Board of Health

Office of the Board of Health City Hall 166 Boulder Drive – Suite 108 Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 978-829-1870 An organizational meeting was held on September 13, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N., Dr. John Bogdasarian, M.D. Stephanie Holinko, Food & Milk Inspector; Walter Kirby, Partners Pub; John Dombrowski, Attorney (Representing Partner’s Pub); “Jackie” Ruimin Lin , Singapore Restaurant Manager; Wallace TK Chung, Singapore Restaurant Owner; Attorney Thomas Barron (Representing Singapore); Laura O’Kane, Property Manager; Paul DiGeronimo, Geronimo Properties. Meeting Minutes Review & Approval: Minutes tabled until October meeting. Hearing: Partner’s Pub - Continued from August Meeting - Walter Kirby Mr. Curry stated this is a continuation of the August hearing to review the progress of the violations found at Partner’s Pub by Food Inspector, Stephanie Holinko. The violations date back from a routine inspection performed on November 15, 2017. Inspector Holinko returned for a routine inspection on July 25, 2018 and several of the violations cited on the November 15, 2017 routine inspection report had not been corrected. A hearing was held August 2, 2018 to discuss with the Board of Health the outstanding violations at Partners Pub and determine any next steps. Ms. Holinko did visit Partners Pub on August 2, 2018 and there were still no corrections done. The violations were discussed and reviewed and suggestions were made by Ms. Holinko to Mr. Kirby and Attorney Dombrowski. Mr. Kirby stated he has serious health issues which has prevented him from addressing some of the violations at the establishment. Ms. Knipe suggested monthly updates from all parties, regarding the progress of the corrected violations and sanitary conditions of the establishment. Mr. Kirby stated the violations will be corrected, but time is needed. The first report was due by September 13, 2018 and addressed at this BOH meeting. Ms. Holinko stated she did visit the establishment today (September 13, 2018) and observed little to no progress made on the violations. Ms. Holinko presented her report on what corrections were made. After lengthy discussion and review of the violations that were corrected and the violations that have not been corrected Attorney Dombrowski requested additional time to make all the necessary corrections. Ms. Knipe made a motion that Mr. Kirby doesn’t have to return for a review meeting in October. All of the corrections to the inspection reports dated November 15, 2017, July 25, 2018, August 2, 2018 and September 12, 2018 must be completed by November 1, 2018. The Food Inspector will conduct a re-inspection of the establishment to confirm if all corrections cited on the previous inspection reports have been made. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Hearing: Singapore Restaurant – Wallace TK Chung Mr. Curry stated the purpose of this hearing is for the Board of Health to review, discuss and take any necessary actions regarding the outstanding and repeat State Sanitary Code violations observed at the Singapore Restaurant on several routine inspections conducted by Stephanie Holinko, Food Inspector. Ms. Holinko stated she has visited the Singapore on several occasions dated back to October 25, 2017. Ms. Holinko has spent numerous hours reviewing and communicating with consultants, the owner of the restaurant and the property owner. Ms. Holinko ordered the restaurant voluntarily close three times since November 2017, due to violations. Ms. Holinko presented her inspection reports and stated there are many repeat and uncorrected violations. Attorney Barron stated since the death of one of Mr. Chung’s partners, the restaurant has suffered in many areas and has recently hired a new manager, Jackie to oversee the operations on a daily basis. Attorney Barron stated he has reviewed the inspection reports with Mr. Chung and feels there has been some improvement since hiring Jackie, who will be on site full time and feels the restaurant will continue to improve. After lengthy discussion and reviewing of the inspection reports the members of the BOH asked numerous questions from all parties. Attorney Barron requested sixty days to be in compliant with all State Sanitary Codes. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion that the Singapore restaurant be in complete compliance with standard operation procedures in place with a corrective action management plan within sixty days. If they are not in compliance the Board will recommend closure at that time. Motion was 2nd by Sandra Knipe. All were in favor. Motion carries. Hearing: Williams Southern Soul – William Marks: Not present Ms. Holinko, Food Inspector stated for the record Mr. Marks was notified of this hearing by certified and regular mail. Ms. Holinko stated she conducted a routine food inspection on August 16, 2018 and it was determined there was several State Food Code violations existing at this food establishment which resulted in immediate closure of the establishment. Ms. Holinko stated Mr. Mark’s is required to install a hand washing sink and a service/mop sink. She would like the Board to vote on a firm date as to when this will be installed. Ms. Knipe made a motion that Mr. Mark’s has 60 days for a licensed plumber to install a hand wash sink and mop sink. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Next meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2018. Meeting Adjourned at 7:30pm.