HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-15 Board of Health Minutes E IVcU
r ;i; ^,rN CLERK
Town of Reading .,.fA..
3 s Meeting Minutes
9; 08
Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2020-10-15 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, Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Health
Director Peter Mirandi, Health Agent Laura Vlasuk, Kevin Vent, Town Clerk
Laura Gemme
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
The meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Public Comment:
There was no comment from the public.
Town Manaaer Discussion with the Board:
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur began by introducing the new Interim Health Director, Peter
Mirandi. Mr. Mirandi is the retired Health Director for the Town of Danvers and comes to
Reading to support the Health Division and Board of Health.
Mr. LeLacheur continued with an overview of the budget process and the budget for the
Health Department. Typically, the process begins in August and September. Department
Heads meet with the Town Manager in November, then present to the Select Board in
December. The Select Board provides their feedback, then the Town Manager works with
Department Heads to review how much has been requested and what can be cut. The
School Committee votes in late January. The combined Town and School budgets are then
submitted to the Finance Committee, Finance Committee meets weekly for three to four
weeks beginning in February to review and make recommendations. Finance Committee
recommendations go to Town Meeting, and Town Meeting has the final say on the budget.
Between now and early December, Ms. Delios will work with the division heads in her
department to gather their thoughts. Departments will have the opportunity to present
whatever requests they want to the Select Board. While the current staffing needs
assessment will not be complete before the December Select Board meetings, the request
can still be presented. In the current year, $30,000 have been added for Health wages.
Page I 1
For November Town Meeting, an additional $50,000 in wages and $20,000 for expenses
have been requested for the Health Division. A strategy for funding COVID expenses next
year has not yet been discussed.
Mr. Lel-acheur also requested to visit with the Board again at the November 5th meeting to
discuss reopening Town Hall. The building has been closed to the public since the start of
the pandemic. While there is not a heavy demand from the public to reopen, and it is not
an urgent need, he would like to allow the public back into the building and would like
guidance from the Board.
Election Day Preparations:
Town Clerk Laura Gemme reviewed minor changes to the plan for Election Day. Precincts
one through four were originally supposed to enter through a different door than precincts
five through eight. All precincts will now enter through the same door by way of two lines.
Two election workers with radios will be inside to connect with one election worker in the
lobby to communicate openings in each precinct. Exits will be on the far side of the building
with different exits for precinct one through four voters and five through eight voters.
Chains will be in place to guide voters out and prevent wandering. There will be the usual
Police Officer inside as well as additional officers outside to assist with line and crowd
control. Tents will be used outside of the entrances to assist with signage and provide
coverage in the event of inclement weather.
Discussion of Supplemental Services Needed:
The Board discussed the role of supplemental services to support the department in its
current state. The biggest burden has been managing COVID on top of the food inspections
and routine things for which the Health Department is responsible. Other issues raised
included: COVID issues, grant writing, workflow processes, documentation, contact tracing,
and software utilization. Mr. Mirandi and Ms. Delios will work together ahead of the next
meeting to come up with an outline to help advise the Board on how it wants to operate.
COVID-19 Updates:
Incident Command Update:
Ms. Curren reviewed topics covered at the last Incident Command meeting on October 13th.
Most of the discussion was regarding use of school property for games and recreation, as
well as schools using their own property for things like drama club, band, and chorus.
There has not been a lot of guidance for interscholastic games between high COVID case
"red"communities and other lower rate"yellow" and "green"communities. Ms. Dunnell
volunteered to contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to ask about
guidance. There has been mounting pressure from parents to reopen schools. But hiring
teachers and space for adequate social distancing remain issues.
[See Addendums for Incident Command meeting minutes of October 5, 2020 and October
13, 2020]
Civic Function and Recreation Permit Requests
Ms. Curren and Ms. Vlasuk noted that the review process has been working well. Only one
activity was denied because it was requested for the same time and location as another
event, which would have exceeded the gathering limitations.
Halloween
Ms. Dunnell stated that she had worked with Business Administrator Jayne Wellman and
Command to create a notice based on CDC guidelines for Trick-or-Treating and lower risk
alternatives. The notice is now on the website.
