Board of Health

An organizational meeting was held at 5:00 p.m. Present were: Ian Murray, Chairman; John Bogdasarian, M.D., Member; Sandra Knipe, RN BSN Member; Stephen Curry, Director; Joan Hamlett, Tobacco Control Alliance; DJ Wilson, Attorney. Approve Minutes of Meeting: Stephen Curry addressed the boards concern regarding the Silkie chickens opening the flood gates for the keeping of all chickens. Sandra Knipe asked if we are experiencing any fall out. Stephen Curry said the board needs to approve minutes before it gets posted, Mr. Curry suggested if the boards concern is for the flood gates, we should not issue a “Permit” and rescind the order with conditions. Sandra Knipe asked how it would stop any fallout from occurring, Mr. Curry said issuing a permit sounds like we are permitting it and also discussed it with his staff who also thought issuing a permit sounds to “approved”. Sandra Knipe made a motion to withdraw the order and allow Silkie chickens to remain as pets with conditions including but not limited to, annual inspections, a maximum of four chickens and no chicken coops in the front yard”. Ian Murray made a motion to approve the minutes. Sandra Knipe seconded the motion. Staff Reports and Appointments: Nurses Report was submitted by Dorothy McNamara. Sandra Knipe stated no reports of Zika virus yet. Dr. Bogdasarian asked if there was one nurse doing this report. Dr. Bogdasarian also asked about AED inspections. Mr. Curry stated there are Automatic External Defibrillators in several municipal buildings in the city and they require updating and periodic inspections. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept nurse’s report. Dr. Bogdasarian seconded the motion. Two new appointments for the Board of Health are; Karen Membrino, Principal Clerk/ Stenographer and Lois Ogilvie, Principal Clerk. 1 DEP, Sustainable Material Recovery Program School Recycling Grant Update and Styrofoam: The Health Department has received this grant from the Department of Environmental Protection for school recycling. Jean-Francois Leblanc will be the Recycling Coordinator for this grant. Mr. Curry has submitted a scope of work for the DEP as well as a 3 year budget until 2018. The goals will be to reduce waste and expand recycling in the schools and to track waste disposal amounts in the schools, ensure compliance with recycling materials policy adopted by the School Committee. The School Committee intends to adopt a policy stating they agree to comply with the conditions of this grant and the School Administration and associated staffing agree to utilize recycling materials and try to reduce wastes and possibly costs associated with disposal. The Recycling Coordinator and Health staff will provide ongoing support to the schools. The School Committee has to adopt the policy, and once the scope gets approved by the DEP the grant will begin. This grant is for the Fitchburg Public Schools and one condition will be each school must register with the DEP Green Team that will provide information and a curriculum to follow. This grant will dedicate $19,600 for time spent by the BOH staff, and about $21,000 to purchase equipment. Ian Murray: Mr. Murray attended a training where they have banned single use Styrofoam containers from several fast food restaurants and for us in the schools it would be the Styrofoam trays, the only exception they gave were the trays in the grocery stores. If there is any interest Mr. Murray will bring the information for the BOH to look over. Sandra Knipe asked if he is proposing to ban Styrofoam in the schools, and Mr. Murray responded, that he would like to see that happen. Community Development Block Grant-Budget (CDBG) Request: Mr. Curry has submitted an application to the Planning Board for CDBG funding. Last year we received $140,000 from the grant covering a part time clerical position and two inspectors, one inspector @100 percent CDBG and the other at 80 percent CDB. Mr. Curry asked for an additional $3,000 this year to convert 2 inspectors to 100 percent CDBG and half the Principal Clerk salary (.5FTE) towards the grant. Ms. Knipe questioned why only 2,000 people are being served? Mr. Curry stated that this is housing units inspected not people served. Inspectors are not just chasing housing inspections there are many more conditions of blight causing deteriorating neighborhoods they include but are not limited to; abandoned vehicles, trash on the property, overgrowth, failure to maintain property, vacant, foreclosed and foreclosing properties and other conditions. 2 Mr. Curry reminded the BOH of the Abandoned, Foreclosing, Foreclosed and Vacant Property Registration adopted in 2012. Registration is $100.00 annually. Ms. Knipe suggested raising the property registration to $200.00. Not all properties are vacant, some properties are occupied as well but are either in foreclosure or soon to be. Further discussion will be put on the agenda in the future. Tobacco Flavor Ban Discussion – Tobacco Alliance: Joan Hamlett stated Fitchburg has most of the major components in their regulations with the exception of the cessation sign component that needs to be in the regulations. DJ Wilson said the cessation sign requires details such as the 800 toll free number line to quit and hopefully will prompt someone to use it. He also said the state will supply the signs. Joan Hamlett stated the Attorney Generals regulations just came out and she didn’t think too much about it. We (Tobacco Control) just conducted inspections in Fitchburg and there were 22 violations on the Fontana wrap and improper cigar pricing. The Fontana wrap is a big leaf wrap and when they unwrap it, it becomes very big, then it is cut up to make homemade blunt wraps. There were letters sent to all the stores informing them that the Fontana wraps are banned and when the inspections were done they found many violations regarding incorrectly priced cigars, or they were selling the wrap. Mr. Wilson stated the Attorney Generals regulations will be out by March 15 and a few things will go into effect; 1) the flavor vape bottles need to be in child proof containers, 2) they can’t buy a gallon jug and divide it into containers. This needs to be in the local regulations. Joan would also like to go to one combined Tobacco and Nicotine Delivery permit application with check boxes instead of having two separate applications and permits. Mr. Wilson stated in the newly proposed regulations, no new retailers will be allowed within 500 ft. of a school but the regulation will not affect existing retailers. The last issue regarding the regulation forthcoming is “Capping”. “Capping”, means there would be a maximum number of stores that are permitted within the city. Fitchburg’s permits have never gone up, they have only gone down. Ms. Hamlett would like to come back next month with a draft and get ready to go to public hearings in April, and would like to talk with Mr. Curry to schedule a meeting with the Mayor to inform him how Tobacco Control works. Joan would like to meet with each Board to have their questions answered with DJ Wilson present on the draft regulations. Before a public hearing is scheduled she would like to hold a joint meeting with Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster and any other town that wants to be on board with the regulations as a multi town effort. Joan will get the board members updated copies of the regulations. 3 A discussion then entailed regarding the recent article in the Sentinel about the St. Josephs club voting to go non-smoking. The St. Josephs club is a private club and voted, due to a requirement adopted by the BOH. Joan Hamlett stated there are three private clubs that need to turn in there votes regarding smoking in their club. The meeting adjourned at 6:45p.m Respectively submitted; Karen A. Membrino Principal Clerk/Stenographer 4