TOWNSHIP OF MAHWAH

BOARD OF HEALTH

MINUTES

April 3, 2008

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board of Health of the Township of Mahwah, held at the Municipal Offices, 475 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, New Jersey, was called to order at 7:30 PM by President, Wendy DeSilva. The Opening Statement was read according to the Sunshine Law and was followed by Roll Call.

PRESENT: Mrs. DeSilva

Mrs. Spiech

Mr. Ackerman

Mr. Harris

Mr. LaMontagne

Mrs. Tracey

ABSENT: Mr. Wasson

PROFESSIONALS: Mr. Mason, Attorney

Mr. Hopper, Health Officer

Mrs. Homler, REHS

Mrs. Campbell, Secretary

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Moved by Mrs. Spiech and, seconded by Mrs. Tracey, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 3, 2008.

Mrs. Tracey inquired if Mr. Hopper had received any feedback on the Open House hosted in Oakland by West Bergen Mental Healthcare on February 8th. Mr. Hopper had not.

There being no further questions or discussion, the minutes of the meeting of March 3, 2008 were unanimously approved.

APPROVAL OF THE HEALTH ACTIVITIES REPORT

Moved by Mrs. Tracey and, seconded by Mr. Ackerman to approve the Health Activities Report for March.

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Mrs. DeSilva requested additional information on a fresh water pollution violation at Ridge Gardens. Mrs. Homler replied that wastewater had been dumped into the storm sewer; we are going to court on this violation on the 29th of April.

There being no further questions or discussion, the Health Activities Report for March was unanimously approved.

APPROVAL OF HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT

Moved by Mr. Ackerman and, seconded by Mr. Harris, that the Health Officer’s Report for March be approved.

Mrs. Spiech asked Mr. Hopper the result of his conversation with the prosecutor regarding dismissal of our TASE violation. Mr. Hopper had expressed significant concern to Mr. Harraka that these violations be prosecuted. Mr. Harraka’s opinion was that the Court could find reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s guilt, and therefore was not comfortable bringing the case to trial.

Mr. Mason had discussed the situation with Mr. Harraka as well, and concurred with Mr. Hopper’s assessment of the importance of prosecuting these cases.

Mr. Hopper apprised the Board of his commitment to be present at any future TASE hearing, and to have the student volunteer present as well. Mrs. DeSilva felt the prosecutor should have suggested an adjournment on our behalf. Mr. Mason agreed he probably should have in lieu of dismissing the case altogether; but this is his prerogative.

Mr. Mason then suggested establishing a ‘confederate’ witness who can watch the transaction at the point of purchase, and be able to testify. Mr. Hopper explained that the State of New Jersey prescribes the procedures for TASE operations, and dictates that the youth enter the establishment alone.

Mr. Ackerman requested the name of the defense attorney. Mr. Mason responded that it was Mike Beatrice.

There being no further questions or discussion, the Health Officer’s Report for March was unanimously approved.

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HEALTH OFFICER’S ANNUAL REPORT

Moved by Mr. Harris and, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, that the Health Officer’s Annual Report for 2007 be approved.

Mr. Hopper noted that the report’s introduction included all the CHIP [Community Health Improvement Plan] activities we have been involved in. Mrs. Tracey asked Mr. Hopper if these were Mahwah activities or county-wide activities. Mr. Hopper confirmed that these statistics are collated on a county-wide basis.

Mrs. Spiech asked if the 67 animal bites or 42 rabies visits reported were excessive compared to other years. Mr. Hopper did not believe the incidence of cases to be remarkable.

Mrs. Spiech then inquired if the revenue reported was higher than previous years. Mr. Hopper noted that department revenue was fairly static.

Mrs. DeSilva commended Mr. Hopper for a job well done.

There being no further questions or discussion, the Health Officer’s Annual Report for 2007 was approved.

SITE PLAN

Mr. Hopper reviewed the Short Line Bus Tours site plan with the Members, but did not ask them to approve it as he had already been advised that a revision would be submitted to the Planning Board.

