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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-15 Board of Health MinutesRECEIVED Town of Reading TOWN CLERKREADINC=, MA. Meeting Minutes ` 2021 AUG 23 AM 8: 24 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2021-07-15 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 Director Peter Mirandi, Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen, Health Inspector Daniel Markman, Carlo Bacci 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. Public Comment: There was no comment from the public. MAPC Analysis Protect Update: Ms. Delios stated that she and Mr. Mirandi have been working with Mark Fine of MAPC to fine tune the scope of the project. She asked the Board to discuss three key elements: which peer communities are good models for Reading, who are the key informants to be interviewed, and who could fill in as the subject matter expert for the project since Sam Wong has accepted a new job with the state. Ms. Dunnell expressed concern at the content of the example questions, as they asked about the department's strengths and weaknesses without a framework document. Mr. Sexton agreed and suggested more helpful questions to ask a business such as how they interact with the department and how frequently. The Board discussed who they would like interviewed as key informants including: Board members, Health Director, Health Department staff, Public Safety leaders, Public Services Department Head, community based organizations such as the Coalition, community based businesses and food establishments, Public Health officials from peer communities, a representative from the Elder and Human Services division, School nurses, and representatives from Command. With so many people who could provide valuable input, the Board suggested having the interviews conducted as focus groups, and conducting a survey with area businesses to assess their interactions with the department. Page i 1 For a subject matter expert, Ms. Dunnell suggested Harold Cox, as he offered to assist with the project. Mr. Mirandi also suggested David Naparstek. MAPC indicated that they spoke with Steve Ward, a consultant recommended by Sam Wong. From the list of peer communities provided by MAPC, the Board agreed that Bedford, Burlington, Canton, Danvers, and Needham would be good models from which to choose. Ms. Delios and Mr. Mirandi were asked to inform Mark Fine of MAPC of the nature of this evening's discussion including: reshaping the interviews into group interviews, concerns about the content of the example questions, a survey to provide more quantitative information, opinion on proposed subject matter experts, and the peer communities of interest that the Board identified. Update Status of Health Director Position Recruitment Ms. Delios thanked the Board for the questions they contributed for the interviews. She noted that the second round of interviews is done and a decision should be made hopefully soon. Dr. Lopez stated that the candidates interviewed had strong backgrounds and experience in Public Health and he would be comfortable with either one. Update Reading Coalition: Mr. Sexton updated the Board on the most relevant matters from the latest Coalition meeting. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) has noted an increase in calls. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is still on pace for September 2021, when the results will be presented to the School Committee. School nurses are preparing to conduct an annual SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment) substance abuse screening. The Coalition continues to work on the Social Worker job description and is talking to peer communities with similar positions. Data for the William lames College Interface Referral Service from 2016-2021 was provided, but Mr. Sexton asked for data from just the last year, and hopes to share it at the next meeting. Health Division Monthly Report, Epidemiology Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris provided the latest COVID data based on MAVEN reporting: • Total Cases: 1,925 • Current Active Cases: 1 • Transferred Cases: 10 • Total Deaths: 49 Recovered: 1,864 There are currently no clusters. Ms. Harris noted that Camp Rise Moody reported one positive case of a camper who does not reside in Reading. She is in contact with DPH, the Public Health Nurse from the camper's Town, and the camp manager to make sure no other campers test positive and ensure that the COVID protocols are being followed. Other reported cases of communicable diseases include one case of Hepatitis B and one case of Hepatitis C, which are both chronic cases, not acute. Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen updated the Board on the Reading COVID vaccination data. As of July B'", there are 17,827 individuals vaccinated in Reading, which is approximately 65% of the population age 12 and older. There are 35 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine left. Ms. Shen plans to hold walk-in clinics at the Pleasant Street Senior Center every Tuesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Ms. Shen also provided an outline of other monthly updates. Medical waste, such as sharps containers, is picked up by Stericycle from the Police Department once per week, and from the Fire Department and Town Hall as needed. She is also tracking and organizing the medical supplies on hand. Page 12 Ms. Shen stated that she is inspecting camps with Ms. Harris and Mr. Markman by following the DPH community sanitation program. Three camps have been inspected so far, and have all passed with no violations: Camp Rice Moody, YMCA, and Elite Field Hockey. Ms. Shen continues to work on updates to the Health Division webpage including: mosquito control and animal control. The Animal Control page is still a draft, but it will include information about reporting animal control issues to Police Dispatch, dog license bylaw, animal control bylaw, and regulations for keeping of animals. Mr. Mirandi explained that the Police Department no longer has an animal control officer, and that Town Manager Bob LeLacheur has been working with Wakefield Town Administrator Steve Maio to share animal control services. Ms. Shen shared the course link for the Foundation for Local Public Health Practice. There are about 27 tramings in total, which are grouped into four sections: Introduction, Legal and Administrative Matters, Environmental Health, and Community and Population Health. Ms. Shen proposed forming a study group for Board members. Ms. Dunnell stated that the Foundation course is part of the Special Commission Report on local public health, and it is recommended that everyone in public health take it. Mr. Mirandi shared the latest stats from the Health Division from the last month: • Total Inspections: 18 (Dennis Palazzo completed 9 Food Inspections, Mr. Mirandi completed 6 Food Inspections and 3 pool inspections) • Complaints: 3 (1 noise complaint and 2 rodent sightings) Grease Trap Amendment Mr. Mirandi reviewed the two proposed amendments to the grease trap regulations. The current regulation, which was established in 2005, asked restaurants with three - compartment sinks to inspect and pump grease traps every month. However, it was an added burden on establishments, and other cities and towns ask for it to be done quarterly. The DPW had asked how much grease is being generated by local food establishments, but the Health Department was not tracking it. With the proposed changes, the establishments will send their inspection reports to the Health Department to compile. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the recommended changes to Public Health regulation 24.5 as presented. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren -Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes. Risk Based Food Safety Inspections Health Inspector Daniel Markman presented the background on risk based inspection procedures. Food based infections are the most common problem in Public Health and most can be traced to 31 pathogens commonly found in the environment, restaurants, and water. Most can be prevented with proper food storage, cooking food to proper temperature, and with thorough handwashing by food staff, all of which the Health staff monitors and tracks during food inspections. Currently, food establishments are only inspected twice annually. However, food code 105 CMR 590 has recommendations for risk based inspections based on each establishment's level of risk for these pathogens: • Level 1: Retail stores that offer pre-packaged, non -temperature controlled, mostly snack foods. • Level 2: Establishments with minimal food prep such as coffee shops or a specialized restaurant with a limited menu and minimal food preparation. • Level 3: Full service restaurants with robust menus and complex preparation steps. • Level 4: High risk establishments with complex processes, such as restaurants that serve sushi or handle shellfish, or any establishments doing poorly or with repeated violations. Mr. Markman respectfully asked the Board to adopt the risk based inspection system to allow the inspectors to focus their attention on the restaurants that need them the most. It Page 1 3 will enable them to inspect those establishments more often and prevent infections before they occur. Ms. Dunnell asked how the change in process would be communicated to the establishments. Mr. Markman stated that during inspections he has been letting the businesses know that the change is in the works and suggested an email or newsletter might also be worthwhile. Mr. Mirandi suggested a notice on the website. Ms. Delios noted that Economic Development Director Erin Schaefer has great relationships with local businesses and does a weekly walkabout downtown. She also suggested that notice can be disseminated along with annual renewals. Staff also reassured the Board that the department has enough resources to handle the added inspections. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to adopt the risk based food inspection program effective immediately. Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes Intro Food Establishment Plan Review Mr. Mirandi explained that he has been working on the Plan Review process. The requirement will be to have someone on behalf of the establishment look at the plans before sending them to Health staff for review. 625 Main Street Mr. Mirandi updated the Board on the situation at 625 Main Street. The entire five -story residential building is currently vacant due to water damage that destroyed the electrical system, Ms. Delios stated that she and the Town Manager are working with area resources, community partners, the Housing Authority, and state delegation to try and help the families displaced. The property manager has agreed to put the families up for two weeks. Ms. Delius stated that the Building Commissioner told her that the real issue is the electrical system. The building owner is moving quickly, already has a design engineer, and is committed to getting companies who can make repairs as soon as possible. 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 lune 17, 2021 as submitted. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren -Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes Next Meeting Agenda Items: Final Comments: The Board discussed conflicts with regularly scheduled meetings in September, due to Yom Kippur, and November, due to Town Meeting, and agreed to change their scheduled meetings to the first Thursday of the month from September through December. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted to adjourn at 9:02 pm. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren -Vas, Richard Lopez -Yes Page 1 4