Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance

By City Clerk at 3:33 pm, Feb 13, 2025 NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance Date: January 7, 2025 Time: 2 pm - 3 pm Meeting Location: ​ Virtual: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88294190778 APPROVED MEETING MINUTES FOR VIRTUAL MEETING Voting Attendees: f.​ William Holt, Georgetown g.​ Frank Marchegiani, Rowley a.​ Ann Marie Casey, Amesbury h.​ Paul Sevigny, West Newbury b.​ Ann McKay, Amesbury c.​ Jim Wilson, Amesbury Non Voting Attendees: d.​ Deb Ketchen, Amesbury & a.​ Erika Syokau, BME Strategies Merrimac b.​ Donna Lickteig, Amesbury e.​ Rosemary Decie, Groveland I.​ Call to Order a.​ Deb Ketchen motioned for the meeting to be called, and Jim Wilson seconded. The meeting was called to order at 2:05 pm with a quorum of 6/7 voting members present (Amesbury, Merrimac, Rowley, Georgetown, Groveland, and West Newbury) II.​ Approval of December 10th Minutes a.​ Deb motioned for the meeting minutes to be accepted as written, and Frank seconded. The meeting minutes were approved with a vote of 4/6. Paul Sevigny and Bill Holt abstained from the vote. III.​ Hiring Update  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance a.​ Erika gave the group an update on the current status of hiring for the regional inspector position. Erika shared that she has phone-screened 4 applicants so far out of the resumes she received. b.​ Candidates 1 and 4 were the least qualified candidates and the group decided not to move forward with their candidacy. c.​ Erika shared the resumes of candidates 2 and 3 for the group to decide if they would like to move these candidates over to a subcommittee interview. 1.​ Erika shared that candidate 2, does not live in Massachusets but is looking to relocate. She has an extensive data analysis background and can be useful for helping to identify trends within the alliance. Erika also shared that she has done a lot of work in tobacco prevention work which related to the MVPHA workplan objective to FY25. a)​ Ann McKay shared that she thinks this is a great applicant who has a lot of experience. b)​ Deb Ketchen stated that her only concern is that the candidate lives out of state and that could take some time. c)​ Rosemary shared that it is best to move forward with the candidate and at least interview the applicant. If we find that the applicant is not qualified or does not meet our timing needs then we can continue with other applicants. 2.​ Erika shared information on candidate 3, who is based in Amesbury MA. This candidate does not have a health inspector background but has a health science degree. Although he does not have inspector experience he was very aware of the job description by his questions. The candidate was self-motivated and wanted to learn more. a)​ The group decided to move forward with both candidates. b)​ Bill met someone from Haverhill who may be well qualified and local for the regional inspector role. Bill will contact them and see if they are interested in this position.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance 3.​ Erika shared the next steps for the subcommittee interviews. a)​ Erika will reach out to Chris, Bill, Deb Rogers, and Ann Marie Casey for their availability to start subcommittee interviews. (1)​Ann Marie stated that she would love to be involved but does not have much inspector experience. She shared that Deb Ketchen and Ann McKay may be better options for participating in the subcommittee interviews. (a)​ Erika will reach out to both Deb and Ann McKay for their availability. b)​ Erika will send over applicant information prior to the interview along with questions. However, the subcommittee should still think of any other questions they may want to ask. c)​ The subcommittee will deliberate on the candidate once the candidate has exited the Zoom. d)​ If the candidate moves forward Erika will invite the candidate to the next MVPHA meeting for the larger group to meet the candidate and ask any further questions. e)​ Erika reminded the group that during these interviews cameras should be turned on and folks should engage with the candidate as much as possible. 4.​ Erika let the group know that we have only received 4 eligible nursing applications. Erika reached out to the candidates and never received a response. a)​ Ann McKay asked where the job was posted. (1)​Erika let the group know that the job is posted on Indeed and MAPHN. b)​ Erika asked Ann Marie Casey if she could repost the job on Indeed to filter back to the top. (1)​Ann Marie Casey will double-check to see if she can.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance c)​ Erika will follow up with other public health nurses to see if people know anyone interested in a job, and will have internal discussions with other SSCs to see if they have any eligible applicants. (1)​Bill will ask his public health nurse if he knows anyone interested in the role. IV.​ IMA Update a.​ Erika shared that the final version of the IMA is ready to be signed. b.​ Along with the IMA, Erika will send out a document that contains the appropriate language for two items. 1.​ Language for the BOH to vote on the City of Amesbury to be the central posting site for the meeting minutes 2.