HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-13 Baord of Health Minutesrq
� Town of Reading
110 �r �4 Meeting Minutes
x
aaa�wcoxapea
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Health
Date: 2024-06-13 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 Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, Paula
Curren, and Geri Cramer
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Health Director Ade Solarin, Linda, Dan Dewar, Narcissa-Christine Lyons,
Maureen Buzby, Alex Weatherall, Jennifer Killeen, Jon Shaer, Mark Gottlieb,
Mary, Silbaugh.
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 7:00 PM and reviewed the agenda.
Roll Call: Paula Curren, Kerry Dunnell, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, Geri Cramer, and Richard
Lopez.
Review/ADDroval of Minutes from May 9th, 2024, and May 20th, 2024.
Motion to approve both sets of minutes without any corrections, seconded by Paula Curren
Roll Call: Kerry Dunnell, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, Paula Curren and Richard Lopez.
Review of Draft of CHNA/CHIP Recort
Richard Lopez starts by informing the Board that Jaime Hoebeke could not attend but
proceeds to ask the Board if there were any final comments on the edits made.
Kevin Sexton made a motion to adopt the CHIP report as presented, seconded by Richard
Lopez.
Roll Call: Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, and Richard Lopez.
Richard Lopez states the next step is to print and distribute the final document, as well as
working on an implementation plan.
Nicotine Free Generation Tobacco Regulation Amendment
Richard Lopez opens up the topic by stating it is time to make a final decision on the
Nicotine Free Generation Policy. Richard Lopez starts off the discussion and voting by
sharing his thoughts. Richard Lopez states that there are three topics he will touch upon
and those are - what everyone agrees on, reasonable questions and doubts of the policy
impact and finally, the role of the Board. Everyone can agree that tobacco and Nicotine
products are unhealthy and have multiple health risk factors. This polity is focused on the
Page 1 1
health of the public, not on how disgusting of a habit it is to smoke. The second issue that
everyone agrees on is that no one is supporting underaged tobacco and nicotine use. Dr.
Lopez goes on to the impact and states that the change is and could be very slow - which
translates to retailers having the opportunity to adapt and transition into alternate
inventory. In terms of impact, he believes the slow pace of change wouldn't be as
detrimental as retailers fear. The youths under 21 obtain access through social circles,
online sales, and adults trafficking these products. If this policy passes, it will change mainly
through social circles because overtime those who are obtaining them will age and won't be
in that social circle of a teenager. Lastly, Dr. Lopez touches upon the freedom of residents
and the role of the Board. He states that some residents shared that this is an overreach,
and Richard Lopez mentions that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court disagrees and
shares a point that local Boards of Health are well in their rights to amend current
regulations. Richard Lopez states they have a role to play in protecting the health of the
residents. Another argument people had was the slippery slope situation. Dr. Lopez states
these are all rhetorical and some what -ifs are simply unreasonable - you could question
other issues just as much. Richard Lopez states he Is In favor of this policy.
Kerry Dunnell starts with stating the importance of the public knowing that, personally, her
mind was not made up from the jump and when it comes to public health, thought,
consideration and research must go into a decision like this. Kerry Dunnell expresses the
extensive research she did to come to her decision. The Board of Health's charge is to
prevent and protect the health of the public says Kerry, we are here to look out for your
health and provide better ways to lead a healthy life. In the Community Health
Improvement Plan, we wanted to build resilience in young people and encourage healthy
lifestyles and behaviors. She feels looking into this policy there's a possibility of achieving
this goal. She understands the concerns of retailers but shares that there were concerns
with the smoke free environment policy and how it actually increased sales rather than
decrease it. Kerry Dunnell states she needs to focus more on the health of the public
instead of the possibility of retailers seeing a decline in sales. Kerry Dunnell is in favor of
this policy.
Kevin Sexton states he was in favor of the Idea of this policy until he did research like his
fellow Board members and couldn't get past if it really will have the effect it intends to have.
He believes the product will find its way to minors regardless of there being a policy or not.
