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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-13 Board of Health Minutes RECEIVE Town of Reading TC':NN CLERK 9 X Meeting MinutesA . u AM 11: GG Board - committee - commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2020-07-13 Time: 9:00 AM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: COVID-19 Discussion Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Eleanor Shonkoff, Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren Associate Member Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Others Present: Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Health Agent Laura Vlasuk,Chief David Clark, Amy Lannon , Town Manager Robert LeLacheur, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Assistant Fire Chief Paul Jackson, DPW Director]ane Kinsella, Mark Dockser Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom._ The Chair Eleanor Shonkoff called the meeting to order at 09:02 am. Municipal Buildings The Board held a discussion with Town Manager Robert LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Police Chief David Clark, Fire Chief Greg Burns, Assistant Fire Chief Paul Jackson, DPW Director Jane Kinsella and Library Director Amy Lannon about the required protocols and opening the municipal buildings that include: Fire Department, DPW garage, Town Hall, Pleasant Street Center, Library, Police Department and Matera Cabin. Ms. Dunnell asked if there is a need to open municipal buildings? Chief Clark responded the police building is not closed to the public, but to keep the foot traffic down he would like the compost and parking stickers not be sold at this time. Ms. Delios will forward the spreadsheet showing what buildings are open and closed and what action the Board took. Chief Jackson said Fire has been working with facilities to install plexiglass downstairs which will allow staff to be able to meet with the public in the lobby. He said he will send comments where Fire is and how they would like to move forward. Chief Burns echoed Chief Jackson's comment; Fire is not looking to open their building to the public only the lobby area. He said inspections in the home have been relaxed and are required by law. There is a detail policy on inspections and EMS responses. Ms. Kinsella said she is not interested in opening the Town garage. The need for residents to come into the garage is not really necessary. Recycling bins can be picked up at the outside building and residents can drop off recycling. The Engineering and DPW administration at Town Hall has continued services; they are meeting people outside and no one comes into the building. Ms. Shonkoff said Kevin Bohmiller has previously said he is not looking to open the Pleasant Street Center to the public anytime soon and the senior van is in progress and intends to Page 1 1 install plexiglass. Ms. Delios said requests for the van have increased and would like to offer it for limited number of people. Ms. Lannon said the library is in Phase II because it offers curbside, but not fully implemented because people don't come in to the library out of the weather. She said staff is unsure about Phase III but would like people to come in to pick up the books that they have put on hold. Ms. Shonkoff said the Board has to lift the previous order to close the building. Ms. Lannon talked about the guidelines that are available for the library and what ones are being followed. Ms. Curren said she read the library plan and it is very comprehensive and feels comfortable to reopen the library. Ms. Dunnell said she is in the process of reviewing the library guidelines, however, didn't find anything wrong with the plan. Ms. Lannon asked if and when something comes up about local health could she be notified so she can adjust her protocols if needed. On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted to reopen the library to the public as outlined by the Library Director, Amy Lannon by a vote of 3-0-0. Roll call vote: Eleanor Shonkoff-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes Ms. Shonkoff asked if there was any comments or questions or is there anything else the Board should consider? Ms. Curren said the Board will review the template at the next meeting to simplify the process. Mr. LeLacheur said staff is dealing with the people by meeting people in the parking lot, by email and electronically. He said he has no desire to open the building as it was in the past and allow the socializing. Mr. Dockser, Chair of the Select Board, requested clear policies be available on the website so people know the protocols if they do need to come to the Town Hall. Ms. Lannon said an area of the bottom level of the library will be used for early