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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-12 Board of Health Minutesur ea "RECEIVED e Town of Reading 'TOWN CLERK Meeting Minutes READING MA ire P—L 2023 FEB -6 AM 7:45 Board - committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2023-01-12 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Richard Lopez, Paula Curren; Associate Members: Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Kerry Dunnell Others Present: Public Health Director Ade Solarin, Public Health Nurse Malone MacDonald, Procurement Officer Allison Jenkins, Tobacco Control Coordinator Maureen Buzby, Jackie McCarthy, Nancy Ziemlak, Dan Dewar, Rick Mancuso, 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 7:02 pm and reviewed the evening's agenda. Review/Approval of Minutes for November 3, 2022 On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 2-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of November 3, 2022. Roll call vote: Paula Curren — Yes, Richard Lopez — Yes. Update Community Health Needs Assessment RFP effort Public Health Director Ade Solarin stated that one proposal was received for the Community Health Needs Assessment from Massachusetts firm, Pear Associates, LLC. Procurement Officer Allison Jenkins was present to review the criteria specified in the Request for Proposals with the Board. Board members agreed that the firm met all the criteria as either highly advantageous or advantageous, and agreed to proceed with reference checks, and schedule an interview with Pear Associates. Ms. Jenkins stated that she would provide the Board with the price proposal, and Mr. Solarin would contact references. If the Board votes to hire the firm, Ms. Jenkins will send them the contract, and the firm can begin their assessment. Update Tobacco Reaulations Regional Tobacco Control Coordinator Maureen Buzby reviewed proposed changes to Reading's tobacco regulations. The state passed new legislation In 2019. The current state Page I I law trumps local regulations and is already being enforced, and Ms. Buzby recommended adopting those into the local regulations to be consistent with state law. There are other local regulations that she recommended reviewing and updating including: clarifying definitions, deciding on a basic or reducing cap on the number of permits Issued, banning smoking bars, minimum cigar price, and banning blunt wraps. The Board engaged in a lengthy discussion about banning flavored wraps, Instituting a basic cap or reducing cap, and proximity between schools and between other tobacco retailers. Board members agreed on reducing the penult cap to 12, from the current 15, as permits are not renewed, though Ms. Buzby noted that she would work with her colleague on the language. Board members were also in favor of not allowing an individual to apply for a new license for one year after losing a license for having three violations within one year, eliminating the retail density between retallers, and keeping the ban on smoking bars. At the conclusion of the discussion, Dr. Lopez suggested voting to accept the state regulations and completing the review of the proposed local regulations at the next meeting on February 2nd. Following that meeting, the proposed local regulations will be sent to Town Counsel for comments, which the Board will review at the March meeting. Then, the Board will hold a public hearing on the final proposed regulations at their April meeting. Reading Coalition Update Kevin Sexton stated that the Coalition had to cancel their monthly meeting at the last minute due to staffing issues. The next Coalition meeting is scheduled for the end of this month. Health Department Monthly Report Mr. Solarin provided an update to the Health Department's activities since their last meeting. The owner of 365 Ash Street is currently in a rehabilitation facility. The plan is for the owner to stay at the rehab until guardianship Is figured out. The Police Department will continue to conduct weekly checks on the area. The revised budget plan for the Shared Services for Excellence grant has been submitted, the baseline assessment has been completed, and the region is awaiting the first payment to be dispersed. Mr. Solarin stated that the Fire Chief Is still working on the After -Action Report from COVID Incident Command, and will share It with the Board when It i5 complete. An offer has been made to Cassidy Keegan to be the new Administrative Assistant for the Department. Her expected start date is January 23'd. The department has been working on some new programs. In conjunction with the Coalition, there will be a free Narcan Training at the Library on February 21n. In conjunction with Vision 2020, there will be an onsite vision clinic for Town employees, officials, and their families on February 7th. If the program is successful, there will be a similar clinic for residents. Inspections for December include: • Food Establishment Inspections: 6 • Food Reinspection: 1 • Food Complaints: 0 • Housing complaints: 4 • Trash Complaints: 1 • Temporary Food Permits Issued: 7 Public Health Nurse Malorie MacDonald reviewed the latest epidemiological statistics: Page 1 2 • Active COVID cases: o Current Active Cases: 23 (4 cases ages 5-18, 0 cases under age 5) o New Deaths: 1 in September that was just reported. • Other Infectious diseases: o Vibrlo: 1 from skin culture o Ebola outbreak is considered over. The travelers from Uganda no longer need contact tracing. The Department continues to host monthly Flu and COVID vaccine clinics, and blood pressure clinics the second Monday of each month. Dr. Lopez noted that currently according to the CDC, Middlesex County Is considered high risk for COVID. The Board Is encouraging masking and may want to send reminders on social media about masking, getting vaccinated, and testing. Public Comment Dan Dewar, owner of the Quick Stop and resident of 519 Main Street, as a retailer spoke in favor of keeping the tobacco regulation that requires a certain distance between two tobacco retailers. He also requested to be invited to the Board's public forum on tobacco regulations. Mr. Solarin stated that he and all tobacco licensees will be notified and Invited to the public forum. Narcissa Lyons stated that she did not understand why the Board continues to encourage COVID vaccinations. Mr. Solarin asked Ms. Lyons to provide credible sources of information and he would present it to the Board. Next Meeting Agenda Items: Final Comments At the next meeting in February, the Board will continue the discussion on tobacco regulations, follow up on the RFP for the Community Health Needs Assessment, and discuss the plastic food container ban implementation. Dr. Lopez asked if the petition to expand the Board membership to five members had been submitted to the state legislature. Mr. Solarin stated that he will follow up with Town Counsel. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 2-0-0 to adjourn at 8:55 pm. Roll call vote: Paula Curren - Yes, Richard Lopez - Yes. °gee I