HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-18 Board of Health Minutes hcf__ UtIVtu
TOWN CLERK
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3 x' Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2021-02-18 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
Member: Geri Cramer
Members - Not Present:
Associate Member Kevin Sexton
Others Present:
Interim Health Director Peter Mirandi, Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Public
Health Nurse Shuang Shen, Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Health Agent
Laura Vlasuk, Nancy D
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 7:02 pm and reviewed the evening's
agenda.
Ms. Dunnell stated that she wanted to raise an issue with the Board regarding the most
recent decision by the State's COVID Command to eliminate allocation of vaccines to local
clinics unless they can vaccinate at least 750 people per day, five days per week. She
noted that she volunteered at a clinic today in another community, and saw the vulnerable
people being served there. The current eligibility is 75 years of age and older, and many of
these people had difficulty with mobility, were hard of hearing, and had other barriers
making it challenging for them to go such distances to a clinic. Ms. Dunnell proposed that
the Board ask COVID Command to consider reinstating local dispensing. The Board agreed
strongly. Ms. Dunnell volunteered to draft the letter for the Board to review.
On a motion by Ms. Dunnell, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health
voted 3-0-0 to express to COVID Command to reconsider allocation of doses of
vaccines to local communities to support vaccinations especially to the most
vulnerable.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Public Comment:
There was no comment from the public.
Minutes:
On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of February 4, 2021.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
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Health Director Job Attributes:
Dr. Lopez explained that the Health Dirzctor position will be posted in the next few weeks.
There is a formal job description, and this is an opportunity for the Board to have input on
what they would like to see in the Health Director role.
Town Manager Bob LeLacheur shared the current Town Organization Chart, which has Public
Health under the Community Services division of the Public Services Department. He then
shared the proposed new structure which moves Public Health under Public Safety. This
would result in the new Health Director reporting directly to the Town Manager and the
Health Division staff would be relocated to the Police Department. Public Safety
Department Heads and Mr. Mirandi were supportive of the idea.
Dr. Lopez noted some items he would like included in the description. Under Essential
Functions, add a bullet: "Supports the Local Board of Health responsibilities by participating
in all meetings, assisting in agenda development and coordination, and reporting
performance metrics to the Board on a regular basis. Identifies areas of concern to the
Board for policy review and action." Under Additional Skills and Knowledge, add bullets:
"Demonstrate a working knowledge of the principle practices of public health and the ability
to think and act strategically to promote and protect health and wellness of the
community"; and "Very strong written and verbal communication skills." The Board
Members agreed with the additions. _
Health Director Recruitment/Interview Process:
The Board discussed what to expect with the recruiting, interview, and hiring process for a
new Health Director. The goal is to ensure that the Health Director that is hired is someone
that the Board is comfortable authorizing as their agent. There can only be one Board
member involved without creating a quorum and subjecting the process to Open Meeting
Law, and interviewing a candidate is not one of the specified reasons for entering into
Executive Session. There may also be privacy concerns with information on candidates'
resumes being made public.
While two members reviewing applications independently does not violate Open Meeting
Law, the application would then become a public record, as a quorum of the Board would
have reviewed it. There was a question as to whether a full member and an associate
member could review, which Mr. LeLacheur stated he would research. Though a decision
has not yet been made with regards to an interview panel, possible participants were
discussed including: other Department Heads, a Health Director from another community
that did not apply, and a former Board of Health member.
As next steps, Dr. Lopez asked the Board members to think about whether they are
interested in participating, about having a former Board member involved, and if in favor,
who they feel might be best, and then send their responses to Mr. LeLacheur.
Draft Revised Internal Analysis Consultant RFP:
Back in the fall, the Board requested proposals for an internal department assessment, and
only received a proposal from one vendor whose quote was far more than was budgeted.
Dr. Lopez reviewed edits he made to the previous Request for Proposals (RFP) by removing
the accreditation requirement, and decreasing some requirements for the consultant in the
hopes of attracting more proposals when it is issued again. The Board agreed with the
proposed changes to the RFP, and Ms. Curren noted that she had some additional changes,
which she will send to the administrative staff for further edits.
The timing of the assessment is not urgent, and the Board can figure out when to issue the
RFP in conjunction with the hiring of the new Health Director.
COVID-19 Updates:
Case Count Updates
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Public Health Nurse was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but sent the current case
counts to the Board in advance of the meeting.
COVID Vaccination Update
The Town requested 1,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine and another 100 doses of Moderna
vaccine, but will not be receiving them due to recent changes in the way the state is
distributing vaccines by prioritizing mass vaccination sites and pharmacies.
Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen reviewed the vaccination clinics that were held by the
Town. There has been a total of 262 does administered: 164 first doses and 68 second
doses administered to 95 people. Clinics were held at the High School Field House and
Pleasant Street Center. Though the state will not be sending any more vaccines until
further notice, Town staff and facilities have the capacity, and 1,100 doses could be
administered within 10-30 days.
Pertinent Incident Command Updates
Public Safety still wants the addresses of active cases, citing a limited availability of PPE.
In addition to people aged 75+, 65+, also eligible for vaccines are residents of affordable,
elderly, and disabled housing. Though the supply for these populations comes from a
federally designated supply.
There was some work on the website to clarify who is currently eligible for vaccination.
Because staff has been inundated with calls about the availability of the vaccine, a CodeRed
message went out this afternoon explaining that the Town is no longer hosting clinics and to
contact the State.
Civic/Recreation Permit Issues -
Mr. Mirandi reviewed an application for aeGirl Scout cookie sales event, and a request for
Town Forest.
COVID Guideline Compliance for Food Establishments
Ms. Curren updated the Board on the progress that Health Agent Laura Vlasuk has made
with the outreach program. Ms. Vlasuk has visited with 55 of the 132 establishments so far
to review the COVID protocols with them. Most restaurants already have the information,
but appreciate the relationship with Ms. Vlasuk and her availability.
Next Meeting Aaenda Items• Final Comments:
At the next meeting on March 4'^, 2021, the Board will hear the Monthly Report from Mr.
Mirandi, and may discuss pool testing in schools.
Ms. Curren stated that she is going back to instructing nursing students and asked fellow
Board members if they would mind if some students attend a meeting as part of their
education process. Board members agreed that her students would be most welcome to
attend.
On a motion by Dr. Lopez, seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-
0 to adjourn at 8:32 pm.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
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