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Home My WebLink About2020-06-08 Board of Health Minutes F Town of Reading 0Meeting Minutes iB 9+iMfOpV�P , Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health ' Date: 2020-06-08 Time: 10:01 AM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: COVID-19 Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Eleanor Shonkoff, Kevin Sexton, Ann Marie Messina Members - Not Present: Lara Romanowski Others Present: Laura Vlasuk, Jean Delios, Bob LeLacheur, Jenna Fiorente, Kevin Bohmiller, Alyse Warren, John Doherty, David Clark, Gail Dowd, Greg Burns Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ann Marie Messina Topics of Discussion: Ann Marie was elevated to full voting member (vote 2-0) Email was received from a resident who requests outdoor meeting. Should the BOH meet outside to allow for more residents and their input? The resident refers to the School Board and Select Board meetings. Bob states he knows the resident and does not believe the email was directed to the BOH; rather it was for inclusion. Kevin: where to have meetings?Town Hall is an "office" so only staff are allowed. Unpaid board members are volunteers, not staff and therefore cannot go into municipal buildings at this time. Subject tabled. A group is requesting to put on a play in a Reading Park in August. Jenna Fiorente - Field Request Permit 8 pages of guidelines; groups of 10 starting in July, sign off by applicant. Vlasuk states that only camps need BOH review/approval. Fiorente agreed. Wants to know how to control a large crowd in terms of making sure there is social distancing and face coverings, Kevin stated we should hold applicant responsible to uphold BOH (state) rules and enforce social distancing and face coverings. For groups over 25, these requests go to Bob. Page 1 1 In past, Laura would only review Civic Function applications that included food. Going forward Laura will review all Civic Function applications. For Civic Function applications and Field Request permits, all applicants must be aware of and follow COVID-19 protocols. DPW/Police process-tabled It was noted that all Town Summer concerts have been cancelled. Alyse reports that once school begins, the school nurses will not be able to work on MAVEN cases. Alyse questions if It is necessary to be a nurse to do contact tracing. Vlasuk states that HIPAA rules suggest contact tracing needs to be performed by a nurse. Alyse states she can send a 'secure' doc. Alyse clarified that she is still available to BOH until Senior Center reopens. Alyse offered to research and report back to BOH with clarification on who can do contact tracing. Public Health Nursing was discussed including nursing capacity for the future. It was suggested that a list of volunteers or paid per diem nurses be compiled for future use. Public Health nursing will be reduced when school is back in session (school nurses will not be available) and when the senior center re-opens (Alyse will not be available). Concerns were expressed if there Is an increase in COVID cases and public health nursing capacity is reduced. It was agreed that posting a part-time on-call public health nurse position should be the next step and Jean will follow up on this. The Governor's Re-opening plan was discussed including what can be open. The outdoor recreation facilities cleaning requirements discussed including the BOARD'S need to regulate. Eleanor suggests an email to all restaurants with links regarding self-certification, reopening tool kit. Alyse suggested ordering flu supplies for future flu clinics. Laura noted that she has ordered this year's vaccine. Command Meeting Commenced at 11:06 AM Discussed Rally for Social Justice and march scheduled for Saturday June 13th from 4-7 PM. It will start on the Common, participants will then walk down Main Street to Bagel World and return to the Common. Bob states more than one group was involved with this and hopefully they will connect and it will be just one event. Chief Clark reports that business owners and homeowners are scared and asking about the need to board their homes. Chief Clark has cancelled all time off for officers in order to be available for the rally. The Northern Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) is available to assist the RPD as they were for the last event like this. Bob requests that Fire have apparatus/medical equipment strategically placed prior to rally to ensure easy access. The School department offers their facilities. Bob reports a staging area for the press and that Channel 7 was there last time. DPW and RPD will determine shut down time for restaurants. Eleanor suggests BOH involvement should include supporting the rally and march and that COVID-19 protocols regarding social distancing and face coverings should be followed. Kevin suggests BOH give a "show of support". Page 1 2 It was noted that Select Board meetings are changing from Wednesday to Tuesdays. A general discussion followed about the BOH attending Select Board meetings and if that should continue. It was agreed that it should and Eleanor agreed to attend the 6/16/20 Select Board meeting. Town Meeting was also discussed including protocols for how to manage those that attend the PAC and the need for social distancing, face coverings, and other COVID-19 compliance. Discussion continued regarding testing and if someone has a fever. Kevin inquiries about having a separate section for isolating those with a fever. Participants would take their own temperatures and monitor for symptoms. John Doherty School Superintendent says they don't take temperatures at summer programs due to inaccuracies. The protocol will include hand sanitizers and station "checkers" and masks will be available. The floor will be marked as needed to ensure social distancing. Goal 4—Outdoor Dining(Venetian Moon Tent) was discussed. It was agreed that Laura will review seating plans for outdoor dining and indoor DINING. Outdoor Dining applications on Town property are reviewed by the Expedited Approval Team (EAT). Outdoor dining interest has included Christopher's using a sidewalk area on their property and Fuddruckers using their parking lot for outdoor dining. Board asked that Laura be on EAT program. Jean said that she is part of that group along with many others from Town departments like public safety, engineering, planning and such. It was agreed that Laura will review seating plans for outdoor dining and indoor DINING There was discussion on the need to reach out to those in the neighborhood of Saturday's rally and walk to inform them of the event. Laura noted that CDC guidelines for restaurants require having the bathrooms open even when using Outdoor Dining. Goal 5 - Phase Two re-openings was discussed including Turf I and Turf 2 playgrounds which will require regular cleanings. Jenna offered to reach out to her contacts, some certified playground instructors, who can assist with clarifying what is required. Jenna also provided an update on basketball re-openings and the variations among communities of how this is interpreted. Jenna noted that there is more guidance as of today on re-opening but that organized games are discouraged. Eleanor reminds the board that no contact sports are allowed. Bob states concern over differences among the communities in interpreting the rules. Bob would like a regional approach whereby Towns work together on these issues. BOH wants definition of "outdoor recreational facility". Jenna reports summer camp refunds have been sent. The Recreation Department will conduct virtual and small group events. Student walk of about 30 participants occurred without incident. There will be one election on September 1st for both the Special Election and the federal election. The goal is for 75% mail-in voting. If voting in person preferably come with a mask. Masks will be available. Remember people are still eligible to vote if they choose not to wear a face covering. The meeting was adjourned at 12:20. Page 1 3