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Home My WebLink About2023-11-09 Board of Health MinutesOFRFgp O e Town of Reading :. Meeting Minutes vi r_ L_RK a:IKOPPOP Board -Committee -Commission -Council: 2r24 JAN 16 AM 10: 43 Board of Health Date: 2023-11-09 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, Yifang Yang, Annette Curbow, Nancy and Doug Macallister, Jackie McCarthy, and Narcissa Lyons 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, and Richard Lopez. Kevin Sexton arrived at 7:07 PM. Review/Aooroval of Minutes from October 12"'. 2023 There was one edit made to the minutes which consisted of a run-on sentence under the performance standards section. Motion to approve the Minutes from October 12"', 2023. Paula- Yes, Kerry- Yes, and Richard- Yes Public Comment No Public Comment 601 Haverhill Condemnation: Modification of Compliance Time Mr. and Mrs. Macallister came before the Board asking for an extension of compliance time after a fire occurred at their home. The Health Department was contacted during the house Ore, and numerous violations in need of correction were observed. The McCallisters were very cooperative and are beginning to bring their home up to compliance. The order letter they received stated the house needed to be back in compliance within 30 days, but it appears they will require more time to comply due to insurance reasons and the inability to secure contractors in a timely manner. The Macallisters requested a six-month extension. The Board granted the Macallisters an extension until May 16', 2024. Health Director Ade Solarin stated we will rely on the Macallisters to update us on the progress each month. Motion to approve the extension for May 1°', 2024. Paula- Yes, Kerry- Yes, and Richard- Yes Page 1 1 166 Nigh Street Chickens: Ban on Keeping Birds Health Director Ade Solarin shares the information about the keeping of animals at 166 High Street. The Health Department received a complaint about the Yangs having multiple ducks, chickens, and roosters, without a permit, and stated the habitat was not maintained In a sanitary manner. The Health Department requested the Yang's to remove the rooster and apply for a permit to keep animals. The Yang's initiated the permit application process and failed to complete it. A $100 fine was issued as a result of non-compliance and additional complaints were received regarding the animal keeping practices at this location. The Health Department and the Animal Control Officer conducted separate inspections and ordered the Yang's to apply for a permit, reduce the number of birds to six, provide an adequate habitat and maintain property in a sanitary condition. Upon reinspection by the health department, things appeared to be fine, and the ACO was notified for final inspection. The Animal Control Officer subsequently went out to the property to conduct a final inspection and found eight birds, five ducks and three chickens along with an unsanitary habitat. The ACO gave the residents 5 days to achieve compliance. Upon a follow-up inspection, access to the property was denied by the occupants. A plain view inspection revealed that the yang's had more birds and an unsanitary environment. As a result of continuous non-compliance, Health Director Ade Solarin is requesting to prohibit the keeping of animals at 166 High Street until occupants can demonstrate compliance with the regulation. Mrs. Yang stated she would clean up the coop and get the animals down to six if given another chance. Paula Curren suggested to get an interpreter and a social worker to help navigate the Yang's to complying. The Board decided the next best step would be to get an interpreter to help the Yangs understand what the Health Department truly is asking for. The board agreed that in the meantime, the habitat needs to be cleaned properly and the Animal Control Officer can conduct a walk-through with Mrs. Yang and the interpreter to point out violations that need to be corrected. If there were any violations after that, a cease and desist with a fine attached would be issued. If they are complying, a permit will be the next step. There will be no vote, but Health Director Ade Solarin will follow up with the Yangs and the interpreter. Shared Services Agreement Update Annette Curbow, Shared Services Coordinator, joined the Board meeting to give an update on the shared services agreement. The shared services program started back in lune 2023, and for Fiscal Year 2024 the program has received about $530,000. An efficient work plan has been constructed to set a standard on how the funds will be utilized to promote public health. The next steps of the plan Include expanding capacity to meet Public Health Performance Standards, expanding Food Protection Services, and expanding Public Health Nursing Services. Shared Services Coordinator, Annette Curbow stated that a lot of progress has been made. The coalition has hired a shared Inspector who supports all six (6) communities. They are in the final stages of hiring a Public Health Nurse, and they have formed a sub -committee with all of the towns' Health Inspectors and Health Directors that meet once a month to speak on certain goals and objectives. Annette Curbow finished up by stating there is more to achieve, and she will be back with more updates in the near future. Update, House Bill 2072 Chair Richard Lopez stated that in October of 2023, the Senate Committee on Bills ordered a third reading of House Bill 2072. Moving forward, the Senate would need to read and engross the bill which then goes to the House for a vote. It will then come back to the Senate for a vote and finally end up with the Governor. The Board is hoping to hear soon regarding the outcome of the vote and the expansion of the Board. Page 1 2 Health Department Monthly Report Health Director Ade Solarin shares that there were three COVID Vaccine Clinics and three Flu Clinics. The next clinic will be on December 1n ,2023. Mr. Solarin stated that there are free COVID tests at the Library and Town Hall. If there aren't any, you can receive free tests from the Government online as well. Ade Solarin shares that there is nothing to report in the sense of COVID Numbers, as nothing was reported on MAVEN. The Health Department is still looking for a Public Health Nurse. Permits are coming in and a good percentage has been completed. Health Numbers this Month: 14 Food Inspections • 4 Food Re -inspections 2 Food Complaints 3 Temporary Food Permits • 1 Animal Control Complaint, 1 Animal Control Inspection as well as 1 Reinspection 1 Fitness/Skating Rink Complaint and 1 Inspection 2 Housing Complaints and 2 Inspections 1 Solid Waste Complaint and 1 Reinspection Final Comments Richard Lopez says the Nicotine Free Generation Policy is still on their radar but that we need to wait for a final decision from the State to begin that process. No December meeting. Adiourn Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 PM. Roll call: Kerry -Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard -Yes Materials Used, Minutes from October 12th, 2023 • 166 High St. Letter and Photos