HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-01 Board of Health Minutes OFq
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Realm LGPO MAY
Date: 2020-05-01 Time: 10:00 AM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Covid-19 Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Kevin Sexton, Lara Romanowski, Emmy Dove, Ann Marie Messina, Eleanor
Shonkoff
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Jean Delics, Laura Vlasuk
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lara Romanowski and Kevin Sexton
Topics of Discussion:
Review of orders/actions that are expiring, and make a determination on
extending time-frame
• In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, review tracking document
created by Shonkoff to keep track of the various public health
orders/actions that may be expiring, relating to:
• Pleasant Street center
• Town Hall
• Walk-in service at Police Department
• Town playgrounds, fields, athletic courts, and equipment
• Senior van service
o Reading recreation programming
• Walk-in service at public safety buildings
• Motion to extend the closure within Town of Reading until May 18,
2020 to include the Reading town playgrounds, fields, athletic courts
and equipment; Reading recreation programming; Town Hall closed to
public; public safety buildings to be public-limited; Pleasant Street
center; and Senior van service for elder transportation purposes.
Sexton seconded motion. Dove-yes. Sexton-yes. Eleanor-yes. Motion
passes 3-0.
High-density residences
Shonkoff spoke with Dan Church, Massachusetts state epidemiologist, who
recommends having the nurse talk to management companies of high-
density residences (such as apartment buildings, condominiums). The nurse
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should advise the management company to post signage if there is an active
case within the high-density residence community as well as post
preventive, educational hygiene signage. Need to prepare signage. Plan to
review signage and revisit motion during Monday's meeting on May 4, 2020.
COVID-related Health Inspections
• Health Agent and Health Inspector are focusing on visiting sites that
are related to inbound complaints.
10:57am Sexton takes over minutes
• Vlasuk - Described to the BoH how she is handling complaints.
Dealing with high need ones first and then others. She will send out
a list of the places that have been inspected.
• Shonkoff - Asked the BoH what our inspectors should do if there is
a continuous problem at any establishments?
o Dove - Asked how many places Vlasuk visits and can she be
able to go back to re-inspect to see if there is compliance?
• Vlasuk - Said she could do that.
• Delios - Command should have the inspect list should we be able to
open businesses again.
• Vlasuk - Will start to inspect the closed businesses once we get the
clear for them to open from the Governor's office.
• Shonkoff - Has an FAQ on wearing face masks to update the BoH.
• Vlasuk - Asked about mask distribution?
o Dove - The Town is holding one on Wednesday May 6, 2020
from 9am-11am at the high school.
• Delios - Noted that there will be people there to answer
questions too. It is for those 60 years old and older and
for anyone with pre-existing health conditions.
• Sexton - Asked how they plan to monitor that?
o Delios - Was not sure, but noted that
Wakefield didn't monitor it other than to
make sure they were residents of town,
• Sexton - Asked if the BoH should look into getting
cloth masks for distribution as well? Offered to
contact a local company that he knows is
producing them, to see what the costs are.
• Delios - Noted the flyer that they are handing out
will have guidance as to cleaning and disposing of
the masks too.
• Dove - Wanted to bring up our meeting schedule
Vlasuk had a prepared statement she wanted to read:
"Yesterday I requested that the health inspector, a repetitive from the town
nursing staff and myself the Health Agent attend the mask distribution being
held by the town during a Public Health pandemic to assist with orders by
the Board of Health regarding MANDATORY COVID-19 POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES mask requirement. This request resulted in over 20 email and
concerns surrounding the health staff time and availability, to conduct work
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if we attended the mask distribution. I would like to be clear that the reason
I provide police, fire, Incident Command among others Covid cases at
around 9pm is not because I do not have time to conduct inquires during the
day it is because I try to give the most accurate information for the day and
the cases are checked again after dinner. Going forward I have asked the
nurses to provide me with case numbers by 4pm and cases after 4pm will
result in the next day totals. Friday, Saturday and Sunday numbers will be
represented in Monday's totals as is the case in many other towns. Thought
meeting on Friday at loam was my request I respectfully request that the
BOH change the meeting to Thursday at loam during working hours. I will
continue to attend the DPH conference calls on Friday's since it is not within
my ability to change the meeting. You all know that I will answer any
question you may have at any time but I will try to limit my emails, calls and
text to working hours going forward."
o Delios - Noted that she though Vlasuk mistook the mask
staffing.
11:31am - Shonkcff had to leave the meeting.
• Dove - Said we can figure out the schedule via email as that is
allowable under open meeting law.
• Sexton - Asked about the numbers shared at the SB meeting.
Wanted to know how many of our residents that confirmed
positive came from the elder care facilities?
o Vlasuk - Total confirmed=100, active=91, passed=9
• Dove - Made a motion to adjourn
o Sexton - 2nd
• Dove - yes
• Sexton - yes
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