HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-17 Board of Health Minutes oor.�Q6�,� Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
2019 Jkld 29 61710 46
Date: 2018-12-17 Time: 6:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Public Hearing Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Kevin Sexton
Emmy Dove
Eleanc r Shonkoff
Lara RDmanowski
Memk ers - Not Present:
Others Present:
Larua Vlasuk, lean Delios,
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kristen Grover
Topics of Discussion:
6:00pm Sexton opened the meeting.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
No Public present. Public discussion closed.
CHAIR REPORT
Sexton reminded Board of last meeting's discussion regarding a liaison for RCASA. He
stated as he thought more about It, he felt it should be a Chair responsibility and if there
were no objections he would take on that role. Shonkoff said she was willing to be a liaison
but may not be able to attend all. the meetings. Sexton mentioned RCASA is happy to have
Board involvement again.
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There were no objections to Sexton acting as the liaison.
Policies and Pro du
Sexton demonstrate for the Board where on the Town website to find regulations. He
discussed MGL 111 and the subsections, what It mandated by the State and on a Town
level. He provided a nutshell scope of what the Board of Health does, noting licensing and
inspections as standpoints.
Sexton stated that ini terms of structure, things are handled as things come up. He
discussed how the BOH is generally a policy board with responsibility in making sure policy
is being adhered to. He discussed implementation and enacting policy, reiterating
l jurisdiction, scope of responsibility, and limitations.
Sexton reviewed Op4n Meeting Law, noting that it is State mandated. Vlasuk asked new
members to contact emme about completing the training. Sexton discussed the potential
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for a 5 member Board to alleviate the risk of violating Open Meeting Law. Delios directed
members to the location for Open Meeting Law on the Town website.
Dove raised the topic of an online repository for information discussed at the last meeting.
She stated she contacted the Attorney General and was told that would be okay as long as
no comments were made. Dove stated by using something like Google drive Vlasuk
wouldn't have to forward information between members. Sexton commented that if a
member dropped a news article in the drive there is no reason why other members can't
read it. He asked if Staff should be involved and have access. Delios stated what is
generally done is to defer to Town Counsel about Standard Operating Procedures. She
noted just dropping a file Into the drive without making a comment. Sexton reminded the
Board that everything has to happen In a posted meeting with 48 hours of notice. He noted
the drive would be good for distributing Information to members but anything that will come
before the Board has to go through Vlasuk.
Sexted stated if the Board is discussing implementing new policy, homework needs to be
done and as a Board they come up with the policy.
Sexton said in regards to representation, at other meetings, members don't speak on behalf
of the Board, suggesting using the phrase "this is just my opinion". He asked Vlasuk and
Delios if they had anything else to add about structure.
Health Agent Report
Vlasuk offered there were 51 inspections: food, reinspections, complaints, and animal. She
noted the complaints were about trash and there were no restaurant complaints. She
informed the Board there was 1 complaint about a truck. She stated no new flu shots were
administered. She commented there were a few things on the MAVEN list but due to HIPPA
cannot be discussed, but there was nothing of concern and no outbreaks. She said the 3B
meetings and deliverables were going well. Vlasuk followed up with the Board regarding
the dog that ate pesticide, noting it was taken to the MA Vet Hospital in Woburn, had
bloodwork taken but it was past the 3 days, was taken to personal vet also and was also
told It was past the 3 days for bloodwork. She Informed the Board nothing came up in the
bloodwork, no medicine was issued, no samples were taken and the dog is fine.
Pesticides
Vlasuk Informed the Board of the problem finding a vendor to test dirt samples. Dove
stated she found someone for $500 and discussed pricing. Shonkoff asked for clarification
on what dirt needed testing. Sexton provided a brief update on the topic of pesticide
regulations pertaining to treelawns and that the topic was brought to the Select Board.
Sexton discussed how the Board Is at the point where they need to determine how fines
would be structured as. Dove recapped the comparison to Marblehead as well as Reading's
proposal to send a letter as a first offense, etc. Dove stated her thought is "see It, fine it".
The Board discussed more on how to enforce policy and fines. Sexton commented that it is
more about changing behavior than fines, and that if there are fines involved that they
cover the costs of testing. Shonkoff suggested seeing receipts. Vlasuk asked how to
direct inspectors. Sexton stated they would have to advise It is a reactionary policy to a
complaint.
Delios reviewed previous BOH meetings and notes from October 2017 to May 2018, noting
the Board discussed a warning as a 1" offense. She then reviewed Select Board minutes
from June 2018 where the BOH update and Costigan's presentation was on page 5, the
Select Board's comments discussing enforcement and punishment as well as being hard to
prove. She further noted the Select Board felt a public hearing might be a next step as well
as education, and their final comment was to continue this talk at a later date.
Romanowski asked if the Board had a scope of the problem - if there was a single complaint
or common practice. Dove stated they don't really know. Vlasuk noted 2 members of the
public were active on the topic. Shonkoff asked how big of an issue was this and how
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concerned is the public about it. Dove discussed a study that looked at indoor pesticide use
and effects of exposure, a study from Italy, and a study pertaining to the product Roundup.
Dove noted a section of her summary that highlighted impact levels and that education was
the least affective measure.
Delios stated the BOH has no jurisdiction over imposing this regulation, that It falls under
the jurisdiction of the Select Board. Sexton said that leave the Board in having something
in a final version to bring to the Select Board. Delios commented that maybe they already
have. Delios said in her own opinion, the BOH has already done the legwork and if there is
going to be a hearing it is up to the Select Board. Sexton commented on having a fine that
covers the cost of testing for the Town and if the test comes back negative, the Town is out
that money. He stated It is a very tricky situation.
Sexton questioned when the next water billing is being sent out for the Board to enclose an
education letter. Vlasuk stated the subject hasn't been voted on yet. Sexton stated that
theoretically speaking, it could be an agenda Item for the next Select Board meeting, and
they can have a hearing if they want. Delios suggested recirculating the draft or compile a
list of best practices that is not intended to become a regulation but an education tool for
best practices. She noted It gets to the goal of increasing awareness and suggested
working with community partners such as the Garden Club to accomplish what they are
looking for. Shonkoff stated she liked that Idea and that it keeps in the spirit of the concerns
of the residents. She suggested maybe at a later date stepping it up to a regulation if
necessary. Vlasuk stated she would be worried about having a regulation on the books
that they can't enforce. Sexton suggested discussing this at the next meeting. Delios
offered to discuss the subject with the Select Board to bring to a future agenda.
Dove reviewed her summary on the MAHB which most everything was previously discussed.
She noted the marijuana Items were mostly not applicable. Delios clarified Reading's
regulation for medical use only, not personal use.
MINUTES
11/26/18
Motion by Sexton to approve as amended, seconded by Dove. 3-0-0.
Sexton asked if anyone would like to be a laison and suggested adding the topic as an
agenda Item for the next meeting.
AD30URNMENT
Motion by Sexton to adjourn, seconded by Dove. Meeting adjourned pm. 3-0-0
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