Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes April 10, 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), Mayor Nicole LaChappelle (NC). Meeting held remotely by Google Meet. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 5:32 PM was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. Public Speak: None ● Approve Meeting Minutes from March 20, 2023: A motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 20, 2024, was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call. ● Collaboration with Northampton Shared Services: AP said that the City, City attorney and Northampton Shared Services were working on the final stages of a draft agreement to cover services in Easthampton. ● Mayor’s Office Update: LS told the Board that she had met with each member of the staff and fill them in a little bit more on the status of the department. NC thanked the Board and LS for working on this plan to move the department to upcoming changes. ● Health Agent Update: BC presented the Health Agent Report, see attached. BC stated that Shared Service had completed approximately 30 inspections since March. BC updated the BOH about a potential expansion of the Marigold Theater on Cottage St. BC stated that after looking into the regulations concerning the making of juice at Park Hill  Orchard, a variance from the Board will not be needed. BC noted that during an inspection of Big E’s, he found that they were using a reduced oxygen packaging which requires a HCCAP plan and said that Big E’s was working on getting that in place. BC informed the Board that East Haven Hot Tubs, formally of Northampton, is planning to move to Easthampton in the next year. ● Public Health Nurse Update: CS presented the Public Health Nurse Update, see attached. CS discussed with the Board working with the community in several outreach events about ticks. ● Social Services Update: LP presented the Social Services Updated, see attached. LP discussed homelessness now that winter support for unhoused residents has ended. LP discussed various options for restroom use now that the weather was warmer. LP stated that the collaboration with Tapestry Health was on hold until the end of budget season. ● Healthy Youth Update: HP presented the Healthy Youth Update, see attached. HP said that the grant application had been submitted and that they should be hearing back in June on a decision. HP discussed the dangers of Kratom and Delta 8 and what other communities were doing about it with the Board. HP updated the work being done for the upcoming Battle of the Bands in June. HP said that Minfullness Mondays were up and running again. HP also spoke about getting more sharps containers out in the community. HP said that while there was a definite convenience of having it at the police department, some people may not want to be on camera when disposing of their sharps. The Board stated that they would like to hear more about Kratom and Delta 8 at a future meeting. ● 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 6:14 PM was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING: TBA