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 March 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N.; John Bogdasarian, M.D. Chairman; Ian Murray, Board Member; Stephanie Holinko, Food & Milk Inspector; William Marks, Williams Southern Soul; Joan Hamlett, Tobacco Control Alliance; Kevin Reed, Centre Pizza. Approve Meeting Minutes: Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the February 7, 2019 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Hearing (Continued from (Feb): Williams Southern Soul – William Marks, Owner: Ms. Holinko stated she conducted a food re-inspection at this establishment today, March 7, 2019 and found Mr. Mark’s facility in violation of several Massachusetts State Sanitary Food Code Violations. Dr. Bogdasarian stated the BOH gave Mr. Marks until March 7, 2019 to install a mop sink and a hand washing sink. It was decided at the February meeting if it wasn’t completed by today that the BOH would close down the establishment until it was installed. Mr. Marks stated he has a licensed plumber scheduled to install the sinks next week. Ms. Holinko stated she observed several sanitary violations and feels the violations are a health hazard to the general public and is requesting immediate suspension of the food permit at this establishment. While lengthy discussion with members of the Board of Health asked numerous questions to Mr. Marks and Ms. Holinko. Ms. Knipe made a motion to close down this facility until all the corrections are made. Dr. Bogdasarian 2nd the motion. All were in favor. Motion carries. Hearing Request: Centre Pizza, 245 River St, Kevin Reed, Owner: Mr. Curry stated Mr. Reed owner of Centre Pizza has requested this hearing regarding Ms. Holinko’s request for him to install a second hand washing sink in Centre Pizza. Mr. Reed stated that he doesn’t feel it is necessary to install an additional handwashing sink. Mr. Reed stated there is a handwashing sink already there and is equal distance to both the food prep areas. Ms. Holinko stated there is not a designated hand washing sink accessible to their back of the house food preparation and warewashing area. A single bay hand washing sink needs to be installed in this area for the convenient hand washing by employees. Ms. Holinko presented the plumbing plans on file from the Building Department. The BOH members asked several questions to Mr. Reed and Ms. Holinko. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion that due to the exemplary sanitary conditions at Centre Pizza and the experience of the longtime employees and the care they exhibit with respect to sanitation to grant a variance waiving the requirement of a second handwashing sink in the rear food preparation and warewash area. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Knipe. All were in favor. Staff Reports: Mr. Curry presented the Nurse, Sanitary Inspectors, Food & Milk Inspector, Sanitary Inspector’s & Substance Abuse Coordinator reports. Mr. Murray made a motion to accept the Substance Abuse Coordinator report for December 2018. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Knipe. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to accept the Nurse’s report for December 2018. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Mr. Murray made a motion to accept the Housing Inspectors reports for December. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Knipe. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to accept the Nurse’s report for January 2019. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to accept the Nurse’s report for February 2019. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to accept the Substance Abuse Coordinator report for January 2019. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Mr. Murray made a motion to accept the Substance Abuse Coordinator report for February 2019. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Knipe. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ms. Knipe made a motion to accept the Food & Milk Inspectors report for December 2018. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Tobacco Control Update: Joan Hamlett, Tobacco Control: Ms. Hamlett stated all the establishments in the city have received their signs for restricting the purchase of cigarettes to 21. Ms. Hamlett said they will be out in the next few months to do inspections. Fitchburg has everything in the restricted regulations including restricting 21. Ms. Hamlett also suggested to start discussing no smoking in private clubs in the next few months. Next meeting scheduled for April 4, 2019. Sandra Knipe made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor, meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.