Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes June 23, 2021 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH); Aimee Petrosky (AP); Bri Eichstaedt (BE), Health Director, Brian Chapdelaine (BC), Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), Recorder. Also Present: Captain Dan Constantine, EFD, (DC), Kevin Sahagian, (KS) owner, Captain Jack’s Absent: Meeting held on Zoom and recorded. Motion to open A motion to open the meeting at 4:31 PM. was made by AP and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Public Speak Time: None • Captain Jack’s: Ongoing Inspection Concerns: BE began by stating that bringing a business in front of the Board is a last resort. BE stated that the pest issue at Captain Jacks was addressed at the pre-op inspection in April and KS, owner of Captain Jack’s, was instructed to hire a pest control company for monthly monitoring. At the most recent inspection, there was no contract available, although the owner said he was paying an individual to do the service but there was no formal contract with him. BE stated that the past several years of inspections have been poor and not limited to pest issues. BE said that she had sent copies of these inspections, (attached), to the Board. KS said that the inspection by a pest control employee said that they found no evidence of rodent activity and inspections were not needed monthly. KS also said that the employee stated that rodent activity in restaurants in Northampton were a common occurrence. KS said that the rodent droppings can be brought in from outside sources, such as the boxes and bags of potatoes and onions that are stored in a shed until needed. KS stated that the inspector, BC, had to get down on his knees to find the droppings in the recent inspection. KS also said that the latest inspection occurred just after a large rush and some of the violations were from the heavy volume of service at that time. BC stated that he did get down on his knees and found the droppings but that there was evidence in several other areas as seen in the photos, (attached). BC also stated that he did not write up the bits of potatoes, French fries or other lunch debris on the floor that were  obviously from the daily lunch rush. He did take into consideration the buildup of grime on surfaces and food residue on dishes that were stored away. BC noted that these things had been cleaned up at the inspection this afternoon. BE recommended to the Board that monthly inspections be conducted by the Health Department with a fee of $50.00 until the end of the season. BE also recommended that a year be paid in advance with a pest control company and the receipt sent directly to the Health Department as well as monthly inspection reports. AP addressed KS and stated that in her 10-year career as Health Agent, Health Director and Federal Food Inspector, rodents were not in every restaurant. It was a critical violation to find them. AP said that monthly inspections by the Health Department could cease after three months of finding no critical violations. AP also said that cleaning logs should be sent to the Health Department allowing the inspector to confirm these routines during inspections. Monthly pest receipts and inspections reports would also be sent directly to the Health Department. DC addressed KS and said that he inspects over 40 establishments in town every year and can tell which of them have pride in their business. DC told KS that he was not on that list. DC said that making these changes would only help his business. BE discussed with the Board an email sent to KS after the pre-op inspection this year stating that there was a list of items that needed to be completed prior to an inspection in 2022 before she would consider permitting him. KS noted that these things had not been done as of yet due to the unknown status of his lease and the cost of updating would be mute if he had to re-locate. BE told KS that her office would send an email stating all of the requirements from the Board concerning, pest control, cleaning logs and monthly inspections. KS questioned the need listed on a recent inspection concerning door closers on bathroom doors. While BE was able to quote the code, she was unable to explain why the code existed. BE said that she would look into it and get back to KS with an explanation. ● HACCP Variance Request: Pangea Sushi: BE explained that she had received the HACCP plan for Pangaea Sushi last minute and was unable to review and then also send along to the Board for review prior to the meeting. BE explained that she did review the plan and was happy with it. ● HACCP Variance Request: River Valley Co-Op: BE explained that she had received the HACCP plans for River Valley Co-Op and requested some edits. The edits were received the day of the BOH meeting she and was unable to review and then also send along to the Board for review prior to the meeting. BE explained that she did review the plan and was happy with it. BE noted that both HACCP plans were added to the Agenda at the request of River Valley Co- Op so as to allow them to open with these operation open on July 1, 2021, but had not received the necessary plans in the timeframe needed. AP asked that BE send both HACCP plans to her for review. Pending approval by AP, the HACCP plans would be accepted. A motion was made by AP and seconded by MH to approve, pending final review by AP, effective June 24, 2021, both the HACCP variances for Pangea Sushi and for River Valley Co-Op. All in favor: 2, opposed: 0. ● Review Draft Email for Daycares by PHN: BE discussed with the Board the draft letter, (attached), that Amy Hardt, the Public Health Nurse had prepared to send out to all Easthampton day care providers concerning recent changes in the COVID regulations. The email listed some recommendations and sources for information. BE ended meeting due to constant interruptions by an unknown Zoom participates (commonly known as “Zoom bombing”) at 5:16.