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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-18 Board of Health Minutes RECEIVED Town of Reading TO ,1l1N CLERK 0 2"2 N"."v lo- Meeting Minutes F' r ;y.I ' r,! a ;4 A . Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2020-06-18 Time: 10:00 AM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: COVID-19 Discussion Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Eleanor Shonkoff, Kevin Sexton, Associate Member Ann Marie Messina Members - Not Present: Others Present: Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Health Agent Laura Vlasuk, Chuck Robinson, Nurse Advocate Elyse Warren, Jenna Fiorente, Kevin Bohmiler, Marie Puglielli, Bob Hayes, Steve Clark, Larry Hurley, Jeff Pierce, Annmarie Rotondo, Mr. Weberly, Mary Giulana, Sharon Gratkau Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Ms. Ann Marie Messina said she has to leave the meeting but will return. The Chair Eleanor Shonkoff called the meeting to order at 10:02 am. Ms. Shonkoff updated the Board and said Kerry Dunnell and Paula Curren are new Board of Health members and will be joining on July 1, 2020. Review of Protocols Reading Recreation Ms. Shonkoff went through the list of applications and started the discussion with Jeff Pierce from Babe Ruth. She brought forward her concern with spectators gathering after the game. Mr. Pierce said gatherings are not encouraged and he will clean up the proposal to reflect this. Ms. Shonkoff said if there is any travel it needs to be within the State or the person will have to self-quarantine for 14 days. Mr. Pierce asked if the policy as written is acceptable and if the teams can start playing the upcoming weekend. Larry Hurley, a member from the softball league asked for clarification if the State requirements are required to be added to the proposed policy. Ms. Shonkoff responded not everyone needs to add the language from the State, some applicants did add the link. Ms. Shonkoff agreed with the language that Bob Hayes read and what he submitted with his application. Ms. Ann Marie Messina suggested Ms. Shonkoff go through the approval steps. Ms. Shonkoff summarized the approval steps and opined a lot of the applications can be approved pending changes if necessary. She said the fields do require permitting and Reading Recreation will need to do their own approval. Steve Clark the representative from Reading Little League was present. Ms. Shonkoff said she wants to make sure the players in the dugout will be practicing social distancing while Page 1 1 waiting to play. Mr. Clark responded the dugout will be extended out down the foul line to help with social distancing. Ms. Shonkoff wanted to make sure there were no inter-team games and no umpires. Mr. Clark agreed those items are Phase III and will resubmit a plan for when games are played. Ms. Shonkoff wanted to make sure it is clear there are no games in Phase II. Mr. Sexton asked how port-o-potties are being handled? Mr. Haye's replied the port-o- potties were removed from the plan. Mr. Sexton said port-o-potties can be available but requested them to be locked when fields are not in use. Mr. Hayes said since social distancing is a requirement why is a list on how it will be maintained on different areas of the playing field necessary? Ms. Shonkoff explained this phase is different on what is allowed and she just wants to make sure coaches understand and can make it clear to the players and the parents. Mr. Hayes said he received a note from the Little League District Manager that stated the State changed to groups of 12 now rather than 10. Ms. Vlasuk confirmed this was changed. Mr. Sexton said the Board is working on information that is changing constantly and the Board cannot discuss outside of a meeting. He agreed there should be a more stream lined process to get the approval process done that could go through the chair and Health Agent. Mr. Sexton continued and said referring to the State as the guidance in the plan makes it easier because when things change the applicant will still be complying and would not need to come back to the Board for approval. Ms. Shonkoff explained the goal of the Board is to establish a system to allow the approval to move more quickly. Ms. Messina left the meeting. Mr. Sexton asked for clarification, does the Board need to vote on each application? Ms. Shonkoff said a motion is not needed which is helpful because the end result is to have Town staff be able to review the application. Mr. Sexton summarized what the Board has decided on the applications already discussed. Ms. Shonkoff requested teams add a log for contact tracing. Mr. Hurley asked if there is something the Board can do in advance pending Phase III approval to allow out of town games so there won't be a delay? Ms. Shonkoff noted this request and explained Phase III should be a faster process. She added some teams already submitted plans for Phase III. Mr. Hurley said he will update his plan to reflect Phase III. Mr. Clark asked for clarification, if he submits the Phase III plan now and the Board approves it he will be all set once the State allows. Mr. Sexton said the Town cannot be more restrictive than the State and people should be able to figure out what is allowed. Mr. Clark said the concern is the time lapse on getting approval from the Town once the State allows Phase III. Ms. Shonkoff said there are different levels of"go" but the Town still needs to permit the fields. She