HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-20 Board of Health Minutes Town of Reading R E C E I V E D
Meeting Minutes TO:NN CLERK
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Board - committee - commission - council:
Board of Health
Date: 2020-08-20 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren, Associate Member Richard Lopez
Members - Not Present:
Associate Member Kevin Sexton
Others Present:
Jean Delios, Laura Vlasuk, Ed Peduto, Geri Cramer, Karen Herrick
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Acting Chair Kerry Dunnell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Open for Comments
Edward Peduto, General Manager of the Burbank Ice Arena, apologized for the COVID
complaint last week that claimed masks were not being worn at the arena. He asked for
clarification on the guidance. The Board agreed that section 4 of the state order indicates that
masks need to be worn in and out of the building, while on the bench, and when in a face off.
Masks do not need to be worn during play.
Updates'Discussion Points
Ms. Dunnell began discussion on plan reviews. Requests such as Civic Function and Field Use
permits do not require the full board, rather the Board Chair working in conjunction with the
Health Agent. The Board agreed to make a more efficient process. Mr. Lopez will work with
Ms. Vlasuk to develop a cover sheet for requests. That way, the Board has full understanding
of the details of the event, and the Board can share the review, and have a record of what was
decided and why.
Ms. Vlasuk suggested that the Board take Cheryl Sbarra's orientation class. Ms. Dunnell stated
that she will try to find out when the next MA Association of Health Board's class is scheduled
and if the Health Agent is eligible to attend.
Master Plan
The Board discussed establishing a master plan. There are short-term, long-term, and
immediate needs. They decided that they will review the lists of responsibilities for board
members and staff members to best determine how to staff the Health Division and balance the
responsibilities between the Board and staff. They discussed using the health department
volunteer corps, but Ms. Delios cautioned about using volunteers for staff level tasks, as Human
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Resources has a policy against using unpaid volunteers. Karen Herrick of the Select Board
asked if the policy could be revisited as these are unprecedented times. Ms. Dunnell shared a
list provided by the Academic Public Health Volunteer Corps of tasks that can be handled by
volunteers. The Board agreed that they would like to utilize volunteers if at all possible because
the current workload associated with the pandemic is so high. Ms. Dunnell will follow up with
the Town Manager to discuss volunteer and staffing resources. Ms. Vlasuk will contact Public
Health consultants and ask for their scope and cost for a Needs Assessment.
The Board briefly discussed getting a third member appointed. The Select Board is holding a
meeting next week to discuss the process to make an appointment. Dr. Lopez expressed his
interest in being appointed as a full voting member.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted to
adjourn at 8:47 pm, by roll call vote: Ms. Curren-Yes, Ms. Dunnell-Yes.
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