Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes June 12, 2024 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Beth Rist (BR), Aimee Petrosky (AP) interim chair, Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), recorder. Absent: None Also Present: Hunter Pelkey (HP), Liz Plouffe (LP), Christine Southworth (CS), Lindsi Sekula. 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 ● Approve Meeting Minutes from May 8, 2024: A motion to accept the meeting minutes of May 8, 2024, was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call. ● Vote Dennis La Course as Agent of the Board of Health: A motion was made by BR and seconded by AP, to make Dennis LaCourse an agent of the Easthampton Board of Health. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call. ● Health Agent Update: Health Agent Brian Chapdelaine was not present at the meeting but the update was given to the Board and is attached. ● Mayor’s Office Update: LS stated that there was still much work to be done to reorganize the Health Department to reach the federal Public Health standard framework that is rolling out. LS said the focus of the department would be to maintain the inspection services and harm reduction and prevention. LS thanked the Health Department staff for their support and efforts in these transitions. LS discussed the ban on THC and CBD and the possible collaboration with the Healthy Youth Coalition to do complaisance checks of these items being sold in Easthampton. Food inspections by  Northampton Shared Service was also discussed. JS stated that as of June, over fifty percent of food establishments had been inspected. ● Tobacco Violations: The Board discussed the recent tobacco violations at Pride and Valley Farms.JS explain that the violation at Pride was the first violation in a 36-month tolling period, which consisted of selling tobacco products to someone under the age of eighteen.. Valley Farms was a second violation within the 36-month tolling period which included selling to an underage and selling flavored vapes, which are illegal in Massachusetts. The Board determined that a hearing would be required for the Valley Farms violation. ● Social Services Update: LP presented the Social Services update, see attached. LP discussed the upcoming Overdose Awareness Day in collaboration with Learn to Cope. The event will be held on August 26th at Millside Park. LP stated the resources that would be available and the opportunity for friends and family to remember their loved ones. The Public Health Nurse, Healthy Youth Coalition and DART would also be participating. LP discussed the Veteran’s Wellness picnic event on July 21st at Nonotuck park. LP explained the resources that would be available during her upcoming leave. Resources would be available to staff as well as multiple locations throughout the City. LP discussed the free meal program for students again this summer and that PVTA was offering free rides for the summer. ● Healthy Youth Update: HP presented the Healthy Youth Update, see attached. HP shared his screen so that he was able to give a presentation about Kratom, see attached. JS added that information, see attached, sent to the office concerning Kratom by the American Kratom Association had been forwarded to the Board prior to the meeting. ● Public Health Nurse Update: CS presented an Public Health Nurse update, see attached. CS stated that she was able to inspect two summer camps with Brian Chapdelaine before his leave and felt confident about inspecting the remaining camps with Dennis LaCourse. CS discussed upcoming NARCAN talk at the Council on Aging. Items not reasonably anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the Board of Health meeting: JS discussed an email that was received about one of the local breweries looking to manufacturer and sell non-alcoholic beverages. This item was being forwarded to Northampton Shared Services. JS also informed the Board of a business in town that was selling non-alcoholic beverages from their home without a permit. AP told Jackie to also send this to Northampton Shared Services for review. A motion to close the meeting at 6:30 PM was made by BR and seconded by AP. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING: TBA