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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-08 Board of Health MinutesrgEgQ o�N Town of Reading -;., Meeting Minutes �, jy 'e'�'IMCOPo /Aye Board - committee - Commission - Council:. - Board of Health Date: 2024-08-08 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, Sal Bramante, Sophie Hansen, and Geri Cramer Members - Not Present: others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Annette Garcia, and Doug MaCallister Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Cassidy Topics of Discussion: The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. `10 Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM and the Board did a full introduction of themselves to the new members Sal Bramante and Sophie Hansen. Roll Call: Kerry Dunnell - yes, Kevin Sexton - yes, loan Wetzel - yes, Geri Cramer - yes, Sophie Hansen - yes, Sal Bramante - yes and Richard Lopez - yes. Review/ADDroval of Minutes from Mav 23rd, 2024, and lune 13th. 2024. Motion to approve both sets of minutes without any corrections. May 23rd, 2024, minutes approved, seconded by Kerry Dunnell. Roll Call: Kevin Sexton - yes, loan Wetzel - yes, Kerry Dunnell - yes, Sal Bramante - yes and Richard Lopez - yes. - June 13th, 2024, minutes approved, seconded by Kevin Sexton. Roll Call: Joan Wetzel - yes, Kerry Dunnell- yes, Sal Bramante - yes, Kevin Sexton - yes, and Richard Lopez - yes Public Comment There was no public comment. Review Inter -Municipal ADreement for the Public Health Excellence Shared Services Grant Health Director Ade Solarin gives a brief overview and starts with the support and funding of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). Mr. Solarin states that MDPH supports and funds the development of Shared Services Collaboratives between towns and cities across the state. The Middlesex -Essex Collaborative was formed in 2023 and one of the purposes is to increase cross -jurisdictional sharing of public health services to strengthen service delivery capabilities of health systems within communities. The grant program requires that each collaborative execute an inter -municipal agreement (IMA) for continued grant funding. Ade Solarin introduces Annette Garcia, the shared services coordinator, who immediately shares the importance and timeline of the agreement. Page I 1 Annette Garcia informs the Board about the public health activities conducted by collaborative and dives into individual positions within the collaborative. The collaborative hosts positions such as Shared Services Coordinator, Shared Public Health Nurse and the Regional Health Inspector, says Annette. Individuals occupying these positions have helped the Town of Reading fill the gaps in employment, especially during the absence of a fulltime Health Inspector and a fulltime Public Health nurse. Blood pressure screenings, summer camp permitting, pool inspections, food -borne illness investigations and disease surveillance have all been covered by shared services employees at some point. Annette shares that having a fully executed Inter -Municipal Agreement (IMA) is a requirement for the collaborative to get funding from MDPH. The IMA outlines what the governance structure will look like, it establishes clear responsibilities for the host community, who is North Andover, as well as the participating municipalities. The IMA ensures efficient program management and sets standard operating procedures and guidelines the participating communities have to adhere to. This IMA must be approved by the Boards of Health and Selectboards of each participating municipality in order to be considered fully executed. Kerry Dunnell asks if the agreement is just a template that each collaborative can edit and adjust to their needs. Annette Garcia states that this is correct and that it was adjusted and customized to fit this collaborative. Kerry Dunnell also asked if there were any comments from the town counsels that were notable, and Annette Garcia stated that it was general questions and corrections. Sal Bramante follows up by asking for any specific corrections and Annette says that a participation clause was added, which states that "if a town missed two meetings in a row, they aren't able to vote until they attend a subsequent meeting and get re -instated to vote. Kerry Dunnell asks why the IMA is not a 25- Year term. A typical IMA has a 25 -Year term and ours is a 3 -Year term, how was this decided asks Kerry. Annette Garcia responds that North Andover town counsel wasn't comfortable with a 25 - year term. The 3 -year term allows for an evaluation at the end of the term and provides the opportunity for an extension if there is a consensus. Richard Lopez asks, "who is our alternate in Reading to the advisory committee" and Ade Solarin responds that we haven't filled the spot at this point. Once the IMA is approved, we will look into it. Richard Lopez also asks how filling positions will go, and Annette said it may seem like a lot of roles that need filling but if one person has the skill level of three positions combined, then they will have those responsibilities. Richard Lopez also asks in terms of funding, if the rate is flat every year or if it