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 December 13, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N.; John Bogdasarian, M.D.; Ian Murray, Chairman; Mr. Patel, Castleway Market, Pete Stephens, Resident. Castleway Market–432 Mechanic St, Lack of cooperation of Tobacco Permit Inspections: Mr. Curry stated Mr. Patel is here to discuss some issues with tobacco inspections and employees not being cooperative during inspections. As part of the tobacco permit you are required to have inspections during the year. Mr. Patel stated he was under the impression inspections were only made on weekdays only not on Saturday and Sundays. Mr. Patel stated he was suspicious and being cautious because of past theft in his store. When the tobacco control agent delivered the new 21 regulation language they were asking the stores that sell tobacco and nicotine delivery products to sign for the document to show they received the regulation and are aware of the changes in the regulations. The agent reported the employee refused to sign the document and refused to assist with the inspection. Mr. Curry told Mr. Patel at any time there is a question that an individual may not be who they say they are, Mr. Patel has a right to ask for an identification and if they can’t produce identification, you have the right to not be cooperative. In this case it was a tobacco control agent. Tobacco and Nicotine Delivery Products Sales Regulation Review; Amend Section 1: Free Distribution and Coupon Redemption; Vote: Mr. Curry stated Tobacco Regulation Sale Review to amend the I. Free Distribution and Coupon Redemption and remove #4. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to eliminate Section 4 from page 9 of the Fitchburg Tobacco Regulations. Motion was 2nd by Sandra Knipe. All were in favor, motion carries. Approve Meeting Minutes: Ian Murray made a motion to approve the November 1, 2018 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Memorandum of Understanding with Fitchburg State University: Mr. Curry stated the City of Fitchburg Health Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fitchburg State University that in the event of a large scale public health emergency for Fitchburg State University to administer medication (vaccine) to their staff members, students and family members directly. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Fitchburg Board of Health and Fitchburg State University to have the nursing students cover Region 2 in the event of an emergency. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor, motion carries. Staff Reports: Mr. Curry presented the Nurse’s Reports, Housing Inspectors and Food & Milk Inspectors Reports from June thru November, 2018. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the June thru November, 2018 Nurse’s reports, Housing Inspectors & Food & Milk Inspectors Reports. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor, motion carries. Mr. Curry presented the Substance Abuse Coordinator Report for November, 2018 report. Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the Substance Abuse Coordinator November, 2018 report. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor, motion carries. Next meeting scheduled for January 3, 2019. Sandra Knipe made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, meeting adjourned at 6.30PM.