Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes November 15, 2022 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH), Aimee Petrosky (AP), Bri Dupras (BD), Health Director, Brian Chapdelaine (BC), Jackie Sienkiewicz, recorder. Absent: Beth Rist Also, Present: Owen Zaret (OZ), Meeting held remotely by Google Meet. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 5:02 PM was made by AP and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. Public Speak: None ● Update from Health Director: BD explained to the BOH that due to the consistent cyanobacteria outbreaks in the Rubber Thread Pond, an environmental assessment will be conducted to determine the possible cause or causes of the algae blooms and how to best prevent them. BD stated that BD and the public health nurse, Bridget Diggins would be conducting an upcoming Narcan training at River Valley Co-Op and one at Springfield College. BD discussed the possibility of a harm reduction vending machine. This could contain test kits, masks, Narcan, and fentanyl test strips among other items yet to be determined. BD explained the recent capacity assessment by the state to determine needs for Health Departments across the state. BD stated that the October flu and Covid vaccine clinics each vaccinated about 200 people. BD said that the last Covid vaccine clinic before the holidays would be on November 30, 2022 at Mountain View School. A motion to suspend the BOH meeting was made by MH and seconded by AP at 5:13. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. Public Hearing A motion was made by MH and seconded by AP to open the public hearing to Update requirements for hand sinks in “City of Easthampton Regulations for Body Art Establishments”. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. Public Speak: None. The BOH and BD reviewed regulations in other cities and towns in Massachusetts regarding sinks in body art establishments. The Board and BD also discussed language used by NEHA regarding sinks. A motion was made by MH and seconded by AP to update the hand sink requirements in the “City of Easthampton Regulations for Body Art Establishments”. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. See attachment for final language. A motion was made by MH and seconded by AP to close the public hearing to Update requirements for hand sinks in “City of Easthampton Regulations for Body Art Establishments”.at 5:29. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. A motion was made by MH and seconded by AP at 5:29 to re-open the Board of Health meeting. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. ● Mayor LaChapelle Request to Review Enforcement for City Council Ordinance 6- 21: Canceled (Mayor LaChapelle did not attend). ● City Council Ordinance 6-23-Update from Owen Zaret: OZ stated that due to the Attorney General releasing guidance regarding crisis pregnancy centers on their website, Ordinance 6-23 would not be implemented, or may be implemented in the future in a different capacity.. ● Change definition of Temporary Food Event in Health Department Fee Schedule and discuss Recreational Camp for Children fee: The Board and BD agreed to use the $45.00 per day in one location for the 14 day period when applying for a Temporary Food Event permit. BD and BC explained the amount of time that was spent on permitting each summer camp for children and the need for a higher cost for the permit. A motion was made by AP and seconded by MH to increase the Recreational Summer Camp for Children permit fee to $250.00 for the 2023 season and to include a letter in the 2023 renewal application that would indicate the fee would increase to $300.00 for the 2024 season. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call.  ● Vote in Elizabeth Plouffe, Community Social Worker and Bridget Diggins, Public Health Nurse, as agents of the Board of Health: BD explained that on some occasions, LP and BD may conduct a home visit and observe significant violations such as no electricity, no hot water, etc. BD consulted with the MA Association of Health Boards about voting LP and BD in as agents of the BOH so that inspectors, such as BC or BD, could cite the violation off of their observation instead of attempting to make contact with the individual and gain access. A motion was made by MH and seconded by AP to formally vote in Elizabeth Plouffe and Bridget Diggins as agents of the Board of Health. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. ● Items not reasonably anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the Board meeting: None A motion to close the meeting at 5:58 PM was made by AP and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING: December 20, 2022 at 5 PM.