Agenda packet

Board of Health · from the Town's website · released Jul 16, 2020 · 5 pages · 72 KB
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Agenda
MEETING.BOH_.7-16-20.PDF
Meeting Materials
BOH_JULY_16_2020_MINUTES-1_003.DOCX
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AGENDA
Winthrop Board of Health Meeting
July 16, 2020 4:00 pm
REMOTE PARTICIPATION
For Public Comment
Email in Advance to smaguire@town.winthrop.ma.us
Call to Order
Public Comment 15 minutes
COVID-19 Issues – Town of Winthrop 45 minutes
Adjournment 



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WINTHROP BOARD of HEALTH MEETING
July 16, 2020 4:00 PM
REMOTE PARTICIPATION (C. Vitale, Host)
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair: Bill Schmidt; Member: Susan Maguire. 
TOWN of WINTHROP: Meredith Hurley, Director Public Health and Clinical Services; Al Legee,
Commissioner Inspectional Services (arrival 4:46pm); Rob DeMarco, Councilor at Large; Betsy
Shane, Chamber of Commerce. 
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Schmidt called the Board of Health meeting to order at 4:05 pm. 
PURPOSE of MEETING: Discuss the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. 
PUBLIC COMMENT: 
S. Maguire read the email received 7/16/2020 at 4:07 pm from Vice Chair, A. Weins who
is away on vacation. Specifically, do we know what is driving the surge? We may not be
doing enough messaging. 
DISCUSSION: 
 Meredith Hurley: 
o Winthrop has had 46 new COVID-19 cases since July 4, 2020. 
o DPH reported 39 cases between July 4, 2020 and July 13, 2020 of which 50%
were under the age of 18 years old. Anecdotally, increased socializing among
this age group, e.g., July 4 parties, days at the beach, street hockey, and
basketball courts may explain the spike. 
o Seeing more asymptomatic cases, and fewer hospitalizations. 
o Contact tracing looks back 72 hours or dates of significant social events. 
o Contacts need to understand the need to quarantine for 14 days regardless if
they ’ ve had a negative test before day 14 as they can test positive up to day 14. 
o Parks and Rec have 2 staff assigned to monitor Yirrell Beach.

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o DPH discourages towns to use their Police Force for enforcement purposes as
they see enforcement under Health due to ‘ Health Orders ” . The Board disagrees
as they see the Police Department as one of their agents, but will check to
confirm their role. 
 Group: Possible interventions: 
o Place Robo Calls to all homes re: need for all to do their part and be vigilant with
face coverings, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings. 
o Consider a curfew for anyone under age 18 years of age. 
o Consider consequences, if indicated, e.g., beach closings, nuisance fines (would
require documentation). 
o Send the message: Do the Right Thing. 
o Increase patrolling of beaches 
COMMISSIONER OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES (ISD) UPDATE (AL LEGGEE): 
 Restaurants are for the most part complying with the guidelines. Will be revisiting the
Winthrop Arms this week and will impose a fine if found to be in noncompliance. 
 Will start to visit restaurants on the weekends. 
 Received two calls re: Yirrell Beach (> numbers, and lack of face coverings) 
 Unable to locate the ice cream truck seen in town last week. ISD does not issue permits
to this entity, WPD does. 
ACTION STEPS: 
 Meredith and Chief Delehanty will be taping a COVID-19 Q&A session tomorrow at
WCAT, which will be aired on WCAT and accessible via Internet. 
 Meredith working with Town ’ s PR firm on creating Info graphics to simplify contact
tracing efforts, quarantine instructions, etc. 
 Circulation of Info graphics will be supported by town businesses, e.g., Winthrop
Market. Chamber of Commerce willing to support distribution efforts as well. 
 Winthrop Police Department will be increasing beach patrols. 
 Chair Schmidt will email Chief Delehanty acknowledging WPD ’ s support and
cooperation. 
 Continue daily tracking of new cases (MH)

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 Update COVID-19 graphics, posted on town social media (SM) 
 M. Hurley to research best mode of ventilation in churches/houses of worship, e.g.,
open windows vs. AC. 
 Discuss curfew recommendation at the next Board of Health meeting on July 28, 2020.
Ms. Maguire acknowledged Councilor at Large, Tracy Honan ’ s concerns and input sent via email
on July 13, 2020. 
ADJOURNMENT: S. Maguire motioned to adjourn at 5:16 pm, seconded by Chair Schmidt,
approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Maguire