Minutes

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Winthrop Board of Health Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2024
Meeting called to order at 6:38
Members Present: Bill Schmidt, Jeanne Holgerson, Christine Reilly
Minutes for the BOH meeting on April 18,2024 were unanimously approved 3-0
Public Comment see under Letter Grading of Food Establishments Regulation
Public Hearing - Grease Trap Regulation
Hearing commenced at 6:39pm
New Grease Trap regulations were presented. They are based on previous regulations and tighten up
oversight by setting up a schedule. Bill will review the proposed regulations with the inspectional services
staff. If no changes are made, BOH will vote on approval at the next meeting.
Hearing closed at 6:43pm by unanimous vote of BOH members (3-0)
Past Business
Lewis Lake Water Quality no update
Reports
Director of Public Health and Clinical Services Update – submitted by email
C.L.E.A.R. Program
• We launched our Opioid Impact and Mitigation Survey this week that will be open for 8 weeks.
We will use the information to determine the best course of action to spend the Opioid
Mitigation Funds.
• We presented our program and team at the Winthrop Senior Center on 5.28.24.
• Planning for 3 site visits from police departments in OH, MO, and AZ in the next 4 months.
• Working on a federal grant to support the CLEAR Program and expand support services,
prevention of substance misuse.
Other
• In response to expressed needs in the community, we have a large sharps container in our office
for the public to drop off. The sharps need to be in a sealed container.
• Upcoming trainings:
o CPR for staff and volunteers
o Self-Care Coping Groups for staff
o Toll of Working with Trauma for staff (April 22)
• June 12: COVID19 Tree Dedication 6pm @ Winthrop Town Hall
• We are working with North Suffolk Mental Health to improve responses and access to the CBHC
and piloting of new clinical staff in Winthrop, including a clinician specific for elders.
• Will be meeting with North Suburban Housing Consortium in the next 2 weeks to learn more
about homeless-prevention opportunities.
Jeanne Holgerson asked if anyone knew of resources in town for elderly people in need of some services,
such as reminders to take medications, to help set up transportation, not in need of home health, but
someone to check in on them. Bill suggested asking Meridith Hurley if she knew of any service. Jeanne
already checked with the Senior Center and Mystic Valley Elder Services.
Letter to Senator Edwards on EAPS Grant
Bill sent a letter to Sen. Edwards asking for her support for the matching grant program Equitable
Approaches to Public Safety (EAPS)

Letter to Senator Edwards on Budget Amendments
Bill sent a letter to Senator Edwards asking for her support for the amendment proposed by 2 Senators to
budget $1 million for the Public Safety grants.
Bill noted that the Senate passed an amendment that would require the MDPH to commission a study on
the health and noise impacts of airplane flights to and from Logan airport.
Commissioner of Inspectional Services Report no update
Farmer’s Market topic postponed to next meeting as speaker unable to attend tonight’s meeting
38 Summit Avenue A request from a tenant asking for an inspection of the property has been forwarded
to Inspectional Services.
Letter Grading of Food Establishments Regulation
Bill sent an email to Al and Sharon suggesting a change from 24 hours to 48 hours as the timeframe for
when a Letter C grade must be posted. He is awaiting their response. At the next meeting the inspection
form that will be used will be available. It will show the number of points assigned to each violation. Bill
will write an explanation for the process for the next meeting.
Comment from a member of the public saying if inspections are already being done, why is the letter
grade system needed. Reply was that without the letter grading, the public has no way of knowing how
the restaurants did on their inspections.
Tobacco Sales Regulation
The BOH voted unanimously (3-0) to accept the Regulation of the Winthrop Board of Health Restricting
the Sale of Tobacco Products. As stated in the document, it will be effective on June 15, 2024. It will be
published in the Transcript at least 5 business days before the effective date. Bonnie Carroll informed the
BOH that there are new products on the market called Zyn and Oni that contain high doses of nicotine
and are becoming very popular with young people. She will send further information about these products
to the BOH via email. She also noted that Brookline has enacted a regulation that anyone born after
1/1/2020 will never be able to buy nicotine products in Brookline. Now, other towns are also considering
doing the same. Convenience Store Associations are strongly against such laws, however, the Supreme
Court of MA upheld the law passes in Brookline.
NEMMC Information on Mosquito Spraying - The information was published by the Transcript
Letter to State Legislators on Ecological Mosquito Control Bill
Bill sent a letter to our legislators asking for their support for this Bill.
Adjournment at 7:37 pm approved unanimously 3-0
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Reilly, Member