Ms. Curren had also worked with Jayne Wellman to draft a press release to remind residents
of, and encourage them to continue practicing, COVID protocols. The draft was sent to
Board members who will send any comments to Ms. Wellman. The Board will review the
changes, then share the draft with Command.
Board of Health Meeting Schedule and Agenda Items:
Page 1 2
Ms. Dunnell reviewed items from the draft agenda for the next meeting on November 5`6.
Topics include: review of the press release, review of minutes, discussion with School
Superintendent Dr. Doherty, discussion with Mr. Mirandi and Ms. Delios, Agent Report,
COVID-19, results of the staffing needs assessment request for quotes, and discussion with
the Town Manager. Given the volume of topics, the Board agreed to begin the meeting at
6:00 pm.
The next meeting after November 51" will be November 19`", keeping with the schedule of
meeting on the first and third Thursdays of the month, with Command meetings held the
Mondays preceding. Ms. Dunnell volunteered to continue to represent the Board at
Command meetings. She also volunteered to handle the COVID update at the next Select
Board meeting, and noted she would be happy to pass future Select Board updates to
another member.
Reorganization:
Ms. Dunnell opened the floor for nominations for a new Chair.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health
appointed Richard Lopez as Chair by a vote of 3-0-0.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Other Business:
The Board discussed Town Meeting approving a Charter change to increase the number of
voting members on the Board of Health from three to five and agreed in favor, with
agreement by the Associate Members. Ms. Delios encouraged the Board to vote in support
of the recommendation for the Charter change, and to appoint Mr. Mirandi as an agent of
the Board. Mr. LeLacheur explained that the request to increase the number of voting BOH
Members is currently before the Bylaw Committee. Though it is a complicated process, and
likely might not happen next spring, a vote by the BOH in support of the instructional
motion can be helpful.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Dr. Lopez, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to support the instructional motion before the Bylaw Committee to increase
the membership of the Board of Health to five voting members.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
On a motion by Ms. Dunnell, and seconded by Dr. Lopez, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to appoint Peter Mirandi, Interim Health Director, to act as a Health Agent
for the Board of Health, pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 111 Sec. 30, equipped with all the
powers and responsibilities of Health Director in the community.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Dr. Lopez, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to adjourn at 9:08 pm.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Page 1 3
Addendum 1:
Reading COVID- 19
Command Meeting Agenda
October 5, 2020
Attendance:
Mark Dockser,Chair,Select Board
Kerry Dunnell, Chair, BOH
Bob LeLacheur,Town Manager
Jean Delios,Assistant Town Manager
Greg Burns, Fire Chief
David Clark, Police Chief
Paul Jackson,Asst Fire Chief
Gail Dowd,Chief Finance Officer, School Dept
Town Clerk Laura Gemme
Jayne Wellman,Business Administrator, PIO
First Order of Business:
Town Clerk Election 2020 Matters:
1. Goal 8: Review community events for safety and provide planning assistance when appropriate.
a. Changes to setup at RMHS Field House for November 3rd Presidential election(also flow
outside the building should be reviewed)
b. Early voting at the Library from October 17th to October 30th.
c. Distribution of Town Meeting Warrant Report to members(week of October 19th)
d. Voter registration Saturday October 24th 2-4pm at the Library and 6-8pm at Town Hall.
Town Clerk Laura Germane:
NOV 3 RMHS Fieldhouse
Showing layout for the Nov 3 Presidential Election at RMHS Fieldhouse.Her proposed layout aims to
streamline entrances for all precincts and also for accessibility. It also aims to reduce people wandering
all over the building,as they did Sept 1. Queuing will be in the lobby and into the parking lot. Can't have
lines for each precinct and no social distancing and too many people in that small area.
• Lots of folks not knowing their precinct to vote is challenging. We had message boards up in
Sept,but they didn't know what precinct they live in.
• Jean Delius: wanted to know if property tax workers help with any of this?They aren't used for
election day because they have to be paid for election day.
• Fire Dept will get radios out to Laura for use by Election Workers.
