[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286461,"mediaKeyId","2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f","parentId",2559467,"title","Votes at a glance: Southborough Board of Health — March 11, 2025","audioSeconds",2299,"startMs",34000,"endMs",2333000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f&start=34&end=2333","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f/thumbnail_34000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286461/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Southborough-Board-of-Health-March-11-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286461-e4af790eae645923bf221c5ffcb7c2de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186846&Signature=MAv2N6J5kPiyV6qjBDfAlVPG96DcbnSVGS5mkFhIhFE3qAkK-2pENjjpCD~AKaZV4aF37C8XvSKPd1HWDGV15eHp4UD6GfSGXjU9vqXATGAzwIK2Dcg5VuKNRiXCX4MBlbGq~rVyvw0FXr2WyfLqhToThcyEYtq7~BohzkcMIClPuCSGUyY7nHdp36x0tOWzGaDwR2q0h9p4PGAY4vbdfjy1M97pzJ0ITvM8-0pvFrd2VgjXgbMEB6yjGu7ogrrFMSIhxr~GUXpFQqu906R83k2t6dX98Y7AOmSZt1dqfPNxgT8mudBLihVQ6R2vrpdVJAmHc7t9J25TV8C-8L-CUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","At its March 11 meeting the Town of Southborough Board of Health recorded the following formal actions.

Accept minutes (February 11, 2025) — Approved
Motion: “I’ll move that we accept the February 11 minutes as amended this morning.” Mover recorded in transcript: Barbara (board member). Seconder: not clearly recorded in the transcript. Outcome: approved. Notes: the amendment corrected a name under \"Greater Burrows Funding Options\" to indicate Isabella Caruso would submit a request for additional AEDs.

Adjourn — Approved (two‑zero vote)
Motion: Mover recorded in transcript: Barbara (board member); second recorded but not named in the public transcript. Vote: the transcript records Malinowski voting “aye” and the chair announcing “two‑zero vote.” Individual yes votes are recorded only for Malinowski; the second affirmative vote is not identified in the transcript. Outcome: approved; meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

Items noted for follow‑up (not formal votes): scheduling a site visit and follow‑up review for 2 East Main Street; potential April 8 hearing on Body Works regulations if staff and counsel resolve outstanding issues.

Notes on recordkeeping: the transcript does not include a complete roll‑call tally for the minutes approval; where individual votes were not specified in the record the article reports the board’s stated outcome and any named individual votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Board of Health 3/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Health approved February 11 minutes as amended and adjourned the meeting by recorded vote; other items were informational or scheduled for follow‑up.","taxTitle","Town of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",56453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286466,"Southborough wins MMA Kenneth Pickard Innovations Award for regional public‑health work",65,1817000,1882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f&start=1817&end=1882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f/thumbnail_1817000.jpg","/articles/6286466/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Southborough-wins-MMA-Kenneth-Pickard-Innovations-Award-for-regional-publichealth-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286466-49caffd08a71d67ace323e6f2985061c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186846&Signature=bxcvaSFGr9T-G~uQMEHOljPZZwe54tEJGWWIgJ~KBC1hrT~~0lOeZCWhe8FFbgdho5Co07yf4sjYrlbtQdYMsOT-Drzpe-kOE17JbHhtfOpYDsZkdeFxWlcJWooyvKfDk7Dw6eD8ys-H0-7modYaVUGbNzdfLdim3BHGxevteFJR-R0Z3JvRVxKX71j02oercskb1yMRWn-m2GLl5c97yWs5vgFKStvkmQ5CH-JNgbrgKZgWGlVAJUA154W1n9I3~BdeoCq1MZca5mX6aHhiyLrJvsA~cgaAKjQUfcHJ-O6Zt07zjuYz6VnEKDGWdTbqXuBCnqIV8p-iZl0JPwHFqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Southborough staff announced on March 11 that the town received the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Kenneth Pickard Innovations Award for how the health office used Public Health Emergency (PHE) grant funding to strengthen services across four towns.

Barbara and Taylor told the board that Taylor submitted the application last fall and that a town representative attended the MMA meeting in Boston to accept the award. The award will be displayed in the health office.

