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Home My WebLink About2025-04-10 Board of Health Minutes� OrR Town of Reading Meeting Minutes a° xmx+°a Board - Committee - Commission Board of Health Date: 2025-04-10 Building: Virtual Address: Council: 2: Time: 7:00 PM Purpose: Open Meeting- Remote Session Attendees: Members - Present: Location: Zoom Session: Open Session Version: Final Chair Richard Lopez, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, Sophie Hansen, Sal Bramante Members - Not Present: Kerry Dunnel, Geri Cramer Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Amelia Sellitto, Olivia Bartolomei, Haley Murphy, Charles Barbo, Mary Cooper, Cynthia Stone, Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Haley Murphy Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via zoom. Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to adjourn at 7:05 PM Roll call: Member Sal Bramante, Associate Member Sophie Hansen, Member Kevin Sexton, Member Joan Wetzel, Chair Richard Lopez Chair Richard Lopez confirms a quorum with three members and notes technical updates to the meeting. Board members and health department staff have full access to all features, while the public does not. He instructs attendees to use the `raise hand" reaction to request permission to speak. Review/Approval of Minutes from March 13,2025: The review and approval of last month's minutes are being postponed due to an administrative delay. Public Comment: Cynthia Stone, of 22 Gould Street, reported difficulties contacting the health department and sought a medical illness certification from the Board of Health (BOH) to prevent her electricity from being shut off. She cited MA General Law c164, s124a; 220 CMR 25.03(2), which requires certification if proper documentation is submitted. She claims she was denied the certificate and was unaware of a hearing that was held. Cynthia is seeking clarification on the denial. Chair Richard Lopez responded that the BOB received her request in October and scheduled a meeting within the required 7 days. However, due to insufficient information beyond the submitted documents, the certificate could not be issued. Separately, the Mobil Mart manager inquired about a tobacco sting hearing, which Richard confirmed is on the agenda. Va9e I 1 Variance Request for 1051 Main St: Health Director Ade Solarin reported ongoing issues at 1051 Main St, where an inspection in December found violations. Owner Charles Barbo b requested and was granted an extension until April to address them. A follow-up inspection on April 3 found unresolved issues, including damaged windows, wall cracks, and an unstable floor. Charles requested another extension, citing health issues and the physical nature of the work. He noted delays due to ordering window parts and cold weather, and stated repairs were being made rather than full replacements due to cost. Tenant Mary Cooper expressed concerns about communication, the quality of repairs, and the use of another tenant for the work without her knowledge. Richard emphasized the Board of Health's role is to ensure violations are corrected, regardless of how the work is done. He proposed a final 30-day extension with daily fines starting May 1 if violations remain. There was board discussion about whether another extension was warranted. Some questioned whether progress had been made and whether Charles should hire other help. Ultimately, the board approved an extension until April 30, with a final inspection on May 1 and daily fines to begin if violations persist. Hearing for 178 Main St: Chair Richard opened a public hearing regarding a tobacco violation at Mobil Gas, 178 Main St. Ade reported that on March 9, 2025, a clerk sold a disposable vape to a 17-year-old without asking for ID —Mobil's first offense in three years, warranting a $1,000 fine and a three-day suspension of tobacco sales. Mobil's manager, Rachad, explained they were notified three weeks post -violation, so footage could not be reviewed. Since then, they implemented new ID scanning protocols and trained all staff, though training was done verbally without documentation. He stressed tobacco sales make up 65% of business and asked for leniency. Associate member Sophie Hansen asked if the employee who sold the product was new and if they were aware of the policy, which the Mobil Mart Manager states the employee is not new. Member Sal Bramante asked if there was any proof of the corrective actions that were taken, which there were not. Sal also suggested implementing a formal training program for new and existing employees to ensure this won't happen again. The board acknowledged the corrective steps but emphasized state and local laws mandate penalties with no discretion unless the violation itself is disputed, which was not the case here. Chair Richard Lopez, Member Sal Bramante, Member Joan Wetzel, and Member Kevin Sexton agreed that consistent enforcement is necessary to maintain compliance. Richard moved to enforce the suspension, seconded by Kevin, and approved by roll call. The manager said the payment for the fine would be sent the following day. Hearing for 22 Gould St: Richard opened the public hearing for 122 Gould St, Unit 4012. Ade reported that Cynthia Stone initially requested an inspection on March 18, 2025, withdrew it the next day, and later accused Ade of discrimination after a miscommunication about the inspection. The inspection took place on April 8, 2025, revealing only a broken oven, which was scheduled for delivery on April 17, 2025 _Cynthia explained she had ongoing issues with her landlord and the Health Department's lack of response, including problems with Section 8 housing and a medical hardship request. She also cited a lack of proper notice for the hearing. Richard clarified that the inspection had already been conducted, and there was no need for further action. He acknowledged her concerns and reassured her that the board would continue to work on them. Member Sal noted that many entails were sent without clear documentation, and Ade confirmed he had received multiple emails. Sal also reminded that past medical records were insufficient. Member Joan agreed most complaints were outside the BOH's jurisdiction, and Richard confirmed no new violations were found during the inspection. The board agreed there were no actionable items, and Richard motioned to close the hearing, seconded by Sal, and unanimously approved. Page 1 2 Rodent Program Update: Health Director Ade Solaria reported a total of 81 captures so far, with 11 in January, 12 in February, 23 in March, and 25 in April. The number of captures is increasing with warmer weather. Ade plans to request additional funds at the town meeting for more SMART boxes and will update the board afterward. Rick noted that some boxes on the north side had low activity and asked if they'could be moved to busier areas. Ade suggested keeping them in place due to upcoming construction. Kevin reminded that discussing additional funds would require an agenda, as three board members are also town meeting members. Health Department Monthly Resort: Health Inspector Amelia Sellitto reported that for March, work on late permit renewals is ongoing. She completed 20 routine inspections with no reinspection's and conducted four temporary food inspections for Winterfest, with help from the coalition intern. Amelia investigated a foodborne illness complaint from an out-of-town resident who reported norovirus after eating at a local restaurant. The inspection confirmed norovirus did not originate from the restaurant. She also addressed multiple health complaints at a gas station, finding no issues, and handled four miscellaneous property complaints. Public Health Nurse Liv Bartolomei reported 19 COVID cases and 41 flu cases. Blood pressure screenings are scheduled for April 2, 2025 at Pleasant St Senior Center and April 17, 2025 at Frank Tanner, with May screenings on May 7, 2025 and May 8, 2025. April is Parkinson's Awareness, National Minority Health, and National Autism Acceptance months. The Mammography Van will be at Pleasant St on April 29. Hands - Only CPR classes are set for April 17, 2025 and May 28, 2025. The Pleasant St Senior Center Health Fair will be on May 20, and Community Narcan training is on June 10, 2025. The Diabetes and Medical Supplies Takeback programs are ongoing, and North Reading's Medication Takeback Day is April 26, 2025. Allergy season in 2025 is expected to be severe. Massachusetts WIC participants can now shop online for pickup or delivery at 48 Walmart locations. Volunteer Application: Richard explains that the volunteer appointment process occurs every May and June. Board members whose terms expire on June 30 will receive a questionnaire about reappointment. This year Joan, Geri, and Richard's terms are expiring. Associate members can also apply for available member positions. Final Comments: None Adjourn: Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 PM, Joan seconds Roll Call: Sal Bramante- Yes, Kevin Sexton- Yes, Joan Wetzel- Yes, Richard Lopez- Yes Materials Used: • Monthly Report • Nursing PowerPoint Page 1 3