At the Marion Board of Health’s last meeting on October 2, the board heard updates from town health officials and held a Public Hearing for a variance requested for work at 24 Ichabod Lane.
Following a quick update from Health Agent Gabrielle Almeida regarding septic inspections and restaurant compliance, the board heard Public Health Director and Nurse Lori A. Desmarais give an update regarding diseases and vaccines.
Desmarais explained the town has been “ramping up” their administration of flu vaccines. They operate at a few local clinics, including the Tabor Clinic, as well as regularly conducting home visits. At the drive-through flu clinic held on September 25 at the Cushing Community Center, Desmarais reported that the town had 110 originally sign up, and despite a stormy day, 103 came to receive their inoculation. Those who couldn’t make it were offered alternative dates or home visits.
With various other vaccine clinics and home visits, Desmarais stated 195 have been administered, with work still ongoing.
Board of Health Vice-Chair Dr. Ed Hoffer then moved to the Public Hearing for a variance requested by Zenith Consulting Engineers regarding sanitary waste at 24 Ichabod Lane. The requested variance is away from the required 2,000-gallon septic tank for a dwelling of five bedrooms or larger and instead to a 1,500-gallon tank.
Tom Morris of Zenith Consulting Engineers explained the property’s existing system is being upgraded with a MicroFAST system, with Morris explaining “the unit sized for this flow comes with a 1,500-gallon tank, and the only way to get a bigger tank would be a bigger unit, which is significantly more expensive.”
Chair Albin Johnson III requested if it would be possible to move the new denitrification system further away from the water table. This is in reference to a large hump over the system, which Johnson recommended applying for a variance against. The board closed the hearing with a conditional approval of both the original variance and another variance pending the submission of changed plans regarding the depth of the separation of groundwater, as discussed.
Following the Public Hearing and back to the Public Health Director’s update, Desmarais said the first Covid vaccine clinic would be held on October 8 at the community center. She said they have about 50 doses, and if interest is high enough, another clinic can be scheduled.
For disease updates in the state of Massachusetts, Arbovirus has seen one animal test positive, and West Nile Virus has had eight humans test positive. She noted “nothing so far in Plymouth County or Bristol County,” though she added the risk prevails until the first frost. Desmarais said the oral-rabies vaccine program, administered aerially (bait via helicopter) to local wildlife, has been completed.
The town’s health director also said the Community EMS program has conducted approximately 360 visits so far this year, including wellness checks and vaccinations.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, October 16 at 4:30 pm in the Marion Police Department Conference Room.
Marion Board of Health
By Sam Bishop