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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-02 Board of Health MinutesrN' a Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERKREADING, MA. it Vr_ 2022 JUL I I AM 7: 53 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2022-06-02 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Remote Meeting - Open Session 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: Public Health Director Ade Solarin, Health Inspector Jennifer Velazquez, Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Carlo Bacci, Ryan, Courtney, Narcissa Lyons 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 7:03 pm. Review/Approval of Minutes May 19. 2022 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 May 19, 2022 as amended, by noting Mr. Sexton's arrival time. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Public Health Director Ade Solarin stated that the YMCA is requesting permission to operate their summer recreational camp without a prior inspection. The regulations state that the Board of Health has to vote to approve or deny such requests. The YMCA is requesting because they serve students who use vouchers for payment, and will not be allowed to start unless a permit has been Issued. There is a provision in the regulations that allows the local BOH to grant without a prior inspection if the camp is under the same ownership as the previous season, was approved the prior year, has no health or safety risk to campers, and Is subsequently inspected during the camping season. Mr. Solarin reviewed the licenses issued to the YMCA In prior years and found that they met all the requirements as stated. He recommended that the Board Issue the permit, with the understanding that the camp will be subsequently inspected. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the early permitting of YMCA's camp as requested. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Paula Curren - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. 34 Hartshorn St. - Violation abatement Update Mr. Solarin reviewed the variance request to modify compliance time, which the Board granted at the last meeting. He and Health Inspector Jennifer Velazquez conducted a follow up site visit on May 27th and observed that the dumpster was full, most of the dean up of the premise had been completed, structurally unstable portions of the fence were removed, some piles of bricks were removed, and things are more organized. The shed where there was animal activity will be removed. The next site visit is scheduled for June 2P• and the Board will receive another update at their July meeting. Body Art Apprenticeship Program -Body art regulation amendment Mr. Solarin reviewed the changes to the proposed Body Art Regulations as recommended by Town Counsel. The fee will be $125 per year for two years, instead of $250 for two years. The license will be annual and expire on the last day of the year to comply with Section 22 Fee Schedule. Town Counsel corrected the definition of apprentice, and removed the notarization of time sheets, as they did not think it was needed. Town Counsel also did not agree that an apprentice would need to start over if there was a 30 -day break in training, as it could be problematic If the apprentice needed a break due to a medical or other Issue, and suggested that the apprentice have the opportunity to come before the Board to explain their absence, and let the Board determine whether to allow them to continue or restart. Other recommendations by Town Counsel include: requiring the licensed practitioner to get insurance to cover the apprentice, business, and customer; increasing the required number of hours from 1800 to 2400; breaking down training hours into various categories, such as performing body art or sanitation; and limiting the number of apprentices a licensed practitioner can supervise at once. The Board discussed whether the insurance requirement was needed. Ryan from Round Table Tattoo was present with his aspiring apprentice Courtney, and explained that when he opened the business, he was required to get $1 million liability Insurance, which covers the business, himself, and any apprentices he is mentoring. Apprentices only tattoo silicone pads, until they are ready to tattoo skin. Anyone receiving a tattoo needs to sign a consent form, and if they are being tattooed by an apprentice, they are aware. The Board asked Mr. Solarin to research the standards, confer with other leaders in the community, and ask Town Counsel about the issues as discussed. Board members agreed that 1800 hours seemed adequate, and did not need to be increased to 2400 hours. Dr. Lopez requested that the attestation that the apprentice has read Section 23 Body Art Regulations be added back Into the polity, as it covers sanitation and other issues in the practice. The Board discussed identifying four to six categories to breakdown the required 1800 hours. Ryan agreed to help advise on that. Board members agreed that if the regulations were finalized before the next meeting, the Board could meet again in June to vote on them. The final recommendation discussed was limiting the 1:1 relationship between the practitioner and apprentice. Ryan explained that it is rare for tattoo shops to take on more than one apprentice at a time. Board members agreed to limit the number of apprentices per shop to no more than two. Town Counsel will review the changes as requested by the Board for a vote at their