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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-17 Board of Health Minutes RECEIVED q o� RK Town of Reading R 0 0NNGI, MA. Meeting Minutes MA. a �`'P 2021 JUL 19 PM 5: 26 �4s,�xcwvoe. Board - committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2021-06-17 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, Interim Health Dlrector Peter Mirandi, Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen, Brian Farless EMMCP, Nancy Docktor Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Public Comment: There were no comments from the public. East Middlesex Mosouito Control: Brian Farless, Superintendent of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project, Introduced himself, summarized his background, and explained the operations of the Project. The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project does work in 26 cities and towns, and is funded with voluntary appropriations from those communities. The Project provides mosquito control services including: ditch maintenance, larval control In wetlands and catch basins, and trapping. Certain species go to the Department of Public Health to be tested for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Methods of controlling populations include: a pickup truck driving around with a big sprayer; a backpack with a sprayer for perimeters; spring application via helicopter that targets mosquito larvae; walking into wetlands and spraying BTI by manual backpack; applying larval control product to catch basins. As high populations are found, the spray truck is utilized. Municipalities are given one week advance notice of spraying, and once per year, residents can go to the Department of Agriculture's website to submit a property exclusion, which will prevent spraying within a 300 foot radius of their property. Ms. Shen will provide links to the property exclusion, the Mosquito Control Project, and pesticide Information on the Health Department webpage. Update Reading Coalition: Page I 1 Mr. Sexton stated that the last meeting was cancelled and the Coalition will not meet again until the last Wednesday of the month. But he did follow up with Coalition Director Erica McNamara on a few items. A Social Worker position was added at Town Meeting. Mr. Sexton had asked Mr. Mirandi if he would be willing to help get the position established and Ms. McNamara was very interested in having his input. The risk assessment survey results will not be presented to the School Committee until September. Ms. McNamara Is able to share the 2019 risk assessment survey results. However, their relevance may have changed given the events over the last year, though it may be interesting to compare the results. Mr. Mirandi asked to be invited to Coalition meetings. Mr. Sexton stated that he would speak with Ms. McNamara about It, as she seems interested in his help. The Board briefly discussed whether the new Social Worker position might be more of a service coordination position, or a therapy/counseling position. The Coalition will assess the needs of the community to help shape the job description. Dr. Lopez stated that the Board would be willing to provide input on the job description. Review of Minutes: On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of May 20, 2021 and June 3, 2021 as written. Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes. Health Division Monthly Report: Epidemiology Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris provided the latest COVID statistics according to MAVEN reporting: • Active Cases: 4 • Total Cases: 1,119 • Deaths: 49 • Transferred: 10 • Recovered: 1,856 Ms. Harris noted she was just alerted to another case that Is related to a cluster in the community at Magical Beginnings Home Day Care. Three children and one staff have tested positive and Ms. Harris has been in touch with the owner of the business and the epidemiologist assigned to the case. The daycare will be closed until June 29' . There are no current COVID cases at RMHS for sports. Pool testing is still underway even though school is out, and it is unknown if pool testing will continue In the fall. The schools held another COVID vaccination clinic for ages 12 and older through Pal-Med today. Case Counts for other diseases reported in the community include: • Hepatitis C: 2 (both chronic) • Influenza: 2 Ms. Harris stated that she continues to participate on webinars with the Department of Public Health regarding COVID variants and breakthrough cases. Though not statistically significant at the moment, the DPH is following cases of people who have had COVID in the past, received both doses of vaccine, and are testing positive for a second time. These cases do not seem to be exhibiting respiratory and other associated symptoms, but the data Is being examined. Ms. Harris hopes to have more information about which vaccines and which variants may be associated with the breakthrough cases for the next meeting. Ms. Shen shared the latest vaccination figures with the Board. To date, the Town has vaccinated 567 people. Overall, there are 16,604 Individuals in Reading who have been Page 1 2 fully vaccinated, which is about 60% of the population age 12 and over. The 27 clinics held in Reading totaled 1,121 doses. There are still 40 doses of Johnson &Johnson vaccine available, and Ms. Shen held a walk-in clinic at the Pleasant Street Center earlier today, though there was no interest. The local pharmacies have also been notified of the available doses. Environmental Mr. Mirandi provided an update on Inspections and complaints for the Board. The food inspections for the first half of the year are complete. They are currently working on coordinating camp and pool inspections. There were only two rodent complaints. Mr. Mirandi noted that there was a controversial housing inspection, where people were having difficulties working within the system, and there was an attorney involved. With the hot weather arriving, Mr. Mirandi spoke with Community Development Director Kevin Bohmlller and learned that there is a plan in place to use the Senior Center and the Library as cooling centers. Community Health and Promotion Due to the other two communities withdrawing their interest, the Town is no longer eligible to receive the Shared Services Grant funds. Mr. Mirandi stated that he emailed Ron O'Connor, from the DPH Office of Regional and Local Health who was overseeing the grant, to thank him for his help and to let him know that Reading looks forward to another opportunity to apply in the future. Sam Wong has a new job at the Office of Regional and Local Health, and will no longer be able to act as consultant on the upcoming internal assessment. Mr. Mirandi contacted Mr. Wong, who is working with MAPC to recommend other people for the consultant role. Ms. Delos noted that the money for the assessment is ready and waiting, and there is enough time to find a subject matter expert that can devote the time needed for the assessment. Dr. Lopez stated that he would like to have a kick-off meeting for the project with a more detailed work plan and a consultant. Staff Development Activities Mr. Mirandi announced that Ms. Shen was offered and has accepted the full time Public Health Nurse position. She completed her Masters while working for the Town part time. Ms. Shen and Health Inspector Daniel Markman will begin on foundations training in the fall. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur is working with the Town Administrator in Wakefield to share Animal Control Services. Mr. Mirandi reviewed Maureen Buzby's tobacco control report from her compliance check last month where Reading had 100% compliance. Hnante Status of Health Director Position and Recruitment: Ms. Delios provided a brief update on hiring of the Health Director. She noted that it is difficult to Hill such a specific job. There have been a couple of applicants, but the process will be pushed out to see what kind of response is received. Dr. Lopez stated that he spoke with the Town Manager regarding Board input and noted that it is typically the Chair who is involved with the recruitment process. He volunteered to be that link unless another Board member felt strongly about being Involved. The other members agreed that Dr. Lopez would be the Board's representative. He suggested that Board members develop some questions and scenarios to ask during interviews. Reorganization Voting: On a nomination by Ms. Dunnell, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to reappoint Dr. Richard Lopez as Chair. Page 1 3 Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes. On a nomination by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Dr. Lopez, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to reappoint Kerry Dunnell as Vice Chair. Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes. Next Meeting Agenda Items: Final Comments: Ms. Delios stated that she has looked at the calendar through the end of the year and noted that some meetings may conflict with Jewish holidays in December and Subsequent Town Meeting in November. With the Board of Health scheduled to meet the third Thursday of each month, the Board may want to consider adjusting their meeting schedule those months. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 15th, 2021. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:41 pm. Roll call vote: Paula Curren-Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez-Yes. Page 1 4