Board of Health

RECEIVED By Clerk at 9:45 am, 8/16/21 CITY OF AMESBURY, MA BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Virtual Meeting June 24, 2021 Meeting called to order at: 6:35 p.m. Roll Call Attendance: Matt Steinel, Chairman; Dan McQueen; Kaitlyn Zeigler; Robin Beeley, Ann McKay Staff: Tina LaCourse, Nurse; Deborah Ketchen, Health Inspector; Ernest Cartier-Creveling, Inspectional Services Director Meeting Minutes of 06/10/2021: Motion by Dan McQueen to table the minutes of 06/10/2021 until the next regular meeting of the Board of Health, which was seconded by Kaitlyn Zeigler. Roll call vote: Matt Steinel, yes; Dan McQueen, yes; Kaitlyn Zeigler yes; Robin Beeley, yes; Anne McKay, yes. NEW BUSINESS Work Plan for 2021 The Board discussed what they expected moving forward. Several items were highlighted:  Chair Steinel stated that in the past, things have run pretty efficiently. Plans are received by the Health Inspector, reviewed approved, unless there are waivers or variances requested, at which point applicants are expected to attend a Board of Health meeting.  License renewals are handled by the department unless there are problems.  The Board will hear housing complaints not being handled properly by a landlord.  The Board likes to receive monthly reports on cases involving communicable diseases, licenses issued each month, complaints that have been dealt with or are still ongoing. City-Wide Health Fair Anne McKay and Tina LaCourse briefed the Board on an event to be held in September called the City-Wide Health Fair. Anne McKay stated that she is on the Mayor’s 2030 Committee and that they would like to see more connectivity between the community and health initiatives. The thought is that the Health Fair would kick-off during on a weekday (they are presently looking at Thursday, September 23rd) for the Seniors and then segue into the weekend for the community at large. They are not expecting the Health Department to organize the event, however, the Board of Health could participate in whatever way might be helpful – possible advertising and scheduling. Chairman Steinel said that the Board could definitely endorse the Health Fair. Mosquito Spraying for Amesbury Days Ernie Cartier-Creveling let the Board know that Heritage Park and Woodsum Farm were to be sprayed that evening. Ann McKay asked for information about the organization that does the spraying. Chairman Steinel explained that Amesbury belongs to a regional group called Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District (NEMMC) and that the City pays (click here for Amesbury’s FY22 apportionment) to be a part of the organization and is therefore able to request spraying, as can residents if they have concerns. There is also a way to opt out of having a property sprayed if people are concerned about the pesticide being used. Future Meetings – Remote or In-person The consensus of the group was to begin in-person meetings again in July, but to keep the remote option for those who may feel uncomfortable attending in person and for the public’s convenience. Census Board member Robin Beeley asked if the Board ever uses census data to try to guide its efforts, to focus in on neighborhoods where life expectancy has declined, for example. She wondered if the data could be used to identify clusters of problem areas. Creveling sent around a link to the American Community Survey, to show how data is presented and stated that it takes a while to roll out all of the data collected during a census. Tobacco Education Liaison It was suggested that the Board invite Tobacco Education Liaison Ronald Beauregard to the next meeting. Update BOH Regulations and Digitize Dan McQueen asked about updating the Board of Health regulations and digitizing them. Chairman Steinel stated that the previous Health Director provided a large amount of material back in 2011 from the communities he had served over the years and what the Board has now is the result of culling through that information. He also explained that once the regulations are updated that they must then be submitted to the State Attorney General’s Office for review. Respectfully Submitted by: Ernest M. Cartier Creveling, Inspectional Services Director The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm. The next meeting will be held on July 22, 2021.