Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Meeting Held Via Zoom Thursday, September 9, 2021, 7:00 p.m. IN ATTENDANCE: Dr. Arthur Bregoli, Chairman Dr. Philip Nedelman, Vice Chairman Juliana Melchionda, Member ALSO PRESENT: Marybeth McGrath, Director of ML & I Dana Logan, Health Code Enforcement Officer Dr. Bregoli called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. by roll call vote: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Approval of Meeting Minutes: July 15, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the minutes of July 15, 2021. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes List of Complaints: The Board reviewed a list of complaints received from July 12-September 3, 2021. Ms. McGrath stated they have received many complaints about rodent activity. When these complaints come in they survey the area and assess the problem. Braintree does not have rodent control for the town so individuals have to hire a pest control company. If the problem is in a public place they ask the town to address the problem. She stated this is happening in a number of areas in the town. It could be due to rain or construction. Ms. McGrath stated COVID-19 complaints have definitely decreased. Now that people are out more they are receiving more complaints about trash, transfer station odors, and the condition of establishments. New Business: Bodywork Establishment Permit Application: Relaxing Sunlight Spa, 36 Commercial St. Bodywork Therapist Permit Application, Guifang Xu Ms. McGrath introduced Guifang Xu, the owner and operator of the proposed spa. This will be a bodywork establishment offering reflexology and acupressure. The Board needs to address the license to operate the business and any practitioner would need to be Braintree Board of Health, September 9, 2021 Page 2 of 4 licensed. Ms. Xu has successfully completed a massage and bodyworks program licensed through the Department of Education in New Jersey. Ms. McGrath stated she conducted an inspection of the establishment and there are a few things that need to be addressed prior to opening. Dr. Bregoli asked how many people will be working at the spa. Ms. Xu stated she will be the only employee at this time. Ms. Melchionda asked if she currently does this type of work. Ms. Xu stated she has done this type of work in the past but is not currently working. Ms. McGrath informed the Board there is a language barrier with Ms. Xu and she does have a concern about this as the regulations state the operator must be able to clearly communicate in English. Ms. Melchionda asked if this is an in-home business. Ms. McGrath indicated it is a commercial space in the Landing. She described the layout of the establishment. Dr. Bregoli asked if the liability insurance will cover her for her clients in case of injury. Ms. Xu replied yes. Dr. Nedelman expressed concern with her ability to communicate with her patients in English. Ms. Xu stated she will be assisted by using Google translator. Dr. Nedelman asked what type of treatment her clients will be seeking. Ms. Xu stated deep tissue, acupressure, and reflexology. Dr. Nedelman asked how long she has lived in the United States and she replied five years. Ms. McGrath stated if approved, this would be the first bodywork establishment in Braintree. If issued the license would be good until December 31, 2022, at which time she would have to renew it for January 1 through December 31 each year. Routine inspections will be conducted. Ms. Melchionda asked if she already has established clients. Ms. Xu stated no. Ms. Melchionda expressed concern with the language barrier. Dr. Bregoli asked if any future employees were to join the establishment would they have to come before the Board. Ms. McGrath confirmed that any bodywork therapist would have to meet all the requirements of the regulation. Ms. Melchionda stated in her work she uses a translator if there is a language barrier, which is more effective than Google translate. She stated there are translating services available, as she is concerned that clients will have a difficult time relaying what is wrong with them or what service they require. Ms. Xu’s husband stated that she could access a translator if needed, however, in the two years she had a previous business in Pembroke she never needed to utilize a translator. Ms. McGrath stated that Ms. Xu would have to be agreeable to using a translator if the Board makes it a condition of her license. Ms. Xu was in agreement. Dr. Nedelman stated he objects to approval, as there has to be effective two-way communication during this type of treatment, and based on the requirements of the regulation. He recommended Ms. Xu take an English class. Ms. Xu’s husband stated she is currently doing so. Braintree Board of Health, September 9, 2021 Page 3 of 4 Ms. McGrath asked if Ms. Xu has the ability to employ someone who can translate for her during treatments with her clients. Ms. Xu’s husband stated this could be an option, but she would prefer to work alone. He stated she has been doing this work for five years and there has never been a problem, she has basic English skills. Ms. McGrath stated that the requirements in the regulation must be met in order for the Board to approve the permits and the Board has concern with Ms. Xu being able to meet the requirement of being able to effectively communicate in English, therefore, the Board can attach a condition to approval. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the Bodywork Establishment Permit and Bodywork Therapist Permit conditional upon providing proof of a contracted translation service or hiring an employee that is English speaking to perform translation during operating hours. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Informational: Ms. McGrath introduced Dana Logan, Health Code Enforcement Officer, who began working in Braintree on July 6, 2021. She has housing experience and a background in social work, which has been very helpful with working with clients. Dr. Nedelman asked if it was possible to survey clients in an establishment with a potential language barrier to see if they have any problems communicating. Ms. McGrath stated the best way to determine that would be through observations during inspections or if they received any complaints. Ms. Logan asked if the applicant from tonight’s hearing is a licensed massage therapist. Ms. McGrath stated this is not a requirement for a bodyworks establishment. She explained that approximately ten years ago the state took over all permitting and licensing of massage establishments and therapists and took this away from local Boards of Health, but left in place bodyworks such as acupressure and reflexology. She stated that she disagrees with this as it is manipulation of the body and should be considered massage. Ms. McGrath stated the COVID-19 numbers are staying below 12. They are including vaccination information on the reporting to the Board. She stated it is interesting that the majority of the breakthrough cases in vaccinated residents in Braintree have been in those who had the Pfizer vaccine. She stated the Department of Public Health has reached out to local health departments to assess their interest in providing booster vaccines. Mayor Kokoros is interested in providing boosters only to those individuals they originally vaccinated. She stated they only used Moderna and at this time Moderna has not been approved for a booster. Dr. Bregoli stated Moderna is working on a combined flu/COVID-19 vaccine. Braintree Board of Health, September 9, 2021 Page 4 of 4 Ms. McGrath stated they purchased flu vaccine and the first shipment of 200 doses has been received. They will begin administering the vaccine to senior housing residents and will have a general clinic when additional vaccine is obtained at the beginning of October. Ms. Melchionda asked if the asbestos situation at the high school has been corrected. Ms. McGrath stated the area identified has been remediated. There may be additional asbestos that is intact, which is acceptable, as asbestos is only a public health concern when it is disturbed. Next Meeting: October 14, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes