Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance

By City Clerk at 9:19 am, Feb 24, 2025 NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance Date: February 18, 2025 Time: 2 pm - 3 pm Meeting Location: ​ Virtual: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88294190778 DRAFT MINUTES FOR VIRTUAL MEETING Voting Attendees: f.​ Frank Marchegiani, Rowley g.​ Paul Sevigny, West Newbury a.​ Ann Marie Casey, Amesbury b.​ Jim Wilson, Amesbury Non-Voting Attendees: c.​ Deb Ketchen, Amesbury & Merrimac a.​ Erika Syokau, BME Strategies d.​ Rosemary Decie, Groveland b.​ Janice Chen, BME Strategies e.​ Deb Rogers, Newbury I.​ Call to Order a.​ Deb Ketchen motioned for the meeting to be called, and Deb Rogers seconded. The meeting was called to order at 2:04 pm with a quorum of 5/7 voting members present (Amesbury, Merrimac, Newbury, Rowley, and West Newbury) II.​ Approval of February 4th Minutes a.​ Deb Rogers motioned for the meeting minutes to be accepted as written, and Deb K seconded. The meeting minutes were approved with a vote of 5/6. Paul Sevigny abstained from the vote. III.​ Janice Chen FPHS Presentation a.​ Erika introduced Janice Chen from BME Strategies to give a presentation on Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS). b.​ Janice opened up the presentation on FPHS with introductions from each municipality.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance c.​ Janice presented on the background of FPHS, how to access the tools, and reviewed the timeline. 1.​ Janice informed the group that local public health is on a journey to modernize Massachusetts's local public health to meet evolving needs and improve health outcomes using actionable data. 2.​ The FPHS collection will address the 5 foundational areas and the 8 Foundational capabilities, each with 28 associated headline responsibilities. 3.​ The FPHS review will be completed through the two different tools listed below. a)​ Cost Tool due on March 14th, 2025 b)​ Service Delivery Tool due on April 18th 2025 c)​ ISD Tool *if applicable* due on April 11th, 2025 (1)​Janice stated that the service delivery tool captures current services that are being provided across shared services and overall capacity. (2)​The cost toll collects information on the money coming into the local public health entity and the money that is being spent. Janice pointed out that the FY24 financial summary and the payroll data that each municipality has will be crucial in filling out the cost tool. 4.​ Erika asked Janice what information would be helpful to collect before filling out the tools. a)​ Janice let the group know that it would be beneficial to use payroll data, financial summary reports, and speak to individuals within the municipalities who have participated in delivering the headline services. 5.​ Janice reviewed each of the tools with the group and went through each tab on the cost tool.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance a)​ Janice assured the group that although the tools may look overwhelming, setting timelines, working in sessions, and reaching out to the FPHS Support team will help the process. (1)​Ann Marie had a question about her access because she had not seen or received anything yet. (a)​ Erika informed Ann Marie that Deb Ketchen was listed as the main point of contact for FPHS in Amesbury, which did not grant Ann Marie access. Erika reached out to Janice last week to grant her access to SharePoint. (2)​Ann Marie stated that she would be supporting Deb in the process. b)​ Erika asked Janice how reporting would look like if Amesbury gave PHE money to any of the participating municipalities in the SSA. (1)​Janice stated that if Amesbury had sub-awarded any amount to the participating municipalities in the SSA they would report that amount in the revenue tab and Amesbury would report the sub-awarded amount in the first table of the spending tab contract. c)​ Janice asked the group if they had any further questions. The group did not have any further questions. d.​ Janice informed the group that if they have any questions or concerns regarding the FPHS Tools, to contact her through the following methods: 1.​ 1) 1:1 Meeting Scheduling Link: https://calendar.app.google/xQ9UebFdnsBkW4JF9 2.​ 2) FPHS Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84378471516) and Thursdays 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81617970550) 3.​ 3) Email: jchen@bmestrategies.com  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance 4.​ 4) Cell: 617-823-4762 a)​ Erika let the group know that along with the meeting minutes, she would share Janice’s slides and information. IV.​ MVPHA Meeting Cadence and Strategic Planning a.