Gardner Health Department hires inspector, schedules landfill monitoring repairs and resumes inspections

The Gardner City Health Department told the Board of Health on April 28 that it hired a returning inspector, has scheduled repairs to groundwater-monitoring wells and will start a bidding process to repair or replace landfill system pumps.

Staff announced the department hired Inspector Eric Fabin, who previously worked for the department. "He's a new hire for Inspector. He had worked for this department before in 02/2003, and we've missed him to come back," Health Department staff said. The department said Fabin will begin by conducting housing inspections and will be trained on food and other programs.

Landfill and groundwater monitoring

Staff said money already encumbered and discussions with the mayor and auditor mean the pump-repair project can be fully funded, and the purchasing department will begin the bid process immediately. Groundwater-monitoring wells are scheduled for repair on May 13; Soillex will perform repairs and a consultant identified as CEC will confirm the work meets requirements.

Food, housing and permitting updates

Health Department staff said Angela will take the lead on food-inspection duties and that inspections are being brought up to date. Staff noted planned renovations at the Walmart food area and a substantial kitchen renovation at Powerhouse of Pizzas. Staff also described a residential-kitchen (direct-to-consumer) permit the department will permit for home-based nonperishable food sales; reselling through wholesale channels would need a state wholesale permit.

Housing inspections and shelter updates

Staff reported a steady flow of housing complaints but said they are closing more than opening; one condemnation was reported for a camper parked on Pearl Street and the department verified it was unoccupied. The Super 8/Gardner motel (also referred in transcript as Motel 6 by a speaker) remains open to shelter families after a flooding incident at a Westminster site transferred some guests; staff said the hotel had planned to wind operations down by June but the timeline shifted due to that event. Staff noted the hotel must return to the regular hotel/motel permitting process if it resumes standard commercial operation.

Other items

Staff said the Mass Department of Public Health is developing new inspection/permitting software expected later in the year that could improve statewide uniformity. The department participated in a Greater Garden Health Fair and noted the Purple Paws fundraiser had been rescheduled. On environmental oversight and LSPs (licensed site professionals), staff said the department is relying on its monitoring contractor, which employs an LSP, but noted an LSP may still be warranted; results from groundwater testing conducted in April should be available within about two weeks and were expected to be discussed at the next meeting.

Next meeting and follow-up

Staff said the April testing results should be available in the next two weeks and the board set its next meeting for May 19, 2029. No formal votes were recorded about these operational items during the April 28 meeting.