Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pest Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sudbury Board of Health approves Roche Brothers action plan after Sudbury Farms pest remediation presentation
Summary
After an administrative hearing, the Town of Sudbury Board of Health unanimously approved Roche Brothers' facility needs assessment and action plan for Sudbury Farms, endorsing immediate repairs, new monitoring technology and a phased remodel to address rodent activity.
The Town of Sudbury Board of Health voted unanimously to approve Roche Brothers' action plan to address rodent activity and related facility repairs at Sudbury Farms following a presentation by Roger Bowles, the company's chief operating officer.
Bowles told the board that Roche submitted a facilities needs assessment and action plan on October 21 and described three steps: completing immediate repairs, carrying out a major remodel, and strengthening procedures for monitoring and follow-up. "I think we've been able to rectify almost all of those opportunities throughout the facility," he said, noting two primary remaining issues were a container attached to the back of the building and damaged metal dumpster chutes.
The board heard that Roche has been sealing identified entry points, cementing several gravel pits in the floor and documenting their locations on a floor plan. Interim measures include painting and cordoning off receiving-room areas, installing cameras and traps, and increasing pest-control visits to five days per week. Bowles also described a new infrared camera system that will alert pest-control contractors to movement and help target responses.
Board members pressed for timelines and clarification. Roche representatives said chute repairs are targeted for early December (with an ambition to finish by year'end) and that door sweeps and air strips at receiving-area doors have already been replaced; some replacement parts (ice-bin carts) remain on order. The company said it has trained staff on incident reporting so managers log sightings and the pest-control firm can respond based on those records.
Bowles outlined a planned remodel that would be brought to the town for review: full refrigeration replacement using CO2 systems, new gondolas and flooring, ceiling reconstruction, updated lighting and cameras, and sealing work (meshing and sealed floors/pits) intended to remove long-term pest harborage. He said the remodel is currently targeted for early spring and that Roche intends to phase work so the store can remain open where feasible.
During the presentation resident Janie Dretler asked about a broader prevention and abatement plan for neighboring businesses; town staff described their "rodent patrol" inspections that engage adjacent storefronts, review pest-control reports and coordinate with the landlord during investigations. The department acknowledged the site is challenging because a wetland area sits directly behind the plaza.
A motion to approve the action plan was made and seconded; the board voted in favor (three in favor, none opposed). The board indicated it will continue to monitor implementation and participate in the review of remodel plans when Roche brings them to the Town of Sudbury for approval.
The approval requires continued collaboration between Roche Brothers and the health department on scheduled repairs, weekly inspections and the phased remodel process.
