Board of Health

Office of the Board of Health City Hall 166 Boulder Drive – Suite 108 Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 978-829-1870 A Conference Call was held on June 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; Sandra Knipe, R.N.B.S.N.; John Bogdasarian, M.D., Chairman; Ian Murray, Board Member; Stephanie Holinko, Food Inspector; Dr. Bogdasarian opened the meeting at 2:17pm. Meeting Minutes Review and Approval: Sandra Knipe made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2020. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ian Murray made a motion to approve the May 21, 2020 minutes. Motion was 2nd by Sandra Knipe. All were in favor. Motion carries. COVID-19 Update: Mr. Curry stated as of June 4, 2020 there are 760 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the City. 412 active cases, & 58 deaths due to COVID-19. Mr. Curry also discussed the Health Depts. working relationships with Nursing Home and Long Term Care Facilities in the City. FY 21 Budget: Mr. Curry presented the FY 2021 budget. This budget contains the requested 3% cut by the Mayor. The cuts, actually are much more than 3% and the accounts affected are the proposed Landfill Maintenance fund and funding the Recycling Enforcement efforts completely through DEP-Sustainable Material Grant Funding, if approved by DEP. Mr. Curry also discussed that the city is on hold with the overall budget as state aid has not been identified. Mr. Curry has submitted a one-twelfth budget for July, August & September at the request of the Mayor. The budged was cut by 3%. Sandra Knipe made a motion to accept the FY 21 Budged as is and the one-twelfth budget as amended from the previously approved FY21 Budget. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Tryst Lounge –Vaping (Continued hearing): Dr. Bogdasarian stated Tryst Lounge can’t operate as a hookah bar unless they are a smoking bar which at this time they are not. Sandra Knipe made a motion that Tryst Lounge is denied to operate a smoking bar/hookah bar and cannot allow vaping according to State Law. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries SS Lobster discussion: Mr. Curry stated Attorney Panagiotes does not represent SS Lobster any longer. Ms. Holinko stated she did reach out the contracted consultant and is working with the consultant and once a plan is in place and corrections made to the inspection reports are in progress or completed, the consultant will be in touch with Ms. Holinko for an inspection. She also stated SS Lobster did issue and apology to M. Holinko for their behavior at a previous incident. Ms. Knipe made a motion to continue the case for 30 days then make a final decision when everything is completed and then close the case. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Future agenda meeting items: Dog hearing for dangerous dog will be on June 18, 2020 @ 2:00 pm. Fitchburg Integrated Pest Management Policy. Mr. Curry stated the Mayor’s office is moving forward with hiring a Facilities Manager in the city to oversee Municipal Buildings and the IPM plan may be a great fit to get on board with this new position. Mr. Curry has concerns that the plan requires the Mayor to appoint and advisory committee and this is not a bad idea but really should be a City Ordinance if the committee is a requirement. Mr. Curry recommended the BOH either hold the petition until the Facilities Manager Position is in place or send the Petition back to the Council with recommendations to hold until the facilities position is in place. Sandra Knipe made a motion to send the petition back to the City Council in writing with the recommendations mentioned and this motion was seconded by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries. Sandra Knipe made a motion to adjourn at 3:00pm. Motion was 2nd by Ian Murray. All were in favor. Motion carries, meeting adjourned.