Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes February 27, 2023 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH), Beth Rist (BR), Bri Dupras (BD), Health Director, Brian Chapdelaine (BC), Jackie Sienkiewicz, recorder. Absent: Aimee Petrosky Also Present: Landon Jenkins Meeting held remotely by Google Meet. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 5:32 PM was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. A motion to accept the meeting minutes of January 10, 2023, was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. Public Speak: None ● Old Colony Package Store, Landon Jenkins, Manager-Request to Appeal Violations from December 20, 2022 inspection: BD reviewed with the Board, the December 20, 2022 inspection, see attached, and findings. BD reminded the Board that while the state doesn’t require permitting of establishments with just prepackaged and non-temperature controlled foods, a local regulation does. BD stated that she did confirm with the state prior to the meeting that liquor is considered a food and falls under the food code. BD reviewed the code when it relates to bathroom sinks and mop sinks not being interchangeable. LJ explained to the Board how they use the two bathrooms and the sinks. After some discussion, a plan was put in place to use the second bathroom only in plumbing emergencies and to clean and sanitize the sink after being used as a mop sink. BD next discussed the FRP board that was in disrepair in the store. LJ said that those repairs have since been made and welcomed an inspection to confirm. BD discussed the flooring in both walk in coolers. Food code requires these to have a non-permeable floor. The floor in both of the Old Colony coolers is wood. LJ, the Board, BD and BC discussed the various options of making these repairs, including  luxury vinyl tile and epoxy. LJ agreed to get some estimates for these type of repairs by April 1, 2023. ● ApproveFY24 Budget: BD informed the Board of changes that had been made in the budget, see attached, since the last meeting, including the approval of the job of Health Agent and the addition of a 20-hour a week health inspector. BD also explained that some of the previous expenses for the City social worker budgeted to ARPA grant funding was now going to be listed in the Health Department budget. A motion to accept the budget proposal as presented was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. ● Change Language in Body Art Regulations to give discretion to the Director and /or Board of Health to approve practitioner applications that do not meet specific requirements: BD explained that a recent guest body artist applying for a permit at a local facility did not meet the specific standards set by the regulations and would require an approval of the BOH, but the next meeting was not scheduled for weeks. After a discussion with the City attorney, it was suggested that a few changes to the regulation language would allow agents of the BOH to be able to make these decisions. BD said that these changes would not affect decisions where a variance was required. BD said that the language would be updated and ready for the BOH to vote on at the next meeting. ● Update from the Health Director/Health Director Resignation/ Discuss Interim Director:: BD said that since her resignations, she has been going through her files and updating Brian, who will be acting as Interim Director for the time being, on various ongoing and new work. BD discussed with the Board the interview process for hiring a new director. BD said that at the request of the mayor, she would meet with the finance subcommittee and City Council to follow through with the FY24 budget. A motion to appoint Brian Chapdelaine, as Interim Health Director as of March 10, 2023, was made by BR and seconded by MH. 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 6:30 PM was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING: TBD