HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-04 Board of Health MinutesTown of Reading
i Meeting Minutes
Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2021-11-04 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
2021 DEC -6 AM 9:25
Chair Richard Lopez, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren; Associate
Members: Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Assistant Town Manager lean Cellos, Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen,
Director of the Coalition for Prevention and Support Erica McNamara,
Outreach Coordinator Krystal Mellonakos-Garay, Mark Fine - MAPC, Barry
Keppard - MAPC, Pat Maloney - MAPC Consultant
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 and provided an overview of the
evening's agenda.
Kevin Sexton introduced Coalition for Prevention and Support Director, Erica McNamara, to
present the results for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted with Middle School
and High School students. Ms. McNamara thanked the Board for their support in creating
the Public Safety Clinical position approved by Town Meeting, and introduced Outreach
Coordinator, Krystal Mellonakos-Garay. Next steps for the Clinician position are to have the
Select Board approve the position on the grade and classification charts, then the position
can be posted.
Ms. McNamara provided an overview of the process to conduct the behavioral survey. John
Snow, Inc. was the survey consultant, who conducted the survey in conjunction with ten
partner communities with the Middlesex League. The core survey was based on CDC risk
behaviors, which cause injury and concern, and protective behaviors, which scaffold and
protect against risk behaviors. The data was collected in March and April of 2021. John
Snow, Inc. provided data validation and analysis, and created two reports: a 30 -page report
on Reading's local data, and a 38 -page report on Middlesex League data.
The respondents included 980/a -990/a of Middle School and High School students, and after
data cleaning, about 85% of the sample was included in the final data set. All survey
answers and results are anonymous and there is no identifying information collected.
Information collected includes data by race and gender. Questions were asked about
ethnicity, to help guide how to serve students in the most culturally supportive way
Page 1 1
possible, and sexual identity, as sometimes questioning can lead to distress if students are
struggling with their identity. Results showed 1% of Middle School and High School
students identified as trans, and 22%-25a/a identified as LGBTQ.
There were also pandemic specific questions asked. Areas of concern include increases in
mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Students reported being
treated differently because of race or ethnic origin, as well as areas around sexual
orientation. There was a small number of students significantly impacted by homelessness,
and domestic violence situations with restraining orders and disruptions in their family.
The World Health Organization has described the pandemic experience as mass or collective
trauma, and has had an impact on young peoples' increased level of worry and concern, and
trouble sleeping. Almost half of young people reported feelings of anger, stress, worry,
numbness, frustration, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty making decisions. Physical
reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes, were
reported in 18% of Middle School students, and 25% of High School students. Worsening
mental health conditions, and chronic health conditions also increased.
Protective factors showed pretty good rates of students eating breakfast five to seven days
a week, engaging in physical activity, striving for good grades, and sleeping at least seven
hours per night. Young people appear to be making healthy choices and families are
helping.
Information was gathered on support networks and treatment access. There are 13% of
Middle School students, and 19% of High School students already connected to a mental
health professional. There was a decrease in students reporting having a parent, teacher,
or trusted adult to whom they were comfortable talking.
Data was also collected on bullying, discrimination, and suicidal ideation. While a decrease
was noted in bullying, it was still higher among genderqueer students. Reading Public
Schools are actively working to ensure there is zero discrimination. There was an increase
in young people thinking about suicide, but not necessarily acting on it. The Coalition is
working to decrease risk factors and work on protective factors.
MAPC Protect Update — Preliminary Findings
Mark Fine, MAPC Director of Municipal Collaboration, was present with Barry Keppard, MAPC
Director of Public Health, and Pat Maloney, Public Health Practitioner and Subject Matter
Expert participating in Reading's assessment. They reviewed the process and progress
made on the Health Department internal assessment that MAPC began in August. Work
completed to date includes: stakeholder interviews; review of peer communities Bedford,
Danvers, Needham, and Winchester; review of data around inspectional complaints and
permitting dating back to 2016; and review of budget data since 2016.