voting. She said Town Clerk is working on the plan Ms. Shonkoff asked the Board be available after the Command Meeting to continue with remaining items on the agenda. Command Meetina The Board of Health joined the Command Meeting at 11:20 AM. The BOH returned to the regular meeting after Command ended. Ms. Shonkoff said the remaining agenda items are: port-o-potties, body art inspections forms and training, and posting demographic information on the website. Health Acient Uodate Ms. Shonkoff said Ms. Vlasuk shared with her the Health Agent Update earlier this week. She said since the report wasn't received last Monday, the report can be weekly on Thursday. Ms. Vlasuk said the following: • Reports the Covid-19 cases on Wednesday and gives the Chair a breakdown on the daily; • Attended DPH and the Emergency Preparedness Meeting; • Review State Guidelines that are released; • Sent the Guideline Checklist and Inspection Report for Tattoos to the BOH; • Attended a meeting; • Approved with Reading Recreation the SNL 2020 program; • Keeping up with camps; • Discussion with Chair how to report food inspections; • Approved men's league practicing on Thursday nights at Austin Prep that did not need the BOH approval; and • Mosquito spraying Ms. Dunnell said she would like to receive the Health Agent Update in writing. Body Art Inspection Sheet and Trainina Page 1 2 Ms. Shonkoff said the Health Department received the first application for a new tattoo business, and there was no guidance how to inspect. Dan Markman, Health Inspector, was familiar and created an inspection form template. Mr. Markman reviewed what he adjusted on the State Body Art Inspection form to fit Reading. Ms. Dunnell asked if Mr. Markman knew the reason Westford guidelines didn't model Cambridge and Quincy? Mr. Markman replied he didn't know. She said there is a catalog of trainings for local public health and there are courses available about body art. Mr. Markman said it has been two years since he has taken the body art class and would be interested in taking the class again. Ms. Dunnell will forward Mass Local Public Health Institute information to Ms. Vlasuk and Mr. Markman. Mr. Markman said he didn't complete the inspection form -the Town water mark is needed and other little things. Ms. Delios asked if the Zoning Bylaw was checked regarding body art and asked if Mr. Markman reached out to the Planning staff to see if it is allowed? Mr. Markman said he will reach out to the Planning staff. Ms. Shonkoff asked if the BOH could still approve the form? After a discussion, it was decided to table the approval until the zoning question was answered. Port-o-Potties Ms. Shonkoff asked Ms. Vlasuk for further detail about the port-o-potties email she received. Ms. Vlasuk asked if port-o-potties are being permitted? Ms. Shonkoff said the only time it has come up is with teams, and standard cleaning and sanitizing after each use is needed. Ms. Delios showed the Governors Order on the screen. Ms. Dunnell said there was a discussion if port-or-potties can be available when the golf courses opened - she doesn't recall a no port-o-potties rule. Ms. Shonkoff asked if the Board feels comfortable to allow one in the town forest and at the Wood End Elementary School for an upcoming event; and reiterated the Board recommends standard cleaning and sanitizing after each use. The Board approved allowing port-o-potties. Demoarauhics on Website Ms. Shonkoff discussed adding the demographics that are on the State website to the town website. She said the Board wants to provide information that is requested but asked Ms. Vlasuk if this is feasible? Ms. Vlasuk said age is not an issue but to know the sex is difficult. Mr. Sexton said if it can't be accurate don't add it. Ms. Vlasuk said she has no concerns adding this information to the website. Ms. Shonkoff asked how it should be shown - by chart or table? Ms. Vlasuk asked for clarification on what should be reported. The Board discussed why someone would want to see the deaths broken down by age and how to achieve gathering the data. The Board decided gathering the data is difficult and recommended to link the "Massachusetts Covid-19 Response" to the website. Ms. Dunnell will send the link to Ms. Vlasuk to get it posted on the website. Ms. Shonkoff said she would like make sure the town is monitoring where the people are getting their exposures from and the Board should be updated with this information. Ms. Vlasuk cautioned it is difficult to report unless there is a cluster. Ms. Shonkoff said she would like to keep monitoring. Food Inspections Ms. Vlasuk asked about reporting the food inspections? Ms. Shonkoff said it was decided Ms. Vlasuk would scan in the food inspections and report them to