The board offered congratulations to Taylor and staff for the regional collaboration and for leveraging grant funding to expand local public‑health capacity.","Town staff received a Kenneth Pickard Innovations Award from the Massachusetts Municipal Association for using PHE grant funds to strengthen health services across four towns; the plaque will be displayed in the health office.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286470,"Southborough health staff: avian influenza risk to people remains low; backyard poultry owners urged to take precautions",113,2036000,2149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f&start=2036&end=2149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f/thumbnail_2036000.jpg","/articles/6286470/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Southborough-health-staff-avian-influenza-risk-to-people-remains-low-backyard-poultry-owners-urged-to-take-precautions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286470-137beedb6b4f8009acc4e3ce03d02558/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186846&Signature=CdhecSB74xaDlGcTeOhXSHRWlcIXUOVmXxsInw6y0tBDPGWEVE~938ldt-k-AqqP8p~Y1kV4i4n4l6rPS2K7t8gPxha8UlBKWKzD103RFYOro1YGmxelLCeLdo-vYRhaL3XF26IkiDZyqkUR1Nn6qwVZhYbWZvH3fPLmI2p7kMtUrvYxeR-V5ASjceBbPkN52UteeYn-cHIFi1bV5tBQWb2axb~8WZOrTCYLm3o8VmbVK6T1OcOUO-ClYDWRBnmfiw9o4HEwAMHjTthju19suQLZS-p9hFnJOD86Ryt3Qz3Wm7lvSGPgmInyBl1qHdOxAV9sDHSzfaQ6BP9y5caliQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chris, a Town of Southborough health staffer, told the board on March 11 that local health officials are following guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on avian influenza.

“Risk to public health remains low,” Chris said, adding that current guidance indicates no sustained human‑to‑human transmission. He said people who handle livestock or poultry regularly are at highest risk and that residents with backyard flocks should follow biosecurity measures.

Chris summarized reporting guidance cited by state agencies: the public should report five or more dead wild birds in the same location to MassWildlife, and owners of backyard poultry should report mortality events to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources so the state can monitor outbreaks. He advised poultry owners to prevent contact between flocks and wild birds, not to share equipment with neighboring flocks, and to use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling birds or poultry housing.

The board received the update as an informational item; no regulatory action was proposed at the meeting.

Why this matters: an avian influenza outbreak among poultry is primarily an animal‑health matter but can have downstream public‑health and agricultural impacts; monitoring and reporting help state agencies track and respond to cases quickly.","Health staff told the Board of Health the town is following Massachusetts DPH and CDC guidance, advised residents to avoid contact with wild waterfowl, and outlined reporting steps for clusters of dead birds and backyard poultry deaths.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":79,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":82,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286473,"Board of Health targets April hearing on proposed body‑works regulations after staff review",156,1973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f&start=1817&end=1973","/articles/6286473/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Board-of-Health-targets-April-hearing-on-proposed-bodyworks-regulations-after-staff-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286473-af74db2087d9fa6711994b4a216d8ffd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186846&Signature=cObKF32ghrnaAU38sVITworrwe2SOzgAXXPYHUXggcjhmgZTiK4c2S4j9Kv8y~astwKOYpmzq5sCtzlVXO4bOVs2qgGyxYSo4YnVkgZyOhhkqUDYbW0jSAY-W8fa-9IM~3L694ayo1aGkrChr4gR2DFLFxmvyT7WXDbUVapEWsQYIMzFCkmHBolqDRuhLaLdbu8JQ7qiUq3vywk5lW3Yyi1rgMNvcHKeCOnOEimZV8w0U-~yRlD-YbehBXhDuPyFSbC7Nl94AWEPBYV-XBLSsVx3bpd-rc-rDu0G4unxvaEA2lOHB~PUCsCtSYs0GM-axuyd7BNui1bVoX0rCRVGqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Southborough staff and Board of Health members told the board on March 11 they intend to hold a hearing on proposed Body Works regulations in early April, contingent on resolving two implementation issues.

Town staffer Chris said the draft regulation has two open questions: how to treat quarry operators and how to enforce rules for existing body‑works establishments that did not go through the new permitting process. “Those are definitely the two big things,” he said, and staff are looking at how other towns handle them.

The board agreed to target the April 8 meeting for a public hearing if staff and town counsel can resolve the outstanding points. The board instructed staff to proceed with the required advertising if the regulations are ready; the chair noted the hearing would need to be posted by the 25th to meet publication timelines.

Why this matters: Body‑works businesses operate in a regulatory gap at the state level; local regulations would create town‑level permitting and enforcement mechanisms. The board and staff said they want workable enforcement language for existing operators and to make sure the rules account for local circumstances such as quarry operations.

