By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Board of Health has hired two recycling enforcement agents, but could use one more. At its meeting on June 21, the board hired Nancy Ashley and Whitney McClees part time to check recycling bins in Fairhaven to make sure residents are complying with recycling rules.
A grant from the state is allowing the town to implement “IQ Kit,” designed to improve recycling rates and reduce contamination in the bins. The presence of items that cannot be recycled in the orange-topped bins is costing the town money. ABC, the vendor that hauls away recycling, is also in negotiations with the town, seeking an additional $93,000 for next year’s contract due to a number of factors, one of which is contamination.
Residents should be aware that the town will have people checking bins. If contaminants are found, residents will be notified and the enforcement agents will explain the nature of the violation. The goal, said the board, is to educate people to get compliance rates up, not to be punitive.
In another matter, the board approved Keith Silvia to begin the process of replacing a garage in the Winsegansett neighborhood. The owners want to replace the garage that is there and add a bathroom. The matter will need to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The board also approved two new pushcarts in Fairhaven, Silly Bean Coffee, and South Coast Pop Cycle. The permits allow the vendors to sell from their carts anywhere in town, and to sell at vendor fairs, such as the Farmers Market, without additional food vending permits.
The board also discussed the effort to get all food vendors at the Homecoming Day Fair permitted and approved. There was some confusion about which ones needed permits, which ones would have the permit fee waived, and who had to go in to fill out the paperwork. Health Agent Mary Freire-Kellogg said she had about seven more to go.
A new form for repairing septic systems is causing confusion, and prompted the board to ask for a clarification from town counsel. Ms. Freire-Kellogg said the form does not explicitly have a place for the homeowner to sign. There is a spot for the contractor, but that does not necessarily mean the owner approved it.
Although board members agreed that a contractor would not take the chance of doing work without approval, Ms. Friere-Kellogg said that sometimes there is confusion over who has authority on a property, such as after a death when multiple heirs are involved. She said she felt she needed something in writing from an owner. The board will contact the Town Administrator for clearance to use town counsel.
The board did not discuss the personnel issue that has been on the last few agendas, waiting, they said, for a meeting when both the finance director and the human resources director can attend.
The board discussed, but did not sign the contract with Community Nurse due to some word changes from the previous contract that concerned board member Michael Silvia. The board voted to sign the contract if the original language is put back in.
In other business the board:
Voted to send a letter to the owners of 41 Weeden Road because they have exceeded the number of animals they are permitted for. They will either have to get rid of animals to comply, or apply for a new permit
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