03/06/1957
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hEGUUR AONTHLY HibTING BOAPJ) OF H.EA.mH
HELD IN OFFICE OF BOAFill
MARCH 6, 1957
Present: ~. James 11. Hall, Jr., Chairman; Dr. J. C. Knox, Dr. James H. Smith,
Dr. J. G. \'essell and Hr. H. H. Roland.
Hotion was made by Dr. ~essell that the reading of the minutes be omitted since
copies had been mailed to the Board members. "~tion seconded by vtr. Roland. Carried.
Mr. Haas, Sanitarian, and Jofrs. Frances Lassiter, of the :itate \ielfare Department,
appeared before the LlOcra to discuss certain phases of the day nurseries being operated
in New Hanover County. J1r. Haas reported that the one specific day nursery that brought
up the need for some enforcement has been housing i'ourteen children in the basement and
that sanitary conditions were questionable. Jofrs. Lassiter stated that there are four
state-licensed day nurseries in New Hanover County; three that are unlicensed and four
licensed foster-care homes. She further stated that although three of these homes do
not conform to State standards, the State can grant or revoke a license, but has no
authority to close a nursery. She also stated they are mostly concerned where the child
is kept in the hom" all day. Dr. Knox mentioned having seen station wagons filled with
Children, doors open, and no one to look after their safety; that mothers who work have
to put their children in these homes. lofr. H~as and Mrs. Lassiter, after describing the
situation in these homes, recorrunended that the board of Health bring these day nurseries
under the same Rules and Regulations that govern the sanitation of Summer Camps. Mrs.
Lassiter stated that if' the operators of these homes try tp meet these regulations that
the State Welfare Department will work with them. Following a full discussion of these
day nurseries anu foster-care homes; motion was rnace by Dr. Knox, seconded by Dr. Wessell,
that these day nurseries and foster-care homes be brought under the Rules and Regulations
governing Summer Cmnps. Carried. The following amendment was adopted:
"Definition of Summer Camp amended to include nursery homes and/or schools. The term
Summer Camp shall include nursery homes and/or schools wh8re any organized group of
children, or other persons, t~nporarily and/or permanently engaged in a nursery home
and/or recreational and/or educational program a,~y from their established residence.
The tenn Camp shall apply t8 nurs~ry homes and/or schools. The tenn Camper shall mean
any person enrolled in a nursery home and/or school. Item #36, Page 7, after the word Seasor
and/or period of operation. These Rules and Regulations shall comply with the State and
County Welfare Board of Regulations for nurseries and/or schools."
A letter from Mr. Yelton, Secretary of the State Retirement System, showing a ruling
by the State Attorney General with reference to the Health Department being covered by
Social Security, stated that the Health Department would vote in the referendum l'l8.y 15,
1957, as a separate entity.
Hr. Lassiter, Sanitary Engineer, requested that the following amendment to the Plumbing
~ode be adopted to allow the use of a two (2) inch cast iron P-trap under bath tubs
instead of the lead drum trap now required; prOVided, the trap is not more than forty-two
(42) inches from the vent. To the paragraph headed flATH-ROOM VDTS under Section 42 on
Page 67 shall be added the following: "PHOVIDlill, that where only a single bath-room is
involved, a three (3) inch vent will be permitted." On motion by lofr. Roland, seconded
by Dr. Wessell, the above amendment was approved. Carried.
Reporting on the Garbage situation in the
little progress in the countY-wide search
of the county's trash and garbage needs.
are inadequate and some of the collectors
for a landfill is continuing.
County, Mr. Lassiter stated that there was
for a satisfactory landfill that will fill all
The present privately-operated garbage dumps
are burning their garbage and trash,. The search
The Board of Health took note of the program to clean up the city and county, sponsored
by the Chamber of Commerce, and urged that everyone support to the fullest this
program.
~"as brought to the board's attention that there is a growing tendency on the
part of the residents of New Hanover County and realtors d,eveloping slib-divisions
in areas throughout the County to build homes in areas wnere the soil is not
well suited to sewage disposal by means of septic tanks and mitrific~tion lines,
and to build on lots too small to provide the proper distance between wells and
sewage disposal systems. Ordinarily the Health Department has no knowledge of
conditions relative to septic tanks and wells until the house nears completion
and a septic tank permit is requested. It is felt that in the interest of sanita-
tion and fairness to the property owner, each site or sub-division should be
investigated by this Department before construction is started. In view of this
~fsituation, Lhe following Rules and Regulations were presented to the Board by Mr.
~ Lassiter, Sanitary ~ngineer, for consideration:
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........ "It shall be unlawful to begin the construction of any residence or other building
~'...~ requiring toilet facilities in New Hanover County on a lot where a public sewer
""",-l system is not accessible without first obtaining a permit from the Health Depart-
." mente The applicant shall furnish a plot plan drawn approximately to scale with
~ Lhe house or structure located thereon, and full information as to size of structure,
~ number of bed-rooms, number of toilets, <ind proposed location of septic tank, nitri-
~ 1 fication lines and wells. A representative of the Health Department shall investigate
.~ ~ the site and, if the site and plans including location of septic tank, soil pipe lines,
> ~ and well are approved, shall issue a permit.
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"A percolation test sha1-1 be made when, in the opJJlJ.on of the Health Officer or his
authorized representative, such procedure is necessary. The methods and standards
given on Page 15 of the 1951 North Carolina F. H. A. Booklet shall be followed in
making and evaluating these tests.
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"The minimum lot area shall be fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet if both well
and sewage disposal system are to be provided, and ten thousand (10,000) square
feet if a public water supply is available and only the sewage disposal system must
be provided, except that a smaller lot may be accepted at the discretion of the
Health Officer or his authorized agent; provided, it meets the necessary sanitary
qualifications as to water supply and sewage disposal.
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"In each case the area and dimensions shall be such that there is sufficient room
for the well to be located at least fifty (50) feet from any source of pollution,
~ ~ such as any part of the waste disposal system on the same or adjoining lots, and for
~J~~everY part of the waste disposal system to be located at least fifty (50) feet from>
, ~ any well on the sa.IJle or adjoining lots.
~ . "Where sub-divisions are being developed, the owner or agent shall, before any
~ . buildings are started supply the Health Department with a general plot plan showing
~ location and dimensions of the building lots.
"This amendment shall be in effect on and after l'larch 6, 1957. Adopted March 6, 1957."
After a review of these Rules and Regulations, motion was made by Dr. Knox, that they
be adopted and given publicity.> Hotion seconded by Dr. Wessell and carried.
Dr. Wessell expressed his opposition to a bill to be introduced into the General
Ass~ly entitled A BILL TO Bt. JiliTlT.lliD J>N ACT TO TRANSFER CEli:l'AIN SANITATION
FUNCTIONS FROM THE STATE DEPA1i:l'i"IENT Of AGIilCULTUi1E TO "rHE ST"TE BOARD OF HEALTH,
AND TO CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDUliliS COVEi1.ING INSPECTION OF MEAT AND POULTRY.
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This bill transfers certain control of milk and milk products from the local
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health department and the North C#rolina Department of Agriculture to
the State Board of He1ilth.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Approved ~
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, 1957.
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