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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-11 Board of Health MinutesTown of Reading 0i Meeting Minutes Board v-voCommittee - Commission - Council �( 'i ?. '- 7 Board of Health Date: 2025-09-11 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, Member Kevin Sexton (7:40 PM) , Member Joan Wetzel, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Associate Member Sophie Hansen, Member Sal Bramante Members - Not Present: Aditya Bengali Others Present: Health Director Ace Solarin, Olivia Bartolomei, Haley Murphy Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Haley Murphy Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via zoom. Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:03PM. Roll call: Member Sal Bramante, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Associate Member Sophie Hansen, Member Joan Wetzel, Chair Richard Lopez Agenda Review: Review and Approval of the August Minutes, Public comment, Hauler Regulations, Dumpster Regulation, Fee Schedule, MBTA Tumback Tracks, Monthly Report, Final Comments Minutes Approval: Chair Richard Lopez has two edits; in the members present section, note that Kerry joined at 7:25pm and remove Amelia from others present Public Comment: None Hauler Regulation: Health Director Ade Solaria reported that the town does not currently have a hauler regulation. The Board considered but decided against merging it with the dumpster regulation. Ade noted DPW's role, particularly regarding recycling, and will review the draft with them. He raised questions on Sections 4.2.2, 4.3.1 F—G, and 4.3.2 concerning customer education, coordination, and circumstances where residents may contract private haulers; these will be referred to Town Council. Associate Chair Kerry Dunnell asked whether the regulation aligns with surrounding Page I I communities and stressed consistency with existing contracts. She also questioned reporting requirements and staff roles, though Ade clarified his concern is coordination, not enforcement. Chair Richard Lopez expressed concern that the education requirement (Sections 4.3.1 1rF) could be burdensome if Republic is the future hauler, and emphasized DPW input. He questioned the need for Board approval of private haulers, suggesting permits should suffice, and proposed adding a provision requiring haulers to return barrels to their original location. Member Sal Bramante supported eliminating Board approval of every permit applicant. Kerry agreed, suggesting having an agenda item with a list of permits approved for every month. Ade noted private haulers would be rare, citing hoarding cases as an example. Member Joan Wetzel suggested condominium residents without town trash services may also require private haulers. Chair Richard Lopez concluded that the Board's priority is ensuring haulers are permitted and comply with town regulations. Dempster Regulation: Health Director Ade Solaria reported that the dumpster regulation had been reviewed by the Board and Town Council. Two outstanding questions from the last meeting were addressed: Town Council recommended merging the regulation with the hauler regulation and exempting construction demolition dumpsters from the lid requirement. The Board decided to keep the regulations separate and to exempt demolition dumpsters. Ade Solarin noted that at the August meeting, the Board voted to review and finalize the regulation at the September meeting, with conditions including correction of typos, removal of the last sentence in Section 4.2.1, and exemption for construction demolition dumpsters. Chair Richard Lopez called for a motion to approve the revised regulation. Joan Wetzel moved, Sal Bramante seconded. Roll call vote: Member Sal Bramante, Vice Char Kerry Dunnell, Member Joan Wetzel, and Chair Richard Lopez all voted in favor. The motion carried. Fee Schedule: Ade Solarin reported that current fees are shown in red and proposed fees in black. The proposal, initially brought to the Board in January, was reviewed by Town Council. Council recommended clarifying that the animal -related fee increases apply only to animals governed by Section 02 (Keeping of Animals Regulation) and advised holding a public hearing due to the size of some increases. Richard Lopez noted the new schedule was based on surrounding communities, given that the town's fees have not been updated in years. He stated the amounts are not excessive and considered the update straightforward. Vice Char Kerry Dunnell suggested using the Massachusetts Health Officers Association tool to assess cost balance and asked whether peer communities were considered. Ade confirmed that comparable communities were reviewed and that supporting data is available. Kerry Dunnell, Sal Bramante, and Joan Wetzel agreed that holding a hearing would be fair and transparent, allowing the public to see the data behind the changes. Richard Lopez recommended including a brief presentation at the hearing. The Board agreed to schedule the hearing during a regular meeting rather than as a separate session. MBTA Tumback Track: Ade Solarin reported that an abutter meeting was held on September 9, 2025 and a community meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2025, though the Tumback Committee has requested it be rescheduled. The Committee also requested to meet with local officials and boards, including the Board of Health. Ade Solaria was asked by the Town Managgr to share this proposal and gather feedback. Richard Lopez inquired whether sound and toxic emission data had been presented at the abutter meeting, noting potential Health Department involvement. Ade Solaria responded that the MBTA has not provided raw data, which remains with a third party, though Page 1 2 MBTA indicated it will be shared. Richard Lopez requested that the July presentation be distributed to Board members, as it is currently the only available data He emphasized the need to obtain raw data before meeting with the Tumback Committee, to allow for proper review and presentation. Member Kevin Sexton noted reports from another community where MBTA withheld row data due to unexplained low sound readings. He asked at what point the Board could consider gathering its own data. Richard Lopez suggested that once detailed data is received, the Board can review and decide next steps. Sal Bramante commented that the MBTA has indicated the project will proceed regardless of concerns. Kerry Dunnell stated she would consult the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards to clarify the Board's authority in this matter. Monthly Report — August • Complaints/Inspections: 1 food complaint; 1 dumpster maintenance complaint; 5 housing complaints with multiple violations; 3 animal complaints (rooster, sick coyote, dead possum); 5 pest complaints; 3 dog bite incidents; 5 pool inspections. • Other Updates: Ownership change at Bear Mountain nursing facility. Nursing Updates — August • Disease Reports: 31 COVID-19 cases; 7 Lyme disease cases. State and federal free COVID test programs have ended, though most insurance providers still cover testing. • Screenings: o Blood pressure: Sept. 4 (Pleasant Street Senior Center), Sept. 15 (Reading Public Library), Sept. 18 (Tannerville); Oct. 2 (Pleasant Street Senior Center), Oct. 16 (Tannerville), Oct. 20 (Library). o Hearing screening: Sept. 24 at the Library. • Awareness Events: September is recognized for multiple health observances, including Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Sickle Cell, Childhood Obesity, Fruit & Veggies, and Suicide Prevention. A memorial for those lost to suicide will be held Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. • Programs/Clinics: Hands -Only CPR classes on Sept. 8 and Nov. 3 (5-6 p.m.); seven flu clinics at the Library (registration required); three flu clinics at Coolidge Middle School (Sept. 26, Oct. 17, Nov. 7, 2-5 p.m.); ongoing diabetic and medical supplies take -back program. Richard Lopez requested an update on rat activity. Ade reported that all recent pest sightings involved rats. Sightings are posted on the town website, and SMART boxes are relocated based on complaints. He noted that complaints are lower this year compared to last year. Final Comments: None Adjourn: Chair Richard Lopez moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:05PM. Member Sal Bramante seconded. Roll call vote: Member Sal Bramante, Associate Chair Kerry Dunnell, Member Kevin Sexton, Member Joan Wetzel, and Char Richard Lopez all voted yes unanimously. Materials Used: • Hauler Regulation • Dumpster Regulation • Fee Schedule • Nursing PowerPoint Page 13