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Home My WebLink About2017-08-15 Board of Health Minutes - Executive SessionO� OFR�Oi F Town of Reading =r� Meeting Minutes co . Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2017-08-15 Time: 6:00p Building: Reading Town Hall. Location: Lower Level Conference Room Address: Purpose: board of health Session: Executive Session Attendees: Members - Present: Elizabeth Shurland, Nancy Docktor Members - Not Present: John Costigan Others Present: Dan Esminger, Laura Vlasuk, Paula Minichiello Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: N Docktor Topics of Discussion: Page 10 8/15/17 Esminger asked if he could attend ex session, Docktor asked if BoH should clarify with Town Clerk Esminger said no, BoH could grant permission Shurland and Docktor agreed to his staying for ex session. 6pm opening meeting Docktor first order of business, temp appointment of a chair, do I hear amotion Shurland, nominate Docktor, Docktor second call for ex session for the purpose of MGL. chapter 30A section 21 a.l Ensminger please read it aloud Docktor "to discuss the reputation,character,physical condition or mental health rather than the professional competence of an individual or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of or complaints or charges brought against a public officer ,employee staff member or - individual. Roll call Docktor, Shurland Costigan absent BoH will not be returning to open session present Dan Esminger, Laura Vlasuk, Paula Minichiello Esq. Docktor read Vlasuk her rights in ex session and asked if she understood them Vlasuk said yes mimcluello said they were not rights then asked for clarification, said they wanted to know if BoH was seeking ex session for a.5 and asked for clarification on Vlasuk's letter to attend 8/15/17 executive session. Docktor reminded Minichiello she could advise Vlasuk not speak for her in ex session Docktor stated they were attending only to agenda MGL chapter 30A section 21 a. l Docktor to Vlasuk Has anyone in Reading Town gov or management asked, encouraged, or directed you to ever change a record, report, or documentation during your employment? Vlasuk and Minichiello conferred regarding status of Vlasuk employment Vlasuk confers with Minichiello and responds that she is not able to answer as question. was vague and ambiguous , it was worded improperly and would answer if more specific. Docktor repeated question but answer from Vlasuk was same. Docktor to Vlasuk, Have you ever changed a record, report, or documentation during your employment? Vlasuk responds, can not answer as it vague and ambiguous. Docktor repeats question, Vlasuk responds the same. Docktor to Vlasuk, Does the public health nurse submit her mileage record to you? Vlasuk, who are you referring to ?,Docktor, Donna Pierce, public health nurse Vlasuk,she is gone. Docktor, Did Donna Pierce submit her mileage record to you? Vlasuk, yes. Docktor to. Vlasuk, have you ever changed the public health nurse's mileage record? Vlasuk confers with Minichiello, , I can not answer as it is vague and ambiguous. Be more specific . Docktor, Did you ever change the public health nurse's May mileage record? Vlasuk confers with Mnichiello and responds, not specific enough, do you have a copy of the record? I need to see it. Docktor, there is a copy, no I do not have it with me. Vlasuk, you have not provided me with the specifics to answer . Docktor to Vlasuk, has anyone ever in the Reading Town gov or management ever direct or encourage you to deny or reject any educational or continued educational opportunities for the public health nurse? Vlasuk confers with Minichiello, the question is vague, ambiguous, and compound, can not answer_ Answering would violate my civil and constitutional rights. Docktor to Shurland, are there any other questions or comments? Shurland no Shurlar to Vlasuk you may leave or stay but you may no longer engage with the Board Docktwhile we discuss your answers. Vlasuk-confers with Minchiello and states she will stay. Docktor states a record is a record. The altering of the public health nurse's mileague while not under the BoH jurisdiction to discipline, goes to the the ability of the BoH to trust and rely on Laura's-(Vlasuky reporting. Health regulations -have -a strong- — ---- -- presumption of validity. The Boh must act in serve of the public health and welfare of the community and it's citizens. Docktor according to the 2002 Principles of Ethical Practice of Public health "public health institutions should ensure the professional competence of their employees" as well as " public health institutions and their employees should engage in collaboration and affiliations in ways that build the public trust and the institution`s effectiveness". Docktor, denying and rejecting the public health nurse's educational requests particularly for a HEAT conference, which is on addiction is very troubling given the substance abuse use disorder epidemic and the Town`s own overdose deaths. Docktorpublic health reports and inspection reports are Public documents, accessible to anyone. The BoH depends on accurate reliable and timely reports in order to legally and ethically fulfill their obligation to the community and to the State. Docktor refers to Vlasuk's first BoH meeting in which she stated she was not comfortable providing either the inspection or public health nurses reports without first being appointed- Docktor read the write up she gave to the health department regarding the BoH being asked to conduct an inspection by the Town as Vlasuk declined to do so without appointment as health agent. Docktor commented on Vlasuk's response to the BoH inquiry on who she would report to, and her response was to report to both Town and BoH to amkc everyone happy. Docktor stated that the job of BoH and health agent was to keep community safe and there is a concern that if any appointee believes they should please or satisfy Town official that is now political and can not be trusted. Docktor asks Shurland if she has any comment, Shurland says no. Docktor states next step is to convene in an executive session with the Town Selectman regarding the BoH inability to appoint due to credibility problem and to determine an appropriate health agent for the Town of Reading.. Motion made and roll call Shurland in the affirmative Docktor in the affirmative Costigan absent. Motion made to adjourne seconded and accepted approx 6:35pm