HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-03 Board of Health Minutes C'NPa' CLERK
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8 Meeting Minutes
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Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2020-12-03 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Richard Lopez, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren; Associate
Members Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Health Director Peter Mirandi, Public
Health Nurse Kristine Harris
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Review of Minutes:
The Board reviewed the corrections made to the October 15, 2020 minutes as discussed at
the previous meeting. A correction was made to the November 19, 2020 meeting minutes
on the date of the approved meeting minutes from November 15th to November 5th.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health
voted 3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of October 15, 2020 as amended and
November 19, 2020 as amended.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Monthly Health Division Staff Report:
Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris provided the latest COVID-19 figures. As of December
3", there have been 593 total cases, and 38 total deaths in Reading. The past three days
have seen a significant increase in cases and there are approximately 120 open active
cases.
There have been 35 total cases in the schools including both teachers and students, with 5
current active cases comprised of two students and three teachers. Austin Prep has had 19
total cases including one active case affiliated with basketball.
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Current potential clusters having contact tracing performed include: Reading Baptist
Daycare, Cafe Capri, John Douglas Funeral Home and Christopher's Restaurant. There have
been two positive cases at the DPW, and one positive case at Artis Senior Living.
The impact from Thanksgiving gatherings will not be known until approximately December
10th. Tracking is still being done in-house. But if the number of cases continues to
increase, then the CTC may be called upon to assist with contact tracing.
Mr. Mirandi stated that Recreation Department has requested opening public skating at
outdoor rinks and asked the Board for their opinion. Following discussion, the Board agreed
to allow outdoor skating with signage that includes the Board of Health recommendations,
limiting the numbers to 25 people consistent with the current guidance on outdoor
gatherings, and requiring masks. Staff from the Health and Recreation departments can
monitor for compliance and the Board can revisit the subject if protocols are not being
followed, or case numbers are out of control.
COVID-19 Updates:
Ms. Dunnell highlighted discussions from the recent Incident Command meeting Including: a
partnership with Reading Co-op Bank to provide mortgage and rental support funds for
those financially affected by COVID; ways to bring additional testing resources to the
community, as they may be needed with the increase in cases; continuity of operations
planning for staff to provide coverage; and planning for an emergency dispensing site for
vaccinations when they become available.
Ms. Harris explained the need for interpretative services and was able to contract with an
interpreter service.
2022 Budoet Planning Proposed Changes and Prioritization: Revolving Fund for
FY22:
Ms. Delios reviewed the current FY21 budget, then noted the proposed changes to the FY22
budget. Budget amendments approved at Subsequent Town Meeting provide salaries for
the Public Health Nurse at 24 hours per week and the Interim Health Director. A position
for a part-time nurse was advertised over the summer, and the department is close to
hiring a second part time nurse at 10 hours per week. There is $2,100 in Revolving Fund
support and $15,000 from a grant from MAPC used to fund salaries. Subsequent Town
Meeting also approved $20,000 for the internal department needs assessment. Though that
assessment is currently on hold, the Board has until June 3011 to spend the money, or
encumber it to carry over into FY22.
The"ask budget"for FY22 that will be presented to the Select Board on December 15th is
15% higher than the FY21 budget. Significant changes totaling a $156,000 increase in
salaries include: $160,000 for a Health Director and the Interim Health Director; a $60,000
increase to $80,000 for both Public Health Nurses; and $10,000 for overtime. Most
expenses were level funded, except an increase to $50,000 for Outsourced Professional
Services, and a requested $20,000 for COVID-19 expenses. Once the Select Board reviews
the budget request, they will provide feedback to the Town Manager. The Town Manager
will provide a balanced budget to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee will then
review and vote on the budget to present to Town Meeting for approval.
Ms. Delos explained the function of the revolving fund and asked if the Board would like to
vote to transfer $2,100 for support. The revolving fund Is under the control of the Board of
Health and is used as a contribution to the annual budget. Funds are mostly generated by
revenue generating clinics, such as flu clinics, for which the department is reimbursed.
On a motion by Ms. Dunnell, and seconded by Dr. Lopez, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to transfer$2,100 from the Board of Health Revolving Fund to the General
Fund to support the FY22 Budget.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Restructurina of Public Comment:
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Dr. Lopez proposed restructuring the format of the Public Comment portion of meetings.
Public participation is important and people should be able to ask questions or raise issues.
Similar to the Select Board, it would be more efficient to have people email their questions
to the Health Director in advance of the meeting, so the Board can be better prepared with
answers at the meeting. Following discussion, the Board agreed to add the verbiage to their
agendas, but also continue to give anyone from the public an opportunity to speak if they
wish.
Data Elements for Monthly Health Division Staff Report:
The purpose of the monthly report provided by the Health Department staff is to give the
Board an understanding of what the department is doing to support the Board's mission of
health promotion and prevention in the community. Dr. Lopez proposed restructuring the
report and worked with staff to create 3 broad categories of relevance including:
Epidemiology (cases of infectious diseases), Environmental (food inspections), and
Emergency Preparedness (emergency planning in concert with state and regional entities).
A fourth "Other"category was discussed and revised to "Community Promotion and
Prevention"and will include topics resulting from the community needs assessment. The
report could be compiled by staff ahead of the meeting for inclusion in the pre-meeting
packets. Unless there is an Issue of significant concern, the information would not need to
be reviewed in detail at the meetings, but the data is available and Board members are
aware. Ms. Dunnell requested that the Emergency Preparedness section include data about
what the DPH deliverables are for the year and the status of them. When it comes to
complaints, the Board would like to know the number of complaints, the nature of the
complaints, and how they were resolved by staff. An establishment does not need to be
named unless there are repeated violations, in which case an establishment's permit would
be suspended and would require a hearing before the Board. In conclusion, the Monthly
Report will include the cumulative data in each category month over month, the number of
complaints and resolution of any major problems, the status of DPH deliverables, and the
report of any programs being done to support Community Health Promotion and Prevention.
Next Agenda Plannina/Review:
At the next meeting scheduled for December 17`", the Board will discuss the latest COVID
numbers reflecting the post-Thanksgiving surge, the latest information on COVID
vaccinations, the proposed FY22 Health Department budget and the Select Board's
response, and request a presentation by Erica McNamara of the Reading Coalition for
prevention and Support.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health
voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:57 pm.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
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