Board of Health

Braintree Board of Health Meeting Held Via Zoom Thursday, January 20, 2022, 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 Mike Minihane, Health Inspector 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: September 9, 2021 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the minutes of September 9, 2021. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes New Business: Request for Variance of Lifeguard Provision Hampton Inn, 215 Wood Road Ms. McGrath stated this is an annual request for variance. They have an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. The pool is only available to registered guests who must use their hotel key to get into the pool enclosure. They provided pool logs from January 1 through December 31, 2021. This pool was closed for part of the year due to COVID restrictions. Ms. McGrath recommended approval. Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the variance for Hampton Inn, 215 Wood Road Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Residence Inn by Marriott, 180 Forbes Road Braintree Board of Health, January 20, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Ms. McGrath stated this hotel has been open for approximately three years. A data log for 2021 has been provided. The pool was closed from January through September due to COVID restrictions. Ms. McGrath recommended approval. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the variance for Residence Inn by Marriott, 180 Forbes Road Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes River Bend Condominium, 399 Pond Street Ms. McGrath stated this has been a longstanding request for variance. This is a primarily adult community. They have a very low bather load. It is a seasonal, outdoor pool. Ms. McGrath recommended approval. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the variance for River Bend Condominium, 399 Pond Street Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Body Art Establishment/Practitioner Licenses: Establishment, Rodrigo Beauty, 140 Wood Road Practitioner, Rodrigo De Medeiros Siqueira Ms. McGrath introduced Mr. Siqueira. She stated the town established certain zones for body art establishments and Mr. Siqueira is required to go through the Planning Board for a special permit to ensure his location is in an approved location. He has begun that process and if approved tonight this should be conditional based on approval of the Planning Board’s permit. Inspections have not been conducted as of this date. Dr. Nedelman asked if Mr. Siqueira had completed his training in Brazil. Mr. Siqueira confirmed that he had, and had previously worked in Framingham, as well as at a facility in Brazil performing microblading. Dr. Nedelman confirmed that the regulation does not permit work on patients under the age of 18. Mr. Siqueira explained the process of microblading, which is performed on the eyebrows and lips. He stated this is the only work that will be done, not general tattooing. Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to approve the establishment license, Rodgrigo Beauty, 140 Wood Road, conditional upon approval of special permit. Braintree Board of Health, January 20, 2022 Page 3 of 4 Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Motion By: Ms. Melchionda to approve the practitioner license, Rodrigo De Medeiros Siqueira, conditional upon approval of special permit. Second By: Dr. Nedelman Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes Informational: COVID Update: Ms. McGrath stated she has been sending the daily updates to the Board members. On December 21 there was a spike in cases due to the Omicron variant. The peak was 223 cases and is now trending back down. The MWRA has been tracking wastewater for COVID virus and there has been a huge spike supporting the increase in COVID cases, and now they have noticed a steady downward trend. The state stopped the contact tracing program at the end of November, leaving this to the local Boards of Health. They will track nursing homes, assisted living facilities, daycare and K-12 students, but no longer the general population. This will be changing from a pandemic to endemic and this tracing will stop at that time. The daily reporting only contains laboratory confirmed cases, not home test kits, as there is no way to track that data. Marijuana Update: Ms. McGrath stated several years ago there was consideration in town to approval medical and recreational marijuana establishments. A moratorium was put in place at that time, however, the state has now approved the operation of medical marijuana facilities so the town has to follow this. An establishment has come forward for a medical marijuana operation on Granite Street, which would be for growing as well as sales. Ms. Melchionda stated she attended a presentation about this proposed operation and they have good security measures in place. However, she expressed concern about the need since there are so many facilities in surrounding communities. She feels there are too many risks involved should a person have an adverse reaction. She stated she asked this question at the presentation and the applicant stated they report this to the Cannabis Commission. Ms. McGrath stated since these establishments are allowed by the state, the local cities and towns have no control over it and they cannot be denied. Dr. Nedelman asked about the approval process for recreational marijuana sales. Ms. McGrath stated the Board of Health has no say in the approval process. The Board could make a recommendation to the Town Council and could meet with the Mayor about the ordinance to gain a better understanding of the approval process. Ms. Melchionda stated she has requested a meeting with the Mayor to discuss this. Ms. McGrath reminded the Board that if two or more members attend a meeting with the Mayor that would be a majority of the Board and the meeting would have to be posted as a public meeting. Dr. Bregoli reminded the Board that they sent a letter of opposition in the past. Ms. McGrath stated she would Braintree Board of Health, January 20, 2022 Page 4 of 4 arrange a meeting with the Mayor and the Chairman, or his designee. At this time there is nothing before the Town Council for a retail establishment or change to the current ordinance. Next Meeting: February 17, 2022 Motion By: Dr. Nedelman to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Second By: Ms. Melchionda Unanimously Voted by roll call: Dr. Bregoli-yes; Dr. Nedelman-yes; Ms. Melchionda-yes