HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-18 Board of Health MinutesTown of Reading
= Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2021-11-18 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
TOWN NRK
READING, MAS
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 Jean Delios, Public Health Director Ade Solarin,
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 7:00 pm.
Introduction of New Health Director and Authorization as Aoent of the Board of
Health
Board of Health members introduced themselves to Mr. Solarin. Dr. Lopez then reviewed
the process from developing the job description, to recruiting and hiring the new Health
Director.
Health Director Ade Solarin introduced himself to the Board, shared his background, and
explained what led to his decision to come to Reading. Growing up, his mother worked as a
nurse, which led to his interest in the field of medicine and he believed he was destined to
become a doctor. He studied Pre -Med Biology in college, and in his last year of college,
learned that the nation spends about $3 trillion per year on health care. After conducting
his own research, he was disheartened to learn that so money was spent on treating
preventable illnesses. So, he decided to instead pursue Public Health because he believed it
was more about community wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Throughout his career in Public Health, he has served in many roles including:
Environmental Health intern at the American Lung Association, Health Inspector for
Watertown, Sanitarian Supervisor for the City of Lynn, Health Director for the Town of Oak
Bluffs, Deputy Director and Operations Manager for the City of Somerville Inspectional
Services Department, and most recently Health Director for the Town of Danvers. In
addition to his Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree, he has received many licenses and
certifications including: Lead Inspector, Title 5 Inspector, Soil Evaluator, Massachusetts
Certified Public Purchasing Officer (MCPPO), National Incident Management Systems
(NIMS), and Incident Command Systems (ICS).
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Mr. Solarin stated that he decided to serve Reading due to its progressive Public Safety
model to include Public Health. He believes it is a quality -focused approach to ensure the
health optimization for the residents of Reading. His long term goals are to stay in this
position, be an asset to the community, and take this model to the highest level possible.
On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren and Ms. Dunnell, the Board
of Health voted 3-0-0 to appoint Ade Solarin as Health Director, to act as the
Health Agent for the Board of Health, pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 111 Sec. 30, equipped
with all the powers and responsibilities of Health Director in the community.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes.
On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted
3-0-0 to adjourn at 7:17 pm.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes.
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