2012-2013.htm

Billerica Residents:

 
Flu Vaccine is available at the Billerica Board of Health Office.

If you missed one of our clinics, please call the Board of Health Nurse at 978-671-0932 for a day and time to come in. 

Home visits are also provided for those in need.

Pneumonia Vaccine is available year round.

BILLERICA BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN HALL
365 BOSTON ROAD
BILLERICA, MA 01821
TELEPHONE (978) 671-0931
FAX 978-671-0919
Web Site www.town.billerica.ma.us

West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Billerica

DATE: August 30, 2012 CONTACT: Richard Berube, Health Director
TOWN: Billerica, MA TELEPHONE: 978-671-0931

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) confirmed that a collection of mosquitoes from a surveillance site in North Billerica has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). This is the 2nd WNV positive mosquito sample this year in Billerica. Spraying in the area is planned after 8:00 p.m. for Thursday evening, August 30th to reduce populations of mosquitoes. A map and street listing is available on the CMMCP website at www.cmmcp.org/BILLERICA2012.htm. This is the same type of truck mounted spraying in targeted areas that has been done at resident’s requests. Residents can call CMMCP at 508-393-3055 with any questions or concerns or the Billerica Board of Health at 978-671-0931. Follow-up spraying may occur if conditions warrant it. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will continue to test surveillance traps in the area the virus was found.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.

By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
• Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
• Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

While Billerica Board of Health continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies, locally we are working with Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to spray for adult mosquitoes in the affected area. Residents in the area to be sprayed will be notified by the Town.

Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.
 

Mosquito Spraying and WNV

West Nile Virus

WNV Birds

Mosquito Repellent

 EEE Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Special Mosquito/Tick News

First Human and Horse WNV Cases 8-15-2012

Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project personnel will be in your community to investigate resident's complaints about mosquitoes on the following dates in August and September 2012:

August 1, 7, 13, 16, 22 & 28, 2012

September 4, 10, 13 2012

Complaints about mosquitoes may be registered by calling the CMMCP office at 508-393-3055 between 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Sodium in Drinking Water Fact Sheet

Is sodium found in drinking water?
Yes, sodium is a naturally occurring element found in low levels of water and soil. Drinking water contributes a small percentage (less than 10%) of a person’s overall daily sodium intake, which ranges from:
• 115 to 750 milligrams per day (mg/d) for infants,
• 325 to 2,700mg/d for children and
• 1,100 to 3,300 mg/d for adults.

The MA Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) currently requires all water suppliers to inform the Massachusetts Department of Public Health/Bureau of Environmental Health (MDPH/BEH), MDEP and local Boards of Health the concentrations of sodium in drinking water. Notification is required so that individuals who are on a sodium restricted diet or wish to monitor their sodium intake for other reasons will have this information.

What is sodium’s purpose?
Sodium is an essential mineral necessary for the normal functioning of the body and maintenance of body fluids. Nerve function and muscle contraction are also affected by sodium intake.

Where do we get sodium?
Sodium cannot be manufactured or stored in the body and must be consumed from drinking water and some foods; such as animal foods, low-fat dairy products, some canned foods, pickles, and olives.

What is the current guideline for sodium in drinking water and who should be concerned about this guideline?
The MDEP guideline of 20 milligrams of sodium per liter of water represents a level of sodium in water that physicians and sodium-sensitive individuals should be aware of in cases where sodium exposures are carefully controlled. People who have difficulty regulating fluid volume, as a result of several diseases such as hypertension and kidney failure, are particularly affected by elevated levels of sodium.

Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure and is a common, chronic medical problem in the United States. It is responsible for a major portion of cardiovascular disease and stroke deaths.

Kidney failure happens when an excess of sodium in the body causes fluid concentrations to change and the kidney fails to remove fluid. The result is a kidney shut-down and the build-up of fluid in the body which can lead to edema and hypertension.

7:00 p.m. Call to Order

1) Minutes
a) October 3, 2011

2) Correspondence
a) William Megow

3) Board of Health Business
a) Health Department Activity Reports
b) October 29, 2011 Storm Impact
c) Village at Fox Hollow II/27 Ferren Drive Sitewalk
d) Adoption of Proposed 2012 Board of Health Meeting Schedule
e) Substance Abuse Prevention Committee
f) Establish Sub-Committee to Draft Regulations for the Keeping of Hens

7:15 p.m. Wayne and Theresa Ferguson – 18 Kazimer Drive – Request Waiver of Regulations for work within the Flood Plain

7:20 p.m. Cumberland Farms, Inc. – 301 Boston Road – Request Variance for work within the Flood Plain and Stormwater Management Approval