the Board. The name of the restaurant won't be brought up unless it becomes a concern. Ms. Vlasuk said other towns do not review every inspection report and recommended a class by Cheryl Sbarra, Attorney for Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. Ms. Shonkoff said she reached out to the MAHB for best practices; and requested Ms. Vlasuk to forward the food inspections to the Board. Ms. Dunnell said she is interested in a standard monthly report and provided what type of information. She said she wasn't aware the State lifted the requirement for semi-annual inspection and will have to look into it. Ms. Shonkoff said she isn't looking for a decision on food inspections now but the conversation should be continued. Ms. Vlasuk asked for clarification and if she should send the food inspections to the Board. Ms. Page 1 3 Shonkoff said the Board should receive the same format as previously until a decision is made. Ms. Vlasuk said the State recommended to hold off the semi-annual inspection because of the amount of Covid-19. Preschool Graduation Ms. Shonkoff said she received an inquiry about a pre-school graduation and said she wasn't comfortable deciding for the whole board. She forwarded the guidance the high school received. Ms. Curren asked the following: • Is the graduation inside or outside; • Entrance and exit protocol; • Gathering for photos; and • Concern about preschool walking with masks Ms. Dunnell said she has concerns and asked about the number of people related to inside or outside event. How is the preschool keeping people from gathering and separating families? Mr. Sexton cautioned it sounds like we are allowing an exemption for the high school graduation that doesn't sound like it is appropriate for preschool. Environmental Consultants Ms. Shonkoff said Ms. Vlasuk received an email from the Town Manager that was sent from Environmental Consultants. The Board decided it was informational and should be filed. Close Contact Services Guidance Ms. Shonkoff said in Phase II the Board discussed contacting the people who have close contact personal services, and by the time the contact information became available Phase III was opened. She asked if the inspectors should stop in and do spot checks. Ms. Delios asked about what type of services? Ms. Shonkoff said massage therapy and physical therapy for an example. Ms. Delios said Planning is building a more robust database and the Town might have this information. Ms. Vlasuk said the types of businesses are nail and hair salons etc. Ms. Delios said the Community Development Director Julie Mercier is working on a "blocks" database. Ms. Shonkoff said the list the Health Agent received should be cross-checked with the Planning databases and to send updated guidance to the close contact personal services. Ms. Delios said there are two admin staff working exclusively on Building and the new software but can figure out something for staffing. Ms. Shonkoff said it sounds like it is approximately 24 businesses who should receive Phase III Guidelines. Ms. Vlasuk said the Health Department does not oversee hairdressers so she recommended a letter be sent from the Chair. Ms. Curren asked if the State sent out the letter? Ms. Vlasuk said her hair dresser received the letter. Ms. Delios suggested the Board should defer to the actual licensing body who inspects the businesses. Ms. Shonkoff said she wants to make sure the businesses are getting the guidance. Other Ms. Shonkoff said she is trying to think about how to best setup for the BOH moving forward and asked the Board for an opinion on how to be setup to be successful. Ms. Delios said she will be out at the end of August, and asked the Board reorganization be done before she leaves. Ms. Curren said she doesn't have a full sense of all the Chair does. Ms. Shonkoff said the MAHB will be useful to help with best practices. Mr. Sexton suggested separating the pandemic crisis from regular BOH duties. The pandemic should be discussed Monday and Thursday and once a month BOH meeting. Ms. Dunnell agreed with Mr. Sexton and said she doesn't know what the typical practice is for the BOH. She said would be interested to know what is helpful for staff and asked them to think about the answer before responding. Ms. Delios said she will post the meetings until the end of August, and said she is willing to help with scheduling. Ms. Shonkoff said this discussion should be continued and asked Ms. Vlasuk for her opinion. Page 1 4 Minutes The Board did not review minutes On a motion by Ms. Curren and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted to adjourn at 11:15 AM by a vote of 3-0-0. Roll call vote: Eleanor Shonkoff-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes Page 1 5