provided some factors on why there have been delays and said going forward the delays should be shorter because the fields are already open and being used. Mr. Sexton said after the meeting the approvals will be forwarded to the Reading Recreation Department so they know the Board approved and can move forward with permitting. Ms. Shonkoff recommended adding the State link to the Phase III plan so the plan will be current even if the State makes changes. The Board agreed the applicant does not have to return to the Board for another approval when the State opens Phase III if they have previously approved the Plan. Mr. Hayes asked if Reading Recreation would need something in writing from the Board once they approve? The Board agreed Ms. Shonkoff can write the approval to Reading Recreation. Ms. Jenna Fiorente, Recreation Administrator said she is available to issue permits as soon as approval from the Board is received. Mr. Sexton said the Board has the authority to be less restrictive than the State and makes decisions based on what is good for Reading. Ms. Shonkoff responded she would want confirmation from Town Counsel that the Board can be less restrictive than the State. Mr. Sexton opined the State is trying to be consistent because of the current health crisis. Normally the Board can be as restrictive as necessary. Ms. Delios said she will follow up with Town Counsel. Mr. Hayes said the port-o-potties won't be needed until Phase III. Mr. Hurley confirmed there will be no spectators allowed in Phase II. Page 1 2 Tax Preparation The Board started the discussion on the tax preparation. Kevin Bohmiller, Community Services Director and Marie Puglielli, Program Coordinator arrived for the meeting. Ms. Annmarie Rotondo, a volunteer of AARP - Income Tax Appointments, was present. She said she has run the tax program for the last eight years and has received approval from AARP to continue the program with the following safety plan: • There will be 8 appointments a day, spaced 45 minutes apart; • Volunteers will go out to the vehicle and pick up the paperwork; • The volunteer(s) who are doing the taxes are the only ones in the building; • There are masks and sanitizer available; • If there are any questions, the volunteer will call the cellphone; and • Permission to file the taxes is done orally Ms. Rotondo said the tax appointments started in Wilmington with no problem and would like to setup appointments at the Pleasant Street Center. Ms. Shonkoff asked, will there be: • A log available for contact tracing; • A routine where the phone will need to be wiped before and after; and • The signage inside and training on protocols for volunteers Ms. Shonkoff said she was concerned about the amount of time elderly will be sitting in their vehicle however it sounds like people are rolling down windows or using air-conditioning. Ms. Rotondo explained the process how the people give their bank account information. She said the same volunteers are planning on returning that were working in March. Mr. Bohmiller said he will make sure there is signage on the protocols. He explained there will be four volunteers and one Town staff in the building - the majority of paperwork will be handled in the parking lot. Mr. Bohmiller, Ms. Puglielli and Ms. Rotondo all thanked the Board for allowing the program to be continued. Reading Recreation The Board returned the discussion back to the teams and reviewed: Moscariello Baseball, Reading United Soccer, Athletic Revolution and Reading Youth Lacrosse. Ms. Shonkoff commented the plan for Reading Youth Lacrosse looks good, and reminded that only one parent spectator is allowed in Phase III. She said the number of players will require a few sessions and recognizes there is a challenge to adhere to the guidelines. Mr. Sexton reiterated referencing the plan back to the State guidelines is the best practice so the plan doesn't have to be changed if the State changes anything. Mr. Webberly from Reading Youth Lacrosse said he will begin working on the Phase III plan. Ms. Fiorente cautioned Phase III is not out yet. Mr. Sexton explained the Board is trying to find ways to streamline the approval process and referencing State guidelines is one way to help. The Board agreed Reading Youth Lacrosse is approved. Ms. Shonkoff said since the remaining Reading Recreation teams are not present, she requested the discussion be moved to the nurses. Nurse - Staff Update Ms. Shonkoff said the nurses are present to discuss the plans for the summer and fall and thoughts about needs for contact tracing. She said Ms. Delios might have an alternative source for the salary. Mr. Sexton pointed out the $22,000 that is noted on the agenda is an error and should be less $7500. It was confirmed $7500 is for the reimbursement of flu vaccine. Ms. Delios explained there is additional money added to the Health Budget FY21 for salary. The Board is allowed to use this money for additional staff. Page 1 3 Ms. Mary Giuliana, RPS Director of Nursing, said she has been working with Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Nurse Advocate Alyse Warren and a couple of school nurses on contact tracing. Dr. Doherty asked her if the nurses are willing to continue with the contact tracing during the summer and fall. She said right now the contact tracing is down from when the pandemic first started and the nurses are willing to continue but asked what will happen in the fall when the nurses go back to the school system and Ms. Warren