7:30 p.m. Swanson Meadows Board of Trustees – Empire Recycling Noise Violations

7:45 p.m. Open Microphone

October 3, 2011

7:00 p.m. Call to Order
1) Minutes
a) September 12, 2011

2) Board of Health Business
a) Health Department Activity Reports
b) MHOA Annual Educational Conference
c) Proposed 2012 Board of Health Meeting Schedule
d) Mosquito Control Program Update

7:15 p.m. Village at Fox Hollow II – Baldwin Road – Townhouse Project Approval

7:30 p.m. Open Microphone

The residential MOSQUITO spraying program has ended due to night time temperatures which lower mosquito activity and reduce the effectiveness of the pesticide.  Spraying can only be performed at night time due to state regulations.
Please be aware that mosquito-borne viruses are in some areas, and you must exercise caution when outside – use repellents and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible.
Risk from mosquito-borne disease will be present until we have several hard, killing frosts.
Our Central Mosquito Control Program will be back in spring 2012. Have a safe and enjoyable Fall.

BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA

September 12, 2011

7:00 p.m.           Call to Order

1)  Minutes

                                          a)   August 8, 2011

                                    2)  Board of Health Business

                                          a)   Health Department Activity Reports

                                          b)   School Cafeterias Capital Improvements

                                          c)   Proposed Flu Clinic Schedule

                                          d)   CDC Adult Smoking Article                                                                                                                                     

                                          e)   Mosquito Control Program Report

7:15 p.m.           Independent Towers Holdings, LLC – Akeson Field/774 Boston Road – Request a Waiver of Regulations for work within the Flood Plain       

7:25 p.m.           Poravas Design & Consulting – 74 Buckingham Drive – Request a Variance for work within the Flood Plain

7:35 p.m.           Carlos M. Cunha – 32 Stoney Drive – Request a Waiver of Regulations for work within the Flood Plain

7:40 p.m.           Open Microphone

Recreational Activities and Risk of Mosquito Borne Diseases

Currently Billerica is at a low risk level for mosquito borne illness.

July 11, 2011

7:00 p.m. Call to Order
1) Minutes
a) June 6, 2011

2) Board of Health Business
a) Reorganization
b) Health Department Activity Reports
c) Mosquito Control Program Update

7:15 p.m. Mark Young – 32 Sheridan Street – Request Waiver of Regulations for work within the Flood Plain

7:20 p.m. Brian Powderly – 10 Olde Hillside Avenue – Request a Variance for work within the Flood Plain

7:30 p.m. Town of Billerica – Middlesex Turnpike Pump Station Upgrade Project – Request Waiver of Regulations for work within the Flood Plain

7:40 p.m. Ashraf and Shamim Dahod – Rangeway Road Cemetery Project – Request Project Approval

7:50 p.m. Open Microphone

7:00 p.m. Call to Order
 

1) Minutes
a) May 2, 2011

2) Board of Health Business
a) Health Department Activity Reports
b) Billerica Clean-Up/Green-Up Day
c) Mosquito Control Program Update
d) Tobacco Control Program
e) Water Conservation Committee Update
f) McFarland Cascade/Eastern Terminals

7:15 p.m. David J. Segal – 520 Boston Road – Appeal Hearing for Notice of Violation and Order for Correction

7:20 p.m. Cross Properties LLC – 16 Hancock Street – Request a Variance for work within the Flood Plain

7:30 p.m. Town of Billerica – Pump Station Elimination Project – Request Reissuance of Waiver of Regulations

7:35 p.m. Town of Billerica – 2011 Pavement Rehabilitation Program – Request for Waiver of Regulations

7:40 p.m. Open Microphone

PRESS RELEASE

THE AERIAL APPLICATION OF BIOLOGICAL LARVICIDE FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE TOWN OF BILLERICA BETWEEN APRIL 18 THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011. ONLY WETLANDS WILL BE SPRAYED. NO RESIDENTIAL AREAS WILL BE SPRAYED. SPRAYING IS TO BE DONE BETWEEN DAYBREAK AND DUSK. ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH (978) 671-0931.

7:30 p.m. Call to Order

1) Minutes

a) February 7, 2011

2) Board of Health Business

a) Health Department Activity Reports
b) Health & Wellness Fair
c) Substance Abuse Prevention Committee Report by Helen Devlin
d) Updated Emergency Call List
e) Nomination of Inspector of Animals
f) Spring Town Meeting Warrant Article 46 – Keeping of Hens
g) Aerial Larvicide Program
h) McFarland Cascade

7:15 p.m. Christine Granata – 7 Allendale Avenue – Request Waiver of Regulations for the installation of an above ground pool within the Flood Plain

7:25 p.m. Town of Billerica – Wastewater Treatment Facility Water Main Extension – Request Waiver of Regulations for work within the Flood Plain

7:35 p.m. Open Microphone