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Home My WebLink About2019-08-19 Board of Health Minutes c,�<orxexnM . Town of Reading 2� r, ' Meeting Minutes -R-ECEIVED � TOWN CLERK READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - council: Pt, Board of Health 2111 SEP 17 AM 9. 35 Date: 2019-08-19 Time: 6:34 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Lara Romanowski, Kevin Sexton, Eleanor Shonkoff, Emmy Dove, Andy Friedman, Ann Landry Members - Not Present: Annmarie Messina Others Present: lean Delios, Laura Vlasuk Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lara Romanowski Topics of Discussion: BOH reorganization • Nominate Emmy Dove for Chair in 2019-2020 Motion passed 3-0. • Nominate Eleanor Shonkoff as Vice Chair for 2019-2020. Motion passed 3-0. Health Agent Report—The Health Agent read into the record an email dated 8/17/19 from the Town Manager expressing interest in assisting in any way with regard to the recent EEE cases in Massachusetts. The Town Manager's email addressed to the BOH Chair offered the whatever resources are needed to assist the BOH with dissemination of information to the public as well as any recommended preventative measures(see also health agent update report).The Town Manager suggests that the Board of Health could share information about EEE and West Nile with residents. Future enhancements to Health Agent's inspection violations report Discussion about creating a spreadsheet document that contains all the information in one place: routine vs re- inspection;description/notes,announced vs. unannounced visit, name of establishment. Board members noted that Inspections are public record. Al the end of the June 18, 2019 meeting,the Board decided to not post any additional information about inspections on the town website.The board members are in agreement about not posting additional inspection information on the town website. Emmy Dove: Would like access to the full inspection reports ahead of each meeting.These do not need to be a part of the packet prepared for each meeting. Andy Friedman: In 2017, the health inspector tested out a digital inspection form. Not sure what happened with that. Board members could request access to the full inspection report each month. It could be scanned and sent to board members each month to review ahead of each meeting. Summary: Inspection reports will be scanned and sent to Board members and associates ahead of each meeting,but not included in packets and not posted on the website. Page 1 1 d"`OP�qp Town of Reading Meeting Minutes •IM(OPeO'te Public Comment: Eilish, Bunretty Tavern:Asked for comparable town data related to restaurant inspections, but that was not provided today. Businesses don't feel like they've been given the information they've asked for. Recommends all Board members become ServeSafe certified. MaryEllen O'Neill, resident:Shocked at the unwillingness to share information.There needs to be more curiosity and inquisitiveness about the monthly reports from the Health agent. Michael Palmer, Fusilli's:Why can't the board members just ask for this information during a meeting and have a discussion? Kevin Sexton, Board of Health: Clarified that our line of thinking has changed since the last meeting.We will not be posting that information in a central location online, residents can still request that information from an establishment or from the Health Agent. Thomas, Swiss Bakers: Recommends board members attend a health inspection. Bryan, resident:We want to foster discussion between complainant and establishment; not feeling very confident in board of health, but feeling very confident in the health agent's work. Paul, resident:Appreciates our attempts to make data more transparent; requests for information seem reasonable. Robin Krone,VP Board member of Chamber of Commerce, Fitness Within, 545 Main Street: If information is posted online, it becomes to a public Flogging. Make sure to think about what you're making public and how you're making it public. Think about impact on businesses if you make it public in the future. Lisa, Director of Chamber of Commerce, resident:To her knowledge,in the past several years, there have been 0 critical health violations in past years. Consider impact on community and business owners. Emily, Bagelwodd:Why can't the Board just ask the health agent for clarification during the monthly report? Board members should attend the inspections, should understand the reports. Kevin: Motion to email the full inspection reports to the Board prior to each meeting, but not include that information in packet;votes 3-0; motion passes. Pesticide Regulations via tree lawn policy The Board is requesting synthesized feedback on the proposed policy from the Select Board in order for us to make edits. Mass DPH CBD Advisory Circulated letter; NPR article summarizing what other communities are doing about CBD. Present option to Board--do nothing, ask for voluntary removal,or notification and enforcements. Make clear that the policy will apply to all food establishments. Emmy Dove: Suggested that the BOH issue an informational memo to all food establishments stating the policies that are in place, but those policies may change in the future pending legislation.Town Counsel will assist with the draft memo. page 1 2 o�y OP NFy�i � ° Town of Reading i � Meeting Minutes �o N[OPeO�' Review 6.18.19 meeting minutes Motion to approve minutes: 3-0; motion passes. Motion to adjoum: 3-0; motion passes. Page 1 3