​ Erika asked the group with strategic planning set to begin if everyone would be okay with moving the MVPHA coalition meeting to once a month. 1.​ This meeting would be on the first Tuesday of every month. 2.​ The next MVPHA coalition meeting will be on March 4th at 2 pm. a)​ The group was okay with this change. b.​ Erika also informed the group that the strategic planning kick-off meeting will be on February 26th, 3 pm - 5 pm. 1.​ Erika let the group know that the group can move the 2nd coalition meeting of the month from the 3rd Tuesday to the 2nd Tuesday to 1:30-3. Meaning the next strategic planning meeting would on be March 18th from 1:30-3 EST (because of the hoarding training) a)​ April 8th b)​ May 13th c)​ June 10th (1)​The group was okay with this change. (2)​Ann Marie asked if Erika could send updated invites. (a)​ Erika let the group know that all invites will be updated. 2.​ The group took an official vote on changing the meeting cadence. Deb Ketchen made a motion to change the meeting cadence, Deb Rogers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was done: a)​ Amesbury: yes b)​ Merrimac: yes c)​ Groveland: yes d)​ Newbury: yes  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance e)​ Rowley: yes f)​ West Newbury: abstaining from the vote 3.​ All voting members present were in favor of moving the meeting cadence to accommodate strategic planning with one abstention from West Newbury V.​ Hiring Updates a.​ Regional Inspector 1.​ Erika gave an update on the regional inspector. Collin has received all onboarding items. Erika reminded the group that he has until Wednesday, February 19th to confirm his acceptance of the offer by signing both offer letters and has until Monday, February 24th to complete his hire packet. Collin’s expected start date is March 3rd, 2025. a)​ Collin has asked for flexibility with his salary and is looking for $70,000. (1)​Ann Marie stated that the $65k is set on experience and since he is new to the role, the group should stay at the $65k mark. Ann Marie pointed out that there are good benefits and that there will be salary adjustments based on the completion of his training. (a)​ Deb Ketchen agreed. (i)​ Erika let the group know that she will let Collin know that the group has decided to stay at $65k. b)​ Erika informed the group that she met with the training hub and connected with other SSCs who have worked with new inspectors. Erika is working on the onboarding guide and will share it with the group once completed. b.​ Regional Public Health Nurse Update  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance 1.​ Erika gave an update on the regional nursing candidate’s phone screening. Erika let the group know that the candidate's phone screening went well. The candidate has a lot of municipal experience. a)​ Frank informed the group that he would still like to make sure that the candidate will continue to work and support Rowley. (1)​Erika informed Frank that we can adjust the 40-hour role to make sure she can continue to work the 8 hours for Rowley. b)​ Erika asked if anyone was available to participate in a subcommittee interview with the regional nurse candidate. (1)​The group was unable to discuss availability for a subcommittee interview. (2)​Erika informed the group she would reach out to Ann McKay and follow up with the group. VI.​ IMA Progress a.​ Erika shared a quick update on the status of the IMA from each municipality. 1.​ Amesbury a)​ Expects to have the IMA signed by February 25th. 2.​ Merrimac? a)​ Erika reached out to Chris for an update on the IMA. 3.​ Georgetown? a)​ BOH is to sign on Wednesday and the Board of Selectmen following Monday. 4.​ Groveland a)​ Completed 5.​ Rowley a)​ Completed 6.​ Newbury? a)​ IMA was signed by selectmen, BOH should sign it on Thursday.  NOTICE OF OPEN PUBLIC MEETING Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance VII.​ Next Steps a.​ BME 1.​ Erika will share the FPHS resources with the group. 2.​ Erika will adjust the calendar invites. 3.​ Erika will follow up with each municipality regarding FPHS. 4.​ Erika will finalize Collin’s onboarding plan and documents. 5.​ Erika will arrange a time to come to Amesbury to meet Ann Marie, Deb K, Christine Caminero, and Jim and review regional staff office space. b.​ MVPHA 1.​ MVPHA to work on FPHS 2.​ MVPHA to continue to work on finalizing the IMA. 3.​ MVPHA to find availability to participate in the regional nurse subcommittee interview. VIII.​ Adjournment a.​ Deb Rogers motioned to adjourn the meeting. Deb Ketchen seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 3:04 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.