Transcript Board of Health - Town of Sudbury

Town Meeting 2007
Article 31
Statement of the
Board of Health
Town of Sudbury
Board of Health Vote
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On March 8, 2007, the Board of Health voted to
take NO POSITION on Article 31.
The petitioners did not bring Article 31 to the Board
of Health at either a regular meeting or at a public
hearing.
The petitioners did present Article 31 to the
Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.
Background
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Particulate matter in the air is a likely health hazard:
Harvard Six City Study
 American Cancer Society study
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Most common sources are:
Diesel and gasoline engines
 Electricity production by fossil fuel burning power plants
 Industrial (concrete, steel, grain milling, etc.)
 Burning of solid fuel (i.e., wood)
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School bus smoke
Diesel truck smoke
Car exhaust
SUV exhaust
Fireplace smoke
Woodstove smoke
Solid Fuel Burning in Sudbury
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Outdoor burning – Fire Department has issued
more than 800 permits in 2007
Fireplaces – very few are EPA certified
Woodstoves – estimates are that about 20% of
woodstoves in Sudbury are EPA certified. No data
are available to determine how many EPA certified
woodstoves are properly operated
Outdoor wood-burning heaters – 3 in town
Pending State Regulation
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On January 29, 2007, Federal EPA issued “model
regulations” for outdoor wood-burning heaters
Model regulations created in collaboration with
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use
Management (NESCAUM)
Massachusetts DEP plans regulations for wood
burning heaters (possibly including woodstoves and
fireplaces) by the end of 2007
Considerations for Town Meeting
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Fire safety
Property values
Appearance
Possible effects on ecology
Possible effects on health
Suggestions for Town Meeting
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Do not adopt Article 31 at this time
Wait for state-wide regulations from DEP this fall
If needed, town boards may collaborate to develop
more comprehensive regulations (outdoor burning,
fireplace construction, woodstove
installation/replacement, outdoor wood heaters)
Residents and businesses take action to reduce
auto, truck, and bus exhaust
Thank you for
your attention