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Home My WebLink About2024-01-11 Board of Health MinutesFq 5 7e Y Board - Committee Board of Health Date: 2024-01-11 Building: Virtual Address: Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Commission - Council: Purpose: Open Meeting- Remote Session Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Zoom Session: Open Session Version: Final _ VLU CLERK LG Chair Richard Lopez, Kerry Dunnell and Paula Curren, Associate Members Geri Cramer and Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Chris and Colleen Dimattei, Jake Lamont, Jackie McCarthy, and Nancy Docktor 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 the agenda Roll Call: Paula Curren, Kerry Dunnell, Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton and Richard Lopez Review/Approval of Minutes from November 91" 2023 There were three edits made. One edit was made by Paula Curren, Paula suggested a translator and a social worker under "Update on 166 High St". Second edit, Ade Solarin stated that it is 6 communities under "Shared Services" not 7. lastly, Richard Lopez stated it's a decision, not a vote and to wait for The Judicial Court, not The State under "House Bill 2072'. Motion to approve the Minutes from November 9'h, 2023. Paula- Yes, Kerry- Yes, and Richard- Yes Public Comment Nancy Docktor shared the benefits of being part of the MRC (Medical Reserve Corps) and encouraged the Board of Health to take advantage of this underutilized resource. At a point in time, the town had 40 nurses available as volunteers, says Nancy. Nancy stated that the MRC seems to have fallen out of favor with the previous Director and believes it is in Reading's best Interest to be affiliated with the MRC, especially with the Public Health nurse position being vacant. 166 High Street Chickens, Ban on Keeping Birds Health Director Ade Solarin plays a video consisting of a rooster crowing, multiple times, early in the morning. Mr. Solarin revisits the images shown at the last meeting depicting the history of violations observed at the property. The incessant non-compliance at this location started in July and the Health Department has been doing everything possible to help the Page I 1 property owners achieve compliance. We have conducted multiple inspections, met the owner multiple times to explain the violations and measures that need to be taken to achieve compliance. We worked with a translator to verbally explain the violations and abatement measures to the property owner, and we also had our order letter translated into their native language. It doesn't appear there was a lack of communication and the Yang's clearly understood what was being asked of them. As a result of the perpetual non- compliance at this location, Ade Solarin is requesting three things: 1. Prohibit any Birds or Fowl be allowed at 166 High St. 2. Allow Mr. Solarin to conduct a Cease -and -Desist Letter for the Removal of Birds, Cages and all materials associated with the keeping of animals. 3. Issue a fine each day until compliance is achieved. The Dimattei's, Chris and Colleen, are neighbors with the Yang's and they stated that they agree with Mr. Solarin's requests and that the smell and sight of the Yang's yard is a serious problem. Member Paula Curren asked Mr. Solarin if the Yangs were previously fined and if they paid. Ade Solarin states they do not have a permit which is $10 and when fined for keeping birds without a permit for $100, it was paid within a week. Paula Curren states her concerns about a cultural disconnect or the probability of a mental health concern. Paula Curren feels it would be in their best interest to get a social worker to meet with the Yangs and reiterate what is needed from them. Member Kerry Dunnell agrees with Paula that at this level of non-compliance there may be more going on and we shouldn't rule anything out. Kerry Dunnell states we should use resources that are available to us and make sure we send the message loud and clear. Chair Richard Lopez does not fully agree and feels we have done more than what is needed. Mr. Lopez agrees that possibly there Is something else going on, but it is not the Board's role to get more resources. Associate Member Kevin Sexton states he agrees with both sides that it is good to build the case and have multiple resources stating we made sure we touched every point needed. On the other hand, Kevin Sexton voices that a daily fine might be what is needed to see any change. If need be, we could reach out to Tanya for a second opinion. The Board decided to have Health Director, Ade Solarin, write a Cease and Desist and have it translated into their native language, as well as, send it as certified mail. The letter will consist of what the Board is requesting and will mention the possibility of the Yangs receiving a fine each day until compliance Is achieved. Medical Reserve Corps The Board is joined by Jake Lamont from the Medical Reserved Corps (MRC). Mr. Lamont voiced what the MRC is and what they do. The MRC in the United States consists of 800 Groups with more than 300,000 volunteers and on state level in Massachusetts, 36 MRC groups with over 8,000 volunteers. These volunteers help with Flu clinics, COVID clinics, assist at shelters and more. To apply for the MRC is a simple process Jake Lamont stated. You fill out an application and then proceed to do a Query Check on the applicant. Health Department Monthly Report Health Numbers this Month: 107 Food Renewals with 37 Renewals Issued 12 Food Inspections with 1 Re -Inspection 5 Temporary Food Permits 1 Housing Complaint with 1 Inspection 1 Pet/Pesticide Complaint with 1 Inspection Health Numbers for the Year: 108 Food Renewals with 108 Issued 178 Food Inspections with 39 Single Re -Inspections and 4 Follow Ups 3 Food Orders Issued Page 12 • 13 Food Complaint 1 New Food Permit 54 Temp Food Permits 2 Food Closings 1 Animal Control Complaint with 16 Inspections and 1 Re -Inspection 5 Body Art Inspections • 1 Ice Rink Complaint with 1 Inspection 21 Housing Complaints with 21 Inspections and 5 Housing Orders 2 Noise Complaints with 2 Inspections 1 Pool Complaint with 8 Inspections • 3 Camp Inspections • 9 Solid Waste Complaints with 9 Inspections Ade Solarin said Permitting is going well with 91% of permits completed. Mr. Solarin also states that the Sharps Disposal Box is at Town Hall and if you need to dispose of any used sharps, please contact the Health Department to ensure proper disposal. Mr. Solarin voices that the IMA (Inter -Municipal Agreement) with the shared services, is almost complete and they are in the final stages of review. Ade Solarin shares that there will be a Vaccine Clinic on January 12' , 2024. Mr. Solarin's last comment states that the Public Health Nurse Position is still vacant. Final Comments Richard Lopez states that the Legislature passed the petition to expand the Board from three (3) members to five (5) members. Another update is that the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) will be a priority in 2024 with the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) being constructed. The last comment is that within the next few months we will be looking into updating some of our Regulations. Adiourn Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 PM. Roll call: Kerry -Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard -Yes Materials Used: Minutes from November 9th 2023 166 High St. Letter (with Translation) and Photos IMA Draft Letter Vaccine Clinic Flyer Page 13