HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-06 Board of Health Minutes Town of Reading K E C E i V E u
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: H21 RUV 16 AM 11: 07
Board of Health
Date: 2020-08-06 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Eleanor Tate Shonkoff, Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren; Associate
Members: Richard Lopez, Kevin Sexton
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Health Agent Laura Vlasuk, Emmy
Dove, Bernice Svedlow
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Eleanor Tate Shonkoff called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Meetina Postinas:
As COVID discussions are decreasing, and in an effort to return to normal meetings, the
Board discussed and agreed that instead of posting meetings weeks in advance, more
detailed agendas should be posted at least 48 hours in advance of a meeting. Additional
materials or readings will be distributed to the Board 48 hours in advance to give them time
to review. Going forward, Monday meetings will be dedicated to COVID discussion, and
Thursdays will include any other items the Board would like to address. Health Agent
reports will be given on the first Thursday each month.
Master Plan:
The Board discussed the need for a Community Needs Assessment and a Community Health
Improvement Plan. During the pandemic, the Health Division staff and Board have tried to
ensure that everything gets addressed in a timely manner, which has led to some overlap of
efforts. Ms. Shonkoff noted that it may be beneficial to add some support staff, like a
Health Director and an Administrative Assistant, to help ease the burden during COVID and
beyond. Former Chair, Emmy Dove, was in attendance and provided some background of
why the Board felt there was a need for more staff support, even prior to the pandemic.
The goal is to add staff, not eliminate any positions. The Board would like to get a better
understanding of roles, responsibilities, and job descriptions in order to add appropriate
staff. The Board asked Ms. Vlasuk and Mr. Markman to provide a list of all their tasks for
discussion at the upcoming August 201h meeting.
COVID-19 Discussion:
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Town of Reading
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At a recent Command meeting, a post card mailing to residents encouraging mail-in voting
was approved. The Board was asked to vote to approve funding for the post cards, and to
issue a press release with information for mail-in voting. Ms. Vlasuk will send the draft
press release to the Board members and the draft will be reviewed at the next meeting on
August 10th.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Shonkoff, the Board of Health
voted 3-0-0 to approve using the Health Clinic Revolving Fund for the post card
and postage.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Eleanor Shonkoff-Yes.
Enforcement:
Ms. Shonkoff stated that she is still waiting to hear back from Town Counsel regarding
whether there is any special consideration for COVID enforcement. Mr. Markman
volunteered to compile the list of Governor's orders that specify that enforcement is the
responsibility of the local Board of Health, and which ones are reserved for the State to
enforce, other than the travel ban.
Meetina Minutes:
No minutes were approved. Ms. Vlasuk will send amended drafts of minutes to the Board
for the meetings of June 8, 2020, June 15, 2020, June 22, 2020, July 6, 2020, July 16,
2020, and July 30, 2020 to be reviewed at the upcoming meeting on August 13th.
Ms. Shonkoff announced that she will be resigning from the Board of Health effective August
171h, as the time commitment will interfere with her professional role. A reorganization of
the Board is on the agenda for the upcoming meeting on August 17th. The Board members
expressed their sadness at her departure, but also their appreciation for her service.
On a motion by Ms. Dunnell, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health
voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:54 pm.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Eleanor
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