• Discussion about how to manage queuing for voters who are outside on Nov 3. Decision not to
use pop up tents as they are gathering places and don't promote social distancing. Planning will
provide pop-up tents for queueing outside.
• Jean Delius suggested giving out inexpensive plastic ponchos.
• Mark Dockser suggested talking to local banks to see if they have a stock of umbrellas to give
away.
• Daily update could include admonitions to be prepared to wait in the rain,wear appropriate
clothing,
• Put the Precinct Maps outside, in lobby, and promote online so that folks know where their
precincts are.
• Discussion on communications—Jayne to manage most channels,possibly using light boards,
and Kevin to push out to COA members, and also through the SB packet.
At Library for EARLY VOTING:
Laura explained flow through for voters to enter at the School St.entrance and keeps them out of the
library patrons. They are separated and social distancing is provided.They will enter the main School St
Page 1 4
entrance and exit from the community room exit.Accessible entrance will still be the main entrance from
the parking lot.
• Also a drop off ballot box for mail-in ballots to be returned. Mark Dockser asked if we can
provide a drive through box.The state has allowed us to buy a box,but it has to be secured,
locked,and cannot be driven away.
• Kerry wanted to know if any needed to come back to the BOH for review. She will share the
details.
• Bob can share it on October 15th at a BOH meeting.
DISCUSSION OF BLM MARCH:
The Black Lives Matter march is now scheduled on October 24th(Rain Date October 25th)from 4:00 pm
to 7:00 pm.
Discussion of community marches and demonstrations. What is the level of support or planning required
to have safe events.
Should not impact Voter Registration from 6-8PM at Town Hall on 10/24 per Laura Gemme.
Extended discussion regarding the march and traffic safety. Chief Clark expressed reservations at the two-
way(RMHS-Town Hall, two groups)march and requirement to shut down Lowell Street(rte 129)2-4
times.
Mark Dockser—can we communicate back that there may be a preferred route for different routes, allow
for marching, and not require crossing across 129. Can we suggest a preferred opportunity space?Don't
want to impact downtown businesses. Chief cautions because would also require working with MBTA
and train and buses.
This group, led by students, has not held an event.
Rain date—if staff are scheduled, it can require the staff to have to be paid for OT.
HRAC wants to have them self-marshal,keep people on the sidewalks,etc.
And others comment that there is too much police presence.
Birch Meadow area is always the first choice. Also,the skating rink area, music events have done well
there.
If they want to have a rally,there are plenty of places.
Chief Clark has to have a plan in place if marchers want to sit on the road and shut it down,and therefore
what to do with trucks. Also, a plan has to be in place for a`counter-protest'.
Would like to have more communication or a meeting with these groups—need more information. Bob is
reaching out to them and will try to set up a meeting and potentially do a Zoom call.
Mark is wondering if there are other forums thanjust the march.
Gail will let Tom and Kate know that this is likely to go on and that there will be a lot of cars looking to
park there.
Managing Recreation and other Event Requests:
Bob—what can we do to help?Backlog of recreation requests for all kinds of things.
Jean—we have the tools,through OpenGov,then we can go back and forth internally before going back
to the requestor.
Meeting with Health and using this tool more. Public Health staff does not embrace this tool. Trying to go
forward with this tool. Everyone is on iPads,no paper,everyone is automated, process flow works very
Page 1 5
well,OpenGov will not allow a volunteer board member to participate in this software,but could develop
a work-around to help manage internal communication.
Events, field use, outdoor performance, and town forest.
Did Sidewalk sale happen?
Lisa Egan wanted to have a sidewalk sale every weekend in October. Bob asked for a map and a
notification from every abutter impacted to indicate in writing that they are ok.None of that was
provided. Bob gave permission for tomorrow only,thus far. Lisa Egan said we'll see if anyone still wants
to do it.
Jean—she told Lisa that the downtown retailers already did this once, so just do the same process. Tents,
civic function permit, etc.
Lisa gives giving a list of vendors,have them send an email saying its ok to put stuff in front of the store.
