Minutes

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WINTHROP BOARD of HEALTH
EMERGENCY MEETING
September 25, 2020   3:00 PM
REMOTE PARTICIPATION (L. Wojcik, Host; Meeting Recorded)
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Schmidt called the Board of Health meeting to order at 3:06 pm.
ROLL CALL: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chair: Bill Schmidt; Vice-Chair: Astrid Weins; Member: Susan Maguire.
TOWN of WINTHROP: Al Legee, Commissioner Inspectional Services Department
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Chair Schmidt explained that public comment will be limited to COVID-19 Standards for Restaurants.
PURPOSE of MEETING:  Review Mass.gov Sector Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Restaurants to Address COVID-19, September 22, 2020
DISCUSSION:  Major changes to the Standards include the following:
The size of a party allowed at a table increased from 6 to 10
Bar seating is permitted with physical barriers in place and distancing of parties.
S. Maguire inquired by email what plans Revere, another Massachusetts’s community designated as in the COVID-19 red zone, had made.  Per K. Hanton, Chief of Public Health and Human Services, Revere, for bar seating, only parties of two may be seated together with a two-seat gap between parties.  Parties of ten will be allowed at tables to prevent patrons mingling between tables and redirecting.  ABCC will be increasing their oversight.
Document referenced: Mass.gov Sector Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Restaurants to Address COVID-19, September 22, 2020; S. Maguire/K. Hanton emails dated 9/25/2020.
Board members agreed that parties of two seated together with six feet distancing between parties would be allowed; and barriers, e.g., Plexiglass, will be required at bars as stipulated in the Standards.
Additionally, S. Maguire proposed that dining time be limited to mitigate air transmission of the virus, especially when bar seating is oftentimes accompanied with watching televised sports.  A Google search showed 90 minutes to be representative of this practice.  Restaurant owners, Ann of La Siesta, and Katie of Katie’s Kitchen agreed, as well as Commissioner Legee.
Chair Schmidt conducted a roll call vote to allow: 1. Bar seating of parties of two to be seated together with six feet distancing between parties; 2. Barriers, e.g., Plexiglass, will be required at bars as stipulated in the Standards; and 3. Dining time shall be limited to 90 minutes. Chair Schmidt, Vice Chair, A. Weins and Member S. Maguire responded aye, vote unanimous.  Effective date will be 10/1/2020.
ACTION STEPS:  Notify businesses of the Board’s decisions: Bill will send notice to Town Manager and Chamber of Commerce.  ISD will inspect businesses for compliance with Standards (businesses must call ISD once readied for inspection).  Town will Inspect for compliance, and enforce.
ADJOURNMENT:  S. Maguire motioned to adjourn at 4:05 pm, seconded by A. Weins, approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Maguire