Next steps: Chris will continue comparative research; staff will consult town counsel and advise the board whether the draft is ready to be posted for the April 8 hearing.","Town staff and the board discussed two outstanding implementation issues — quarries and enforcement for existing establishments — and agreed to seek a hearing on the proposed Body Works regulations at the April 8 meeting if those items are resolved and legal review is complete.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286478,"Owner seeks expanded septic approval for 2 East Main Street redevelopment in Southborough",1733,68000,1801000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f&start=68&end=1801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2559467-10fdc75e97c13e066ef8685c29984c2f/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6286478/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Owner-seeks-expanded-septic-approval-for-2-East-Main-Street-redevelopment-in-Southborough","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286478-94f474226dfbe073cd0dae5e1c0f56eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186846&Signature=dX3JovQ7O7u9UUOehA8hiKXy3iOB8qwWekUUr3wt~2OEpRzGJCKNQSW4GNFV8yOAhV3MYMHDxmQ8lPZOkGzdaUO4c~RupUWe2RvOWow4~T8qpyz6usVXGu9gBjMC-me4ZK4Uuxmx7crzE-rnn3UTP6rrLWngkB8EyCp2RfkeZW5-FaaRYdUKGpz82b16hs1UfKa7~O5pRod78YP8jOXJ8XxIx~QrOsoIm~pzpuviJvevvE8~DlE4bWXK1DGXzmOrMGyh~oZdimVhXrlZD4namCAWy3csI-P7NO3BDrpWt9cpx7ziOBqtE6gNptX0yfEG2kFvqJDdFzSYcWtyGo6kBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peter Bemis, an engineering design consultant and owner of the 2 East Main Street parcel in downtown Southborough, asked the Town of Southborough Board of Health on March 11 to revisit earlier septic approvals so a proposed multifamily building can move forward.

Bemis told the board the site has multiple historic uses and existing approvals dating back to 2004 and a redesign in 2018. “We have about 750 gallons per day” in the leaching-area design, he said, and asked the board to consider a modest increase in allowable daily flow so the project could support a seventh or eighth one‑bedroom unit.

The change matters because septic design capacity affects how many housing units the site can legally support and because the downtown zoning triggers an affordable‑unit requirement once a project reaches a certain number of units. Bemis explained that under the downtown district formula, “every time you get to 8 units or then above, you have to do 1 affordable,” and that moving from six to seven units requires extending the leaching field only a short distance, while eight units would require a larger extension.

Board members and staff discussed technical and regulatory constraints. Bemis described the site’s setback constraints: the property sits closer to a bordering vegetated wetland and an intermittent tributary than the regulation standard. He said, “We have 69 feet. So that’s where, one of the variances came in,” while the bylaws require a 100‑foot setback from certain wetlands. He said the newer chamber technology he proposes would slightly change the geometry of the absorption area and, in his view, increase the distance to sensitive receptors in some places.

Town staff and board members asked clarifying questions about unit layouts and septic sizing. Bemis said the planned apartments would be one‑bedroom units and described likely floor plans for six, seven and eight‑unit options. He also said the site previously supported higher flows historically when used as a printing press and service station, and he intends to present that history as part of any request to increase permitted flow.

The board did not take a vote on the project. Members and staff agreed to visit the site and to meet again with department staff to review technical details before any formal action. Board members penciled in a site visit for Wednesday the 19th at 7 a.m., dependent on staff availability; Bemis told the board he expects a planning‑board appearance later this month and noted the Conservation Commission recently granted a two‑year extension on a conservation permit for the parcel.

Next steps identified at the meeting: staff (Dennis and Chris) will complete their technical review of the proposed chamber system; board members will conduct a site visit; and the board will schedule a follow‑up meeting to consider whether to open a formal variance request or other administrative path.

Why this matters: the board’s decision on allowable septic flow will determine how many residential units the property can support and whether the project triggers the town’s affordable‑unit requirement for downtown redevelopment.","Peter Bemis, owner and engineer for 2 East Main Street, asked the Board of Health to revisit septic-system approvals so a proposed multifamily building could support seven or eight one‑bedroom units; board members agreed to a site visit and further review before any formal vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Southborough Board of Health — March 11, 2025

Southborough wins MMA Kenneth Pickard Innovations Award for regional public‑health work

Southborough health staff: avian influenza risk to people remains low; backyard poultry owners urged to take precautions

Board of Health targets April hearing on proposed body‑works regulations after staff review

Owner seeks expanded septic approval for 2 East Main Street redevelopment in Southborough