Jean is going to reach out to Lisa as well and see if she can get some more info.
Mark suggested about how to talk to downtown area people en masse again. Wait until after November.
FLU CLINIC
Debrief scheduled tomorrow for detail with Deputy Chief Paul Jackson.
Chief Bums indicated it went well all things considered.
The site made it a little more difficult, as queueing in the parking lot,and other lines for youth sports
going on as well.
More people are needed for cleaning,and having someone to prep shots for the nurses. Working with the
town to put the forms online so that they don't need to fill them out when they get there. So once those
items are nailed down, Planning will sort out some of that.
Jean—there is a meeting tomorrow morning to work on some of this in prep for the flu clinic at the
pleasant street center.
Jean is worried about the number of seniors that are going to come out,and she wants to make sure folks
are going to social distance while waiting outside. Jean noted that while she was standing in line, people
weren't social distancing.
Is there a way to ensure this for seniors?
What is the time of the two events?
Cases Spiking:
Cases are starting to skew younger.None associated with school reopening. Hockey seems to be a
common denominator.They are getting some complaints about masking at the rink here in town,its
common across the state.
People are getting COVID fatigue,and more relaxed with the gatherings.
It is not the college aged kids,the universities are doing well. Tufts is 0.05%since August. BU is close to
that.They are in their bubbles and doing well. Bob pointed out the poor example set by the NFL in
rescheduling the Patriots-KC game, and the impact that had locally. It's a risky time,and Kerry is pretty
angry this weekend, lots of flouting of the science and the things that we know work. Masks work. Death
rate has gone down, but that is really minimizing the impact of the disease. Some folks bounce back,
some are long haulers and have other challenges 6 weeks after recovering. We still don't know the long-
term health implications.
Requests to put up signs to have folks masks in parks,etc
An exposure means they need to quarantine. If you are a close contact of a close contact,you don't have
to quarantine.
Page 16
You cannot test out of quarantine. So incubation period is 14 days. But negative tests and no symptoms—
Ken y is saying that you cannot test out of quarantine. But unclear about travelers.There is big difference
between definite and presumptive exposure. There is a difference between close contact,and close contact
of a close contact.[1I119/2020 Board of Health meeting clarification:Travel policy making people
unclear about quarantine]
Communications?Kerry wants to get something out.
We have to talk about Halloween. Everyone wants to know about Halloween.
The agreement was to follow the CDC guidance. Small groups.
Clear,simple communication.
BLEACHERS—
They are closed, and will remain closed,even though sports is reopening.Cannot clean them,cannot
police them, so they will remain closed. Kerry supports this decision.
Someone will go out and look at parks and play areas,esp when there are events happening. Schools are
not using the bleachers,but the turf fields are only open for
Athletics and Rise preschoolers.Fields are not open to other organizations.
Good on the bleachers.
Page 1 J
Addendum 2:
Reading COVID- 19
Command Meeting Agenda
October 13, 2020
Attendance:
Select Board:
Mark Dockser,Chair
Board of Health:
Paula Curren
Staff:
Bob LeLacheur,Town Manager
Jean Delius,Assistant Town Manager
Greg Burns,Fire Chief
Paul Jackson, Deputy Fire Chief
David Clark,Police Chief
John Doherty, Superintendent of Schools
Gail Dowd, Chief Financial Officer, School Dept
Genevieve Fimente, Recreation Director
Jayne Wellman, Business Administrator
School Sporting Events:
John Doherty—we need clarification,not a lot of guidance from the state on interscholastic athletic
events. Discussion of following:
Proposal from School Department:
Guidelines for Athletic Contests During COVID-19
Reading Memorial High School will participate in Athletic contests under the following conditions:
1. If both districts/communities are designated as green or yellow with no known High School cases.
2. If one district/community is designated as red for the first or second week and there are no known High
School cases.
Schools will not participate in Athletic contests under the following conditions:
1.There are known High School cases at either school,regardless of district/community designation.The
Superintendent, Principal or Athletic Director will receive information from the other district regarding
school cases.
2.One or both communities have been red for three weeks or more.
