12/03/1980
OC846
The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, December 3, 1980
at the New Hanover County Health Department
Members Present
r~urray K. Sei de l, r~. D., Cha i rman
J. William Eakins, M. D.
Larry Neal, D. D. S.
Roma Lee Ha II
Hobart Whaley
Members Absent.
Claud O'Shields
William Grathwol
Ri chard Reeder
Deother Melvin
Others Present:
James M. Brown, Secretary to the Board
James C. Fox, County Attorney
Mabel B. Price, Recording Secretary
Dr. Murray Seidel, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:08 A. M.
and called for corrections to the October 8, 1980 minutes. There being
none, Mrs. Hall moved the minutes be approved. Mr. Whaley seconded the
motion and it unanimously carried.
Dr. Seidel reported that plans had been made to go ahead with Sickle Cell
Screening in the schools. A meeting with school, health and State officials
will be held on December 4, 1980 to finalize plans regarding the Sickle Cell
testing and education program for New Hanover County.
Dr. Eakins reported that the County Commissioners had instructed Dexter
Hayes, County Planner, to work on plans for a maintained drainage system.
This will most probably be presented at the County Commissioners meeting
in January.
Dr. Seidel reported that Mr. Deother Melvin had submitted his resignation from
the Board effective December 3l, 1980. Mr. Melvin has accepted the pastorate
of three churches in Columbus County.
Mr. Brown extended each member of the Board a special invitation to the
Department's Annual Christmas Party on December l8, 1980 from II :30 A. M.
until 1 :30 P. M.
.. ,
Dr. Seidel, referring to a recent decision made by Mr. Brown to allow a business
to connect two buildings to an existing septic tank, told the Board that Mr.
Brown's decision was economically and environmentally sound in allowing this
hook-up. However, he pointed out that our present ordinance does not allow for
the hook-uo of two buildings to one seotic tank. After reviewing the decision
and the ordinance, the Board concluded that the entire ordinance dealing with
septic tanks and sewage disposal should be updated and rewritten. It was sug-
gested that Mr. Brown talk with Dexter Hayes, County Planner, to investigate
the County's direction for the planning and development of multiple housing,
especially in the non sewered areas.
80848
To deal with the violation of the present ordinance, Dr. Eakins asked Mr.
Fox how the Board should handle the dual hook-up that has been made. Mr.
Fox stated that if the Board felt a health hazard had been caused by this,
they could cause the persons involved to reapply for the permit, however,
if no health hazard had been created they could let it stand as is Dr
Eakins moved that no action be taken regarding the violation until the
septic tank ordinance is updated. Mrs. Hall seconded the motion and it
unanimously carried. A suggestion was made that the persons involved be
advised that any decision would be made after the ordinance had been reviewed
and updated. The Board indicated a committee should be appointed in January
to begin working on updating the Septic Tank Ordinance.
Mr. Whaley moved that the Director continue to develop and refine a procedure
for providing the media with access to the Department. Dr. Eakins seconded
the motion and it unanimously carried.
Dr. Seidel called to the Board's attention that cases of rabies are appearing
in cats in adjacent States. By common consent the Board agreed that New Hanover
County should wait for guidelines or statutory authority from the State to
vaccinate cats rather than pass a local ordinance. If a problem should arise
in New Hanover County emergency measures in our present Animal Control Ordinance
provides for the vaccination control or quarantine of ~ animal in New Hanover
County.
Mr. Brown reoorted that the Department is providing some nursing services to
the Hospice program but has not signed a formal contract with them. Several
Board Members expressed a concern that Hospice might try to become an entity
of the Health Department. It was the general feeling that the Health Department
should cooperate with Hospice and provide appropriate nursing service under a
specific agreement but should not make Hospice a part of the Department.
Dr. Seidel presented a detailed report regarding the organization, management
and operation of the Health Department in relation to the problems revolving
around reorganization. He concluded: (a) that any reorganization causes some
expected confusion and that has occurred, as expected by the Board of Health,
at the New Hanover County Health Department (b) that Mr. Brown is proceeding
with reorganization and the implementation of organization and management as
the Board of Health has instructed, and (c) that reorganization is progressing
satisfactorily.
There being no further business, Dr. Eakins moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Mr. Whaley seconded the motion and it unanimously carried and the meeting was
adjourned at 9:58 A. M.
Respectfully submitted,
~
-
~ irman, Board
;:ill@fs rn~
~cretary to the Board
Approved:
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