MINUTES OF THE CRANBURY TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING

May 13, 2004

Time and Place of Meeting: The May monthly meeting, held at the Cranbury Town Hall, was duly opened by Chairman Hart at 7:05 p.m.

In Attendance: William Hart, Board Chair; Bernice Shapiro, Vice-Chair; Michele Kemper, Board Member; John Jackson, Board Member; Cheryl Coyle; Board Member; David E. Orron, Esq., Board Attorney; John Obryk, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Middlesex County Public Health Department; Mike Donnelly, Middlesex County Public Health Department; and Linda M. Scott, Acting as Board Secretary.

Call to Order: With a quorum present, Chairman Hart called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and stated that adequate notice of the meeting’s date, time and place had been provided to the public pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.) by mailing to the media, posting on the Township bulletin board and filing with the Town Clerk. The Board proceeded with new business.

First order of business: April Meeting Minutes

The April minutes were unanimously approved, motion by John Jackson, second by Bernice Shapiro. All in favor.

Second order of business: Public Health Report

The Board members received the monthly report for April, 2004.

There were six Retail Food Inspections performed, all but one is considered Conditional Satisfactory. Hannah & Mason’s are doing prep work in the basement, where a ceiling and walls should be installed, temporary walls would suffice. John is working with H & M regarding this issue.

There were three complaints in April. Two of these complaints were at the Able Laboratories on Prospect Plains Road. The first visit to this site resulted in the inspection of filthy restrooms. It seems that construction workers were using and abusing this area. John spoke with the job foreman who agreed to clean the restrooms immediately. Second visit one week later, resulted in a satisfactorily cleaned restrooms. Portable toilets were provided for the construction crew.

A complaint of standing water in the proximity of 10 Jackson Ct. could serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. John is handling this investigation.

A Rabies Clinic held on April 24 administered a total of 34 dogs and 15 cats that received the rabies vaccination. Dr. Young was in attendance and was very accommodating by staying past the assigned hours to administer vaccinations to pets. A complaint was received that a non-resident was turned away, but it has always been policy to turn no one away. All the volunteers that day are aware of this policy and said that no one was rejected. John O. did look through the sign in sheets and states that a couple of out of county pets were vaccinated during this day.

Third order of business: Environmental Report

The Board members received the monthly report for April, 2004. Mr. Donnelly states that the Site Evaluation at 92 Halsey Reed Rd had septic system work, which failed this inspection.

Plan Review of 96 Halsey Reed Road of the upgraded system resulted in a rejection.

Installations were for newly constructed homes on 28, 29, and 30 Shady Brook Lane.

Fourth order of business: Old Business

A concerned citizen discussed the Wright South property. She expressed concern over the contamination soil level and the possibility of this property being publicly auctioned in October/November. She urged that the Board of Health write a letter to the Township Committee expressing that there be control over this area while there are kids in school. She also requested the Township and School Board be informed when local farmers spread pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. Suggested uses of this land were community gardens, wildflowers or plant with natural growth.

Bill Hart inquired of adjoining farms and the levels of arsenic. The citizen stated that this was not known but continued stating that many years ago; the State of NJ sampled soil somewhere, the exact location was not known or disclosed, in Cranbury and found high levels of contamination. Bill continued on, asking where the Environmental Commission stood on this issue. The Acting Secretary stated that EC was in favor of remediation, blending and covering the low level arsenic soil with other non-contaminated soil. Grass would be grown on the area which would satisfy state requirements.

A motion was made to write a draft letter by Michele Kemper and Connie Bauder expressing their concerns which will be forwarded to Bill Hart for review before the next meeting. The Environmental Commission and School Board will be cc’d. Motioned by Michele, second by Bernice, all in favor.

Fifth order of business: New Business

Spice Tech has a complaint, which was originally made over a year ago. The nuisance aroma was detected many times but for action to be taken it must be reported immediately.

A food article was submitted by John Obryk and printed in the township newsletter. It was determined that another article be submitted regarding the handling of the new food regulations in the park.

David Orron informed the Board that the Libertarian Party of Somerset has requested the approved 2004 Board of Health meeting minutes.

Adjournment: There being no further business before the Board, Chairman Hart stated that he would entertain a motion to adjourn. The motion was made by Bill Hart and seconded by Bernice Shapiro. The vote was unanimous in favor of adjournment and the meeting was concluded at 8:10 p.m.

Certification: I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am the acting Secretary of the Cranbury Township Board of Health and that this document, consisting of three pages, constitutes a true and correct copy of the minutes of the monthly meeting held on May 13, 2004.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name this day of ___________________ 2004.

Linda M. Scott

Acting Board Secretary