gets busy with Elder Services? The State has contact tracers who are trained and can pick up the cases if Reading does not do it themselves - she said this is a possibility. Ms. Giuliana talked about the personal outreach currently being done in Reading, and explained the four nurses are point of contact for the Contact Tracing Collaborative. Ms. Shonkoff asked for clarification on how the Contact Tracing Collaborative works. Ms. Giuliana explained the process when a new case is received and the Town does not pick it up from the Maven system, the CTC will pick up the case within 24 hours. Ms. Shonkoff asked if the Town is alerted when the CTC picks up a case? Ms. Warren responded the Town is alerted and it is red in the system. She opined the CTC is a great option and the Town is able to run reports. Ms. Shonkoff asked if there is a delay with the CTC getting the first responders the information? Ms. Warren responded there is not a delay and explained the process. Mr. Sexton said the Town would just need someone to run the report. Ms. Vlasuk asked for clarification on why the Town wouldn't just pick up the cases like they have been? Ms. Warren explained it is not certain on what will be open in the fall and the town is trying to get a plan in place. Ms. Vlasuk cautioned that there is a delay on when the Town is alerted. Ms. Giuliana explained how the process will work and said the Town will have access to each case. She said running a report is much quicker than following up with a resident about their symptoms. Ms. Vlasuk asked Ms. Delios about additional funding for the nurses to do contact tracing. Ms. Delios responded Dr. Doherty and the Town Manager are working out the details. Ms. Vlasuk asked if the nurses would be available after they get out of work? Ms. Giuliana responded it is not best practice to leave cases until after hours and the nurses do not know what is going to happen when the schools open and if additional hours will be required. Ms. Vlasuk commented the nurses might want a part-time job. Ms. Warren said there is no cost for the CTC. Ms. Giuliana responded to Ms. Vlasuk and said there is no concern about HIPAA violation if the CTC does the contact tracing. Ms. Warren said the CTC picks up the cases in the morning. Ms. Giuliana clarified the nurses are willing to do per diem in the summer but not the fall. Mr. Sexton thanked the nurses for the time, and explained the Board had a previous discussion about reaching out to the nurses in the fall to see if anyone wanted to do contact tracing. Ms. Giuliana asked if the position would be a contact tracing position or could the money be used for additional hours for Ms. Harris? Ms. Vlasuk commented she looked into moving Ms. Harris to full-time and the Town cannot afford it. Ms. Delios clarified Ms. Harris has been working additional hours; and agreed a conversation about the Public Health Nurse should happen in the future. Ms. Warren suggested a second part-time nurse. Ms. Vlasuk suggested offering the nurses a part-time per diem position. Ms. Warren suggested two days each for the part-time nurse position. She said per diem sometimes require an "x' amount of hours a month. Mr. Sexton clarified the town is interested in people who want to work extra hours and the position is not a full-time position. Ms. Giuliana reiterated the nurses are willing to help but is not sure they will be available when the town will need it. Ms. Shonkoff summarized the four options for the fall: • CTC Contact Tracing Collaborative; • Hire per-diem nurses; • Volunteers; and • Hire Ms. Harris full-time Mr. Sexton said volunteers is not an option they have to be paid and trained. He opined the concern about the CTC has been alleviated and it appears to be the best option. The Town would need someone to monitor the report. Ms. Warren said she will forward a link from the CTC that shows the process on contact tracing. Ms. Giuliana asked about the job description language. Ms. Delios suggested using the same job description that was used for the Public Health Nurse. Ms. Shonkoff asked if a part-time nurse should be hired. Ms. Delios said after the discussion, she has confidence the plan will not fail in the fall. Ms. Page 1 4 Giuliana asked for an additional person to run the report. Ms. Shonkoff said she thought Ms. Harris was under the impression that there is a delay to the first responders. Ms. Giuliana and Ms. Warren both had a discussion with Ms. Harris and it was agreed if the cases increase and staff cannot handle the cases having the CTC is a good option. Ms. Shonkoff asked if the plan for the fall is use the CTC when needed and hire a per diem part- time nurse? Ms. Delios responded the backup plan is to use the CTC and to be proactive and try to hire someone. Ms. Vlasuk asked what would happen if someone was hired for 10 hours and there was no work? Ms. Delios explained the nurse will be per diem. Ms. Giuliana said she is interested to see if other towns have full-time Public Health Nurses and said it would be good to have someone else be trained on Maven. Ms. Vlasuk said the school nurses would not have to do contact tracing; the CTC or new part-time nurse would be responsible. Ms. Delios opined it is not easy to hire a nurse, but for practicality the existing team and the CTC will be the plan for the fall. Ms. Shonkoff asked Ms. Vlasuk to follow up with the Registered Nurse who contacted the Town to help with contact tracing. Ms. Kerry Dunnell said there are a lot