Minutes
Board of Health · from the Town's website · 1 page · 29 KB
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WINTHROP BOARD of HEALTH MEETING July 28, 2020 6:00 PM REMOTE PARTICIPATION (A. Weins, Host; Meeting Recorded) MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair: Bill Schmidt; Vice-Chair: Astrid Weins; Member: Susan Maguire. TOWN of WINTHROP: Al Legee, Commissioner Inspectional Services CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Schmidt called the Board of Health meeting to order at 6:00 pm. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Schmidt read email received July 28, 2020 from D. Hibbard regarding 44 Villa Ave. Discussion to follow when issue is discussed later on the agenda. Document referenced: email from D. Hibbard received on July 28, 2020. REVIEW of MINUTES: Chair Schmidt motioned, A. Weins seconded to approve, pending two edits, the minutes of the July 2, 2020 Board of Health (BoH) meeting, all in favor. Chair Schmidt motioned, S. Maguire seconded to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2020 Board of Health meeting, with A. Weins abstaining as she was not present at the meeting. Chair Schmidt motioned, S. Maguire seconded to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2020 Board of Health meeting, with A. Weins abstaining as she was not present at the meeting. PAST BUSINESS: COTTAGE AVE: Commissioner Legee putting together a ‘chain of events’ report. ROUNDUP ADVISORY: Advisory approved by the Board has been posted on social media sites and The Winthrop Transcript. Action steps: S. Maguire revised the website address for additional information on glyphosate as suggested by the New England Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and reposted the Advisory. COMMISSIONER OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES UPDATE: A. LEGEE: Rodents: Commissioner Legee provided an update on the town- wide efforts in place to address the problem. Property on Sagamore Street has been issued a citation. Page Exterminator has been baiting the property on Summit Ave and property has been ticketed. Action Steps: S. Maguire will draft a bulletin regarding steps people can take to control/alleviate the problem. Chair Schmidt will check if the Town has an Ordinance. RESTAURANTS SURVEILLANCE: All will be conducting on site inspections over the weekend to restaurants and yacht clubs to ensure compliance with state COVID-19 Orders. 44 Villa Ave: Still investigating the issues, e.g., repair of boat engines, lawn mowers, etc. on home property in a residential area. A zoning issue, Al is working with Town attorneys on what action to take. Action steps: S. Maguire will acknowledge receipt of complaint received from Mr. Hibbard. ICE CREAM TRUCK VENDORS: Due to COVID-19, Ice cream truck vendors are not permitted in town at this time. Since the Police Department issues the vendor permits, Chair Schmidt will alert Chief Delahanty that truck(s) have been seen in town. TOBACCO CONTROL ISSUES: Discussion postponed until B. Carroll is present. COVID-19: Chair Schmidt praised M. Hurley’s recent presentation to the Town Council. WCAT is televising COVID-19 Q&A by M.Hurley and Chief Delahanty. S. Maguire will forward updated COVID-19 CDC graphics on Stop the Spread and Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19 to Larissa for posting on social media. A. Weins to submit a Letter to the Editor of Winthrop Transcript regarding steps people can take to mitigate the spread, and encouraging them to respect the guidelines, e.g., wear a mask, social distance, etc. A. Weins will follow up with Superintendent Howard regarding outreach to youth via school correspondence to families. Consider town-wide Robocalls to reinforce the importance of wearing a face covering, etc. Follow-up with M. Hurley re: translation of materials. DIRECTOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLINICAL SERVICES UPDATE: M. Hurley on Vacation MRC: Absent REGIONAL COLLABORATIVE: S. Maguire attended the first Steering Committee with Mark Fine of MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) as the new regional coordinator for Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Action steps: S. Maguire will send A. Weins the name of MAPC’s lead on the Environmental CHIP. Documents referenced: PowerPoint slides by D. Marable. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: On July 7, 2020, the Town Council approved the formation of a Human Rights Commission. Council President Boncore has appointed six members; three seats remain open. Councilor Christopher has drafted a Town Ordinance which was read at the last Town Council meeting. MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT: A. Weins reported that no WNV or EEE has been detected in town. Legislation is still pending regarding a statewide coordinated, centralized approach. S. Maguire had one inquiry from a resident and learned that residents may request a home inspection from NEMMC. Action steps: A. Weins to draft public education materials. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS: The State has lifted the ban on use of reusable plastic bags issued to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. Winthrop’s new regulation banning the use of single-use plastic bags was delayed because of COVID-19 and will become effective November 1, 2020. Action steps: Discuss next steps at the August BoH meeting. WALK WINTHROP: Chair Schmidt voiced interest in this initiative drawing upon the previous plans from 2010. Action steps: With the Board’s support, Chair Schmidt will email A. Faison. ANNUAL REPORT: Chair Schmidt will draft a report for review at the August BoH meeting. NEXT BOARD of HEALTH MEETING: Meeting date of August 11, 2020 was changed to August 18, 2020. Chair Schmidt will notify D. Quist of the change. ADJOURNMENT: S. Maguire motioned to adjourn at 7:30 pm, seconded by A. Weins, approved unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Susan Maguire