Kevin Sexton also doesn't believe a 21 -year-old wakes up on their 21n birthday and decides
to pick up smoking - they found ways to obtain these products as minors and will continue
that. He states it just doesn't sit well with him, but he would be open to working with the
Police Department and Ade Solarin with setting up a fine or some sort of violation of a minor
in possession of these products, in place of this policy. Kevin Sexton explains he went back
and forth with his decision but ultimately decided to not be in favor. Kevin thinks that if you
are in favor of this policy, we should vote to set up another meeting with professionals or a
panel who could share both sides of this policy and share data.
Paula Curren has paid attention to emails and the data sent her way and she is trying to
weigh the pros and cons. She also is struggling with the personal freedom aspect. Seeing
firsthand the struggles and addiction as a public health nurse herself, she states we have
nowhere else to go but to try this and once we have the data, we will know more. Paula
Curren understands people may feel their rights are being infringed upon, but she feels like
the public's rights are being infringed upon because the insurance policies they all are
paying for are going to treating these illnesses caused by the use of tobacco. She knows
this won't completely go away but believes she will see a decrease in those diseases and
health issues if this policy passes. Paula Curren is in favor of this policy.
Joan Wetzel starts off with stating that if this policy is accepted, she hopes to see a
decrease in smokers and makes a point that those who use these products will still be able
to purchase their nicotine and tobacco. The gradual decrease in product sales will help
retailers slowly adapt and fill the shelves with different Inventory. loan Wetzel states that no
one could imagine eating dinner right next to someone smoking in this day and age, and
Page 12
that we have seen a positive effect with the smoke free environment Policies. Joan Wetzel is
for this policy and ends with stating the mission statement of the Board.
Richard Lopez asks if he should make a motion to vote or asks if there are any final
comments. Kevin Sexton asks when this will become effective and Dr. Lopez states January
1, 2025. Kevin Sexton says since we have time, are there any thoughts on his idea to have
a panel and hear more data and learn more information. Richard Lopez says he loves more
data but feels it's too early to have concrete data to review and says he's not in favor of
holding off and hearing from a panel. Joan Wetzel and Kerry Dunnell agree with Dr. Lopez
on his thought. Kerry Dunnell further explains she also agrees with Paula Curren that all we
can do is try and create our own data and go from there. Kevin Sexton says he doesn't feel
like there will be any gain from this and Kerry Dunnell adds that she doesn't agree that
there won't be any positive impact and feels that giving violations to minors won't stop their
current actions.
Richard Lopez makes a motion to adapt this amendment effective January In, 2025,
seconded by Joan Wetzel.
Roll call: Kerry Dunnell- Yes, Kevin Sexton- No, Paula Curren- Yes, Joan Wetzel- Yes,
Richard Lopez- Yes.
Health Department Monthly Report
Ade Solarin starts off stating Jennifer Velazquez is no longer with the Health Department.
He has received a few good candidates, but no one is committing to the job because of the
pay. He is trying to increase the salary to attract more candidates. Kevin Sexton asks how
the salary compares to what other towns are offering. Ade Solarin responds that we are at a
lower pay compared with other towns. Ade Solarin states another option is to hire someone
with little to no experience and train them, but fears once they are certified and trained,
they will leave, and we will be back to square one. Ade Solarin also shares the update about
the nurse position being revamped to merge the two nursing vacancies within the Health
Department and Community Services Department. Final update is hopefully getting the IMA
signed and executed in a timely manner.
May Health Numbers:
15 Food Inspections
• 6 Temporary Food Event Permits
• 1 Food Establishment Closing
2 Solid Waste Complaints and 2 Inspections
Final Comments
The Board says their final goodbyes to Paula Curren, who has decided to step down.
Next meeting will be on August 8th, 2024.
Adiourn
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 PM, seconded by Kevin Sexton.
Roll Call: loan Wetzel, Kevin Sexton, Paula Curren, Kerry Dunnell and Richard Lopez.
Materials Used:
None
Page 1 3