Marion Board of Health member Albin Johnson described watching a YouTube video of a beautician “scarifying” skin as part of the process of creating eyebrows to be “an eye opener.”

            Johnson was discussing Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez’s idea that pencils in beauty salons and tattoo parlors be used in this technique only once and noted prior agreement among board members that the town should write a regulation and propose it to state health officials.

            “No pun intended, it really is an eye-opener, but it’s worth following up. Hepatitis C, particularly, you never know. Whatever viruses are out there, we’re getting more and more nervous about it. It’s certainly worth talking about. … I’m surprised the state hasn’t,” said Dr. John Howard, who was acting as chairman of the March 7 Board of Health meeting in Dr. Ed Hoffer’s absence.

            Taking on the task of composing a municipal regulation, Rodriguez reported that her outreach to surrounding towns to inform her process yielded little. Nonetheless, she recognizes a need.

            “It’s definitely something that I think needs to be done because – you don’t see it a lot around here, a lot of body art. And towns don’t realize the impact that pencils actually have,” said Rodriguez. “You’re putting the pencil on someone’s skin, you don’t know what type of skin condition they have. Just because you don’t see it, it doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

            Johnson wondered aloud if it is possible to sanitize a pencil by sharpening it or to sanitize a pencil sharpener. Rodriguez and Health Director Lori Desmarais were in agreement that the tiny, contaminated particles present make either outcome unrealistic.

            “There’s got to be some infectious-disease expert at Mass General or the Brigham who would have a very strong opinion,” Howard suggested.

            Two Marion-based establishments practice the use of “scarifying” skin and use pencils in the process similar to a standard technique practiced by tattoo artists.

            “On our agenda for (March 21), we have the public hearing to amend the body-art regulations,” said Desmarais.

            Along with the usage of pencils in contact with human skin, the public hearing will address permitting, which is currently timed two years out from the date of issuance. The new regulation would align these annual permit renewals on the same December 31 schedule kept for all other town-issued permits.

            In her update, Desmarais reported that the recommendation came down at the end of February for an additional dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine in people ages 65 and older. Howard advised Desmarais to purchase vaccine to be ready for any requests in accordance with the recommendation.

            Howard found interesting the CDC report that flu immunizations were reported at 67% successful in pediatric cases and 40-41% for adults in terms of avoiding outpatient visits or hospitalization.

            “That number may not sound great, but it’s better than in previous years,” said Howard.

            Desmarais further reported that among Marion residents who tested positive for the flu this season, none had shown record of immunization.

            Plymouth County Mosquito Control recorded 321 requests (total 150 Marion households) for spraying in 2023. That number was down from 531 (222) in 2022.

            This year, Desmarais has helped conduct 338 Community EMS visits, monitoring blood pressure among other things and reporting to family members. Howard reported “very positive” feedback and what he sees as an increasing need, calling it “a huge service.”

            Having attended recent state seminars, Johnson reasserted his position as a self-described skeptic regarding the state’s program to rid the harbors of nitrogen and noted confirmation from the Buzzards Bay Coalition that there has been no testing of groundwater for nitrogen on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal.

            The Final Septic Betterment Agreement contract has been received and was to be presented to the Select Board the week of the meeting. There are no current applicants, but the process has been legally vetted and is now in place.

            According to Desmarais, the previous owner at 38 Rocky Knook Lane was told that an approved Title 5 system would be required or the existing septic system on the property must be pumped. Desmarais reported that she learned that the system was never pumped, but she obtained contact information for new owner Designer Home Properties LLC and sent a letter requesting pumping records or that the owner contact the department within seven days to resolve the situation.

            An installer was hired to install a new system and a percolation test was done, but results were not forthcoming as of the March 7 meeting. It is not known if anyone is living on the property.

            Regarding 51 Bay Road, Rodriguez obtained pumping records that show it has been three years since the septic at that address has been pumped in accordance with Title 5 recommendation.

            Due for a food inspection, Brew Fish restaurant was being renovated.

            Rodriguez reported on the Seven-11 under renovation at 711 Mill Street; she said she will go back to ensure all the required upgrades are completed.

            The board received a message from a Select Board member to relay to the public that not cleaning up after a dog can result in the spread of disease. Marion has two dog-bag dispensers situated at both Silvershell Beach and Washburn Park and one at Bicentennial Park, Old Landing, Island Wharf and the Cushing Community Center.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, at 4:45 pm at the Town House Annex Building.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

            During the March 11 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, the members heard from David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., representing Derek and Kylene Gregiore for a Notice of Intent filing for property located on Goodspeed Island. The applicants are seeking to build a single-family home. The updated plans presented by Davignon detailed the use of hard armoring of the coastal bank in an effort to guard against continued erosion.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King noted that hard-armoring methods and systems were being employed on Nantucket Island, but member David Nicolosi said, “I hate it.” There ensued some debate on the virtues and drawbacks of hard armoring.

            Davignon said that sheet metal put in place as erosion control of the coastal bank was worth consideration. He agreed with Environmental Agent Brandon Faneuf that stormwaters could overtop the panel(s), requiring restoration of the bank.

            Faneuf wondered aloud, “What if the piling gets exposed?” King responded, “They are not designed to get exposed.” He offered that if the commission decided to condition the construction, it could add that any future repairs to the hard-armoring system be done in a timely manner.

            Davignon reminded the commission of its power of enforcement, but Nicolosi held fast to his distaste for hard armoring.

            “It’s going to erode … the engineering notes scouring … it’s a very dynamic area,” said Nicolosi, adding that the town does not have a local bylaw, rendering it impossible for the commission to levy fines or place restrictions on activities over and above the Wetlands Protection Act. “There aren’t any teeth in enforcement orders.”

            Nicolosi also pointed to the issue of wave deflection from the sheet-metal panels, ultimately pushing water away from the panels and onto neighboring properties.

            King was inclined to continue the NOI for two weeks to give the commission additional time to study the hard-armoring option, but in the end and at Nicolosi’s urging hard armoring was denied. King said, “They can appeal our decision to the DEP.” An Order of Conditions was issued absent hard armoring but with the condition that coastal-bank work be completed before occupancy.

            Also coming before the commission was Sara Quintal of the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Mike Huguenin to discuss the Enforcement Orders put in place after winter storms disabled “The Bogs” irrigation systems from preventing sediment runoff.

            On this night, it was noted by Faneuf’s assistant, Samantha Carew, that although weather systems have continued to keep groundwater and stormwaters high, The Bogs ditch systems and catchment areas were working. Nicolosi interjected that some water appeared cloudy, suggesting sediment movement, but overall the on-site teams have been responsive.

            Huguenin said, given that the BBC has complied, could the Enforcement Orders be lifted. That request was denied pending a decision by the Select Board on whether or not the town will be seeking sediment testing for harmful chemicals on the former agricultural site that may have been released during this winter’s flooding episodes.

            In other business, Caroline’s Way Trust, 0 Goodspeed Island Road’s application for the construction of a five-bed, single-family home was conditioned with the additional condition that coastal-bank restoration be completed before occupancy. Also conditioned was a NOI filed by Tracey White, 70 Aucoot Road, for the clearing of some wooded areas for the creation of a lawn and gravel driveway.

            A Negative Box 2 decision was granted to Ian Brady for the construction of a detached garage at 1 Mattakiset Road.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 25, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell