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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-16 Board of Health Minutes Town of Reading KL CE I V E p Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK r 0READ ! " G. MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2121 NOV -9 PM 12: 03 Board of Health Date: 2020-03-16 Time: 9:00 AM Building: Reading Police Station Location: Meeting Room Address: 15 Union Street Session: Executive Session Purpose: Emergency meeting re: Version: Final CoronaVirus/Covid-19 Attendees: Members - Present: Emmy Dove, Kevin Sexton, Eleanor Shonkoff Members - Not Present: Anne Marie Messina, Lara Romonowski Others Present: Rich Abate, Christine Amendola, Kevin Brown, Greg Burns, Dave Clark, Jean Delios, John Doherty, Paul Jackson, Matt Kraunelis, Bob LeLacheur, Laura Vlasuk Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Eleanor Shonkoff Topics of Discussion: 9:06am Meeting called to order by Emmy Dove and moved to enter Executive Session to discuss deployment of security personnel or devices, or strategies with respect to the Coronavirus and not reconvene in open session. In addition to the Board of Health (BOH) Members the meeting was also attended by: Rich Abate (Lt. Detective), Christine Amendola (Lt.), Kevin Brown, Greg Bums (Fire Chief), Dave Clark (Police Chief), Jean Delios (Asst. Town Manager), John Doherty (Supt of Schools), Paul Jackson (Asst. Fire Chief), Matt Kraunelis (Dir. Of Amin Services), Bob LeLacheur(Town Manager), Laura Vlasuk (Health Agent). Sexton —Motion to enter into Executive Session and to not return to open session. Dove 2ntl: roll call vote to enter Executive Session: Kevin Sexton - yes Emmy Dove - yes Eleanor Shonkoff—yes Introductions- LeLacheur opened the meeting and handed it off to Burns. Burns- overview of structure &discussion of implementing Baker-Polito Emergency Actions and any other actions to be taken by the Town. Bums stressed the need to coordinate messaging and that the Unified Command Structure per Incident Command (Command) would be followed with a strong emphasis on involvement from the Board of Health (BOH), Police Department (RPD), and the Fire Department (RFD). Command develops goals and the Planning Section of Command establishes how the goals will be met. The Operations Section of Command supervises the resources to meet the goals and identifies steps to achieve goals. This is where the "rubber meets the road". The Logistics Page 1 1 Section orders resources and documents the process. The Finance/Admin. Section tracks expenses and possible reimbursements. The Public Information Section handles the messaging. Burns indicates that the way the information goes out is very important and that the public needs to know that we are taking steps to mitigate the emergency. The structure follows the plan and the operational period will be one week. Burns is the Emergency Management Director and coordinates multi-agency response to make sure a structure is in place and a good cross-section of people who helps move forward. Dove asked why Vlasuk isn't on Command. The handout detailing who is on Command shows LeLacheur (Town Manager), Burns (Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director), Dove (BOH Chair), Doherty (Superintendent of Schools), and Clark (Police Chief). LeLacheur noted that Vlasuk is assigned to Operations as she is mostly in the field. LeLacheur also advised that there are back-ups for all of us. LeLacheur stated it is up to the BOH who they want where. He went on to say that is how we carry out the plans and that we need the community to feel that this is under control. Discussion continued about the COOP being the plan that is followed including when staffing levels decline and when essential services are needed to continue. There was also discussion about the Governor's closure plan and how to quarantine as needed. Sharing information, including presumptive positive COVID-19 cases, was also discussed and the importance of notifying public safety to protect first responders who may have to respond to calls for service and need to know if there are COVID-19 cases present when they respond. Facilities has a cleaning plan that will be followed. A long discussion continued about childcare facilities seeking guidance. The BOH concerns were discussed. Sexton expressed the concern of how best to protect the public and how far do you go. Shonkoff noted that she thought we should prepare for the best- and worst-case scenarios especially how difficult this will be for the Elder population as well as businesses who are forced to close. The social and economic impacts are of concern. Dove stated that the BOH is okay with closure of Town Hall to the public. LeLacheur said he has no problem having the BOH tell him what they need. Sexton stated he wants to defer to paid staff and Shonkoff agreed with that approach, stating that she is an academic. A long discussion continued on the specifics of how to shift to a remote operation and close town buildings to the public and to staff. The compost center can be left open (no need for permits). Burn permits are also not needed. Sexton - Motion to not allow public to come into the Police Department to get compost stickers Roll call vote, Dove 2nd: Emmy Dove -yes Kevin Sexton - yes Eleanor Shonkoff- yes Discussion of fire permits with decision to have them proceed electronically Discussion of enforcement of in-person gatherings > 25 A discussion continued over protecting employees and creating a safe work environment especially for first responders. Dispatch asks specific questions to verify safety for first responders. PPE was discussed and Facilities will be handling supplies. Food and needs for the elderly were discussed. The Food Pantry has resources and dropped off a two-week supply to clients last week and is currently closed. Page 1 2 Contact tracing was discussed and Vlasuk stated that she can follow up. The process is that the hospital reports to MAVEN (accessed by Public Health Nurse, PHN) and the Health Agent works with the PHN to identify cases. Currently our back-up PHN is assisting and our hiring of a new PHN is pending. A long discussion continued over HIPPA and contact tracing so that first responders are protected. The Former Daniels House could be a resource. Vlasuk stated she will follow up with her contacts to see if she can release the information on cases and noted that one person has been tested and the results are pending. Vlasuk also asked about how she should respond to inquiries she has received about how to use time off. LeLacheur clarified and advised that it is a personnel matter and not something that the Health Agent is responsible for. There was discussion about how to work with the restaurants. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to all food establishments advising of COVID-19 and recommendations against using cash. Will also ask restaurants to notify Health Agent about status of being open or closed. It was discussed that the BOH should issue one comprehensive order that includes no need for a compost sticker and no public allowed at Town Hall. MAVEN training was discussed including adding Alyse Warren (the Nurse Advocate) as a back- up to the PHN staffing. The BOH agreed to meet daily. There was discussion about getting the word out on COVID-19 with Wellman's assistance. " 11:45am - Sexton -Motion to end Executive Session and not return to open session, Dove 2nd: Roll call vote: Kevin Sexton—yes Emmy Dove—yes Eleanor Shonkoff- yes 11:46am - Meeting adjourned Page 1 3