HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-11 Board of Health Minutesa �_ Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes kEC LV E D
TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2128 AUG 28 PM 1: 34
Board of Health
Date: 2023-05-11 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Virtual Location: Zoom
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Meeting- Remote Session Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Richard Lopez, Paula Curren, Kerry Dunnell; Associate Members Kevin
Sexton and Geri Cramer
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Health Director Ade Solarin, Public Health Nurse Malone MacDonald, Jackie
McCarthy, YMCA Representative- Hayley Yaffe, Felicia Balbi, Beth Robert,
Stephanie Anne, Timothy, Nancy D, Mary Ellen
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Cassidy Keegan
Topics of Discussion:
The meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:05PM and reviews thls evenings
agenda.
Review/Approval of Minutes for April 130. 2023. May 20d. 2023, and May 3'd. 2023
April 13d', 2023 minutes were approved after an error in "Health Inspection" numbers (was
6 health inspections but changed to 14 health inspection). May 2nd, 2023 minutes were
approved as well.
Motion to approve both meeting minutes.
Roll Call: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell- Yes and Richard Lopez- Yes
May 3f0, 2023 minutes are deferred to next month's meeting due to needing an attendee list
from Pear Associates LLC.
Public Comment
Brief Power Outage For Richard Lopez and Geri Cramer; Kerry Dunnell assumed Chair role
for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Mary Ellen O'Neill brings the Issue of Bait Boxes to the Board and she is requesting to
remove the traps that were put into place 4-5 years ago at Washington Park. The Bait
Boxes are harmful towards all animals and she feels that the Bait Boxes are a public health
hazard. Health Director Ade Solarin brings a data -based discussion to light and presents the
past 16 months of Pest Control Reports. There are also date and activity levels shown as
well as a graph that represents that it isn't ideal to remove the Bait Boxes during the
Summer due to consistent heavy activity levels. Mr. Solarin shares information about how
he was informed that there is a possibility the Bait Boxes are being tampered with to
support the narrative of those who are trying to get rid of these Bait Boxes. The Board
begins to discuss what sites have these Bait Boxes and what is being used in the Bait Boxes.
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Ade Solarin says there are alternatives that could be used in the bait boxes and that he
could reach out to the staff to investigate these alternatives. Kevin Sexton believes it should
be presented to the public because it is a larger concern In the town. The final verdict is to
request better alternatives and cost from Pest Control and continue the conversation at the
next meeting.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Update- Region 3B
Ade Solarin mentions that we have brought Felicia Balbi and Beth Robert in to give an
update on our Emergency Preparedness and what It is. Kerry Dunnell introduces Beth
Robert and Felicia Balbi who are affiliated with Region 3B, Beth and Kerry share the same
role but in different regions. Felicia opens up with a general overview of the grant. Felicia
states that after 9/11 happened the center for disease control and prevention was
established by the enactment of public health security, bioterrorlsm and response act In
2002. From the attacks that happened in 2001, they said people need to be prepared for an
attack or an anthrax attack. A program was created to plan for the attack of anthrax and
have the ability to distribute medicine within 48 hours of receiving notice of an attack. There
was a lot of money going towards this and an EDS (Emergency Dispensing Site) was made
after everything. There are Items called push packs and the CDC would bring you this
massive cart filled with a surplus number of essentials within the 12 -hour notice of there
being an attack. Once it reached the communities it was up to them to distribute
Doxycycline or Ciprofloxacin pills within 48 hours or else people could possibly die. Then
they got into flu shots, swine flu, H1N1 and more. They started to plan for that and
integrate the vaccines. Their program has evolved since then especially with COVID
happening. They also have something called capabilities and they function through national
response framework as well as within the CDC. Throughout Massachusetts they have
something called HCC (Health Care Coalition) and it divides the states Into 6 different
Regions. Beth Robert begins talking about the core disciplines such as public health, long
term care, community health centers, hospitals, EMS and emergency management. The
main goal is to bring all health care facilities and their regions together in order to
collaborate in resource sharing. They make connections and each facility becomes aware of
different resources and capabilities provided to health care facilities. They also have a 24/7
duty officer role who is on call for core disciplines so anyone can reach out when any
emergencies come into play. Kerry Dunnell adds that they have also gone over multiple
infectious diseases and there is a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis that touches upon a broad
range of hazardous issues. Felicia Balbi began speaking of her past experience in different
regions and different states. Chair Richard Lopez brings up the matter of time- We will have
to move on due to having additional Items on the agenda. Richard Lopez also added to the
end of the conversation that he feels like we should continue educating the rest of the board
or others on what is going on. Public Health Nurse Malorle MacDonald also states a small
EDS drill was ran at RMHS. They do plan on doing a much larger EDS site with flu clinics
and with local nurses who she has made connections with.
