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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-14 Board of Health Minutesrn Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - CounciA.24 Itis -[ di i 7:35 Board of Health Date: 2024-03-14 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 Kevin Sexton, and Geri Cramer Members - Not Present: Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Chris and Colleen Dimattei, The Yangs, Linna Yang, Randy Lefore, Doug Macallister and Maureen Buzby 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 7:04 PM and reviewed the agenda. Roll Call: Paula Curren, Kerry Dunnell, Kevin Sexton, Geri Cramer and Richard Lopez. Geri Cramer arrived at 7:08PM. Review/Approval of Minutes from February W. 2024. One edit was made to the minutes which consisted of a broken sentence under 166 High St. Motion to approve minutes, seconded by Kerry Dunnell. Roll call: Paula -Yes, Kerry- Yes, Richard- Yes Public Comment No public comment. 601 Haverhill Condemnation- Modification of Compliance Time Health Director Ade Solarin reiterated the violations in need of correction at 601 Haverhill St due to a fire incident that occurred last October. Mr. Solarin stated that Mr. Macallister appeared before the board during the November BOH meeting to request a modification of the compliance time due to insurance reasons and the inability to secure contractors in a timely manner. That request was granted, and the compliance time was extended till May 1, 2024. Mr. Macallister goes on to provide an update and explain why he is requesting additional time for compliance. Mr. Macallister believes that the potential contractor will need some more time to demolish and reconstruct parts of the dwelling due to extensive damage revealed during the cleanout of the entire dwelling. Most contractors he has been in contact with are anticipating that it will take additional Six months of reconstruction work to achieve full compliance. The board unanimously agreed to grant Mr. Macallister an additional 6 -month extension till December 31, 2024, on the condition that an update is provided to the board during the September Board of Health meeting. Page I 1 Motion to approve, seconded by Richard Lopez. Roll call: Kerry- Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard- Yes Reading Shell- 110 Main Street Motion to open Administrative Hearing, seconded by Paula Curren. Roll Call: Kerry- Yes, Paula- Yes, Richard- Yes. A tobacco product was sold to a minor at Reading Shell on January 6, 2024, at approximately 11am. The violation comes with a $1,000 fine and a 3 -day suspension of the store's tobacco license. Ade Solarin stated he issued an Order to Correct letter to the establishment and the fine was paid. It's now up to the Board to discuss appropriate dates for a 3 -day suspension. Randy Lefore, representative of the tobacco establishment, shared updates that have been occurring. Mr. Lefore states that all employees have been retrained on the BARS program and all scanners have been upgraded. Richard Lopez states It's very reassuring the action that has been taken. Randy Lefore asks if moving forward, the compliance officer can identify the clerk that sold tobacco to a minor so that management can take disciplinary action. Maureen Buzby steps in and states she used to have a protocol, that after the youth left the store, the evidence was handed to herself, she then would go inside and place her business card on the counter to whoever did the transaction and announce the violations. When the fine changes were implemented for this violation, she stopped writing the violation tickets and now informs Ade Solarin, Health Director, who then takes further action(s) to achieve compliance. Maureen also states that for privacy and safety reasons, the minors that are involved in the compliance checks process are not identified. Richard Lopez and Kerry Dunnell express their appreciation for the steps that have been taken but state that there will still be a 3 -day suspension. The Board agrees on March 25, March 26, and March 27, 2024, for the 3 -day suspension. Motion to approve the dates for the 3 -day suspension, seconded by Paula Curren. Roll call: Kerry- Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard- Yes Motion to close the Administrative Hearing, seconded by Kerry Dunnell. Roll call: Paula -Yes, Kerry- Yes, Richard- Yes Nicotine Free Generation Policy The Board has reviewed the Nicotine Free Generation Policy in the past and waited on the Supreme Judicial Court to make a decision on a similar policy proposed by the City of Brookline. Maureen Buzby stated that four out of her seven communities held a public hearing regarding the policy but did not take a vote. The other three communities are waiting to hold a public hearing until the Brookline case was decided upon by the Supreme Judicial Court. Reading is part of the three communities that waited to hold a public hearing. Once Reading decides to set a date, it will require a lot of work including communication among the community and tobacco establishments. Richard Lopez shares his thoughts about what should happen next, and he states that there should be a written draft that the public can review before the hearing. This is so they are able to understand what is occurring and can share thoughts and concerns at the hearing. Maureen also says that the hearing will need to be posted in the newspaper to include a notice containing what will be added to the regulations. After this is done, Ade Solarin