With a light agenda, the Marion Board of Health moved quickly through its October 4 meeting.
Board members heard from Chairperson Dr. Edward Hoffer that work would be beginning soon for emergency sheltering planning once the Police Department set a schedule to begin training.
Both Board of Health Agent David Flaherty and Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais stated that a trial run for the upcoming drive-through flu clinic went well with town employees. The public drive-through flu clinic is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and will be held at the Community Center.
Desmarais also commented that meetings with the school nurses had gone well and that they were prepared with everything in place to handle suspect COVID-19 cases. Hoffer asked about the process if a child shows symptoms of illness. Desmarais said the child is removed from the school with the parents instructed to seek private treatment and as-necessary COVID-19 testing.
Regarding Tabor Academy, Desmarais said that testing had gone well and, overall, Marion does not currently have any active COVID-19 cases.
The recent closing of Cumberland Farms was briefly discussed with Desmarais stating that she had worked with the company and staff for contact tracing. Retesting of employees came back negative, she said. She also confirmed that she had not received any food-service complaints.
Flaherty said that on September 24 oral rabies vaccine baiting had taken place via the distribution of fish pellets. He said that domesticated animals, the family cats, and dogs, might get a little stomach upset if they ingested the pellets, but that the medication would not harm them.
On the matter of the new requirement for denitrification systems for new septic systems, Flaherty confirmed that applicants were being advised of the new regulations and most were already aware of the system changes.
Calling them “our problem children,” Flaherty said of 464 Front Street, a property previously condemned and slated for demolition, “We can’t do anything until December, but I’ve made regular visits.” He said in spite of the Board of Health involvement and legal action, not much clean-up had taken place. “I baited heavily over there because of the critters,” he said. Hoffer said he would reach out to the property owner’s attorney.
Regarding 26 Pitcher Street, Flaherty said that clean-up had begun, but that 33 Pitcher Street notifications had yet to yield responses from property owners.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health was not yet scheduled.
Marion Board of Health
By Marilou Newell