The property is adjacent to Stag Hill Road and the Shorco site. Short Line is proposing a vehicle prep and storage area to be used by a local car dealership. Mr. Hopper has advised Boswell Engineering that the monitoring wells on the property must remain in place and accessible.

Members of the Board were concerned about run-off from the site given its proximity to township wells. Mr. Hopper requested the installation of oil separators in all the catch basins throughout the lot. Mr. Harris was concerned about who was going to maintain and monitor the oil separators. Mr. Hopper said this would be the Township Engineer’s responsibility.

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Mr. Hopper had received updated plans from the DEP delineating the monitoring and recovery wells at Shorco and the trench that had been dug to prevent migration of contamination. The trench will remain, and sewer caps will provide access to the wells in the areas of the lot that are to be paved.

Mrs. DeSilva inquired as to the progress of the clean up. Mr. Hopper responded that the geologist’s report indicates improvement, but that completion of the clean up will take years.

BILLS

Moved by Mr. Harris and, seconded by Mrs. Spiech and, unanimously approved by all present to pay the bills for March.

REPORT OF ATTORNEY

Mr. Mason advised that the prosecutor is willing to move ahead on our rooster case despite the exclusion of photographic evidence. The defendant has a new attorney, and the court has permitted him another adjournment.

Mr. Mason also distributed copies of a letter he had sent to Mr. Harraka strongly defending the need to prosecute our TASE cases.

CORRESPONDENCE

Local Health Evaluation Report submitted 3/25/2008 to NJDHSS

As required annually by the State Health Department, and prepared by Mr. Hopper. The LHER is a self-evaluation which conveys our level of compliance with the Practice Standards in areas of training, performance, accreditation, and finance.

Mr. Ackerman inquired if our statistics were always combined with those of Paramus. Mr. Hopper stated that we are considered one health jurisdiction.

Mrs. Tracey feels that we are still deficient in terms of measurable outcomes. She noted that the report clearly identifies goals and objectives, but does not indicate if we are attaining them.

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Mr. Hopper explained that the CHIP first had to identify the priority health concerns in our communities. After the areas were identified, programs would need to be developed in order to address them. Not until after the programs have been designed and put in place will we be able to determine our effectiveness.

Mrs. DeSilva inquired how the CHIP identified the areas of concern for Bergen County. Mr. Hopper explained that this information was compiled via phone surveys, community forums and focus groups. Results from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys (which are administered regularly by independent agencies i.e. school districts) were also used to determine the health habits of Bergen County residents.

Mrs. Tracey asked why Mr. Hopper did not rate our compliance with HSAS favorably. Mr. Hopper feels that the State needs to develop a standard chart for the local jurisdictions to use and/or model.

Mr. Harris commended Mr. Hopper’s own involvement in pandemic flu preparedness, but noted that he only rated our compliance in this area at 51%. Mr. Hopper explained that local Health Officers are not currently represented on the County Emergency Preparedness Committee, hence the lower ‘grade’.

West Bergen Mental Healthcare, 2007 Annual Report

As submitted to Mayor Martel on 3/21/2008 by Michael Tozzoli

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by Mr. Ackerman, with a second by Mr. Harris and agreed by all present, the Board entered into Executive Session at 8:10pm.

On a motion by Mr. Harris, with a second by Mr. Ackerman and agreed by all present, the Board returned to Open Session at 8:30pm.

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OTHER BUSINESS

Resolution 8-06:

2008 West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Voluntary Municipal Support

Introduced by: Mr. Ackerman

Second: Mr. Harris

Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 1 Absent

Resolution 8-07:

2008 West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Student Assistance Program

Introduced by: Mrs. Spiech

Second: Mr. LaMontagne

Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 1 Absent

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn at 8:45 pm was made by Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Ackerman and, agreed by all present.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 1, 2008 at 7:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Campbell

Secretary