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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2020-10-01 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren, Richard Lopez; Associate Members:
Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Health Agent Laura Vlasuk, Health
Inspector Daniel Markman, Procurement Officer Allison Jenkins
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Ms. Dunnell welcomed new Associate Member, Geri Cramer, and congratulated Richard
Lopez on being sworn in as a full member.
Public Health Needs Assessment:
At the last meeting, the Board reviewed a draft scope of an internal Health Department
needs assessment. Procurement Officer Allison Jenkins advised the Board to include all of
their requests in the proposal, offered to help distribute the proposal to firms of interest and
track the responses. The Board is requesting an objective assessment that looks at the
functions of the Health Department and the Board of Health, the resources in the
department, information systems, and a comparison of resources and staffing with other
communities. They would also like a report to make recommendations on processes and
staffing, and how to become certified under the Public Health Accreditation Board. The
Board will review the final draft at next week's meeting to approve it and have it distributed.
Ideally, proposals will be due two to three weeks following distribution, with enough time to
decide on a vendor, conduct the assessment, and receive the report by the end of the year.
Once proposals are received, a selection committee, likely consisting of one BOH member,
the Procurement Officer, and the Town Manager, will review the submittals and select the
firm to conduct the assessment. Dr. Lopez volunteered to represent the BOH on the
selection committee. In the interim, the Board agreed there is an immediate need for
additional help for daily operations.
Health Agent Monthly Report:
Health Agent Laura Vlasuk reviewed the Health Division's activities for the month of
September [see attached addendum].
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There are 17 current active cases of COVID, but no clusters.
A flu clinic was conducted at Coolidge Middle School, where 300 people were vaccinated.
Another flu clinic is scheduled for the Senior Center on October 20th and 22"d by
appointment only. Ms. Vlasuk stated that she hopes to get enough in the next shipment to
run another flu clinic.
COVID-19 Updates:
Command 9/28/2020
Ms. Curren represented the Board of Health at the Incident Command meeting on
September 28th and shared a summary with the Board.
School nurses assisted with contact tracing over the summer. Now that school is back in
session, only one school nurse has been helping with contact tracing on Saturdays.
Reading Public Schools is beginning a phased in return for students beginning the week of
October 13th with 21d, 6th, 7th and 8th graders using hybrid models. The plan is to have all
students return by October 30th. The biggest problem has been trying to fill positions for
teachers.
Incident Command requested that the BOH discuss and make a recommendation on trick-
or-treating in the community.
Some teachers at the High School were planning a vigil for Breonna Taylor, but put the plan
on hold until they could get further information on gatherings.
There has been some difficulty in meeting food needs for people in town. The distribution
program run at the High School is scheduled to run out on December 3V, so there will need
to be discussion on how to manage providing meals to those in need.
There is a drive-by event at the Senior Center scheduled for October 14th to distribute gift
bags and let seniors in town know that the staff is there to help with any needs. Gift bags
will also be delivered to seniors who are homebound.
There is a rotary classic car event on October 14th, which will not be stopping and will have
no gathering.
Guidance on Halloween
The board discussed the State's guidance for trick-or-treating this Halloween. While it
largely discouraged trick-or-treating, the state recommends going in family groups, rather
than neighborhood groups, if going at all. The Board agreed that repeated door contact is a
great concern and that it would be best to skip trick-or-treating this year. The CDC
guidelines are also very lengthy, and the Board agreed to get assistance from Business
Manager Jayne Wellman to provide a summary graphic with CDC recommendations for
trick-or-treating for distribution in schools, on the Town website and social media.
Civic Function and Recreations Permits
Ms. Curren and Ms. Vlasuk continue to review applications for Civic Functions and
Recreation activities for COVID safety.
Other Events
The Board discussed other events in Town for which they have been asked to provide
guidance.
Scouts have been having meetings and events at the Town Forest.
The Library staff plans to come to the Board about functioning under Phase 3 Step 2 at 50%
capacity.
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The Quannapowitt Players plan to host an event with actors in conjunction with a movie.
Patrons will park at Harrows and view the performance from the parking lot, which will be
setup in pods.
The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce is also planning some upcoming events
including: Saturday Sidewalk Sales, Santa parade, and Tree Lighting.
Discussion of How the BOH Plans to Review Draft Minutes:
The Board has scheduled a meeting on October 8th, which was called specifically to address
outstanding meeting minutes. Ms. Delos delivered thumb drives to members with 19 sets
of minutes to review and return to staff with comments. The changes will be highlighted
and reviewed at the meeting for the Board to discuss and approve.
Board of Health Meeting Schedule and Agendas
The meeting scheduled for October 8th, which was scheduled solely for the review of
minutes, will have the Needs Assessment final review added to the agenda.
The meeting scheduled for October 15th will include: a visit from the Town Manager to
discuss opening up buildings and hiring a supplemental staff person for the Health
Department; a discussion with the Town Clerk to review the revised Field House plan for the
November V election; and reorganization of the Board.
The Board will continue to meet twice per month on the first and third Thursdays, with
Incident Command scheduled to meet the Mondays prior to BOH meetings. Ms. Dunnell
volunteered to continue to be the BOH representative at Command and Select Board
meetings unless someone else is interested.
On a motion by Dr. Lopez and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:53 pm.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
ADDENDUM:September monthly report
Attended BOH meetings and meeting with BOH member
Reported weekly COVID cases total to Incident Command and BOH every
Wednesday.
Reported daily addresses to first responders to insure safety
Attended DPH calls 2 times per week
Attended a weekly emergency preparedness call
Reviewed Recreation department permit with Paula
Met with my inspectors and nurses as needed
Entered payroll
Maintained vacation and sick time and insuring coverage, took a week off
Reviewed guidelines that were released by DPH
Conducted, address, reviewed or assisted on complaints
approved millage reimbursement request
ran 2 complete maven audits with the nurses
Responded to HANN alerts
Received flu shots and began ran flu clinics at
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Fire station, Police station and Coolidge School totaling 370 shots
Met with the state regarding deliverables
Distributed information to the BOH
Updated and formatted minutes
Maintained data base that tracked BOH minutes
Nurse had 3 TB cases, 1 Hep C, 13 new COVID cases
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