HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-02 Board of Health Minutesf, Town of Reading keCtlVt:b
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Board of Health
Date: 2023-03-02 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; Associate Member Kevin Sexton and
Associate Member Geri Cramer
Members - Not Present:
Kerry Dunnell
Others Present:
Public Health Director Ade Solarin, Public Health Nurse Malone MacDonald,
Gina, Nurjahan, Narcissa Lyons
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Cassidy Keegan
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:03PM and reviewed this evening's
agenda.
Review/Approval of Minutes for February tad. 2023
The minutes are deferred and will be reviewed at next month's meeting on April 13d.
Public Comment
Narcissa Lyons Spoke at 7:43PM. She stated that she doesn't understand why the Board
continues to promote COVID vaccines. Dr. Richard Lopez stated that we aren't promoting
but allowing the option for people to know they do have resources.
Meadow Brook: Compostino Toilet
The consultants for the composting toilet and shed for Meadow Brook Golf Club could not be
in attendance. This will be deferred until our next meeting on April 13th.
Update Tobacco Regulations
Maureen Buzby could not attend this meeting. Or Richard Lopez states that we started with
our baseline, the state regulations, and proceeded Into updating Reading's regulation along
with mandates and statutes from 2019. At the last meeting, we improved the body of work
and we agreed or disagreed on town specific regulations. The Board members now begin to
look at fining structures for regulation. There are two structures, the first is state mandated
fines which are $1000 (first offense), $2000 (Second Offense), and $5000 (Third Offense).
The second fine structure is Reading's local fine structure which is $100 for the first offense,
$200 for the second offense, and $300 for the third offense.
The Board proceeded to look at the survey that they had to take after last month's meeting
and decipher which violations should fall under state fines or Readings fines. There were a
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few sections that were unanimous but there were a few sections that needed to be decided
upon. Once everything is decided upon the overall updated comprehensive regulations will
be sent to the Town Counsel. As the Board went through the votes on the survey, Health
Director Ade Solarin proposed an option to go with the unified fining structure of $1000,
$2000, and $5000 and if anyone felt aggrieved, they could always request a hearing before
the Board. The board asked Ade to inquire about editing the document in a manner that
would allow them to hear an appeal for fines associated with Reading -specific violations
ONLY. The board suggested using "may" Instead of "shall" in the language surrounding the
fines to allow for flexibility. If the Board was to see the violation as egregious then they
would proceed with the fine but if not as harsh, there will be a notice first. The Board will
take a vote at the next meeting to determine if the proposed amendments to the regulation
will become law. The Board is contemplating whether the proposed minor changes to the
regulation warrant a public hearing.
Update_ Community Health Needs Assessment RFP Report
Health Director Ade Solarin stated that Pear Associates LLC was hired to assist with
identifying community health needs and are here to help process ways to address those
needs. Pear Associates at the kickoff meeting stated that we would have to decide who is a
part of the planning commission that can range from 8-10 members. Dr. Lopez stands
forward to appoint himself to be on the committee. Health Director Ade Solarin states that
we should aim for 1-2 Board members, 1 person from the Police Department, 1 from the
Coalition, 1 from the Fire Department, 1 from Aging Council, 1 School Department, 1
member from Chamber of Commerce and possibly 1 Veteran staff member. For the second
meeting, Ade Solarin has added more departments to the email to reach a larger audience
that will provide a more comprehensive perspective on what will be accomplished.
Reading Coalition Update
Kevin Sexton Associate Chair member states there was a Coalition meeting, and they just
went over slides that recapped all of 2022 and it shared a handful of data. Kevin stated he
would share a copy of the slides with the board.
Health Department Monthly Report
Ade Solarin gives the monthly health department update and proceeds with the numbers for
the month.
16 food inspections
a 4 re -inspections
e 3 food establishment complaints
a 1 temporary food inspection
• 1 dog waste complaint
a 1 closure order at Cumberland farms
a 1 housing complaint Inspection
Public Health Nurse Malorie MacDonald states that there are only 14 active COVID cases at
this moment and numbers are going down. Public Health Nurse Malorie MacDonald also
stated that there is a Vaccine Rx Clinic on March loth for vaccines and flu shots. There will
also be a Blood Pressure Clinic on the 130 as well as Kidney Bingo on March 15th. Public
Health Nurse Malorle MacDonald stated that she will continue to have an event every month
that focuses on different health aspects.
Next Meeting Agenda Items• Final Comments
Next Meeting will be held on April 13th instead of the first Thursday of April.
Adjourn
Dr. Richard Lopez made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45PM.
Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Richard Lopez- Yes
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