HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-04 Board of Health Minutes Town of Reading T:J O iN CLERK
3 Meeting Minutes
ou-
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2021-03-04 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:
Interim Health Director Peter Mirandi, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios,
Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen
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 7:05 pm and reviewed the evening's
agenda. He thanked Kerry Dunnell for drafting the letter to state COVID command
requesting that COVID vaccines be distributed to local and regional Boards of Health. While
the letter may not have an immediate Impact, there is the potential that in Phase 3 more
vaccines will be available and the state will have the opportunity to provide to local Boards
of Health. Dr. Lopez also announced that Health Agent Laura Vlasuk has submitted her
resignation and Mr. Mirandi is working on a contracting service for part time health
inspectors.
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 18, 2021.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Monthly Health Division Staff Report:
Epidemiology
COVID-19 Case Count Updates
Mr. Mirandi briefly reviewed the latest COVID statistics:
• Total Confirmed Cases: 1,645
• Active Cases: 62
• Residents that have Passed Away: 48
• Recovered: 1,525
• Transferred Cases: 10
Page I 1
Additional data from MAVEN for other communicable diseases will be included on future
reports.
Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen has been able to furnish reports of active cases for the
Police and Fire departments.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Total COVID vaccines administered in Reading:
• January: 95 (Vt doses)
• February: 186 (Vs doses) + 95 (2"d doses)
• Total: 281 (1't doses) + 95 (2nd doses)
There are 100 doses remaining on-hand, which were intended as first doses when they were
received. However, following changes by the state in distributing vaccines, 66 of the doses
on-hand will be used for 2"d doses. There are 100 doses on order for 2nd doses, which the
state has committed to deliver.
The state is launching a program to vaccinate homebound individuals; however, the Fire
department is already working to vaccinate homebound individuals.
The other high priority group is residents of senior and low income housing. The state has a
separate supply to ensure these groups will receive the vaccine. Fire Chief Greg Burns is
coordinating with the housing developments to identify a provider of the vaccines and setup
clinics at the housing sites.
Environmental
Mr. Mirandi reviewed the environmental activities of the Division. There were 165 permit
renewals sent out in November of 2020. To date, 45 were received back before the first of
the year, and 93 have been received since the start of 2021. The other 22 includes the
schools, which are not currently operating.
In February, there were 18 inspections, 2 re-inspections, and 1 third inspection (due to a
part not arriving in time of the re-inspection). Other environmental complaints in February
include: 1 housing, 2 pest/pesticide, 2 solid waste, and 4 COVID compliance.
Emergency Preparedness
Ms. Dunnell noted that at the state emergency preparedness meeting today, new
deliverables will be rolling out effective July 1•'. Key deliverables will include After Action
reporting for COVID.
Community Health Prevention and Promotion
Mr. Mirandi and Ms. Delios requested a meeting with MAPC regarding a grant application for
shared services. A community adjacent to Reading is currently without a health officer, and
the Police Chief has been acting as the health officer. Receiving this grant would provide an
excellent opportunity to get funds and create a partnership. The application is due in a
month.
Dr. Lopez offered his opinion that this is a direction Reading should be pursuing, but it
should not be an effort to pare down resources in either Health Department. Rather, the
proposal should show that utilizing the existing resources in both towns would produce
something better than if either town did it alone.
Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support Update•
Mr. Sexton shared the packet from the last Coalition meeting. It included information about
school age children and mental health programs they are running to check in on that sector.
On February 1", the Police station re-opened the prescription drop box. Last year, the
Coalition connected with 3,130 individuals through in-person and virtual meetings, and 240
through CIT follow up. The Coalition's budget increased 23.4%, which will allow them to
conduct a lot more outreach.
Page 1 2
Ms. Dunnell noted that after the last meeting where community-wide macro interventions
were discussed, she followed up with Coalition Director Erica McNamara and Outreach
Coordinator Sammi Salkin and discussed planning an event about things the community has
done to come together during the pandemic. A key component in emergency preparedness
is community resilience, which has a strong tie-in with substance abuse and mental health.
The Coalition expressed their interest and willingness to be involved in the event.
COVID Updates:
COVID Guideline Compliance for Food Establishments
The project has been put on pause. With recent changes in guidance, the information on
the handouts is not current. Complaints are being addressed and enforced by the
department. Mr. Mirandi is exploring ideas for an Eagle Scout or Senior Class project to
help get the posters out. Information could also be distributed as part of the routine food
inspections.
Pertinent Incident Command Updates/Civic and Recreation Permit Issues
The testing program at the schools began last week with student athletes and staff. This
week high needs students were tested, and next week everyone will be tested.
Incident Command also had a general discussion about opening schools. No decisions were
made, but based on what the Governor and Education Secretary have announced, the
discussion was how to go about implementing the changes.
With better weather coming, an influx of Civic and Recreation permit requests, and school
facility rentals is expected. Both Ms. Dunnell and Ms. Curren volunteered to help review
applications.
Influenza Vaccination for 2021:
Ms. Shen provided an overview of potential flu shot clinics in Reading. The plan is to order
200 doses of high-dose for residents over age 65, 450 doses of flublok for ages 50-64, and
300 doses of QIV for people over the age of 18. This is the same amount of flu vaccine that
was ordered last year. However, only 500 doses were administered because the other 450
were compromised in storage and needed to be destroyed.
The Board discussed whether there was a need for the BOH to continue offering flu shots
with pharmacies providing more access to the vaccine. The benefits include supporting the
residents of the community who expect it, and providing ongoing training for staff.
Emergency dispensing and site planning is still a required emergency preparedness
deliverable, and the Town must demonstrate that it can do it. But the burden of the
paperwork, and filing for reimbursement can be time consuming. The Board agreed that
the Town should continue to offer flu clinics, but discussed the possibility of partnering with
a pharmacy to supply the vaccine and handle the paperwork, but allow the staff to organize
and operate the clinic.
The Board asked Ms. Delios and Mr. Mirandi to connect with Walgreens and CVS community
relations representatives and explore the idea of a community collaboration. Ms. Delios
noted that she will also run the idea by Procurement to ensure procurement rules are
followed.
Next Meetina Agenda Items: Final Comments:
The next meeting will be held on March 181h, at which time the Board will discuss the MAPC
grant for shared services, and the possibility of a public-private partnership for flu clinics in
the fall.
Ms. Delios noted that Town Manager Bob Lelacheur is working with the Select Board to
update the Classification and Compensation Charts at an upcoming meeting to include the
new Health Director position.
Page 1 3
Because Mr. Sexton was not present at the last meeting, he expressed his support for a
former Board Chair to participate in the Health Director interview process.
On a motion by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health
voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:51 pm.
Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes.
Page 1 4