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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Great Barrington Board of Health Meeting - August 6, 2026

Selectboard & Town Boards — Thursday, August 6, 2026
BodyGreat Barrington, Massachusetts
SessionSelectboard & Town Boards
DateThursday, August 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:53:13

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:01

636.

0:03

I'll get tonight's meeting underway.

0:06

The first act is to read the opening paragraph, which says pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020, order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law.

0:19

And Governor Healy's March 29th, 2023, revised order extending remote participation by all members in any meeting of a public body.

0:28

This meeting of the Great Barrington Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible.

0:34

Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with a right and or requirement to attend this meeting

Unassigned speaker

0:44

can

Speaker 1

0:44

be found on the town's website at townogb.org.

0:48

For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen to the meeting may do so in the following manner.

0:54

See instructions at the top of the agenda.

0:56

No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means.

1:08

That having been said, we will call the meeting officially to order with a roll call vote.

1:15

I am here, Mike Lanou's chair, uh Dr.

1:18

Ruby Chang here.

1:20

And Mr.

1:21

Peter Stanton is traveling tonight.

1:26

He was on his way

Unassigned speaker

1:27

back

Speaker 1

1:29

from overseas, and he won't be able to get back in time with the meeting, which he called me about this afternoon.

1:37

So he is absent.

Unassigned speaker

1:40

So

Speaker 1

1:40

it's just you and I, Ruby.

1:42

Uh first order of business is approval of minutes from June.

1:49

The June meeting, which is what's on June 30th.

Speaker 2

1:52

Yeah, I make a motion to approve of meeting minutes from June 30th, 2026.

Speaker 1

1:58

And I second, so our roll call vote will be Ruby.

2:03

Aye.

2:04

And I vote I as

Unassigned speaker

2:05

well.

Unassigned speaker

2:06

All

Speaker 1

2:06

right, we have a quick hand from Eileen before we get underway.

Unassigned speaker

2:11

Go

Speaker 1

2:12

ahead, Eileen.

2:13

Do you have a quick question?

Speaker 3

2:15

Uh you didn't attach anything.

Speaker 1

2:18

Oh, I apologize for that.

Unassigned speaker

2:23

I

Speaker 1

2:23

don't know why that didn't happen.

2:27

Uh you want me to do it?

2:29

I'll do it.

2:30

Let me try this.

2:34

Ah,

Speaker 4

2:35

that one.

Unassigned speaker

2:39

All

Speaker 1

2:39

right, this should

Unassigned speaker

2:40

work.

Unassigned speaker

2:47

All

Speaker 1

2:47

right, Eileen.

2:48

That's that's you should have it

Unassigned speaker

2:50

now.

Speaker 1

2:51

Yep.

2:52

Thank you.

2:53

Yep, you're welcome.

2:59

Okay.

3:00

First order of business is the pool fencing fencing for Wyantana Country Club, which is on 46 West Sheffield Road.

3:10

And we have the lovely Jane Smith here tonight to help us wade through.

3:15

And I just want to say briefly, thank you, Jane, for the work you and the other inspectors and agents at the collaborative have been doing for our department while we're in transition.

3:25

It's uh much much appreciated as always.

Speaker 5

3:28

You're very welcome.

3:29

Uh, we're happy to be able to help out when needed.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████19%
License and Permits█████████████████17%
Environmental Protection███████████11%
Noise Pollution Control█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Waste Management Regulations█████5%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Great Barrington Board of Health Meeting – August 6, 2026

The Great Barrington Board of Health met remotely on August 6, 2026, with Chair Mike Lanou and Dr. Ruby Chang present (Peter Stanton absent). They approved June minutes, discussed two pool fencing issues, considered mobile body art regulations, awarded a grant for bear-proof compost bins, appointed James Massey as health agent, addressed a noise complaint about All Star Salvage, and heard public comments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of meeting minutes from June 30, 2026: Motion by Ruby Chang, seconded, unanimous approval (2-0).
  • Appointment of James Massey as health agent effective August 24, 2026: Motion by Mike Lanou, seconded, unanimous approval (2-0). James Massey will exercise duties per MGL Chapter 111 Section 30 and town code.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Trevor Forbes (address not stated) commented on the All Star Salvage situation, raising concerns about water quality, airborne contaminants (heavy metals, microplastics), and noise. He urged testing of groundwater and soil both around and inside the operation.
  • Michelle Lubert (70 Division Street) read her email into the record, detailing six years of disruption from All Star Salvage. She stated that the operation is in violation of its license and special permit, and submitted sound recordings and minutes from a January 2021 select board meeting. She emphasized that the business has not kept promises to be respectful.
  • James Garzon (North Lane Road) echoed concerns about All Star Salvage and noted that the compost grant was removed from the select board's priority list. He asked about tick-borne diseases; Dr. Ruby Chang provided prevention advice regarding Lyme, Powassan, and Alpha Gal.
  • Bernie Plum (45 Van Dusanville) reported that backup beepers from All Star Salvage are incredibly loud from a mile away and questioned why they cannot be moderated.

