Minutes
Board of Health · from the Town's website · 2 pages · 24 KB
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Meeting Minutes Winthrop Board of Health June 9, 2026, at 4:00 pm Harvey Hearing Room, Town Hall Call to Order : 4:02 pm Roll Call : Chair Christine Reilly, and members Mary Lou Cooney and Jeanne Maggio were present Review of Minutes for May 12, 2026: Accepted Director of Public Health and Clinical Services Update : None Commissioner of Inspectional Services Update : Sharon Sicurella Inspectional Services is tying up year-end (before July) issues such as four-family dwellings and restaurants. Ms. Sicurella noted that homes and restaurants are being taken by the Town into receivership. Non-payment of taxes has a fine of $40,000, then a tax lien for X amount of time, and ownership can be lost. Two dog signs have been ordered: one for Ingleside Park and one for Coughlin Park. The signs will be inside the parks and will say, “ No dogs in gated area ” . Cottage food was again discussed. Ms. Sicurella will make up a form similar to the food service permit. When this is completed, the Board will vote on the fee ($25 - $50). Winthrop restaurant owners asked Ms. Sicurella about being open later for the World Cup. There was a question about a watch party at Ingleside Park. Vendors for Sail Boston were also discussed. Donations for the victims of the River Road fire can be made through the police station and the public health department. Council member Kurt Millar ’ s committee is looking into the number of cats per household. There are no state, nor Town, regulations for cats. Ms. Sicurella was unsure if Animal Officer Mark Van Buskirk had been to a suspected cat hoarding situation known to Inspectional Services. It was noted that most boards of health in the state allow no more than 4-6 cats over the age of six months in a household. There is a current regulation for rabies. Public Comment : John Morgan, citizen, Golden Drive Winthrop Commission on Discrimination Project Safety Net was mentioned. This is a radio-frequency tracking device that can be used for nonverbal children with autism or people with dementia. It is good for a radius of 1.5 miles, and it can be reached through the police, fire, and/or public health departments. It was noted that Chelsea has had this technology for two years and has a 100% success rate. As Winthrop cannot access state grants due to 3A issues, the $15,000 to fund the program came from the WCOD, using 22G funds from handicap parking violations. This special fund can be used only for disability applications. To apply for this device, Mr. Morgan said citizens should contact the public health department, who will evaluate. Adjournment: 4:36 pm Respectfully submitted, Heidi Fantasia Lisa Stefano Co-Chairs, Winthrop Board of Health