Approved Minutes of October 25, 2023

Browse Search

MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 25, 2023 not practitioners and therefore are less informed about best practices, meaning state regulations will most likely always be less stringent than county policies. In response to Dr. Crandell's question about septic tank volume requirements, Ms. Hudson explained that NC has slightly lower volume requirements compared to Orange County. Dr. Stuebe said she would like to discuss flow rates with Ms. Hudson after the meeting. Dr. Crandell asked about the policy of putting a septic tank on risers in Orange County's proposed rules compared to NC's rules, as he has a septic tank in the middle of his lawn, and he worries that risers may serve as a trip hazard when children play around it. Ms. Hudson explained that the forthcoming NC regulations only require marking, while Orange County's proposed rules require risers on both sides to allow for marking, monitoring, and diagnostics. Dr. Pickett added that when Environmental Health Services came to her home, she learned a lot about how her own septic system works and that in her experience an above-ground system on risers is much better than a below-ground system. Ms. Hudson added that if Dr. Crandell is concerned about risers presenting a trip hazard, it's possible to relocate the septic system or landscape around it. Ms. Hudson then clarified that the new rules would be applicable to systems installed while the rules are in effect, and existing systems would not have to be brought into compliance unless they are updated or relocated after these rules are adopted. Ms. Hudson reminded the board that if the proposed Orange County rules are not approved then the county policies will default to the state standards, as the 2015 rules must be rescinded either way as they will no longer be in compliance with the state standards. Mr. Whitaker applauded the Orange County standards and said that he feels Orange County tends to stand out as an exemplary county in terms of regulating health and safety. The Septic and Well Rules are subject to a thirty-day period of public comment and will be put to a vote at the November BOH meeting. VII. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action A. Media Items Marcy Williams, Health Promotion and Education Services Manager, briefly summarized the articles in the meeting packet. Article topics included the upcoming Medicaid expansion/transformation in December, a decline in the prevalence of comprehensive sexuality education in NC due to the passage of SB 49 ("The Parents' Bill of Rights"), the blocking of two provisions in SB 20 ("Care for Women, Children and Families Act") by a federal judge, historic lows in air pollution in NC, and the recent closure of Coronato Pizza in Carrboro. Ms. Williams added that the air pollution data was related to emissions and does not include smoke from wildfires, which saw a significant increase over the summer. Media items were in the packet, which focused on Orange County's events, our involvement in various efforts, and various public health topics. B. Community Health Assessment Update S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/ October Page 9