2001-02-08 Board of Health Minutes

Home Browse Search

CLERK 1 EADII'G, MASS. Board of Health Meeting Minutes February 8, 2001 2001 MAR 1 P W. 51 The meeting was called to order at 6:04 P.M. Reading Town Hall, Berger Room, and 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts Acting Chairman Nancy Carlson, Colleen Henessey - Seferian and staff liaison Jane Fiore, Health Services Administrator were present. Chairman James J. Nugent arrived at late. The minutes of the January 11, 2001 were read. Colleen Seferian made a motion to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded by Nancy Carlson and approved - vote. 2:0:0. Next order of business: • Review of operating guidelines. Continued adjustments made. Tables until March meeting. - • Discussion of BOH fee reviews. Last review of entire fee schedule completed and voted 1997. Partial review and adjustment of fees in 2000. At this time the Human Services Department Head and Assistant Town Manager, Russ Dean participated in the Board meeting regarding the fee changes and the issues with budget and the upcoming operation override. If the override passes HS will need to cut the budget $14,000 and if it does not pass the HS budget will need to be cut $25,000. The Assistant Town Manager reminded the BOH last year the Human Services Department took many cuts i.e.: decrease veterans services hours, lost of zoning officer and deletion of one clerk, cut in programming. The plan for the budget will be to increase fees were possible and support the proposal that staff hours not be cut. The BOH fees were reviewed only minor changes were made with the maximum increase at $15. In 2001 approx. $26,000 and in 2001 expected fee intake to equal approx. 28,000. Fee schedule changed and voted 3:0:0. The BOH fee is 1.5% ( $28,000 ) of the $150,000 health budget excluding the 4 annual grants of $75,00OTobacco (3 communities), $20,00 W/M) and $18,760 SDFS. • Discussion was held concerning the name of the Department after the consolidation of the two departments to Community services. The Board had concerns regarding the lack of health in the title. Chairman, James Nugent stated the BOH is established though the statues and requires easy access by the public. Name, phone access and efficiency and increase of error were concerns of Nancy Carlson, Board Member. This is a concern for the clerical staff responding to regarding the effectiveness in responding to 8 Divisions with a variety of responsibilities. The Assistant town