Stakeholder interviews focused on the strengths and needs of the department, as well as
opportunities, threats, and recommendations to enhance the Health Department. The
review of peer communities looked at population, nature of the Board of Health, median
income, environmental justice situation, budget, staff size and composition, and
involvement in Health.
Data collected showed almost 3,000 permits issued from 2016 through 2020, with a
majority of them being food establishment permits. There has been a gradual increase in
the number of permits issued each year. Complaint data averaged 20-40 complaints per
year, with the exception of 2020, where complaints significantly increased due to COVID
related issues. About 98% of the complaints included when the complaint was recorded,
but there is room for improvement on documenting follow up and response.
The budget for the last five years has grown consistently, showing a pattern of investment.
Expenses have increased consistently as well, as the Town relies on outside contractors for
inspectional support.
Page 1 2
Peer review focused on a number of factors including: Board of Health size, budget, staff
levels, staff positions, and the organization. Bedford and Winchester each have five BOH
members, while Danvers and Winchester both had three-member boards. Budgets were
similar except for Needham, whose budget is significantly higher, as the receive a lot of
outside grants. Danvers Health Department includes Veterans and Social Services.
Winchester contracts for all inspectional services, so their expenses are higher. There were
examples of regional efforts in all peer communities.
Initial observations revealed assets such as: director position and department under Public
Safety, investment in public health nursing functions, Board of Health members and their
expertise, regular communication between staff and the Board, increased budget and
contract support, health programming outside of the department (e.g. the Coalition), and
additional regional resources. Areas for improvement include: a gap in leadership and
expertise, having only three BOH members stretched pretty thin, communications both
internal and external, regional connections and building more partnerships, oversight of
management of environmental health services, turnover in positions, and clarity of roles and
responsibilities for staff.
The Town is meeting basic state and local service goals and standards, but the quality of
that work and skill sets, especially on the inspectional side, were questioned. However,
support staff and leadership want to do the right thing and want to have resources. Health
is underfunded in many communities, which is a state issue and the reason that the
commission was formed to try to standardize health departments across the state.
Next steps include: review of areas for further analysis, such as permitting and fee
schedules; review non-COVID MAVEN data for infectious diseases; analyze strengths and
assets, challenges and areas for improvement and translate into some initial
recommendations. Mr. Fine stated that MAPC will return before the Board with these
recommendations in January, receive the Board's feedback, then prepare the final report to
be delivered in February.
Update status of Health Director position recruitment/Transition Plan
Ms. Delios stated that the plan is for the new Health Director to start on November 15th.
The Board might need to have a short, focused meeting shortly after the new Health
Director starts to authorize them as agent for the Board. The appointment is also time
sensitive, as there is an enforcement action that cannot be handled by current staff.
During the transition, Ms. Delios is continuing her supportive role of the Board and the
Department. Ms. Shen is the point person for coordinating with the contracted inspectors.
For inspections, the plan is to give priority to food establishments as they get renewed, as
they are the largest number of permits. Once the Health Director arrives, Ms. Delios and
Ms. Shen will work to orient the new director. Peter Mirandi has offered to talk to the new
director to give background and work through some issues. For the last phase of the
transition, which will likely start January 191, Ms. Delios will transition away from her support
role, and consistent with the new Health Department stricture, the new director will rely on
the Town Manager for major support. Whether Mr. Mirandi will continue to have a small
role will be up to the new director and Town Manager.
Health Department Monthly Report
Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen provided Health Department updates on vaccine
distribution, mask recommendation signs, environmental health, Massachusetts Health
Officers Association (MHOA) conference highlights, and the latest COVID-19 case report.
Vaccine Updates
The Town has been hosting Flu clinics and has been able to vaccinate first responders and
public safety personnel, residents (adults and seniors), and school staff. They have
partnered with CVS to provide Flu vaccines to residents of the Housing Authority. As the
Page 1 3
Town still has flu shots available, they will host another clinic at Town Hall for all town staff
on November gth.
