Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH); Aimee Petrosky (AP); Beth Rist (BR); Bri Eichstaedt (BE), Health Director, Brian Chapdelaine (BC), Health Inspector; Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), Recorder. Also Present: Edward J. Stamis, (ES), Amanda Miller, (AM), Jean Pao Wilson, (JW), Jennifer Axon (Angel Bialik), (AB), Michael Hugo, (MH), Amy Guyette, (AG), James Coughlin, (JC), Lindsi Mailer (LM). Meeting held on Zoom and recorded. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 5:31 PM. was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 3, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. A motion to approve the meeting minutes of October 5, 2021, was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 3, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. Public Speak Time: ES presented to the Board evidence from Public Health Canada, dated from December 13, 2020 through October 24, 2021. ES stated that evidence of 464 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis have occurred after the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine. ES quoted statistics from the Public Health Canada report concerning the rates in males ranging from 12 through 24 developing these conditions. ES stated that he found these policies unethical and immoral and opposed the state of Massachusetts following these policies. AM said that she was present to request transitioning from a mask mandate to a mask advisory. AM suggested that the mandate was not in the best interest of the community. AM told the Board of her recent observation of a store manager who had to deal with customers entering the store without a mask, stating that the manager was visibly upset and felt that the manager should not be put in such a situation. AM also had questions about the numbers from the state, namely who was overseeing these sites. AM also expressed concern over the politicization of wearing a face mask. JPW said that she was speaking on behalf of children and her concern for upcoming vaccine mandates JPW stated that mask mandates were being used as a tool to promote vaccine acceptance. JPW expressed concern for the harmful effects of wearing masks. JPW quoted statistics saying that out of 72 million children, 366 children have died of COVID. JPW asked if it was worth putting children at risk of myocarditis to mandate a vaccine. JPW stated that there was no benefit to children getting the vaccine. AB stated she works in a local pre-school. AB said that she believes that children wearing masks should be left up to the parents. AB stated that teachers wearing masks was affecting the socialization of the children in their care. AB also said it was hard to breathe while working and wearing a mask. AB quoted the survival rate of the virus at 99.9%. AB said that if someone feels scared then they are welcome to wear the mask, but not to force healthy people to wear a mask. AB said that the majority of parents in the school she works at are fine with not wearing masks. AB ended with saying that the decision to wear a mask or not should be left up to the parents, not the Board of Health. AB said that she had sovereignty over her body and it should not be up to the BOH to dictate wearing a mask. MH stated that he was the legislative liaison to the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. MH addressed the high emotions around the mask mandates, not just locally but across the country. MH stated that the evidence of masking is clear. Peer reviewed clinical studies were few because of the ethics of putting people in danger by asking them not to mask during a deadly virus. MH stated that the characteristics of any virus was the transmission of airborne particles. MH said that the best way to stop the transmission of these particles would be to wear a mask. MH stated that Boards of Health are given statutory power under Mass general laws to prevent the spread of disease. BE read to the Board two emails from people who were unable to attend the meeting, but would like to voice their concerns. The emails, attached, were from Jeff Bujak, owner of Prodigy Minigolf and Gameroom and Jim Coughlin. LM stated that she supports the BOH and the science behind the masks and the mask mandate but asked that the Board consider setting an end date for the mask mandate and a plan for the future. ● Tavern on the Hill-Request for approval to continue to use 2-bay sink: BE explained to the BOH that while out doing inspections, BC has come across food establishments that are operating with 2-bay sinks. According to the Food Code, food establishments are required to have 3-bay sinks. Allowances can be granted but must have the approval of the Board. AG, representing Tavern on the Hill, explained to the Board the process they currently are using. The dishwasher is used to wash and sanitize all dishes except for the frying pans. AG stated she understood that she would need to close if the dishwasher were to stop functioning. AG stated that there was absolutely no room in the kitchen area to put in a 3-bay sink. The Board told AG to submit a plan to the Health Department before the next meeting explaining how the frying pans would be properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized per the Food Code. AP stated that should any modifications, upgrades, or changes be done to Tavern on the Hill in the future, it must address this issue. The Board ask that AG submit the plan for review by BE and BC and the Board will review the plan at the December meeting. ● Determination of whether to reopen and re-notice the public hearing for Hampton East Condominium Trust previously closed and voted on September 8,2021: BE explained to the Board that Hampton East is asking that the hearing be reopened to better present information that Hampton East felt was not adequately addressed during the first hearing. All BOH members expressed their willingness to reopen the hearing so that the public could be heard, but also stated that all rules and regulations were followed during the first hearing.  A motion was made by BR and seconded by AP to reopen the hearing for well variances by Hampton East Condominium Trust on December 7, 2021. All in favor: 3, opposed: 0. Vote taken by roll call. ● COVID-19 data update from the Health Director: BE shared her screen, charts attached, to show the Board and the public concise data collected from January 2020-present concerning COVID-19 in Easthampton. BE said she would ask Megan Harvey, an epidemiologist who is contracted by the City to create the data dashboard each week, to attend the December meeting. BE also said that the new public health nurse, Bridget Diggins, will also be in attendance. BE stated that enforcement of the mask mandate has been difficult this time. The BOH and BE discussed leaving the mandate in place at this time due to the City being in the yellow area again, but will discuss the mandate at the December meeting and formulate a plan moving forward. ● Health Director General Update: BE stated that she would be out of the office but available for calls if needed on November 17 and 18, 2021. BE stated that the public health nurse position was moved up to the next grade, making the position more attractive to applicants. BE also said that the community social worker position under the Health Department, funded by ARPA money, would be posted soon. A motion was made by MP and seconded by BR to adjourn the meeting;. All in favor: 3, opposed: 0. Vote taken by roll call. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.