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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-07 Board of Health Minutesa� Town of Reading ,yl Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2022-07-07 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK RCA^ING, MA. II 2022 AUG -8 AM 8: 26 Chair Richard Lopez, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren; Associate Member: Geri Cramer Members - Not Present: Associate Member Kevin Sexton Others Present: Public Health Director Ade Solarin, Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Health Inspector Jennifer Velazquez, Jackie McCarthy, Nancy D Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm and reviewed the evening's agenda. Kevin Sexton was unable to attend this evening's meeting, but for a Coalition update, he sent survey results last week of the mental health Issues in the schools, which the Coalition is working on. Review/Approval of Minutes June2. 2022: Ms. Curren noted the correct filters for the grant were MERV-13 filters. On a motion by Richard Lopez, and seconded by Paula Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of June 2, 2022 as amended. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Paula Curren - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. BOH Reorganization: Dr. Lopez noted that per the general bylaws, all Boards and Committees are required to renew or reappoint the Chair and Vice Chair in June or July of every year, and asked for nominations for Chair. On a nomination by Ms. Curren, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to reappoint Richard Lopez as Chair of the Board of Health. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Dr. Lopez continued the meeting and asked for nominations for Vice Chair. On a nomination by Dr. Lopez and seconded by Paula Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to reappoint Kerry Dunnell as Vice Chair of the Board of Health. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Tattoo Apprenticeship Program Page 1 1 Public Health Director Ade Solarin reviewed the changes that were proposed by Town Counsel, along with edits requested by the Board. The one-time fee of $250 was changed to $125 per year for two years. Section 22 will need to be amended to reflect the added fee. Other changes include: the definition of "apprentice" was added, the need for time sheets to be notarized was eliminated, an apprentice will be able to appeal to the Board to explain a 30 -day break in training, the number of apprentices a body art establishment can advise is limited to two, and an apprentice must attest to reading section 23 in its entirety to obtain an apprentice license. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the Body Art Practitioner Apprenticeship Program as written. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Health Department Monthly Report: Public Health Director Ade Solarin presented the activities of the Health Department for the month of June: • Routine Food Inspections: 26 • Food Re -Inspections: 8 • Food Complaints: 2 • Housing Complaints: 5 • Camp Inspections: 2 • Pool Inspections:3 • Pool Re -Inspections: 1 • Temporary Food Events Permits Issued: 10 Department vacancies continue to be difficult to fill. The vacancy for the Public Health Nurse was reposted and two candidates will be interviewed next Tuesday. There were four candidates scheduled to interview for the Administrative Assistant position, but two cancelled at the last minute. The positions continue to be advertised. The Department was able to secure a Public Health Excellence Grant for Shared Services In partnership with Andover, North Andover, Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, and Lynnfield, with Andover as the lead community. The annualized grant in the amount of $297,200 will provide shared services Including: hiring a training officer responsible for performing standards of food inspections and identifying training needs of staff, hiring of an FDA standards coordinator responsible for assisting communities with handling and managing FDA standards and apply for grants, tobacco control compliance, and an environmental health inspector. The Department received a Public Health Grant for $19,642 for the sole purpose of assisting the Town with efforts to enhance COVID-19 response. Thanks to the ideas from the Board at the last meeting, the funds were expended on: 4 HEPA filters, 4 packs of HEPA filter replacements, 10 boxes of thermometers, 1 vaccine refrigeration/freezer, 2 vaccine storage coolers, 3 laptops, 3 laptop cases, 4 tablets, 4 tablet cases, 1 smartboard, 1 smartboard mount, hand washing signage, sanitizer bottles, banners, tablecloths, canopy tents , A - Frame signs, and wipes. The owners of 34 Hartshorn Street were granted a variance two meetings ago, and the Department conducted subsequent re -inspections. They complied with the initial order and all violations listed on that order. However, other violations were noted, such as overgrown vegetation and unkept shrubs. They were reissued another order to address the new violations which should be corrected by next Tuesday. Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris provided the latest COVID data: • Active Cases: 36 o Under 5 years old: 6 o Ages 5-18: 10 o Ages 18+: 20 • Deaths: 53 Page 1 2 • Current Hospitalizations: 0 • Recovered: 5,218 • Total: 5,324 There are currently no clusters. COVID vaccination clinics are scheduled throughout the summer. Flu vaccine for Fall 2022 has been ordered and is expected to be delivered in September. Flu clinics have been scheduled and dates will be posted early. Ms. Harris stated that she will look into whether to add pneumococcal and shingles vaccines and possibly B12 to the vaccine protocol. Ms. Harris continues to attend bimonthly DPH MAVEN webinars. The Region 3B Coalition had an emergency drill on June 30th and continues to provide web EOC training. The After - Action Report was just released on Tuesday, and Ms. Harris will share the report with the Board. Public Comment: There was no comment from the public. Next Meeting Aaenda Items: Final Comments: Ms. Dunnell stated that through her work she learned that the state Department of Mental Health is working to increase availability of mental health services to address the crisis. There is a three -pronged approach being rolled out to create community behavioral health centers, create a 24/7 behavioral health hotline, and create urgent care centers for behavioral health. The centers should be operational by the beginning of January. Dr. Lopez noted that the Select Board approved a recommendation that will go to Town Meeting for approval, then go to the state legislature, to Increase the size of the board from three members to five members. The change should hopefully happen sometime over the winter. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 7:51 pm. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes.