[Adopted 9-25-2012]
This article is intended to assist in the promotion of the public
health and general welfare. This article is adopted by the authority
of MGL c. 111, § 31.
The Board of Health recognizes that as more processes and procedures
are conducted through electronic means to aid in the availability
and efficiency of our governance, it too will need to transition to
an electronic format. In order to effect a gradual and orderly transition,
it is implementing this requirement in two stages.
Effective January 1, 2013, any submission to the Board of Health
or its agent, Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, in addition to
the hard-copy (paper) engineered drawings or "plans," also requires
a version in electronic (digital) format. To the extent possible,
supporting documents such as permits, letters, applications, and photographs,
etc., should also accompany the submission in electronic format. The
electronic submission is in addition to currently required hard-copy
(paper) forms, documents, and plans.
A.
The acceptable format for these submissions will be PDF, JPG, BMP,
or any other format for which a "viewer" (software that allows a computer
to open and display the submissions) is also provided. The "viewer"
must have the ability to both display and print the submitted documentation.
B.
At the time all the hard-copy documentation is provided, the electronic
documentation should accompany it to maintain one cohesive package.
The acceptable means of storage or transference shall be on media
such as: memory sticks ("thumb drives"), CDs, DVDs, or other media
acceptable to the Board of Health. Transmission of the electronic
documentation via the Internet shall also be acceptable, provided
the Board has issued its consent and the documentation clearly and
concisely depicts which hard-copy submission it is intended to accompany.
Physical location (street address) and plan number shall appear on
all submissions.
A.
In the event an individual or agency is unable to comply with this
regulation, it may appeal to the Board of Health for a temporary one-year
exemption to this requirement. The individual or agency must be prepared
to demonstrate financial or technical hardship in complying with the
requirement, to the satisfaction of the Board of Health. If the hardship
is to continue beyond one year it must re-apply the following year
and re-qualify for the exemption.
B.
The Board of Health reserves the right to implement a temporary exemption
for its own technical reasons, if it deems necessary.
Upon the review and decision of the Board of Health, the requirement
to provide the hard-copy documentation shall be rescinded at a future
date, and only need be provided in electronic (digital) format. Please
note: This has not occurred yet.
