Staff report
TERRE HAUTE — The Vigo County Health Department’s plans for 2009 include its annual Tire Amnesty Day, set for June 9.
Plans in the works for other upcoming projects were outlined at the first Board of Health meeting of the year Wednesday.
Tire Amnesty Day, in which people rid themselves of unwanted tires, will run 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds. Plans also are under way for a lead paint code and updating the tattoo and piercing ordinance.
Though the process is in the early stages, some suggestions for the lead paint ordinance include requiring rentals to be registered so they can be inspected for lead paint and allowing building inspectors to cite owners.
Also in the early stages are amendments to the tattoo and piercing ordinance. The current ordinance took effect in 2000, according to Marci DeBoy, environmental specialist.
Since then, there have been changes and trends, especially in piercing, she said.
She said they are looking at specifying definitions, adding definitions, making exemptions and allowing things that weren’t allowed before such as urethra piercing.
A possible amendment to the ordinance involves clarification of the necessary identification required to be tattooed or pierced. Some practices that may not be allowed are tongue splitting and piercings for the purpose of body suspension.
DeBoy has formed a committee with other Health Department employees and tattoo and piercing artists and shop owners.
The next meeting is at 10 a.m. Feb. 10 in the County Council chambers at the Vigo County Annex. Members of the public are welcome.
“It’s open to the public, but we really want to get shop artists and owners involved because this is their business,” DeBoy said. “… We’re looking at the overall protection of the health of the public.”