next meeting. Mr. Solarin noted that additional amendments to Include microblading and piercing will eventually come back to the Board. Reading Coalition Update Kevin Sexton stated that the Coalition did not meet since the last Board of Health meeting. He noted that the new Clinician is up and running, and a press release was just posted Page 12 announcing that she will be doing office hours. Ms. Dunnell asked If Coalition Director Erica McNamara and staff are in tune with the road map for community behavioral health. Mr. Sexton stated that he will speak with Ms. McNamara to get the subject on her radar. Health Department Monthly Report Mr. Solarin shared the statistics from the Health Department's busy month of May: • Food Inspections = 35 • Fo0d Reinspection = 1 • Housing Complaints = 3 • Swimming Pool Inspections = 3 • Swimming Pool Reinspection = 2 • New Food Establishment Permits Issued = 1 • Residential Kitchen Food Permit = 1 • Ice Cream Truck Permit = 1 • Temporary Food Event Permits = 3 • Closing/Changing Ownership Inspections = 1 Ms. Velazquez explained that one of the housing complaints was one neighbor complaining about another neighbor's yard waste, but there was no violation. The other two complaints were due to a trash room In a condo complex that was overfull. There was one noise complaint received about a neighbor being loud, but the caller was advised to call the police. Mr. Solarin also noted a noise complaint regarding the Verizon building. Staff is working with Verizon to redesign their HVAC system and enclose it to get the noise down to 50 decibels. Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris shared the latest nursing report from May 26'^ to June 2nd. The data was obtained from MAVEN reporting and does not Include self-reported COVID cases. • Total COVID cases = 5,202 • Current COVID cases = 44 • Deaths = 53 • Transferred Cases = 17 • Recovered = 5,008 • Other Infectious disease cases: o Flu=4 o Salmonella= 1 Ms. Harris shared the School nursing update provided by Director of Nursing Mary Giuliana. Overall COVID cases at the schools are low. Testing programs will no longer be funded after next week. Masks will be encouraged at graduation and Indoor activities. There will be upcoming COVID vaccination clinics scheduled at the Coolidge Middle School throughout the month of June. Blood pressure clinics will be scheduled over the summer. There will be a Flu vaccine clinic scheduled for the fall. Mr. Solarin shared that the vacancy for the full time Public Health Nurse was reposted, and the vacancy for the Health Department Administrative Assistant will be posted next week. The Health Department will be attending Friends and Family Day on June 11th and will connect with Reading families and shared vital public health Information. Public Health Support arant (419.6421 At the last meeting, Mr. Solarin announced that the Health Department received a public Health grant in the amount of $19,642, and hoped to have a discussion at this meeting on its possible uses. When he asked the MHOA what it could be used for, the response he received was "anything related to COVID" even if spent earlier in the year and was not reimbursed. Ms. Dunnell noted that the grant will reimburse for COVID expenses not covered by MEMA, CARES, or other such grants. She suggested checking with Fire Chief Burns, as he does a great job of documenting expenses and what has been reimbursed. She also noted that other things the grant can be used for Include: the purchase of MERV 13 Page 13 filters to have on hand, portable HEPA filters, carbon dioxide monitors (data from carbon dioxide monitors can help identify where HEPA filters are needed), technology such as laptops or tablets for EDS sites such as flu clinics, phone and data plan for employees who are not already covered, signage for test kit availability and clinics, and tech time for voluntary reporting of test results. Mr. Solarin noted that he was thinking of the purchase of a smart board for teaching food safety courses. He also noted that he will mention the grant at the next ICS meeting. Public Comment Narcissa Lyons opined that the Board's webpage does not do enough to make sure that people can make smart decisions for themselves regarding COVID vaccination. Board members explained that the links on the webpage direct people to the state's Mass.gov and CDC resources. When someone receives a vaccine, they are provided with a consent forth that lists the effects. The Board has an advocacy role around vaccination, testing, and treatments that have been proven. Residents are not prevented from accessing other resources If they are seeking more Information. Board members also advised that if anyone has concerns about this or any vaccination, their concems would be best addressed with their Primary Care Provider. Next Meetina Aaenda Items: Final Comments Dr. Lopez stated that at the next meeting on July 7'h, the Board will receive an update on the MAPC recommendations. There may be a meeting added in lune to finish the policy on body art apprenticeship. Dr. Lopez also noted that the Select Board seems to be on board with the proposed expansion of the Board of Health to five members. The Select Board will bring the matter to Town Meeting in the fall so that it can go to the state legislature for approval. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Kerry Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 5:30 pm. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Page 1 4