Discussion Items

  • Pool Fencing – Wyantana Country Club (46 West Sheffield Road): Jane Smith presented the issue of whether repairs to a pre-1975 pool require upgrading a 4-foot fence to 6 feet. The board agreed that repairs do not trigger the upgrade, as long as the gate latch is at least 4 feet from ground. Motion by Mike Lanou to stand by the health agents' interpretation, seconded, unanimous.
  • Pool Fencing – Lantern House (256 Stockbridge Road): A new 6-foot wooden fence was installed, but the code requires chain link for fences over 5 feet for pools built after 1975. Contractor Shimon Roachus and Francisco discussed options; the board tabled the issue pending documentation of the pool's construction date and possible solutions (e.g., adding metal mesh). Motion to table, seconded, unanimous.
  • Pop-Up Body Art Events: Sam Blaze proposed a mobile tattoo studio. The board discussed regulatory challenges (no mobile parlor exists in state; amendment requires public hearing; licensing requires a permanent space). Tabled to the next meeting (September) pending review of the proposal and full board participation.
  • Discussion of Bear-Proof Compost Containers: The board considered whether to accept a MERF grant for two bear-proof compost bins at the transfer station. The program lacks hauling funds. Motion to proceed with grant and seek hauling funding later, seconded, unanimous.
  • Unpermitted Facilities and Activities Update: Jane Smith reported progress – 73 permits issued in the last month; one circus camp (high risk) identified; outstanding food permits resolved without fines.
  • Noise Complaint – 21 Van Dusanville Road (All Star Salvage): Jane Smith briefed the board on a complaint received by the select board. The board may be asked to weigh in on sound pollution. Dr. Ruby Chang expressed concern about groundwater contamination and asked Jane to contact DEP for inspection history. Jane noted DEP actions have been sent to outdated contacts; plan is to compile a packet.
  • Health Department Updates:
    • Collaborative activity: $7,000+ revenue in July, 37 food inspections, 2 camp inspections, 2 housing cases, 7 pool inspections, 12 complaints responded.
    • Tobacco sale violation notification – follow-up pending.
    • Education around dogs in food establishments: plan to provide signage and information.
    • Signing of wildlife feeding regulations: board members to sign in person at office.
    • Housatonic Water Company update: site visit two Saturdays ago; new facility construction ongoing; residents urged to report brown water incidents.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes:
    1. Approval of June 30, 2026 minutes – unanimous (2-0).
    2. Motion to stand by health agents' interpretation on Wyantana pool fence – unanimous (2-0).
    3. Motion to table Lantern House pool fence discussion – unanimous (2-0).
    4. Motion to proceed with grant for bear-proof compost bins – unanimous (2-0).
    5. Motion to appoint James Massey as health agent effective August 24, 2026 – unanimous (2-0).
  • Other Decisions:
    • Table discussion on pop-up body art events to September meeting.
    • Delayed discussion on prepackaged goods permitting (not addressed).
    • Health agent to reach out to DEP regarding All Star Salvage and compile records.
    • Sign wildlife feeding regulations.
    • Continue education on dogs in food establishments.

Meeting Transcript

636. I'll get tonight's meeting underway. The first act is to read the opening paragraph, which says pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020, order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law. And Governor Healy's March 29th, 2023, revised order extending remote participation by all members in any meeting of a public body. This meeting of the Great Barrington Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with a right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the town's website at townogb.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen to the meeting may do so in the following manner. See instructions at the top of the agenda. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. That having been said, we will call the meeting officially to order with a roll call vote. I am here, Mike Lanou's chair, uh Dr. Ruby Chang here. And Mr. Peter Stanton is traveling tonight. He was on his way back from overseas, and he won't be able to get back in time with the meeting, which he called me about this afternoon. So he is absent. So it's just you and I, Ruby. Uh first order of business is approval of minutes from June. The June meeting, which is what's on June 30th. Yeah, I make a motion to approve of meeting minutes from June 30th, 2026. And I second, so our roll call vote will be Ruby. Aye. And I vote I as well. All right, we have a quick hand from Eileen before we get underway. Go ahead, Eileen. Do you have a quick question? Uh you didn't attach anything. Oh, I apologize for that. I don't know why that didn't happen. Uh you want me to do it? I'll do it. Let me try this. Ah, that one. All right, this should work. All right, Eileen. That's that's you should have it now.

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