80 Woodsmoke Violations 2001 BOARD OF HEALTH
MEMBERS
CYNTHIA DOURMASHKIN,R.N.,Chair
ROSEMARIE KARPARIS,R.N.
RICHARD P.BRUNSWICK,M.D.,MPH
PETER J.McERLAIN,Health Agent
(413)587-1213
FAX(413)587-1221
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
210 MAIN STREET
01060
WARNING about POSSIBLE WOOD SMOKE VIOLATIONS
TO: John & Sharon Acus
80 Dunphy Dr.
Florence, MA 01062
Dear Mr & Mrs. Acus:
DATE: Nov. 19, 2001
The Northampton Board of Health has adopted a regulation and instituted an Inspection Program in
order to reduce wood smoke pollution in the city. These so-called "Wood Smoke" Regulation (copy
enclosed) limits the opacity (or density) of smoke from wood stoves (and other solid fuel burning
devices) to 30% opacity.
The Board of Health has recently received complaints which allege that an excessive amount of
wood smoke has been observed coming from the chimney of your dwelling at 80 Dunphy Dr.,
especially at night.
The enclosed guidelines suggest wood burning practices which, if followed, will enable you to comply
with the city's regulation, while allowing a more efficient use of your wood burning device. Please
note that a follow-up inspection will be made within 14 days or upon complaint to determine
compliance with the regulation.
We emphasize that you are not prohibited from using your wood stove or wood burning furnace,
rather we urge you to build small hot fires which result in less pollution.
If you have any questions regarding this notice or about wood stove operation, please do not hesitate
to contact the Board of Health office.
Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation with our efforts to reduce wood and other smoke
pollution in Northampton.
Very truly yours,
Peter J. McErlain
Health Agent, Northampton Board of Health
Cert. Mail #