HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-11 Board Of Health Minutes� OF
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
RECEIVED
oPw TOWN CLERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
READING. MASS.
Board of Health 1016 FEB 22 P 3, 241
Date: 2015 -05 -11 Time: 5:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Andrew Friedmann, Barbara Meade, David Singer
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
John Halsey, Selectman, Gregory Erickson, Staff
Nancy Docktor, Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Darlene Foley
Topics of Discussion:
Board of Health meeting came to order at 5:30 pm on May 11, 2015 in the Berger Room of
Reading Town Hall.
Acceptance of Minutes
Minutes of April 13, 2015 were presented. Singer made motion to approve, seconded by
Meade. Motion passed 2:0.
Health Director Report
Erickson participated in two interviews for public health nurse. A suitable candidate was
identified. The Board was advised that Board of Health Regulation Section 10, Human
Habitation, references a paragraph relating to the Town of Reading General By -law Article
21 which is no longer in effect. The reference should be to Article 1.8. Erickson will
research the best procedure for updating the regulation.
Friedmann spoke with the Town Manager regarding the job description of the Health
Director. The job will be posted to reflect the title of Health Agent who will be acting as the
Senior Health Agent.
Variance Request for Keeping Chickens
Variance request to keep an additional four hens from resident of 148 Salem Street was
reviewed. Motion made by Singer to approve the variance request, seconded by Meade.
Motion passed 3:0.
Friedmann advised he had read a policy statement published by the American Academy of
Pediatrics and found that it presented a convincing argument in support of a later school
start time for teenagers. He explained that the policy statement encouraged health
professionals to start a dialog with key members of their community to discuss and help
enact the statement's recommendations.
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In response to correspondence from resident David Mancuso regarding tick population In
Reading, the Board will look into putting more preventative measures on the website and
try to come up with Ideas to educate, possibly starting within the schools. Meade suggested
putting up signage at recreational fields and the town forest.
Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting
Nancy Docktor, Reading resident and active volunteer member of the Greater River Valley
Medical Reserve Corps expressed her interest in having Reading re-join their coalition.
Many of the volunteers are Reading residents, which was not the case within the Mystic
Valley Coalition. The Board was in favor of rejoining and will find out the process to
accomplish this.
John Halsey advised the Governor had signed the approved changes to the Reading Home
Rule Charter. The changes allow an additional member to be added to the Board if desired.
If the Board decides to proceed with that addition, Halsey will assist in achieving that.
Friedmann stated that moving forward, he will be continuing on as Chairman of the Board.
Meade however, indicated that she does not wish to be considered for reappointment when
her term of office expires on June 30, 2015. Singer submitted a formal resignation from his
position which expires June 30, 2016.
An inquiry was made if a permit would be required for the temporary housing of chickens.
Chick Chalet Rental Packages are being offered for a 1 -3 month period which includes
portable chicken coop, delivery, set up and removal, two egg laying hens, food and water
dish. It was determined that a permit would be required. However, a building permit would
not be required, although setbacks would have to be maintained.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm
Materials Distributed:
Draft minutes of April 13, 2015
Variance Request for Keeping Chickens
Email from David Mancuso regarding ticks
Chick Chalet Rental Packages
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