will send a notice to all retailers who have a tobacco permit. Richard Lopez requested from Maureen Buzby an outline of the language used for other towns that could be shared to keep it consistent. Maureen shares that most towns have settled on 01-01-2004 for the effective birthday date but suggests 01-01-2005 since we are already in March. Kevin Sexton states that when and if we adopt this policy, to be lenient on fines and penalties for a period of time since it is something that is brand new. The board agrees to discuss dates for a public hearing contingent on the members' approval of language created by Ade Solarin and Maureen Buzby. Page 1 2 Motion to approve to have a hearing, seconded by Paula Curren. Roll call: Kerry- Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard- Yes 166 Hioh Street- Removal of Animal Ban Ade Solarin states that the Yang family is here to request a withdrawal of the Cease -and - Desist order and lift the ban on the keeping of animals at 166 High St. Linna Yang, daughter of the Yang's, states she has taken the time to review the rules and regulations in detail and announces she will be stepping in completely this time around. Linna mentions there are no birds on the premises, and everything was removed. Linna Yang confirms there would only be six birds (three chickens and three ducks) and no more than that. The neighbors of 166 High St, the Dimattei's, stated they are in favor of not lifting the ban due to the past violations. The Dimattei's are concerned about the smell and cleanliness of the habitat. Mr. Solarin states that during the Plan Review process, only materials suitable for the construction and housing of birds will be permitted. After hearing more about what will be done to cultivate a better environment, the Dimattei's see the effort being made and will be fine with the board rescinding the cease-and-desist order. They are vehemently against any type of variance to allow more than six birds on the property. Ade Solarin suggests increasing the number of inspections and limiting the quantity of birds to three for a start, and then gradually increasing it to six. Linna Yang steps in to add that the six birds are completely bonded and with all the changes are already stressed, separating them further will cause more harm to them. Kevin Sexton states that compliance has been achieved and he has no issue with allowing all six birds, as long as the Yang's go through the proper process. Paula Curren concurs with Kevin as long as there are more compliance checks. Richard Lopez states he is being cautious because of the history with the Yang's property and suggests allowing three similar birds for a start, and then allowing the other three similar birds possibly in six months, if they maintain compliance. Linna Yang reiterates that she will be present the whole time and that the birds will do a lot better if kept together. Kerry Dunnell and Geri Cramer agree with Kevin and Paula about allowing all six birds. The Dimattei's added that roosters are not allowed but they are aware hens can take that dominant role and act like a rooster vocally. Linna Yang reassures the Dimattei's that she has had the six birds, and they are all very docile. Mr. Solarin added that any bird that crows like a rooster will be removed from the property. The Board is all in agreement about allowing all six birds with two additional inspections per year. Motion to rescind the Cease and Desist and allow the Yang's to apply for a permit, seconded by Paula Curren. Roll call: Kerry- Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard- Yes Community Health Needs Assessment Final Report Richard Lopez states that Jaime Hoebeke couldn't attend today's meeting, but based on their last planning meeting the next step would be to have a large public meeting to discuss CHIP (Community Health Improvement Plan). Ade Solarin Recommends that there be a smaller Board of Health meeting before April's meeting to keep the members informed, and then proceed to have a Public Hearing. Richard Lopez makes a motion to have a small public meeting and then plan for a Public Hearing, Seconded by Kerry Dunnell. Roll call: Paula -Yes, Kerry- Yes, Richard- Yes Page 1 3 Health Department Monthly Report Ade Solarin introduces the events occurring this month including Vision Clinic on March 25th and the Mammography Van on April 18th. The QR codes were shared on the screen so the public could register in real-time. February Health Numbers: • 12 Food Inspections with 1 Re -inspection • 1 Food Order Issued. • 1 Food Complaint • 1 Housing Complaint • 1 Solid Waste Complaint with 1 Inspection The health director also shares the probable Disease Surveillance numbers and recommends getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, washing hands, and staying home if sick with a viral infectious respiratory illness such as Influenza and Covid-19. Final Comments Richard Lopez states he signed up for the Opioid Conference and hopes to see how other communities used the funds. Ade Solarin States the funds are under the Town Manager and could possibly have someone from the Coalition give a brief update regarding those funds at the next meeting. Adiourn Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 PM, seconded by Paula Curren. Roll call: Kerry -Yes, Paula -Yes, Richard -Yes Materials Used: • Minutes from February St^ • Picture of Newspaper for Uphold of Ban • Wakefield Letter • 20/20 Eye Van Flyer • Mammography van Flyer and QR Code Flyer • Disease Surveillance Number Update Page 14