changes and Annette Garcia said that we are grant funded for three years with a certain annual amount ($532,000). She also states that the collaborative will try to search for other funding opportunities outside of the current MDPH funding to increase longevity. A final question from Richard Lopez was for Annete to clarify if North reading is still participating in the collaborative and Annette said yes. Richard Lopez and Kerry Dunnell both agree that this is something great to be a part of. Richard Lopez makes a motion to approve the IMA, seconded by Joan Wetzel. All in favor? Joan Wetzel- yes, Kerry Dunnell-yes, Kevin Sexton -yes, Sal Bramante-yes, and Richard Lopez -yes. 5-0 601 Haverhill Update Ade Solarin gives a brief overview stating there was a fire at 601 Haverhill St. that resulted in multiple violations in need of correction. Mr. MaCallister has come before the board twice to modify compliance time and today he is back with an update says Ade. Doug MaCallister explains to the Board that the work should be completed by December 31st and he just wanted to update everyone. He requests if everything goes according to plan, and he is able to move back in by December 31u that he doesn't have to come before the Board. The Page 1 2 Board states that the Health Department will have to sign an occupancy permit in order for the dwelling to be occupied once again. Community Health Improvement Plan- Next Steps Richard Lopez wanted to have a general conversation and hear the Board's thoughts on the next steps. Richard Lopez feels as of right now that there is not enough staff to drive this and that maybe it should be assigned to someone specifically. Richard believes that communication is very important during this process. Sophie Hansen asks if there any other overlapping needs for example, transportation or something of that sort that funds can be pulled to help on a regional base and not just town level. Richard Lopez says he doesn't know the answer but that is a great question. Ade Solarin adds that soon there will be a group put together to execute the CHIP and Kevin Sexton and Kerry Dunnell both ask how that group will look. Ade says he will have to discuss with Richard Lopez but hopefully someone from the board, coalition, fire department, police department, schools, etc. Richard Lopez asks a general question about how much data is available regarding the success rate with the Community Health Improvement Plans in other municipalities, and if other towns have had one. Kerry Dunnell steps In and states that there isn't too much data because this is such a big undertaking and most western towns in Massachusetts haven't even done one and that's where shared services would come in. It is stated that this is such a long-term project that needs its own driver and Kerry Dunnell wonders if there are other staff members with some time that would be great. Ade Solarin states that honestly the staff is burnt out and that we should find dedicated residents. Kerry Dunnell says that is where things could get tricky, and dedication may be an issue if we use residents. Richard Lopez states that we also need someone with the right skills. Kevin Sexton states he sees both sides but the priority for now will be to focus on staffing the department and then look into this after. Reorganization Richard Lopez was nominated for Chair by Kevin Sexton, seconded by Kerry Dunnell. Roll call: Kerry Dunnell- yes, Joan Wetzel -yes, Kevin Sexton -yes, Sal Bramante- yes and Richard Lopez- yes Accepted by Richard Lopez Kerry Dunnell was nominated for Vice Chair by Kevin Sexton, seconded by Joan Wetzel. Roll call: Kerry Dunnell yes, Joan Wetzel -yes, Kevin Sexton -yes, Sal Bramante- yes and Richard Lopez- yes Accepted by Kerry Dunnell Health Department Monthly Report Ade Solarin states that we are interviewing for the nursing position currently and same for health inspector position. June Health Numbers: a 6 Nuisance Complaints a 2 Food Complaint Inspections Ade Solarin shows flyers of the Narcan Training happening on sept 17th in the library at 6 PM, Blood Pressure Screening on the first Wednesday of every month at 11AM in the Pleasant Street Center, Diabetes Educational Session on Nov 14th at 10AM in Pleasant Street Center and Lastly the Department is working on getting a date for the first vaccine clinic of the season with Shaw's. Disease Case Reporting: 8 COVID a 1 Lyme Disease 1 Flu Free COVID Tests are available at town hall but once they are depleted, we are unsure when we are able to obtain a replenishment. Final Comments Next meeting will be on September 12th, 2024. Page 13 Richard Lopez states the rat issue is still ongoing. Without an inspector we have been behind but hopefully we will be able to add this to next month's agenda and find some sort of resolution. Joan Wetzel asks if it is required to shut the lid of the dumpsters around town and Ade Solarin states it is required. Adiourn Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM, seconded by Kevin Sexton. Roll Call: Joan Wetzel - Yes, Kevin Sexton - Yes, Sal Bramante - Yes, Kerry Dunnell - Yes and Richard Lopez - Yes. Materials Used: • IMA Document • CHIP Workplan Template • Health Event Flyers • Disease Reporting Page 14