of towns looking for public health nurses and agreed with Ms. Delios it will not easy to hire one part-time. Ms. Giuliana said the nurses are willing to help right now, and will ask the nurses if they are interested in doing contact tracing part-time. Ms. Shonkoff suggested offering the hours to people who are doing it right now but opening it up as a public posting. Ms. Delios suggested advertising the position immediately because of the difficulty hiring right now. Ms. Giuliana said it is difficult to quantify the committed hours needed. Ms. Sharon Grotkau, Reading Public School Nurse affirmed she is available to help in the summer but cannot commit to the fall because of the uncertainty with the pandemic. She opined relying on the CTC is a good plan if the cases cannot be managed by the Town. Ms. Shonkoff said her preference is to share the job description first internally. Mr. Sexton said the posting can be for both internal and external candidates and first preference will go to staff. Ms. Delios asked Ms. Vlasuk to reach out to the nurses to see if they are interested in the position. Ms. Giuliana said she will inform the nurses about the position. Ms. Delios asked that the nurses understand the job will be advertised but the they have first preference. Ms. Giuliana asked how the town nurses should apply for the position? Ms. Delios will follow up with Human Resources as to the best way for the nurses to let the town know they are interested in per diem. The Board and nurses vetted the process on who to contact first if there is an increase in cases in the fall. Mr. Sexton suggested Ms. Giuliana reach out to the nurses to see who is interested and to see who needs to be trained during the summer. The Board thanked the nurses for their work and participation in the discussion. The Board returned to reviewing the protocols. Review of Protocols (continued) Ms. Shonkoff explained to Ms. Vlasuk the Board would like the Health Agent and Health Inspector going forward to take over the review of the plans. Reading Recreation Ms. Shonkoff said the plan for Moscariello Baseball looked good and she only had one comment; fist bumps are not allowed. Mr. Sexton suggested reaching out to say port-o- potties can be available but for their use only. He read the language and said the fist b umps is included. Mr. Sexton said Reading United Soccer has a very comprehensive plan. Ms. Shonkoff said they submitted an addendum and addressed all Boards comments. They both agreed to approve the plan. The Board agreed Reading Soccer is approved with a condition that no travel outside of Massachusetts unless you can self-quarantine for 14 days. She suggested requiring all plans to add the note about the travel. Ms. Fiorente agreed to email the groups to say the BOH approval is for instate only. Page 1 5 Ms. Fiorente informed the Board, Athletic Revolution is a private group for football strength and conditioning. She said they were on the field the other day and staff had to let them know that they were not complying to the State guidelines. Mr. Sexton said the plan needs to be revised to reflect the State guidelines. Ms. Shonkoff said all four criteria needs to be added: cleaning, staffing, hygiene, and social distancing. Ms. Fiorente said she will send them an email to let them know they need to update the plan. Ms. Fiorente said she will forward an email from Reading Lacrosse updating the information as the Board requested. The Board agreed Reading Lacrosse is approved. Mr. Sexton asked for a minute of personal privilege - congratulated Kerry Dunnell on being selected to the BOH and thanked Ms. Shonkoff personally for her kind words to the Select Board on his appointment. He said he is accepting the role as an associate member and is looking forward to working with the new BOH. Ms. Shonkoff thanked Mr. Sexton for staying on the Board and said he brings a valuable contribution. Mr. Sexton said he is willing to do what he can do to help with the current health situation. Ms. Shonkoff said there is a ton of people in Reading who the Board can use as advisors. Mr. Sexton said Ms. Paula Curren can be a member today and does not have to wait until July. Mr. Sexton said he will be giving the Select Board as update at the end of the month. The next BOH meeting will be held on Monday and Ms. Curren can join if sworn in by Town Clerk. Ms. Shonkoff suggested not having a meeting the Thursday before July 4'". Mr. Hurley thanked the Board for all their hard work and help getting the teams permitted. The Board confirmed Reading Recreation is all set to permit the teams to use the fields. Ms. Fiorente said she will send out a formal field schedule and protocols. Health Agent Update Ms. Vlasuk provided the following: . She read the list of businesses that reopened or chose to remain closed for the year; . The inspectors are working on the regular full inspections; . The State waived the 2 a year inspection requirement during the pandemic but Health is still doing inspections if time allows; . She hasn't heard when mosquito spraying will be scheduled but did receive an invoice; and . Maureen Buzby, Regional Tobacco Coordinator and Weight & Measures also submitted an invoice. Ms. Delios said she will work with Ms. Shonkoff on the job description and get it posted. On a motion by Mr. Sexton, and seconded by Ms. Shonkoff, the Board of Health voted to adjourn at 12:23 PM by a vote of 2-0-0. Roll call vote: Kevin Sexton-Yes, Eleanor Shonkoff-Yes. Page 1 6