Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Beth Rist (BR) acting chair, Steven Coughlin (SC), Brian Chapdelaine (BC), Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), recorder. Absent: Aimee Petrosky Also Present: Christine Southworth (CS), Lindsi Sekula (LS), Sam Dibble (SD). Meeting held remotely by Google Meet. Motions A motion to open the meeting at 5:30 PM was made by sc and seconded by BR. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote was taken by roll call. Public Speak: None ●​ Approve Meeting Minutes from September 10, 2024: A motion to accept the meeting minutes of September 10, 2024, was made by SC and seconded by BR. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call. ●​ Mayor’s Office Update: LS stated that she had been meeting with department staff regularly now and it has proven helpful.LS updated the BOH on the current vetting process for the vacant director’s position. ●​ Health Agent Update: BC presented his Health Agent Update, see attached, and reviewed with the BOH, the HACCP plan for the low oxygen packaging at Big E’s. BC stated that their were a few new food establishments that would be opening in the near future, including Café and Creamery serving sandwiches and ice creams. Also a non-alcoholic bottle shop called Dry Humor. Good Eats to Go, a sandwich shop in Southampton and Nourish Wellness Café, located in Northampton are both looking to expand into Easthampton. New City Brewery has applied for a carbonated and non-carbonated beverage operation. This is a unique process and would be permitted in part with the state and the City of Easthampton. BC stated that this permit was not part of the City’s current fee schedule and would require a motion by the BOH to determine the  fee for this. BC discussed the 48 Clapp St septic status, stating a letter had been sent to the owner concerning the denial of the variance. BC has not heard back as of yet. BC said that a geothermal well was approved for 51 Park Hill Rd. BC informed the Board that a new body art establishment would soon be opening up in the Button Building. BC stated housing has become an increasing consumer of his workload since he has been back. There are currently 20 open housing cases and one of those is going to housing court. BC stated that he is working with the Community Social Worker, Liz and Highland Valley Elder Services with a few of these cases to find long-term solutions. BC discussed the transfer of ownership of a permitted trash hauler and if a new fee should be charged for this. LS compared how the liquor licensing board handles transfers without charging again without having the regulations specifically a transfer. ●​ Social Services Update: See attached for the Update. ●​ Public Health Nurse Update: CS presented a Public Health Nurse update, see attached. CS stated that the municipal vaccine clinic had been completed with 15 of the 18 registered vaccinated. Homebound vaccine were continuing. New Covid test kits were in and had been delivered to the COA, community center and library. The tests were also available in the health department offices as well as the No Harm section of the City website. CS discussed the upcoming vaccine clinics at the COA and then at Mountain View School on November 6th. ●​ Healthy Youth Coalition Final Update: JS explained to the BOH that the Coalition was officially closed but there was a celebration dinner and Hunter Pelkey, had given a speech discussing the history of the Coalition and its successes, see attached. ●​ Big E’s Reduced Oxygen Packaging Plan: BC explained that Big E’’s had contracted with a reputable education consulting company in the area that provide classes and certificates for the HACCP plan. SC discussed the use and calibration of the thermometer used for this. A motion to accept the variance for Big E’s Low Oxygen Packaging plan was made by SC and seconded by BR. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call Items not reasonably anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of the Board of Health meeting: New City Brewery is applying for a permit for to manufacture and sell carbonated, non-carbonated beverages; bottled water also falls under this type of permit, all non-alcoholic. SD discussed his background and the process that is needed to process this product. SD shared his research with other fee schedules in communities that have this same sort of processing. BC discussed the fee schedule for frozen desserts that are  permitted in town and compared it to the proposed carbonated/non-carbonated fee schedule. BC said that he would forward the plans to the BOH. A motion to approve a $50.00 fee be added for the Carbonated and Non-Carbonated Beverages permit was made by SC and seconded by BR. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0, Vote was taken by roll call. A motion to close the meeting at 6:26 PM was made by SC and seconded by BR. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. NEXT MEETING: December 10, 2024 at 5:30.