Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes February 23, 2021 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH); Jennifer Lesperance (JL): Aimee Petrosky (AP); Bri Eichstaedt (BE), Health Agent, Jackie Sienkiewicz, recording. Also, present Michael Lavalle (ML). Meeting held on Zoom. Motion to open A motion to open the meeting at 4:00 PM. was made by JL and seconded by MH. All in favor – 3, Opposed – 0. Public Speak Time: None ● Mike LaValle, Owner of The Brass Cat, Discussion of Re-opening: ML stated that the pandemic had deeply impacted his ability to conduct his business. ML felt that other businesses like his but with the name brewery were able to keep their business afloat by being able to allow food trucks at their place of business, but because his business was a bar, he could not. BE expressed frustration over the wording of the laws set in place concerning this but was unable to change them at the city level. BE told ML that she had received emails from Jon Lifvergren, at the Department of Labor Standards for Ma. with more clarification on the state’s guidelines, (Attached). BE also mentioned an email from Michael Coughlin from the Department of Public Health. Both emails would be provided to ML. Working with the guidelines in place, BE said that ML could apply for a retail food permit and the installation of a kitchen. ML explained that the cost to make his bar up to code to get that permit would be prohibitive. The BOH said that they did not have the authority to loosen state guidelines and suggested that ML reach out to state representatives to push to make the changes. ● Health Director update/vacation request: BE told the BOH that she was taking a vacation from April 24 through May 5, 2021. The BOH and BE discussed what procedures would be in place in her absence. ● Covid-19 Dashboard: Be told the BOH that Amy Hardt, Public Health Nurse would be setting up a Covid-19 dashboard on a bi-weekly basis. This dashboard would be posted on the Health Dept Facebook page for the general public.