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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-04 Board of Health Minutes�r' Town of Reading HEC EIVE0 a Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK i� F "A'1 Nr-. h"A. a„Kon>°°� pAe— Board - committee - Commission - Council: 21322 SEP -9 AH 10 34 Board of Health Date: 2022-08-04 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: Public Health Director Ade Solarin, Michele Stowell, Ray Warren, Jackie McCarthy, Brian Stowell, Bob, Climate Advisory Chair David Zeek Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn La Verde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and reviewed the evening's agenda. Paula Curren asked if the Board should discuss the current monkeypox outbreak. Dr. Lopez stated that can be discussed during the nurse's report. Public Health Director Ade Solarin noted that the CDC is expected to declare an emergency shortly and that there is Information about it on the Town website. Minutes from July 7. 2022 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 July 7, 2022. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell — Yes, Paula Curren — Yes, Richard Lopez — Yes. Reauest for Variance — 34 Hartshorn Street Public Health Director Ade Solarin reviewed the request for a variance at 34 Hartshorn Street. The owners complied with an initial order and corrected the violations. However, upon returning for an inspection, the backyard was unrecognizable with overgrown vegetation and unkept shrubs. A subsequent order letter was sent on June 21K to have those violations corrected. They were given 14 days to cut down the overgrowth, remove tall grasses, weeds, unkept shrubs, unwanted plants, and eliminate all nuisance conditions, and maintain the property in a manner that will prevent rodent, Insect, or pest harborage. They were also ordered to submit a management plan that addresses upkeep of lawn, shrubbery, and landscape features, and ensures the property will be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. The property was inspected yesterday, and Mr. Solarin noted there was significant Improvement in Its condition. The owners submitted a plan that they intend to maintain the yard, but Mr. Solarin stated that he does not have the confidence that the Page I I homeowners can prevent the situation from happening again. He recommended that the Board grant the homeowners a conditional 30 -day extension that includes a management and maintenance plan from a professional landscape company. The homeowner, Brian Stowell, stated that he will not hire a landscape company. He has a disability and has been sick, but can still do some work. He stated that he has done all the work so far to comply with the orders, and maintenance going forward will be easier than it has been over the past year. He asked the Board to give him more time to prove that he can maintain it. Dr. Lopez noted that the property is currently no longer a public nuisance because the backyard has been cleaned up. However, Mr. Solarin has concerns about the property becoming a public nuisance again over the next 30 to 45 days. Dr. Lopez proposed to give the Stowells 30 or 45 days to maintain the current condition of the property, followed by another inspection 30 days after that. If the property at any time reverts to its previous condition, there would be an automatic requirement to retain a professional landscaping company. The order can be conditional anytime in the next 12 months should the property revert to its overgrown state. Board members agreed with the proposal, though Ms. Dunnell cautioned it could be setting a precedent that could create extra work for staff. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to order an inspection of the property at 34 Hartshorn Street in 30 days. If the property is reverting to its previous condition at that time, there will be an automatic requirement, per order of the Board of Health, for a landscaping company to be retained by the property owners within two weeks to manage the property. The requirement for a landscaping company will remain in place for twelve months and may be implemented by the Health Department if future inspections show that the property is reverting to its previous unacceptable condition. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Paula Curren - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Request for Variance - 365 Ash Street Mr. Solarin stated that the property at 365 Ash Street was condemned on July 20th. The occupant is in good health and is currently in a hotel. The owner has decided to comply with the order and move back in. He has requested a 90 -day extension to correct the violations. Ray Warren, the homeowner's son, stated that they are actively seeking contractors but have gotten limited responses so far. They are considering whether it is worth the effort. He is working closely with the building inspector to help his father as much as possible. Mr. Solarin stated that the corrective repairs must be made, the house must be reinspected, and the standards must be met before the homeowner can move back in. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve a 90 -day variance for 365 Ash Street, during which time the ordered repairs must be made, and a reinspection must occur prior to the building being reinhabited. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. Reading Coalition Update Kevin Sexton provided an update from the Coalition's lune meeting, as he was unable to attend their July meeting. He had shared the teen mental health first aid results with the Board ahead of the last BOH meeting and noted some eye-opening statistics in them. The Coalition was running a program called "I Decide' but has since transitioned away from it, as the program was more penal than educational if someone tested positive for substances. The Coalition is picking up with the MGH program, and is taking on more themselves until they can find another pilot program to replace "I Decide". Page 1 2 The Coalition is planning their annual Recovery and Remembrance event on September 28i^ at 6:00 pm on the Town Common to celebrate those living in recovery, and those lost to substance misuse. The Coalition is also embarking on Its own needs assessment for themselves and for the Town. Mr. Sexton encouraged Coalition Director Erica McNamara to get in touch with Mr. Solarin, as that seems like something on which the Health Department and Coalition should collaborate. Climate Advisory Committee David Zeek, Chair of the Climate Advisory Committee, presented a proposed bylaw to prohibit the use of polystyrene disposable food service Items. The bylaw is limited in scope, as it does not affect Items made of other materials, and focuses on food service. Mr. Zeek presented the problems with polystyrene including Its carcinogenic properties, harm to wildlife, inability to biodegrade, and Its Inability to be recycled. He also provided examples of polystyrene, as well as acceptable alternatives. Massgreen.org tracks similar bylaws and lists 47 such bylaws in Massachusetts. Mr. Zeek stated that most of the substance for the proposed bylaw came from Arlington's, which seemed like a good Flt for Reading. Mr. Zeke reviewed the details of the proposed bylaw, including definitions of polystyrene, food establishment, and disposable food service containers, as well as the regulation and enforcement, and he explained the waiver process that would give establishments time to comply should the bylaw be accepted. Enforcement would be the responsibility of the Health Department and the Health Director would have the authority to issue additional rules and regulations. Mr. Solarin stated that It Is not extra work for the Department, as this can be included In regular Inspections. He noted the only problem might be altering their food inspections forms, but he will look Into it. Board members expressed their agreement and support for the proposed bylaw. They noted that ideally, all single use plastic would be banned in the future, and expressed their disappointment that the commonwealth does not pass a law so that communities do not have to create their own bylaws. Health Department Monthly Report Public Health Director Ade Solarin updated the Board on the Department's July activities: • Food Inspections: 25 • Food Re -inspections: 3 • Food Complaint Inspections: 1 • Housing Complaints: 3 • Swimming Pool Inspections: 1 • Swimming Pool Re -Inspections: 1 • Septic Abandonment: 1 • Percolation Test Hole: 1 • New Septic Application: 1 • Annual Inspections: 11 • Rat Complaints: 3 • Temporary Event Permits issued: 3 • Annual Keeper of Animals Permits renewed: 11 (all) • Annual Body Art Establishment and Practitioner renewed: all except Round Table Tattoo. Further steps will be taken to get Round Table into compliance. The latest COVID data includes: • Total Cases: 5,456 • Active Cases: 50 • Deaths: 53 Page 1 3 . Recovered: 5,336 Other ongoing Infectious disease Investigations: • Salmonella:1 • Campylobacteriosls:2 There Is a COVID vaccination clinic scheduled for August 11�h at the Killam Elementary School. Mr. Solarin reviewed the additional housing complaints. There was exposed insulation in the kitchen area at 44 Ash Street, and 54 Ash Street had steps in the stairwell in disrepair, exposed wiring, and a leak in the ceiling. The owner complied with the order quickly. The Board briefly discussed the current monkeypox outbreak, expressed concern for the amount of disinformation on the subject, and advocated for education and awareness. The U.S. just declared monkeypox an emergency earlier this evening. The state has sent out a flyer which Mr. Solarin stated he will be posting to the Health Department's webpage. Public Comment There were no members of the public present for comment. Next Meeting Aaenda Items; Final Comments Dr. Lopez asked members to forward any suggestions for agenda items to Mr. Solarin. At the next meeting in September, he requested a brief update on the recommendations made by MAPC. The Open Meeting Law emergency order allowing remote meetings has been extended to March of 2023, and the Board can discuss hybrid or in-person options later in the year. With regards to the Coalition planning to conduct a needs assessment, Mr. Sexton asked when the Board plans to conduct theirs. Mr. Solarin stated that he has a Request for Proposals prepared he just needs to request the funding for the assessment at November Town Meeting, and hopes to get the project going In the next six to twelve months. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:46 pm. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes.