Minutes
Board of Health · from the Town's website · 1 page · 30 KB
open the file ↗ · original at the source ↗
WINTHROP BOARD of HEALTH MEETING June 9, 2020 6:00 PM REMOTE PARTICIPATION (A. Weins, Host) MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair: Bill Schmidt; Vice-Chair: Astrid Weins; Member: Susan Maguire. TOWN of WINTHROP: Meredith Hurley, Director Public Health and Clinical Services; Al Legee, Commissioner Inspectional Services (arrival 7:00 pm) INVITED GUEST: Bonny Carroll, Director, Six City Tobacco Initiative CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Schmidt called the Board of Health meeting to order at 6:11 pm. A. Weins was asked to be timekeeper. Chair Schmidt announced that the meeting would be recorded and live-streamed by WCAT. Also, in accordance with HIPPA, to protect PHI (personal health information), Assisted Living Facility residents’ names would not be shared. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Schmidt requested that all comments be kept to three minutes. J. Morgan: Happy to learn that restaurants will be reopening and following social distancing mandates. S. Lutz: Raised concerns about pollution from air traffic, and suggested the town explore planting more trees, which might only cost about $1.00/per capita. A. Weins explained Winthrop is collaborating with Chelsea and Revere on air traffic/pollution and thinks planting more trees is a great idea. Per Chair Schmidt, the Board is awaiting a decision regarding a grant, which would allow for installation of Hepa filters in our schools and possibly planting of trees in the community. J. Wallerce: Proposed that attention to increased biking be elevated as a safe public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing the rise in bicycle use seen in China, she argued it is an affordable alternative to public transit. Using available data, safe bike routes have already been identified. Ms Maguire inquired about the 2010 study, Walk Winthrop: A Plan for a More Walkable & Bikeable Town, conducted by The Conway School. Ms Wallerce is very familiar with the study, and although the town never implemented any of its recommendations, she and colleagues have used it in their current work. Chair Schmidt motioned that the Board of Health collaborate with Bike Winthrop on an educational campaign promoting safe biking, seconded by S. Maguire, all in favor. Action steps: J. Wallerce will work on a proposal for an educational campaign. Ms. Maguire will forward link to the 2010 Walk Winthrop Report to Board members. J.Morgan added the importance of motorist safety to Ms. Wallerce’s discussion. Ms. Maguire noted that S. Lutz sent an email prior to the meeting start stating he would be commenting about a BU report this past fall re: particular air and noise hazards. REVIEW of MINUTES: Chair Schmidt motioned, A. Weins seconded to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2020 Board of Health meeting with corrections, all in favor. Chair Schmidt motioned, A. Weins seconded to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2020 Board of Health meeting, all in favor. PAST BUSINESS: COTTAGE AVE: A. Weins emailed Commissioner Legee today requesting the Inspection Report from April 2019, response pending. ROUNDUP ALERT: Draft of an advisory by S. Maguire pending for the Board’s consideration. PARC AT HARBOR VIEW ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY: Board members reviewed, and approved the Order dated June 9, 2020 prepared by Chair Schmidt. The Order cites the facility’s noncompliance with the town’s face covering mandate resulting in the Board’s decision of June 2, 2020 to fine the facility $1,000. Document referenced: Incident Report completed by M. Hurley. Chair Schmidt will send Commissioner Legee the Order to be served to the facility. A. Weins reported receiving a call from a resident’s family member regarding one staff member not wearing face covering. M. Hurley and A. Weins will conduct an in-service for staff at the facility re: COVID-19 protocols, e.g., infection control and PPE. Results of COVID-19 testing of staff and residents at facility: three positive (one resident, two staff). Resident is in quarantine; staff are quarantined at home for 14 days. Staff will need two negative results before returning to work. M. Hurley will forward facility’s Housekeeping protocols to Board members. WINTHROP SQUARE MARKET: Enforcement Order delivered to the retailer by the town Constable. Appeal from the owner received May 28, 2020, therefore suspension will be on hold until after the public hearing. Second Notice sent via email to the owner at 6:00 pm this evening. Owner responded via email ‘do anything’ but did not participate remotely in the meeting. Hearing called to order by Chair Schmitt at 7:00 pm. Since owner did not call in, Chair Schmitt read the owner’s appeal into the record. Chair Schmidt cited state and local regulations that clearly state fines ‘shall’ be imposed, not ‘may’ be imposed, therefore fines are mandated. S. Maguire suggested that, given the owner’s appeal citing the financial hardship he has endured because of the pandemic, the Board consider devising a repayment plan. Chair Schmidt suggested that one payment be made before the next permit renewal date, with the balance due in full during the following year. The seven-day suspension of tobacco sales will stand. In addition, the terms would include mandatory retraining of the owner and employees on the current tobacco sales regulations and protocols to follow. S. Maguire suggested that the store be checked for any inventory now prohibited, e.g., flavored tobacco products including flavored Juul pods, and removed if found. Commissioner Legee voiced concerns about the retailer’s failure to comply in the past with food safety regulations, e.g., sale of expired foods. Detective Rogers was asked if he was in agreement with the Board’s recommendation. He acknowledged there have been numerous complaints in the past, and agreed with imposing the fine along with re-education. Action steps: Commissioner Legee will inform Chair Schmidt when the retailer’s permit will be renewed which will inform the repayment plan. Chair Schmidt will draft a new Enforcement Order. B. Carroll will visit the retailer, once permissible due to COVID 19 restrictions, and conduct retraining, as well inspect the store for prohibited sale items. TOBACCO: Update by Bonny Carroll: Awaiting the sample model regulations by D.J. Wilson that will comply with the new state regulations for towns to use when updating their current regulations. New Posters will be distributed to retailers once site visits resume. COMMISSIONER OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES UPDATE: A. LEGEE: Working with M. Hurley on licensing restaurants to offer outdoor dining. Some may be delayed due to required inspections. Stressed that patrons’ adherence to face covering and social distancing mandates will be paramount in preventing COVID outbreaks. Response to B. Bishop’s inquiry re: use of glove by retailers preparing certain foods is pending. Rodents: A number of residents have alerted the Board about rats in their neighborhoods and demand a response to how the town will address the problem. Per Commissioner Legee, he is working with Page Exterminators who will be baiting Court Road, Somerset, and the Highlands. Also, he is working with them on developing some educational materials, e.g, proper trash maintenance. DIRECTOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLINICAL SERVICES UPDATE: M. HURLEY: Working with Commissioner Legee on licensing restaurants to offer outdoor dining. Working with DPW on reopening playgrounds and beaches. M. Honan creating signage re: distancing. Weekly/biweekly conference calls with Department of Education. Educating Parks and Rec re: distancing protocols. Plans to expand E. Boston asthma program under discussion. Town finalizing plans for reopening of playgrounds. FACE COVERINGS: To reinforce its importance, the new Mass.gov Face Coverings Decision Guide will be widely distributed. A. Weins has sent it to WCAT to run periodically, and will also send it to Laurisa for posting in the Winthrop Weekly. Chair Schmidt will forward a copy to the Transcript as well. BOTTLE REDEMPTION: Chair Schmidt received an inquiry from a retailer about delaying returns of recyclables due to the pandemic. However, as of June 5, 2020, returns were allowed. Retailer obliged, therefore, no need for further discussion. REOPENING of TOWN of WINTHROP BEACHES: Clear guidelines exist for state beaches, e.g., DCR beaches. Board members agreed to reference the Governor’s Orders for state beaches when developing guidelines for Winthrop’s municipal beaches. A. Weins motioned, seconded by S. Maguire, motion unanimous that the Board will support efforts to ensure compliance with distancing, face coverings, trash carry in/out. M. Honan posting signage tomorrow on Yirrell Beach. Action steps: A. Weins will forward draft guidance document to A. Faison. M. Hurley will send signage created by M. Honan to Board members. MRC: Assisting with Food Bank distributions. BUDGET: Forecast is bleak. Vote may take place next week. REGIONAL COLLABORATIVE: As reported last month, effective July 1, 2020, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) will be assuming the lead for the Collaborative with each participating community contributing to its expense. Future structure to be determined. The Behavioral Health Workgroup to meet Thursday, June 18, 2020 to discuss supporting families during the pandemic. BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING SCHEDULE FOR JULY TO DECEMBER 2020: July 14, 2020 August 11, 2020 September 15, 2020 October 13, 2020 November 17, 2020 December 8, 2020 AGENDA for JULY MEETING: Past business: Cottage Ave; Roundup advisory; Parc Assisted Living; Bike safety Covid-19 Mosquito management Body art regulation Tobacco regulation revisions ADJOURNMENT: Chair Schmidt motioned to adjourn at 8:26 pm, seconded by S. Maguire, approved unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Susan Maguire