Spectators will not be allowed to attend if the following occurs:
1. Either community is designated as red,regardless of the number of weeks.
In addition,we would advise both players and spectators not to attend events involving other districts that
may fit the above criteria.
Discussion that some communities are designated RED from outbreaks at colleges and prisons, not just
through community spread.
Enforcement of spectators is hard. Basically, it's an honor system. Limit of 50 is not posted anywhere.
Everyone is comfortable with this policy.
Recreation
Recreation is requesting to use school sporting facilities and there are some potential issues.
Page 1 d
Kevin Bohmiller:Jean asked that staff go out and review that folks are following Covid precautions.
Shannon Fratto went out and was pleased with the compliance from participants and spectators. Outside
sports are coming to an end(weather), and kids are going to need something to do.
Jenna Fioreme: Assumes not be able to run travel basketball,or Sunday basketball with the 500 kids
every Sunday,and they are interested in knowing if they can run a smaller BBall skills and drills once a
week, a classroom-based class once a week. Monitoring compliance with masks and social distancing.
There are programs running outside, and they are monitored weekly. Complying with precautions is going
well. Staff are willing to go oversee vendors,which takes the onus off Facilities personnel.
Gail—the challenges we face that are the classrooms are set up specifically for 6' separations and so
forth.And as such, stuff cannot be moved around the classrooms,which is part of the reason they are not
renting to anyone. They are doing deep cleaning and sanitizing on Fridays. Having classrooms used after
hours means they have to sanitize the classrooms—they would now need to hire a custodian just for the
event in the building. Hours have been shifted to manage Covid situations. Schools don't really have the
staffing. All the gyms are also set up as cafeterias because they cannot get everyone into the cafes.Gail—
we would have to be careful of timing. Even extended day is limited in capacity. Limitations because
bringing in athletics,outside groups,etc, puts pressure on the resources because if any of them become
Covid+then it requires a cleaning and keeping the area free of people for 12 hours.No swimming and no
hockey right now either.
No PTOs,no other outside groups we in the buildings. Staffing is an issue in the buildings. Additionally,
if the schools aren't safe enough for 5 days a week of in person use,then hard to use the space for
recreational opportunities. Excess furnishings were put into on-site storage so as to save money.The
library has some store of PPE.
Coolidge—the gym could be used for something, if isolated from the rest of the building. Allowing even
cleaning between groups. Mark suggested using it on weekends as well,with cleaning in between.
Capacity is 25%of what it can hold. One entrance and one exit separated.Cleaning and disinfecting
would be more the restroorrs in that space. The equipment wouldn't be sanitized by the town,but by the
organization that they bring in. Make sure that there are sanitizer stations at all entrances.
They cannot leave the buildings just open.They are paying kids to stand at the doors and physically check
people in. They can secure the doors in the Coolidge gym,two sets of doors...
Field House is a classroom and a cafeteria at the moment.
Bob noted the need for kids to be able to have activities,and that would benefit the adults as well as the
kids. However he is concerned about the impact on the school department and wants to make sure we
don't create second-tier effects,or upset the staff and make them feel unsafe.
What might be the priority of activities?Jenna offered basketball,because it is a big winter sport.
Volleyball as well,but would be tough to have in Coolidge.
Right now, Volleyball has been sent to Fall 2(FEB—APRIL).
Right now,the school department can't offer volleyball, so really couldn't offer it through Recreation.
What would be the right cut off time? What is gym being used for—PE right now.
Anytime after 4PM.Gym would be the first to be disinfected after special education students depart at
noon on Fridays.
Discussion of the different co-curricular activity groups(drama,band,robotics, science Olympiad, etc.)
that want to use the space outside of school.
Schools will review how to snake Coolidge work
Recreation will look at other options.Aim to begin in January(or sooner).
Page 1 9
Bob had meeting with three students organizing the BLM march, along with Chief Burns and Chief
Clark.The students were terrific and understood our concern for their safety. They are not going to march
in two directions simultaneously now. Estimate 60 participants. Waiting for parking and pedestrian
logistics. School events put on notice for potential impacts.
Page 1 10