Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes March 20, 2024 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Beth Rist (BR), Aimee Petrosky (AP) interim chair, Brian Chapdelaine (BC) Health Agent; Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), recorder. Absent: None Also Present: Christine Southworth (CS), Hunter Pelkey (HP), Liz Plouffe (LP), Lindsi Sekula (LS). Meeting held remotely by Google Meet. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 5:31 PM was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. Public Speak: None A motion to proceed out of order was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. ● Approve Meeting Minutes from January 17, 2023: A motion to accept the meeting minutes of January 17, 2024, was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call. ● Board of Health member search: update the Board on status for the recruiting of a new Board member: JS discussed sending out a recruitment letter, as done in the past, with the Board. The Board agreed that a mailing to residents with a public health or social worker background would be a good start. LS might be able to supply an offer letter to go in the mail as well. A motion to proceed back in order of the agenda was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. ● Collaboration with Northampton Shared Services: AP stated that with the lack of a health director, the part time inspector still not filled and BC’s upcoming paternity leave has left the department in a rough patch. AP and LS have been in discussions on how to collaborate outside the Shared Services Agreement to maintain the performance standard recently achieved under Bri Dupras. AP expressed concerns about camp and temporary food event season approaching and not having the proper inspectors to fill the needs. AP  and LS stated that they would be working on a plan to cover these needs. AP and LS reiterated that these services would not be replacing the permeant positions; simply fill the position until a permanent replacement is made. LS discussed with the Board and Health Department staff the appreciation during the major transition period. ● New dates for monthly BOH Meeting due to conflict with City Council meeting: The BOH agreed to change the monthly meeting from the third Wednesday of the month to the second Wednesday of the month to avoid any conflict of scheduling with City Council meetings. ● Update on new inspector position: BC informed the Board that HR had invited BC to recent interviews with potential candidates for the part time inspector position. AP told BC that the BOH should be part of any interviews and offers for this position. AP asked LS to speak to HR concerning the lack of communication with the Board or at least the Chair in this regard. AP was especially concerned about the possible candidate not having any experience other than food services with the amount of camps, body art and other environmental services in the City and BC’s paternity leave and not having Shared Services covering the camps this summer. LS said she had been unaware of the interviews and would discuss this with HR. ● Health Agent Update: BC presented an update, see attached, to the Board that the housing complaint for 97 Ferry St was brought to court and work was finally completed and the case closed. BC said that he had received his lead dominators license in January, allowing the department to once again be able to do the testing for the City. BC reviewed new food establishments and the need for Park Hill Orchard to have a HACCP plan in place due to pasteurization at the cider mill. AP asked BC to find out by the April meeting, if the BOH would need to approve a variance for the HACCP plan. BC explained that this year, 10 summer camps were expected to be in operation this year. BC said that the annual camp memo was just sent out regarding the application process, including the PowerPoint presentation. Due to his expected paternity leave, BC said that the dates for submittals was easlier this year so he could review the applications before his leave. AP discussed the recent changes to the camp codes. BC said that he was scheduled to take the training in early April. AP suggested CS also take the training for the medical updates. ● Public Health Nurse Update: CS presented an update, see attached, to the Board. CS discussed the new COVID guidelines in effect by the CDC and reviewed her outreach events from the last month. ● Social Services Update: LP presented an update, see attached, to the Board, including housing in Easthampton. LP said that housing is always at the top of her list, people looking to move into the City, people trying to stay in their current homes and the unhoused that were in shelters during the winter in some of the community partners, but will be returning in April. EP discussed the paused status of the services Tapestry was due to offer in  Easthampton due to budget constraints. EP said that with warmer weather, the concern of the lack of a porta potty located in Town. LS responded that facilities were available at 50 Payson Ave. to the general public, Parks and Rec would be opening up their bathrooms at both Millside part and Nonotuck park soon. ● Healthy Youth Update: HP presented his update, see attached, including the status of the grant application being put together to extend funding for the Coalition. HP discussed the need for a broader discussion concerning the substance Kratom. The Board asked for more information on what other more progressive towns are doing to combat this substance for the next meeting. HP also updated the Board about the July 20, 2024 Battle of the Bands event and a possible bike path clean up initiative. ● Items not reasonably anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the Board of Health meeting: None A motion to close the meeting at 6:40 PM was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING: TBA