HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-18 Board of Health MinutesRECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING READING, MASS.
MINUTES
September 18, 2012 All OCT 24 P 2: 35
The meeting of the Reading Board of Health came to order at 5:35 pm in the Berger
Conference Room of Reading Town Hall. Present were Board members Barbara Meade,
David Singer, Andrew Friedmann, staff Ruth Clay, Board of Selectmen Liaison Ben
Tafoya and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleickner.
Minutes
Minutes of June 21, 2012 were approved unanimously as presented.
Other business and items not reasonably anticipated at the time of posting
Clay updated Board members that fifth human case of EEE and fifteenth human
case of WNV have been found in Massachusetts. There are no immediate
changes to current threat level in Reading. Updates will continue to be provided
as they become available.
Public Health Nurse reported there were 149 flu shots given at the Reading Fall
Street Faire. Andrew Friedmann, who volunteered at the booth, said that the
service was well received despite the location. Clay said she would request a
different location next year.
Medical marijuana treatment sites
Clay advised the board of her activities during the summer prompting the Board of
Selectmen to preliminarily place an article on the fall Town Meeting Warrant to amend
the Zoning By -laws to eliminate "medical marijuana dispensing sites" as an allowed use
in Reading. CPDC met to look at the language that would amend the definition and table
of uses section of the zoning by -law. A public hearing has been set for September 24th to
decide if changes will be presented at town meeting. The Board decided to not take a
position on the matter. Friedmann raised the question as to the role of Board of Health
staff vis -a -vis the Board of Health and felt that the medical marijuana treatment site issue
should have been brought to the Board of Health's attention before the Health Director
went to the Board of Selectmen. Tafoya noted that the role of Health Director has
changed and is relatively new with the regional health department model and that some
issues will need to be worked out. He also noted that the Health Director did not
represent herself at the Board of Selectmen meeting as representing the Board of Health,
only herself. Hechenbleikner said that the Health Director is not only staff to the Board
but also staff to the Town as a whole and as such was acting under his direction. He
suggested that roles of staff and the board could be a topic for a meeting of the three
boards of health. Friedmann also suggested that the staff's time would be better spent on
tobacco and alcohol issues. Clay noted that RCASA just received a federal four year
grant for $48,250 per year to specifically address underage drinking and that three
tobacco compliance checks would be completed this year.
Friedmann asked about the roles of board members in an emergency. Clay said that the
various roles during an emergency are outlined in the Incident Command System
training. Friedmann said he has not done the training; Clay said that the DPH records
have him checked off that he has so she will send him the website for him to complete the
ICS 100 and NIMS 700 trainings.
Health Director's report
• Clay advised the board that an article amending the general bylaw to add use of
non - criminal disposition for enforcement of rules and regulations (ticketing
policy) as it was mistakenly omitted from the redrafting of the town by -laws and
another to regulate the hours of collection of rubbish and recycling in
business /commercial /industrial zoned districts within 100 yards of residential
areas will be on the town meeting warrant in November.
• Clay noted that she had forwarded the consultant for Oye's reports to the Board,
noting improvement after the head chef resigned.
• Upcoming MAHB trainings were noted.
Materials distributed:
Agenda
Draft minutes of June 21, 2012
Health Director's Report
Public Health Nurse Report
Food Inspection Report
WNV and EEE Summary Report dated September 10, 2012
State DPH Update Release of WNV and EEE dated September 18, 2012
Letter sent to RCASA from former RMHS student
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Darlene Foley
Recording Secretary