MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Health took several actions at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday.
The first order of business was a hearing about the license for the swimming pool and spa at the Super 8 Motel on Coshocton Ave. Environmental Health Services Division Director Brian Benick reported the results of several inspections of the pool and spa.
“We have had a long history with this facility,” he said. “We had made four inspections between March 18, and July 29, 2009, with no compliance done.”
Benick said results of the last inspection show that not only were no repairs done to the facilities, but guests were observed using the pool and spa. Benick said tests done at that time showed a chlorine level to be in excess of 100 parts per million. He said that was twice as strong as needed to sanitize dishes.
“When we requested to see the records for the facility, we found the spa hadn’t been tested in four days,” Benick added. “It is required to test twice a day.”
Ashton Patel, owner of the Super 8, was on hand to testify at the hearing. Patel said parts had been ordered for repair of the pool, including the new required drains.
The board voted to suspend the licenses for the pool and spa for 30 days. During that time the pool is to be repaired and drained for a fresh start. Patel is also required to take the certification test for pool operators. The board will revisit the situation after the 30-day suspension is over.
The board got an update on the solid waste nuisance at 11337 Armentrout Road. Benick reported he made another inspection on Aug. 20 and found the property had not been cleaned up by owner David Proper. At a court hearing held Aug. 21, Proper was found to be in contempt of court and sentenced to five days in jail by Judge Otho Eyster. Although a timeframe was to be set for cleanup of the property, the board decided to look into its legal authority to have the property cleaned up at the owner’s expense.
A report on the status of a sewage system and private water supply serving 21241 Coshocton Road stated the problem has not been resolved. The board turned the matter over to the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office for legal action.
The board condemned the building at 11793 Bridge St. in Union Township. This was in conjunction to an adjacent building, also to be condemned. Benick reported that although the buildings were secured and he was not able to enter, the fact that large portions of the roof were missing and that birds were observed flying in and out of the building indicated they were unfit for human habitation. The board approved the condemnation, which sends the final disposition of the issue to the Union Township Trustees.
In other business, the board:
•Approved a contract with Labcorp for paternity testing at $10 per test effective, Sept. 1 through Aug. 13, 2010.
•Approved a personal services contract with Phyllis Sage for wound and ostomy consultation with the home health care program.
•Approved contracts with Mount Carmel College of Nursing to provide nursing student observation opportunities within the Help Me Grow and BCMH programs.
•Approved a contract with the Delaware General Health District for tobacco prevention grant funding effective July 1 through June 30, 2010.
•Accepted notice of cancellation of the personal services contract with Kyle Bogan, D.D.S., in the department’s dental clinic.
•Considered a contract with Mount Vernon Nazarene University to provide observation opportunities for nursing school students.
