HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-09 Board of Health MinutesCLERK
REA, Mt SS
Board of Health Me~ p 21 P 12° 20
Minutes ~~~~11
August 9, 2007
The Board of Health meeting was called to order on August 9, 2007 by Chairmen Barbara
Meade at 6:01 pm at the Town Hall, Berger Room. Those present at the meeting were
Colleen Seferian and David Singer with staff liaison Jane Fiore.
Old Business:
• Minutes of June 14, 2007 were tabled.
Next Order of Business
• Request of a waiver from the Board of Health by Karen Crupi Massage Therapy
Business and therapist. Fines were issues to the owner of the businesses in July.
2007 as notified for operating without a license as a business or therapist. Karen
Crupi was notified in writing by the office of the BOH on May 18, 2007 to renew
licenses by June 30, 2007. All applications were included in the mailing. A
reminder letter was sent on June 18, 2007 noting the office of the BOH had not
received her application for renewal or annual fee. June 30 came and went fines
were issued. Ms. Crupi paid for her licenses by Julyl4, 2007 but wanted the fines
forgiven. She called the office six times during the month of July request this
forgiveness. The Health Administrator noting this matter must come before the
Board of Health.
o Barbara reviewed the above Health Administrator's history of the situation
and documentation and asked Ms. Crupi for her statement. Ms. Crupi said
she never received the letters since they were sent to her place of business.
Barbara Meade, Chairman asked what was on the application. Her business
address and an emergency address. Ms. Crupi said she would never have
gotten any of the letters if she had not checked her mail through the person
she leases space.
o Crupi continued with her history of being responsible. Health
Administrator noted she had had her interview only 7.5 months ago before
her initial license was issued and told and signed at that time licenses are
not prorated and are issued annually. The scenario of the difficulty in
tracking massage therapy business operations was also relayed to her and
the fining process.
o Crupi responded this was an over site. She would never have thought her.
license needed to be renewed this soon. And expected the BOH to send
renewals. It was noted the renewal was sent 6 weeks before due date.
o David Singer recommended to the BOH they notify Ms. Crupi on August
10 what the vote out come after further deliberation.
o Crupi thanked the BOH and left the meeting.
o David Singer noted she should be forgiven with the caveat this would not
occur again. The BOH members felt her financial struggle should be
considered.
o Colleen Seferian motioned to forgive the $100 fine and issue the license to
operate with a strong letter and requirements of licensing responsibilities.
Seconded and voted 3:0:0.
o The Health Admin was instructed to notify Crupi and send letter to her
home address.
Re-organization of the Board was the next order of business
o Barbara Meade was placed in nomination for chairman by David Singer.
Vote 3:0:0 the Board responded with confidence Barbara had a first great
year as chairman and they will continue to support her' efforts.
o Colleen Seferian was placed in nomination as vice chairman by Barbara
Meade. Voted 3:0:0 Barbara Meade thanks Colleen for her help last year
and her past support from her number of years as chairman of the board.
o David noted his practice responsibilities have increased but he will continue
to make every effort not only for the meetings but in other deliberations.
o The Health Admin will notify the Town Clerk of the Board completed
reorganization for FY 2008.
• The Board all discussed the being of interview process for the Health
Administrator's position through the month of August. They're disappointment in
the timing. Since 6 months were given and orientation will be limited for the new
staff person.
• Barbara Meade asked for input in requesting the Board of Selectmen liaison to
attend the BOH meeting in September to increase their understanding of BOH
work load and need for staff and cover not only during the transition but for a day
to day operation. The staff request should be for 1 FTE Director, 1 FTE PHN, and
minimum of 48 - 56 hours of inspectional time. It should be also requested with
the increase in reporting since 2003 with Bio terrorism and Emergency
Preparedness to look for full time clerk support.
o This was an extensive di-scussion\
o The request for attendance by the BOS liaison will be by email with
attached formal request. The request will be written by Jane and forwarded
to Barbara for review.
o The request will be sent to all BOH members, Town Manager and Dept,
Head.
o The content should have the a reference on the impact of no full time staff
the increase of construction and upcoming flu season as presenting not only
the annual stressors of time crunch but without leadership and a fulltime
staff person extremely difficult to operate in a staff and professional
manner. Construction projects and pre-openings will have to wait.
• The Health Admin. Reported the efforts to review and update the Reading BOH
reference guide and noted the regulations had been completed by the BOH last year
and they have another year before review must take place unless on the full body
of Reading BOH regulations.
• David Singer asked Health Administrator how to increase the number of members
on the BOH.
Barbara as chairman will call town manager to ask when this will be done. With the
increase of population and increase in food establishments there is a dire need for staff.
• A brief administrative report was given. A reminder to the Board the RMHS
principals would be requesting a vote to become agents of the BOH to issue
tobacco fines on RMHS property for FY2008. Karen Fayne, massage therapist
would be requesting a waiver of her fines at the September meeting.
• Secondly Trish Faulkner has agreed to sign burial permits during the staff change.
She will need to be at the September meeting to add these to her status as an agent
of the board.
Due to the late hour the David moved to table the remained of items on the agenda be
tabled until August seconded 3:0:0
Voted to adjourn at 10 00 pm
Next meeting September 13, 2007
Respectfully submitted,
Fane M. Fiore
Health Services Administrator