As of November 2"d, the CDC recommended Pfizer to vaccinate children ages five to eleven
years old. The schools will be hosting a clinic tomorrow for students to be vaccinated. Ms.
Shen will confirm the age group of the students with School Nursing Director, Mary Giuliana
Mask Recommendation Sign
At the last meeting, the Board agreed that a sign with a mask recommendation, regardless
of vaccination status, be posted. The sign has been posted at the entrances at Town Hall.
Environmental Health Updates
Contract Inspector Dennis Palazzo conducted 21 inspections, 2 re -inspections, 10 site visits,
and 1 meeting with the Fire Department in the month of October. There were two
complaints of food establishments regarding sanitation issues, which were forwarded to Mr.
Palazzo for follow up.
Permits Coordinator Kim Saunders is working on permit applications and renewals, and
Clerk Dawn Tocio is sending animal control issues to Kev and Bev, the contractors for
Animal Control services.
MHOA Conference
Ms. Shen shared highlights from the MHOA conference she attended on October 20'h and
2V. Dr. Bernstein of the Harvard University School of Public Health spoke about climate
change and its impacts such as flooding, hurricanes and heat waves. He spoke about how
cooling centers hosted by many cities and towns are not utilized during heat waves, and
recommended having educational information distributed with the message including the
effect the heat can have on conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Other highlights include: Public Health communication strategies throughout the pandemic,
Lowell's opioid outreach and syringe collection programs, and MDPH review of current
Massachusetts recreational camp regulations and inspections.
COVID-19 Case Report
Ms. Shen reviewed the latest COVID case data as provided by Public Health Nurse Kristine
Harris:
• Schools:
o High School: 0
o Barrows Elementary: 5
o Birch Meadow Elementary: 7
o Wood End Elementary: 3
• General Public:
o Total Cases: 2,432
o Active cases in the last seven days: 40
o Deaths: 50
o Transferred Cases: 15
o Recovered: 2,326
There is one cluster currently under active monitoring.
Dr. Lopez discussed an email sent to the Board by former Board of Health Chair, Emmy
Dove, in which she made a few points including: the State's method of reporting is different
than that of the CDC, and according to CDC, Reading's transmission rate is considered high;
and the disruption in the classroom when a child has any type of illness and needs to be
tested is problematic, and the more that can be done to decrease our rate, the less this
would happen in schools. Ms. Dove also expressed concern that the Board should have a
more aggressive mask policy. Dr. Lopez noted that in looking at the daily averages, current
surge, and MWRA biobot data, things look pretty steady. But as things trend upward, the
Board should act.
Page 1 4
The Board discussed the signs being posted at Town Hall and suggested that the document
be distributed to all the businesses, especially retail stores and food establishments, for
posting at their entrances. Dr. Lopez offered to help draft an email for distribution and staff
can distribute it to businesses early next week.
Ms. Curren shared an issue of which she recently became aware. There is a population in
the town that is not getting the information about masking and vaccines, who seem to be
retired, living independently, and not computer savvy. She is not sure how many people
may be affected, but she was shocked to learn that there are people in the public who are
not receiving this information. The Board discussed other possibilities to reach people
including posting on the digital Public Safety boards in town, including the information in
Pleasantries (the Pleasant Street Center newsletter), and sharing the information with
businesses.
Review of Minutes from October 7, 2021
On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to accept the meeting minutes of October 7, 2021.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes.
Next Meeting Agenda Items: Final Comments
Discuss 2022 Meeting Schedule
Dr. Lopez stated that the Board will hold its regular meeting in December as scheduled,
then starting in the new year, continue with the first Thursday of every month. The
emergency order that allows public bodies to have remote meetings expires April 1a, 2022,
so it will have to be determined if meetings will be allowed to continue in hybrid fashion.
A brief meeting will be scheduled the week of November 15th to introduce and appoint the
new Health Director.
On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to adjourn at 9:08 pm.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes.
Page 15