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Town Meeting 2007 Article 31

Town Meeting 2007 Article 31. Statement of the Board of Health Town of Sudbury. Board of Health Vote. On March 8, 2007, the Board of Health voted to take NO POSITION on Article 31.

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Town Meeting 2007 Article 31

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  1. Town Meeting 2007Article 31 Statement of the Board of Health Town of Sudbury

  2. Board of Health Vote • 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.

  3. Background • Particulate matter in the air is a likely health hazard: • Harvard Six City Study • American Cancer Society study • 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)

  4. School bus smoke

  5. Diesel truck smoke

  6. Car exhaust

  7. SUV exhaust

  8. Fireplace smoke

  9. Woodstove smoke

  10. Solid Fuel Burning in Sudbury • 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

  11. Pending State Regulation • 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

  12. Considerations for Town Meeting • Fire safety • Property values • Appearance • Possible effects on ecology • Possible effects on health

  13. Suggestions for Town Meeting • 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

  14. Thank you foryour attention

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