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Home My WebLink About2025-11-24 Board of Health Minutes�H OFq ,xcQp•alllrrra Board - Committee Board of Health Date: 2025-11-24 Building: Virtual Address: Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Commission - Council: Purpose: Open Meeting- Remote Session Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Zoom Session: Open Session Version: Final Chair Richard Lopez, Joan Wetzel, Sophie Hansen, Sal Bramante, Aditya Bengali, Kerry Dunnell Members - Not Present: Kevin Sexton Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Olivia Bartolomei, Haley Murphy, Maureen Buzby, William Gramer, Kristina Sidropoulos 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 7:02 PM. Roll Call: Sal Bmmante, Aditya Bengali, Kerry Donnell, Sophie Hansen, Kevin Sexton, loan Wetzel, Richard Lopez Chair Richard Lopez reviewed the agenda: public comment, review October minutes, administrative hearing —110 Main Street, hauler regulations, CHIP update, monthly report, and final comments Minutes Approval: The minutes from October 9u' & October 27`s were approved unanimously. Public Comment: None 110 Main Street — Reading Shell Richard Lopez opened the administrative hearing with Attorney William Gramer representing Reading Shell and owner Kristin Sidmpoulos. Health Director Ade Solarin and Tobacco Control Compliance Coordinator Maureen Buzby reported that on September 25, 2025, at 6:05 PM, a Crave Max 2500 vape was sold to a minor during a compliance check, Reading Shell's second violation within 36 months, resulting in a mandatory $2,000 fine and seven-day suspension. Maureen explained the youth was a trained 17-year-old working under standard Page I 1 protocol: entering with money, no ID, and responding truthfully if asked for identification. The sale occurred without age verification. She confirmed the youth does not request a receipt to avoid alerting staff. Board questions addressed store procedures. Chair Richard Lopez asked whether the register's age -verification step could be bypassed; Kristina said pressing "X" cancels sales, though clerks could enter a false birthdate or hand over a product without ringing it in. Member Sal Bramante asked whether the youth paid and if a clerk could have pocketed the cash; Maureen confirmed payment is required, and Kristina acknowledged the possibility of improper handling. Vice Chair Kerry Donnell asked about the youth's experience (Maureen confirmed she had done checks before), whether local birthdate-restriction signage was posted (Kristin reported only state signage), and whether the new "scan -only" B) scanner invoiced for September 12 was installed (Kristin was unsure). Kristin also said she learned of the violation after the store's three-week camera overwrite period and described staff training, monthly ID acknowledgments, POS safeguards, secret shopper audits, and camera reviews. She noted the involved employee had been on staff one month and was later terminated for unrelated reasons. After closing the hearing, the Board determined the violation occurred. Kerry acknowledged Kristin's compliance efforts but noted safeguards were incomplete. Sal recognized the owner's situation but emphasized that penalties are mandated, and Joan Wetzel added owners are ultimately responsible for employee actions. The Board unanimously approved the $2,000 fine and seven-day suspension, with dates to be coordinated by Ade and the owner. Ade also confirmed that local tobacco regulations must be posted, and Richard raised concerns about setting precedents and clarifying local requirements. Solid Waste Hauler Regulations: Richard asked Ade for an update on the hauler regulations and whether they were ready for review. Ade reported that they were still in progress and could be finalized if the Board chooses to meet in December; otherwise, they would be completed for the January meeting. Richard stated that the matter was not urgent and could be deferred until January. CHIP Update: Ade explained that the Health Department partnered with Pear Associates to complete the Community Health Needs and Assessment Plan (Feb 2023—July 2024), identifying three priorities: preventative health screenings, healthy environments and inclusive programs, and healthy eating and active living. Nurse Liv Bartolomei reported progress on each. For preventative screenings, Beltone Hearing, 20/20 Onsite Vision, and the Dana Farber Mammography Van visited Reading, and monthly blood pressure clinics ran at three sites. The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support served about 3,500 residents. Goals for 2026 include expanding hearing screenings with Police and Fire, continuing community clinics, and increasing transportation access. For healthy environments and inclusive programs, Liv highlighted ReCAL's work in promoting healthy spaces. Ten after-hours recreational programs and thirteen after-hours health programs were offered. Future needs include additional ReCAL staffing and improved ADA compliance in older buildings. For healthy eating and active living, four nutrition programs were completed, with high demand for more. Opportunities include community education, a stakeholder task force, exploring a Reading Farmers Market, and promoting walkability and bike ability. During questions, Kerry asked about historical data; Ade said attendance summaries are collected per clinic and vary annually. He also confirmed the CHNA occurs every five years, with the most recently completed in 2023. Kerry asked about interdepartmental partnerships; Ade cited collaboration with Police, Fire, the Senior Center, the P., 12 Food Bank, and the Library. Liv added that the previous CHIP update includes more detail. Richard recommended adding an appendix with screening and program data. Liv concluded that clinics have a consistent group of regular attendees, with new participants frequently joining from the Senior Center and Library. Monthly Health Department & Nursing Report: Liv reported 15 COVID-19 cases and reminded the Board that reports involving fewer than five individuals cannot be shared due to HIPAA. She announced December blood pressure clinics on December 4 (Senior Center), December 15 (Library), and December 18 (Frank Tanner). December health topics include HIV/AIDS, impaired driving, sharps injury prevention, and holiday safety. Hands -On CPR classes were successful, with bi-monthly 2026 sessions scheduled for Jan. 14, Mar. 11, May 11, Jul. 8, Sept. 9, and Nov. 16 at the Library. The final public flu clinic is December 10 from 4-7 p.m., and home -bound flu vaccinations continue. The Diabetic Supplies and Medical Supplies Take -Back Programs remain active. Ade reported October activity: two foodborne illness inspections, one housing complaint, and eleven food establishment inspections. Nine temporary food permits and sixteen annual permits were issued. The Health Inspector position is still vacant; MEPHC is assisting, and interviews are underway. He noted the MBTA continuance request was withdrawn, leading to cancellation of the environmental specialist RFQ. Kerry asked whether the MBTA withdrawal indicated a possible new proposed location; Ade said no information has been provided and the Town Manager has reached out. Richard asked about the collaborative coordinator role, and Ade confirmed the position has been filled. Final Comments: None Adioum: Richard moved to adjourn at 8:41 PM Roll Call: Sal, Kerry, Joan, Richard Materials Used: 110 Main Street Documents Tobacco Regulation CHIP PowerPoint Nursing PowerPoint Page 1 3