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 May 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N.; John Bogdasarian, M.D., Chairman; Dina Vazquez, Shade & Light Custom Tattoo Studio; Stephanie Holinko, Food & Milk Inspector; Joan Hamlett, Tobacco Control Alliance. Approve Meeting Minutes: Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the April 4, 2019 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. Mr. Murray abstained. All were in favor. Motion carries. FY 20 Budget and CDBG Update: Mr. Curry presented the FY 20 budget after final review with the Mayor. Mr. Curry had proposed under Personal Services to add a Sealer of Weights & Measures position of $13,000.00, the Mayor has cut this position. We will continue to contract with the state. Mr. Curry proposed $60,000.00 in the overtime account, the Mayor has cut this to $50,000. Mr. Curry proposed $14,000.00 in equipment as well as $1,000 in office supplies for the Sealer of Weights & Measures also cut by the Mayor. Ms. Knipe made a motion to accept the FY20 & CDBG Budget. Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC): Mr. Curry stated we are contracted with LUK but would like to take over that grant and contract with two people, Jonathan Temple and Renae Voyer. They would each work part time 10-20 hours per week focusing on underage drinking and other grant requirements. This will require re-distributing funds at the state level in order to pay Jonathan and Renae. Ms. Knipe made a motion to approve the 2 candidates taking over the Fitchburg side based on state budget approval. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Williams Southern Soul – 135 Lunenburg St, William Marks, Owner: Not present Ms. Holinko stated Mr. Marks did request this hearing to update the Board on his progress in his restaurant. Ms. Holinko said Mr. Marks did install the mop sink and handwashing sink and is currently open however he is operating with an expired food permit. The food permits expired on April 30, 2019, in addition he is operating a catering business without a catering permit and without proper catering equipment as well. Mr. Curry stated he will submit an order to cease and desist until the food permit is renewed within 7 days, failure will result in closure. Micro Blading Apprenticeship Program Proposal: Dina Vazquez, Shade & Light Custom Tattoo Studio: Ms. Vazquez stated she is a licensed Tattoo Artist in Fitchburg with over 6 years’ experience in the industry and is proposing an apprenticeship program for Micro Blading out of her studio. Ms. Vazquez stated that Micro blading is opening the skin and placing pigment beneath it just like a traditional tattoo and only penetrates the dermis, the top layer of the skin surface. The definition of Tattooing is any method of placing ink or other pigment into or under the skin by the aid of needles or any other instrument used to puncture the skin, resulting in permanent coloration of the skin or mucosa. This term includes all forms of cosmetic tattooing. In traditional tattooing a machine either a coil or rotary machine holds the needles. In Micro Blading there is NO blade being used, it’s a manual instrument which holds the needle configuration at its tips. These pens are available as a metal pen where the needle is screwed into the top and then thrown away after use and the pen can be sterilized. There is also a one use disposable pen/needle combo available. Ms. Vazquez said there is no greater or less chance of infection. Any time the skin is opened there is a risk of infection. The chances are not greater of infection with micro blading then with a traditional tattoo, they are the same. While lengthy discussion with the Board of Health members asked numerous questions to Ms. Vazquez. Mr. Curry stated the BOH is in the process of amending the current regulations for Body Art and will consider incorporating this proposal for an apprenticeship program into the regulations and will bring before the BOH at a future meeting. Tobacco Sales Permit Review Hearing, Johnny’s Service Station – 339 River St, Sam Gandor, Owner: Not present Ms. Hamlett stated the reason for this hearing is Mr. Gandor was found in non-compliance with the Regulations of the Fitchburg Board of Health Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products. On March 20, 2019, Johnny’s Service Station was found in violation of:  Regulation of the Fitchburg Board of Health-Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products: Section F. Cigar Sales Regulated 2. No person shall sell or distributes or cause to be sold or distributed any original factory-wrapped package of two or more cigars, unless such package is priced for retail sale at $5.00 or more.  Fitchburg Board of Health Prohibiting Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places: Section 4: Smoking Prohibited (a) It shall be the responsibility of the employer to pride a smoke free environment for all employees working in an enclosed workplace as well as those workplaces listed in subsection (c) below.  (b) Smoking is hereby prohibited in City of Fitchburg in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 270, §22 commonly known as the “Smoke-free Workplace Law). Mr. Gandor was issued a fine for smoking in the workplace and that has been paid. Ms. Hamlett recommended a 30 day suspension. Ms. Knipe made a motion to give Johnny’s Service Station a 30 day suspension on the cigar pricing violation (section). Motion was 2nd by Mr. Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Staff Reports: Mr. Curry presented the Substance Abuse Coordinator report for April. Mr. Murray made a motion to accept the Substance Abuse Coordinator report for April, 2019. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Knipe. All were in favor. Motion carries. Next meeting scheduled for June 6, 2019. Sandra Knipe made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor, meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.