YMCA- Request to Operate a Recreational Camp Without Prior Inspection
Ade Solarin Introduces the next item on the agenda, Hayley Yaffe a YMCA Representative,
who is requesting to operate camp without prior Inspection. Hayley Yaffe states that many
diverse families are paying privately and or through state subsidies (vouchers). In order for
those to be written and know that placements are set they need a few things. YMCA either
needs to provide the voucher agencies the camp permit for 2023 or a letter stating that the
camp was in good standing, application was submitted as well as approval that their camp
can run prior to Inspection. Hayley Yaffe states that families are getting nervous that their
place in camp Isn't secured because inspection is getting a little close to opening day. Ade
Solarin shares the standards for a license without prior Inspection. Mr. Solarin feels like the
YMCA meets all requirements and feels the board should grant a license without prior
inspection. Ade Solarin states that sometime in June they will have the inspection done.
Richard Lopez makes a motion to approve per Ade's recommendation.
Roll call: Paula Curren- Yes, Kerry Dunnell- Yes, Richard Lopez- Yes.
Tobacco Reaulation- Adoption Process
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Ade Solarin states that last meeting we had on May 2nd 2023, the board voted to adopt the
new regulations but Mr. Solarin was informed by Town Counsel that a few things need to be
in place before we can officially adopt the regulations. Reading needs to have a public
hearing and receive public comments before the board can vote to adopt the regulations
officially. After that, the regulations need to be published in the newspaper. Richard Lopez
states that we not only have to do a hearing with the tobacco regulations but as we get to
the next item on the agenda, Body Art Regulation Amendments will need a hearing as well.
Richard Lopez believes that it is in the boards best interest to have both hearings within the
same meeting as well as post on the health website before the meeting so residents can
understand what's happening. Ade Solarin agrees that regulations should be on the
websites so everyone can be educated before the hearing.
Body Art/ Permanent Makeup
Ade Solarin presents the Body Art definitions and regulations. Mr. Solarin describes that
when you are a body art practitioner you are able to conduct cosmetic tattooing and if you
aren't a body artist you cannot do cosmetic tattooing. Ade states that municipalities have
created a pathway for certified cosmetic tattooist with experience to practice without being
body art practitioners. Mr. Solarin states that he has brought this to the boards attention for
them to consider amending the current body art regulation to include a set of requirements
for those certified and experienced without being a body art practitioner. Stephanie Anne
states she has been a permanent cosmetic tattooist for 3 years and has a body art license
as well as a cosmetic tattooing license in a different city. She asks if that is something she
can apply to In Reading and bring all her proof of licenses. Ade Solarin said once the board
adopts the amendments, we can touch upon each area of concern. Stephanie Anne also
makes a point that people in her field have to practice fine line tattooing, the same as a
regular tattoo artist. Ade Solarin made a point to change the definition of Cosmetic tattooing
as well to better fit what happens during the process. Richard Lopez says we cannot vote
because there needs to be a public hearing. The next step is to consult with Town Council,
have the document written up and shown to the board with a public hearing and the board
will then vote.
Update: Community Health Needs Assessment
Ade Solarin states that the planning committee is in the interview stage. Pear associates
LLC will conduct online interviews with key leaders whose insights are valuable with
understanding of community's health needs. Pear Associates LLC will be conducting 30-
minute interviews with the 10 key leaders from May 22 and June 7'^. The next meeting is
May 24th from 12- 12:30pm.
Those whom are being interviewed...
• Walkability: Jenna Fiorenti
• Elder Services: Alyse Warren
• Healthcare Provider: Dr. Lopez offered to identify someone from BILH
• Healthcare Provider (School): Need someone (Mary was mentioned)
• Housing/Shelter: Kathryn Gallant or Stacy Keppen?
• Public Safety: Chief burns
• Policy Maker: Fidel Maltez
• Mental/Behavioral Health: Erica McNamara
• Council on Aging: Marylin Shapleigh
• Equity/Social Justice: Sudeshna Chatterjee
Readino Coalition Update
Kevin Sexton stated he couldn't make it to the meeting and has no update.
Health Department Monthly Report
Ade Solarin stated in April Jennifer Velazquez was able to complete:
• 18 food inspections
• 4 single food re-Inspections
• 3 follow up food inspections
• 5 housing complaints
• 5 housing inspections
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• 1 housing re -inspection
Shared services grant made an offer to Anna who will be the Chair Service Coordinator and
once she's on board we will conduct Interviews for an Inspector and nurse position, be
anticipating for the end of month.
Malorle MacDonald stated that there 5 active COVID cases. The second bivalent booster is
approved for people over 65 or Immunocompromised on May 24th.
Next Meetino Agenda Items: Final Comments
Next meeting will be held June 8'^ 2023. The board believes we will not being having a July
meeting unless anything comes up that is worth meeting over.
Adiourn
Dr. Richard Lopez made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM
Roll Call Vote: Paula Curren- Yes, Kerry Dunnell- Yes, Richard Lopez- Yes
Materials Shown:
• April 13d' Minutes
• May 2nd Minutes
• May 3'd Minutes (CHNA/Pear Associates)
• Interview List (CHNA/Pear Associates)
• Pest Reports from January 2022 to current
• Chart of Bait Boxes Activity Level
• Standards for Recreational Camps
• Email from Town Council with Adoption Process
• Definitions from Section 23 Body Art
• Body Art Requirements
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