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Home My WebLink About2018-04-24 Board of Health Minutes OWN OFRpAO' ,. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes R TOW Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health 2010 MAY 16 AM-9: 01 Date: 2018-04-24 Time: 5:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: John Costigan, Kevin Sexton, Heidi Pfieier, Members - Not Present: Dan Ensminger Others Present: Jean Delios - Assistant Town Manager, Laura Vlasuk - Health Agent Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kristen Grover_ Topics of Discussion: Costigan called the Board of Health meeting to order at 5:30pm in the Berger Room at the Town Hall. Costigan suggested the Board review the minutes from 2-24-18 first to allow time for members of the Public to arrive, if any. The Board reviewed the minutes and decided no changes were necessary. Motion by Sexton to accept 2-24-18 minutes as discussed; motion seconded by Pfiefer. Roll Call Vote: Sexton (yes), Pfiefer (yes), Costigan (yes). Motion carries 3-0-0. f CHAIR REPORT Costigan opened his chair report by discussing legislation pertaining to tobacco. He mentioned some recent changes included increasing the sale of tobacco to age 21 and restricting tobacco sales from health care establishments such as pharmacies. He mentioned he did not see flavored tobacco included in the recent changes, that the State regulation is not going as far as restricting flavored tobacco like the Town of Reading did. He stated the Session ends in June and he will keep an eye on it. Costigan raised the discussion of Romaine lettuce and that the CDC is warning all consumers to discard all Romaine lettuce, especially from Yuma, AZ. He mentioned how the warning started with packaged lettuce but has since been upgraded to include heads of lettuce after and outbreak occurred in Alaska. He stated that as the growing season moves. from Arizona to California the hope is that the problem will resolve itself. Costigan discussed the flu season and that from the last reporting on April 11, 2018 it was noted that it is winding down. He mentioned that the CDC still recommends getting a vaccine while there' Is still and active season. He stated that since the season is winding down, the benefit is debatable. Page 1 1 Costigan stated that as a Town and as a Board, he'd like to discuss adult immunizations. He stated that the CDC reports that 90% of children are correctly vaccinated; however in adults the numbers are much lower. He questioned if a Public Health Nurse and the Board could do something to raise awareness for adults. Sexton questioned the reasons for such low numbers in adults to which Costigan.offered that some people are afraid of needles, some people don't go to the doctor very often, and some people don't remember what vaccines they had done. Sexton mentioned that we don't see much from a publicity standpoint - mainly only for flu season and shingles vaccinations. Pfiefer suggested placing something on the Town website saying the CDC recommends adult vaccinations. Costigan said he would like to see an awareness program if the Town had the personnel - the Public Health Nurse. Sexton questioned where the cost for that would come from and if the Town had the budget to which he was informed the Town did not. Costigan mentioned the vaccines can be covered by insurance. Sexton and Costigan agreed that they would favor taking part in the promotional aspect but push the administrative aspect on to the pharmacies. Costigan stated he would have to recuse himself due to conflict of interest. The Board and staff discussed how the Senior Center was a good location for vaccine clinics in prior years, but it is so busy that it is hard to schedule time there. Costigan raised the topic of pesticides and the May 1 Board of Selectmen meeting, stating he had a scheduling conflict and may have to repost. Sexton stated that in looking through regulations and discussing putting a policy in place, it comes back to one criterion - which is the immediate need and threat of it coming to fruition. He cited the example of flavored tobacco where there was direct correlation, but stated he didn't see the immediate threat, therefore does not support putting the burden on the homeowner. Costigan mentioned the effect comes after a long period of time but raised the question if one would want to be exposed while on Public land. Sexton stated that he wrestled with the issue. Costigan agreed that he was probably right in saying there were no immediate ramifications, but long term exposure could produce them. Vlasuk asked about the option to place "do not step on grass" flags; Pfiefer asked about neighboring towns having this policy. Sexton stated it makes sense on publicly maintained grounds but he has a problem where homeowners maintain property on behalf of the Town as a courtesy is where he has an issue. Sexton then raised the issue of fines - questioning the amount, how they would be administered or even notifying the Public. The Board and Staff discussed that Town Counsel opined the Board does not have the ability to pass the regulation; that the Board of Selectmen need to address Town land and implementing new policy. Sexton reiterated that he was not in favor of putting this policy into place, and if there was a great benefit from implementing it that would be different, and that he feels this seems more of a burdensome policy than an effective one. Vlasuk questioned how the Town would police it. Pfiefer suggested finding out how other towns that already have it in place handle it. Costigan suggested having a specialist discuss the topic. Sexton said that would be helpful but he feels finding the correlation will be tough, especially where different homes may use different products. Costigan asked Delios what the Selectmen would be expecting to hear from the Board. Delios mentioned the Selectmen will want to know what they are being asked to take action on. After some discussion, it was decided to take the Board's request to be on the May Board of Selectmen's meeting off the Agenda and postpone until the June 19th meeting. Costigan stated he will work on toxicity data. Page 1 2 HEALTH AGENT REPORT Vlasuk opened her report by letting the Board know it covered both February and March. She advised the Board that there were 63 food inspections, reinspections, and complaints; there were only 2 flu shots administered; the 3B deliverables were met. She noted that Sue Swansburg's last day was April 15th and that Maria Tamagna will be covering for now. Vlasuk further advised deliverables are being met and the helicopter spraying for mosquitos is going over Town tonight. Costigan asked what if someone objected to the spraying - and Vlasuk stated they would have to send the objection in writing and she forwards that to the State. Vlasuk also reported there were no underage tobacco sales. Vlasuk asked the board if they had an opportunity to review the link to Lincoln St/Prescott St project on the DEP website. Costigan asked if all remediation qualifications are being met. Delios informed the Board there is a Licensed Site Professional (LSP) supervising the project. The Board discussed the link to the DEP that Vlasuk provided and noted that all documents pertaining to the project can be found there. The Board agreed to review the documents and send Vlasuk any comments so Staff can give them to the Selectmen. Vlasuk also asked they let her know if they had no comments. Costigan asked if they had any other topics of discussion. There were none. Minutes of 02-24-2018 Motion by Sexton to accept 2-24-18 minutes as discussed; motion seconded by Pfiefer. Roll Call Vote: Sexton (yes), Pfiefer (yes), Costigan (yes). Motion carries 3-0-0. Next meeting Tuesday May 15, 2018 at 5:30 - Berger Room OTHER BUSINESS Motion to adjourn by Sexton; motion seconded by Pfeifer. Motion carries 3-0-0 - Meeting adjourned at 6:42pm. Page 1 3