By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Is it the latest twist on hiring “kids” to clean up your yard?
The Board of Health has been approached by a West Side resident about the possibility of bringing several goats in for three or four days to eat the brush on the homeowner’s property. No formal request has been made, as the resident wouldn’t be employing the animals until next spring. But Health Director Ruth Clay said that the resident had inquired as to what would be involved and Clay said that she wanted the board to brush up on the animal regulations in advance.
Clay noted that the relevant permit isn’t expensive, but it applies to permanent keeping of the animals, not the kind of temporary arrangement proposed. Other as yet unanswered questions include where the goats would stay at night. It was noted that there are services that provide the goats, but it was unknown if the animals would remain in town overnight.
Board members also said that they would need to be assured that the goats could not leave the property in question. Other concerns include how the goats’ waste would be disposed of.
Clay said that she would want to look at the property and talk to the neighbors if the resident decides to pursue the goat option.
Board members did like the idea that it was a “green” approach to clearing brush.
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The board voted unanimously to support a plumbing variance sought by Blue Moon Grill at 955 Main St. in Greenwood. Clay told the board that the restaurant had recently expanded into adjacent space and was seeking a variance from the state plumbing board to allow it to have just one handicapped bathroom instead of two. Blue Moon would like to make its current non-compliant bathroom into a unisex, handicapped accessible restroom.
Clay said that the state usually seeks the opinion of local Health Boards when requests for such variances are received.
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Clay reported that she had been contacted by a mother who had recently taken her young daughter to the playground at Colonel Connelly Park. When the child needed to use the bathroom, the mother said that she went to several establishments across the street, but was told that they did not have public bathrooms.
Clay stressed that for safety reasons the food code does prohibit allowing customers to walk through kitchen areas to use employee bathrooms.
Board members acknowledged the problem of a lack of bathroom facilities in popular public areas around town, but said that it was not really in their purview. They also recognized that providing public restrooms comes with a host of safety and maintenance issues.
It was noted that when the new Cumberland Farms opens on Lowell Street it will likely have public restrooms.
Clay said that she would talk to the appropriate town officials about the possibility of addressing the lack of public restrooms, perhaps in an updated Master Plan.
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Tuesday night’s first flu clinic of the season drew 85 people, Clay reported. Clay said that she was looking for ideas as to how to better advertise future clinics. Clay said that the clinics have been publicized in the newspaper, the town’s web site, WCAT and Facebook. Portable A-frame sidewalk signs have been used and an electronic sign was placed on Main Street announcing the clinics, Clay said.
Board members suggested the additional possibilities of placing the A-frame signs around the Lake where they can be seen by the many walkers and runners. Another suggestion was to place one of the signs at the farmers market along with copies of the flu clinic flyer. Church bulletins were another avenue mentioned.
Board member Elaine Silva said the city of Everett, where she works as a public health nurse, has gotten good results from robocalls. Clay said that she would investigate that possibility with other town department heads that have used robocalls for promotions in Wakefield.
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Clay said that she had received a letter from Wakefield resident and Tufts University professor Christine L. Rioux, PhD interested in speaking to the board about light pollution and “trespass light.”
“As you may know,” Rioux writes, “the issue is important for several reasons including protecting the night skies, protecting privacy and intrusive lighting across property lines, energy conservation and health.”
Clay and board members discussed the fact that the issue was more of a zoning matter than one for the Board of Health. Clay said that she would request more written information and also suggest that Rioux speak to the Town Administrator and Town Planner.
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The Board of Health reorganized last night. Alison Mehlman will succeed Elaine Silva as chairman. Laurel Gourville was elected vice chairman and Silva will serve as board secretary.