​ Language on voting for a primary and alternative voting member c.​ Erika shared that this version of the IMA does not include West Newbury and that it is best to move forward with signing the IMA so it does not delay the group’s funding. d.​ The IMA will include wording that will allow West Newbury to join at any time if they choose to as they are still in discussions with their board of health and selectmen. 1.​ Frank asked if any of the other municipalities had expressed concern for leaving. Frank was concerned that his board might be curious why another municipality is considering leaving the shared service. a)​ Erika mentioned to Frank that no other municipalities have expressed concern besides West Newbury. 2.​ Ann Marie Casey asked when the IMA will be circulated for signatures because she will have to bring it to her city council and expects a longer wait time due to that. a)​ Erika is hoping that this week it will be circulated for signatures but is waiting to hear back from Rich Mucci.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance V.​ Relavent Update a.​ Erika did a check-in with each municipality to see who needs to complete both Relavent forms. b.​ Erika and Michael Hicks have received completed forms from: 1.​ Newbury 2.​ Merrimac 3.​ Georgetown signature page c.​ Erika is still awaiting documentation from: 1.​ Amesbury/Regional: Deb Ketchen thought she sent it in. Erika will double-check. Ann Marie Casey stated it had to go to the board to review before signature. 2.​ Groveland: Rosemary expects to have it completed by the end of the month to send it over once she has her board review and sign off on it. Erika asked Rosemary if she needed any help completing the list of establishments to let her know. 3.​ Rowley: Frank is working on it and will send it over soon. 4.​ Georgetown: Bill let Erika know he is working on his EIU and will have it done by the end of the week 5.​ West Newbury is TBD VI.​ Community Updates a.​ Hoarding Training March 11th 1.​ Erika shared that the Hoarding training has been booked for March 11th. This is a virtual first part of training that will have different sessions to help attendees understand hoarding disorder. a)​ This is a 6-hour training from 8 am - 3 pm with breaks built in and a one-hour lunch break in between.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance b)​ The group can have up to 35 attendees, Erika encouraged the group to share with those in their municipality who may be interested in hoarding training. (1)​Erika will share a registration form and a calendar hold once all information has been finalized. 2.​ Stephen Casey from the training hub has also shared resources on hoarding that Erika will send along with the meeting minutes. b.​ Strategic Planning RFP Posted 1.​ The strategic planning RFP has been posted and bids are set to be open on January 14th. a)​ 10 companies have shown interest so far. 2.​ The group will decide on a company at the January 21st coalition meeting. c.​ Meeting Cadence: 1.​ Erika let the group know that with strategic planning set to begin soon, we will be adjusting our meeting cadence to once a month on the first Tuesday starting in February. a)​ The group will make an official vote on this on January 21st. b)​ Erika reminded the group that the next meeting is still scheduled for January 21st. d.​ Monthly Check-Ins 1.​ Erika will begin monthly check-ins with each municipality. The goals of the check-ins include: a)​ Establishing current needs b)​ Following up on meetings and action items c)​ Providing support on items not discussed in the meetings e.​ FPHS  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance 1.​ Erika reminded the group that the foundational public health services will begin on January 14th. All municipalities should save the DPH Zoom Webinar Date for the 14th between 3 pm - 4 pm. VII.​ Next Steps a.​ BME 1.​ Erika will work on the hiring subcommittee's next steps. 2.​ Erika will reach out to the public health nurses and other nursing groups to find more applicants. 3.​ Erika will finalize the IMA with Rich and send it out for signatures. 4.​ Erika will send out hoarding training information b.​ MVPHA 1.​ Bill will share the inspector role with the individual he met from Haverhill. 2.​ Ann Marie Casey will check on reposting the nursing job description on Indeed. 3.​ All municipalities work on completing all Relavent documents. VIII.​ Adjournment a.​ Deb Ketchen motioned to adjourn the meeting. Bill seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 pm. Please Note: There will be no public participation in speaking at this meeting. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE MAY ACT ON ITEMS IN A DIFFERENT ORDER THAN THEY APPEAR ON THIS AGENDA. ALSO, IF IT SO VOTES, THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE MAY GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION DURING THE MEETING. PERSONS INTERESTED ARE ADVISED THAT, IN THE EVENT ANY MATTER TAKEN UP AT THIS MEETING REMAINS UNFINISHED AT THE CLOSE OF THE MEETING, IT MAY BE PUT OFF TO A CONTINUED SESSION OF THIS MEETING, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.