Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes May 4, 2022 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH), Beth Rist (BR), Bri Eichstaedt (BE), Health Director, Brian Chapdelaine (BC), Health Inspector, Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), Recorder. Absent: Aimee Petrosky Also Present: Sarah Sienkiewicz, Josh Suchoza (JS). Meeting held in person and audio recorded. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 6:00 PM was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. A motion to approve the meeting minutes for April 6, 2022 was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. Public Speak: None ● Review ‘Public Health Menu” created by the Hampshire County Public Health Collaborative: BE and the Board discussed the “menu” of services, attached, from the Hampshire County Public Health Collaborative, including car seat installation, N95 Fit Testing and Tick Safety. ● Continue discussion on request to amend Section 15 (Apprenticeship Standards) and Section 16 (Trainer Standards) for the City of Easthampton Regulations for Body Art Establishments: BE discussed the City’s regulations and those in other communities regarding tattoo standards, specifically tattoo apprentices. Josh Suchoza, owner of Black Labyrinth, a tattoo establishment in Easthampton, answered questions from the Board and gave input about his experiences as a trainer to a tattoo apprentice. BE said that she would draft a few different options for the apprentice section of the regulations for the BOH to discuss at the next meeting. BE hoped for a final draft to be ready for the June BOH meeting and a hearing could be scheduled in July. ● Continue discussion on updating Regulations for Refuse Collection, Mandatory Recycling & Hauler Permitting & complaints received regarding early morning trash removal: BE discussed with the Board the need to update the current regulations. BE explained that  changing language in the regulations from specific definitions to quoting a state regulation would allow City regulations to remain current without having to change them each time a state regulation were updated. BE discussed various other changes being considered including permit fees, penalties, resident notification for recycling and hours of collection. BE said that she hoped to have a draft of the new regulations for the next meeting. ● Discuss adding a renovation/addition plan review fee to Board of Health fee schedule for food establishments, body art establishments, tanning, pools, etc.: BE explained to the Board that while not urgent, that a fee needed to be added for full and partial renovations for permit holders. Renovations require plan reviews and inspections by the inspector. How to base the fee for renovations was discussed, the difference in time required for a renovation of a bar vs a full kitchen and for tattoo establishments and pools. BE suggested using the risk level as one factor. BC discussed the time needed to do a pool renovation inspection. BE said that she would bring language for the proposed fee schedule at the June meeting. ● Discuss Open Meeting Law complaint received: BE explained that any complaints needed to be distributed to the Board members within 14 business days. BE stated that Board members were each required to sign off on receipt of the OML information. In February of 2022, the complainant filed a public records request and found that not all members of the Board of Health had signed off on this. BE stated that all member are now in compliance and would send an email to update the City Clerk. ● Update from Health Director: BE updated the Board on work done by Bridget Diggins, the public health nurse for the month of April. Bridget administered 69 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at the latest clinic and assisted the Northampton Health Department with dosing 90 residents at Lathrop Community and is continuing to make at home visits to residents who are unable to leave their homes to get the vaccine. Bridget conducted a stress management class at the Council on Aging and has plans for an upcoming downsizing talk as well. Bridget is also planning on more CPR training for city employees and a possible baby-sitting class in conjunction with the Easthampton Fire Department. BE told the Board that the Naloxbox program in City Hall, the library, and schools had been put in place and are looking to expand. BE said that a possible candidate for the social worker’s position was interviewed. BE said that Curative, the company doing the testing for the COVID test site, would be continuing even after the City’s funding ends. ● Items not reasonably anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the Board meeting: None A motion to close the meeting at 7:07 PM was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED June 22, 2022 AT 6:00.