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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-12 Board of Health Minutesg�N Orq O + � Town of Reading L;,nIV cU tt RK „ c Meeting Minutes 7Wn CLEa i Fah:, .i 3. W.A• �99MCo0.p OPS Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 9823 Nab 13 AH 11.52 Board of Health Date: 2023-10-12 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, Kerry Dunnell and Paula Curren, Associate Members Geri Cramer and Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Jaime Hoebeke, Maureen Buzby,and Jackie McCarthy 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 7:03 PM and reviewed this evening's agenda. Roll Call: Paula Curren, Kerry Dunnell, Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton and Richard Lopez. Review/Approval of Minutes from August 10th. 2023 There were no suggested edits. Motion to approve September 14th, 2023, minutes. Roll Call: Kerry- Yes, Paula- Yes, and Richard- Yes. Public Comment There was no public comment. Update; Community Health Needs Assessment Vice President and Senior Consultant of Pear Associates, Jaime Hoebeke, joined the Board of Health to speak about the ongoing Community Health Needs assessment as well as the Community Health survey that has been distributed throughout the town. Jaime Hoebeke shares the milestones over the last few months and the steps taken to get to this point. The survey was launched on September 14, 2023, and as of October 12, 2023, there were 180 surveys fully completed. Jaime Hoebeke goes over the action plan for the next year, including the announcement of the results. Chair, Richard Lopez communicates that the planning team will meet prior to the Board receiving the results of the survey. Vice Chair, Kerry Dunnell pitches the thought of having a combined meeting with the Planning Team and the Board, so it doesn't become repetitive. Richard Lopez presents the possibility of having a meeting in December solely focused on the results as a viable alternative. Page 1 1 Nicotine -Free Generation Policv Maureen Buzby joined the Board of Health to introduce the Nicotine -Free Generation Policy. The Nicotine -free generation proposal advocates legislation precluding the sale and supply of tobacco to individuals born after a certain year. Maureen Buzby voiced that in 2020 there was a flavor ban on all tobacco and nicotine products. As a result of the ban, the tobacco industry got creative with how they market, advertise, and distribute "flavored" products to the public that work around such laws. Maureen showed a picture of a tobacco product packaging that advertises non menthol cigarettes for menthol smokers as an example of the industry's creativity. In 2020 Brookline, MA approved a bylaw that states that anyone born after January 1'r, 2000, cannot purchase tobacco products. Melrose and Wakefield are in support of this movement as well. Maureen Buzby expresses that multiple health apprehensions come from these new products such as mental health concerns and poor dental hygiene. Maureen proposes holding a public hearing that will educate and bring awareness to this policy. Health Director Ade Solarin brings to light that he believes in standardization and that we should see what other towns are setting as their cutoff date for the tobacco- free generation proposal. Ade suggested setting the cutoff date a few years out to target individuals in their early teenage years, for example January 1, 2010. Associate member, Kevin Sexton also suggested it would be reasonable to set the cutoff date a few years out. Maureen Buzby communicates it will take about a generation or more for there to be any progress, but it is better to invest now to see changes in the future generations. Kevin Sexton believes an in- person public hearing will allow the residents to share their thoughts and opinions more freely. Performance Standards for Local Public Health Vice Chair, Kerry Dunnell was happy to present the Performance Standards that were recently released by The Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Kerry Dunnell states that this is the first time there will be a set of performance standards in MA. It is basic but provides a baseline for Public Health. It helps guide Health Directors and the Boards of Health to know what will be needed in the community and how to train staff effectively. The Performance Standards include administration, community sanitation, environmental protection, disease control and prevention, food safety, and housing. Rodent Control Follow -Up Health Director Ade Solarin keeps everyone up to date on what is happening with the Contrapest bait boxes. Seven boxes were placed at Washington Park and all of the boxes have seen activity over the last month. Jennifer Velazquez, the Health Inspector, monitors the bait boxes weekly. Ade Solarin states that over the next few months the Health Department will continue to record the data and gather information. Once there is enough data, a graph showing the activity levels will be created to help visualize the effectiveness of our newly executed Rodent control approach at Washington park. Health Department Monthly Report Ade Solarin updates the Board of Health on monthly health report. Mr. Solarin mentions MAVEN is down so there was no accurate read on COVID numbers. Ade Solarin states that he has received 1600 Covid-19 test kits and they will be available at the town hall and the library. Residents can also order free kits from the government. Health Numbers: 11 Food Inspections • 3 Food Re -Inspections 27 Temporary Food Permits 3 Housing Complaints and 3 Housing Inspections • 1 Solid Waste Complaint and I Solid Waste Inspection Final Comments The next meeting will be on November 9th, 2023. Page 1 2 Adiourn Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:5013M. Roll call: Kerry -Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard -Yes Materials Used: • September 14th Minutes • Community Health Need survey slides • Nicotine -Free Generation Policy • Performance Standards Press Release • Performance Standards Map • Contrapest Update Excel, Page 1 3