Board of Health

Office of the Board of Health City Hall 166 Boulder Drive – Suite 108 Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 978-829-1870 A Virtual Meeting was held on February 18, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Present: Stephen Curry, Director; John Bogdasarian, M.D., Chairman; Ian Murray. . Dr. Bogdasarian opened the meeting at 5:00 pm. COVID-19 Update/Discussion: Mr. Curry stated since March 1, 2020 up until today, Fitchburg has had 3,944 cases, 20 cases in the last two days, 64 cases in the last week, 161 confirmed cases in the last two weeks. There has been 3,710 people recovered from COVID-19 & currently there are 99 active cases in the city which is 58 less than a week ago and 140 less than two weeks ago. There has been 135 deaths and no deaths in the last week and one death in the past 2 weeks. The positivity rate is 4.8 and we are heading in the right direction. Mr. Curry stated we completed the final first responder’s clinic. There were about 30 first responders which brings us to a total of 5 clinics first responders for the 2nd doses, 8 clinics total. We have done 1600 shots for first responders in the region for 1st and 2nd shots. We have opened it up to 75+ seniors for a total of 130 seniors. We have been given about 1900 vaccinations since the beginning of January. Mr. Curry stated we are completely out of vaccine and no idea when we will receive more. There is a 2nd dose clinic tentatively scheduled at Wallace Towers on February 26, 2021. We have been assigned a liaison from the Department of Public Health which will assist in getting vaccine as well as trying to encourage folks who don’t want to receive the vaccine to change their minds and get it. Fitchburg has been identified as one of the hardest hit communities and that is the purpose of the liaison to assist with tackling issues and to encourage those folks of color to get vaccinated. Mr. Curry stated he has committed to the Department of Public Health to holding larger clinics instead of the smaller clinics that we have had. They would like us to do 750 people a day clinics. There are a few sites that we are exploring to hold a large clinic. More details to follow when more information is available. Deliveries of the vaccine have been delayed because of the weather this week but still don’t know how much vaccine we will receive. We are also exploring teaming up with Leominster to have some sort of a local phone number for seniors that can’t utilize a computer or a webpage to be able to call a number to try and sign up when there are clinics available. Residents can utilize CodeRed however there has been some technical difficulties with that program. Budget – FY22: The proposed BOH budget has been submitted to the Mayor and Finance Teams. Changes from FY 21 to FY 22 in Personal Services will be contractual changes. Mr. Curry is proposing a part-time position for the Sealer of Weights & Measures. This position reviews scales, scanners, and gas pumps. We are presently still contracting with the State. Presently the Food Inspector is on suspension. There are two contractors covering that position, thus the concern for the potential need for more funds. More information on this at a future meeting. The expenditures part of the budget has little change from FY 21 to FY 22 except the equipment that needs to be purchased for Weights and Measures. The Public Health Nurse, Dorothy McNamara receives a stipend for $7800.00 annually paid by the surrounding cities and towns as part of the MPHN to cover communicable diseases. Also in our budget is a School Nurse who serves the parochial schools in the City. Rubbish Contracts includes curbside trash and removal & disposal at the Landfill. Curbside Collection are contractual fees which is about $50,000 increase every year. The only other difference from FY 21 to FY 22 is the proposed increase in the number of weeks for Yard Waste. Currently there are 16 weeks annually. Mr. Curry has requested to increase that to 20 weeks annually which will make us eligible for additional grants through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Closed Landfill Maintenance Fund section of the budget is geared to the old landfills in the city. Currently we are working on the old landfill off Airport Road which is the old Blueberry Lane Landfill which AKS leases from the city. AKS operates and stores materials on top of an old landfill. The city is exploring bringing that landfill up to today’s codes and install monitoring devices for ground water and gas. We are currently working with contractors to get bids on drawing on plans to submit to DEP for approval to move forward on the monitoring systems. Ian Murray made a motion to approve the FY 22 Budget. Motion was approved by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ian Murray made a motion to approve the November 12, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ian Murray made a motion to approve the November 23, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Ian Murray made a motion to approve the February 4, 2021 meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries The next BOH meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2021. Mr. Murray made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Dr. Bogdasarian. All were in favor. Motion carries. Adjourned at 5:45