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MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />August 27, 2009 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 6 August 27, <br />2009 <br />compensation for suffering incurred as a result of the landfill. There are on-going <br />discussions between the Town of Chapel Hill and the County. The County’s Solid <br />Waste Enterprise Fund did pay to install a trunk water line in the community, <br />however, few have chosen to hook up to the line due to the individual expense <br />of connection to the line, plus there is a problem of running pressurized water <br />from the main line through the older plumbing in the homes. The County plans to <br />apply for a grant to bring the community up to the level it should be. <br /> <br />Anissa Vines stated that there are concerns in the community that environmental <br />qualities have affected health in the community. Tony Whitaker stated that he <br />has worked on projects in this area and has noted the level of distrust with local <br />government is high in that community. <br /> <br />E. Biosolids Forum <br /> <br />Chris Harlan gave a brief synopsis of the issue for the newer Board members. <br />Tom Konsler reported that in June, the Environmental Health staff in partnership <br />with NCSU and Cooperative Extension began planning for a biosolids forum to <br />be held in October. The focus was to familiarize participants with the current <br />state of practice, completed and proposed research, and risk management of <br />the land application of biosolids. The BOCC was asked to re-direct a portion of <br />the funds originally appropriated for a biosolids research project in order to <br />partially offset the cost of this workshop. <br /> <br />The Commission of the Environment (CFE) took exception to the forum, asking <br />the Board to continue reserving these funds for the planned research. They also <br />renewed their request for a task force. Board members were provided with <br />copies of the memoranda from the Commission for the Environment for the <br />details. <br /> <br />At the BOCC meeting on August 18, there were several community activists who <br />spoke against the forum, stating that they felt it was pro-biosolids and that the <br />speakers would be biased in favor of land application. They believed that the <br />Health Department is unwilling to pursue the research study and that the money <br />should be used for local testing of soil and water for contaminants to “prove that <br />there are health effects.” A representative from the Commission for the <br />Environment spoke against the forum, stating that the research could be done <br />with other partners and that they felt the commission was left out of the planning <br />for the forum. Chris Harlan, Board of Health Chair, and Commissioner Yuhasz <br />were both articulate in their support of the Health Department’s role in this <br />matter and spoke in favor of the forum and the redirection of funds for this <br />purpose. <br /> <br />The Commissioners voted 6-1 to delay the forum pending further discussion. One <br />Board member felt that local authority for regulation of biosolids should be <br />added to the county’s legislative agenda and be actively pursued. <br /> <br />Board of Health members discussed the results of the Commissioners’ decision to <br />provide direction to the staff on: <br />• Participation in a forum sponsored by academic institutions only