HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-22 Board of Health Minutes Town of Reading KE 1,,E i V E D
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ®121 NOJ -9 PM 12: 04
Board of Health
Date: 2020-06-22 Time: 10:05 AM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: COVID-19 Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Eleanor Shonkoff, Kevin Sexton, Ann Marie Messina, Kerry Dunnell, Paula
Curren
Members - Not Present:
Lara Romonowski
Others Present:
Jean Delios, Laura Vlasuk, Laura Gemme, Greg Burns
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ann Marie Messina
Topics of Discussion:
Federal election communication campaign. Postcards to be sent to all residents with specific details for
election. Laura G. states this cannot be done yet because new laws not released. If law passed,
applications for mail-in ballots to be sent to everyone. Joint election to take place on September 1st for
both local election and federal. Goal is 75%or more mail in ballots. BOH to release 2-3 communications
in advance. Laura G. expects answers by July 1st. BOH to prepare content for communication.
Laura V reports no updates except for Venetian Moon opening. Phase 2 Step 2 includes indoor
restaurants. Laura V reports places that were closed will get a re-opening inspection prior to opening.
Some places have chosen not to open yet. She also reports a few camps will be opening.
Jean reports she followed up with Town Counsel and is awaiting their response regarding port-a-potty
regulation. Jean notes State reopening protocol for office space is 50%. Jean noted that the DPW re-
opening protocol is still being reviewed and once it is complete will be forwarded to the BOH.
Eleanor discussed that she contacted Town Counsel (Emmy forwarded her contact with Town Counsel)
and was provided with protocols for Town buildings including gray areas BOH is advised to"do the best
they can'. COVID Order No. 33 was provided to Eleanor as a guide (Eleanor forwarded to the BOH).
Eleanor continued to explain the advice from Town Counsel and interpretation of Order No. 33. BOH
can't be less restrictive than the State guidance. Town Counsel advised that the BOH has the authority to
regulate. Kerry noted that the DPH calls are another resource for the BOH to ask questions and get more
guidance. Kerry is on the calls with DPH (twice/week)and can assist as needed.
Opening of Fields was another item of discussion including School fields and other areas. Eleanor
suggests that the basketball courts be re-opened for drills but not games. Most towns except for Peabody
have reopened their basketball courts. Kerry notes that this phase is trying to mitigate contact sports.
Discussion continued on the importance of education so that there isn't a mis-perception of what is
allowed. Eleanor suggests signage that says open but no contact allowed.
Kevin states monitoring by police but not a good use of resources. BOH will continue to monitor level of
risk based on Reading COVID numbers. Basketball courts to remain closed until further notice.
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Laura asks who is in charge of openings i.e. rec, school, health as she is receiving calls. Eleanor to draft
email to share with command which will include contact sports being closed until Phase 3. Kerry brings up
football. Eleanor states softball approved for practice only, no games because it is a contact sport.
Public Health Nurse(On-Call, Per Diem) posting will be based on current job description but will be
expanded to include COVID 19 contact tracing and MAVEN. Volunteers cannot do contact tracing. Laura
will contact Anne Koneeny, the nurse that called inquiring about volunteer contact tracing regarding the
posting of the per diem public health nurse position. Additional public health funds include FY21 budget
available as of July 1"($30,000 extra in salary funds) and $15,000 extra in grant funds. This provides
$45,000 in extra funding to hire for public health.
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SNL Football to be reviewed by Laura and report to Jenna. Survey update-senior citizens will be
surveyed from July 18-25 with condensed version. Eleanor reports 500 survey respondents so far not
including senior citizens.
Upcoming BOH meetings were discussed and it was agreed that the board would continue to meet on
Mondays at 10:00 A.M. and change from Thursday mornings to Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Number of active COVID-19 cases to be available on website tabled until Thursday.
11:06 AM Incident Command joins-has 5 items:
1-reopening of indoor dining- Laura reports we do not know who will reopen as they do not
have to inform BOH. She has received 2-3 floor plans only. Jean states limitations on capacity
may have an impact on reopening.
2-residents needing assistance-per Paul, need is minimal, mostly for medical rides. Question of
remaining gift cards. Jean states 5,000 calls have been made to a database of people who potentially be
in need. Staff is being proactive in doing this outreach so that we are staying ahead of the demand.
Gail reports School Dept. has provided 7,000 meals so far and that the Town has been approved to
provide breakfast and lunch on a 7 days/week basis through August 31st. Schools distribute food on
Tuesday mornings. Some METCO families are coming for these meals. Gail has received one complaint
about food distribution.
Food Pantry has remaining funds, what is plan going forward and can this include school family
recipients. Reserve funds for Sept./Oct.?
Senior van still closed and is not tied to state's phases. Senior medical rides provided by Woburn Taxi.
Jean not aware of any other unmet needs. Paul J. reports that North Reading Transportation may be
available also.
3-Town department Plans to bring staff bac request for BOH to review library plans for staff
only, no patrons yet. Phase 3 includes library opening for patrons. DPW submitted revised draft plan.
BOH to provide protocol for health screening form. John to provide school checklist. Eleanor to provide
Merrimack College checklist, Anne Marie to provide BI LH checklist. Eleanor will compile and send to
Jean. Discussion regarding employees that either live out of state or travel out of state on weekends. If
out of state, people are"urged" not mandated to quarantine for 14 days. Bob asks about people
vacationing to high risk states.
BOH to use DPW for general guidelines regarding return to work. Kerry has information from other
Towns.
4-Update on health survey-770 respondents not including seniors who will complete survey from the
18th-25th. Eleanor to share results on a spreadsheet.
5-Community events such as spontaneous gatherings with little or no notice. Electric power to
be left on the Common. Bob ok's if this is safe. Chief Burns to consult with Town electrician.
John Doherty-graduation plan will be forthcoming. Turf 1 opening this week? Basketball courts still
closed but with signage. Port-a-potty still being reviewed by Town Counsel. Bob wants online facts to
residents can look for the answers themselves vs calling.
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Motion by Kevin to adjourn at 11:40 AM
Seconded by Eleanor
Roll Call: Eleanor, yes—Kevin, yes—Paula, yes
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