Board of Health

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Mar 07 2025 10:54 am Office of the Board of Health City Hall 718 Main Street Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 978-829-1870 This was a regular meeting of the Board of Health held in the Legislative Building at 700 Main Street and recorded by FATV Studios, Thursday, January 9, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Bogdasarian. Present: Stephen Curry, Director, Dr. John Bogdasarian, Chair, Diane Tousignant, BOH Member, Karen Membrino, Clerk Stenographer, Public Forum: Jacquelyn Wehtje speaking on Opioid Settlement Funds. Title 5 – Local Upgrade Approval (LUA) Request(s) Evan Carloni, Innovative Septic Design – 11 Bennett Road Mr. Carlone joined the meeting via Zoom and stated he is looking to replace a failed septic system at 11 Bennett Road where wetlands surround the property. We propose the use of a Presby Enviro-Septic system due to its reduced impact on the water table and surrounding wetlands, eliminating the need for retaining walls or additional fill. The request includes approval for a two-foot offset reduction to the estimated high water table. Advantages of this system include cost savings by avoiding a pump chamber and reducing excavation and retaining wall requirements. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to approve the reduction and separation. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Tousignant. All were in favor, motion carried. Title 5 – Local Upgrade Request – Jack Maloney Sr. Project Manager, Dillis & Roy, Civil Design Group – 299 Sheldon Road Chris MacKenzie joined the meeting via Zoom and stated he is requesting a Local Upgrade Approval for the design and construction of a proposed Sewage Disposal System located at 299 Sheldon Road. Mr. MacKenzie is requesting the following: I. 15.404(3)(C): A minimum of 4’ of naturally occurring pervious soil below the entire area of the S.A.S. shall be provided. (Provided 38-50”).  (System technology note: Remedial use approval, Special Conditions Section 8 (b): if a reduction in the depth of the naturally occurring pervious material layer is necessary, a proposed reduction of up to 2 feet may be allowed in the four feet of naturally occurring pervious material layer as required by 15.2440(1)) II. 15.405(1)(h): Approving Authority may reduce the required 4 foot separation To 3 foot separation between the bottom of the proposed S.A.S and the E.S.H.T (Provided: 3 foot offset). Mr. MacKenzie presented the system to the Board members. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to approve the request at 299 Sheldon Road. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Tousignant, all were in favor, motion carried. Hearing Requests: 1. 62 Old Deerfield Road - tabled to a future meeting. 2. 15 Essex Street – Petitioner absent, property owner (Bryanna Morey) and others present, but discussion moved to other topics. 3. The BOH to review and approve the proposed Opioid Settlement Fund budget, as approved by the Mayor: Public Forum: Jacquelyn Wehtje, Fitchburg resident Ms. Wehtje stated she doesn’t think the BOH should be using the substantial sum of the Opioid fund money on government salaries. This money should be used to help people who have substance abuse problems. Looking at other localities, the State of Alabama is using their Opioid supplements for what's known as grand families these are grandparents who are raising their grandchildren because the parents are addicts which is an excellent use of the money. In Western Massachusetts they took a survey and the number one need that people felt was for housing people in recovery, unfortunately in December 2023 Opportunities for Hope which is run by the Fitchburg Housing Authority kicked people in recovery out of the Elizabeth House a shelter in Fitchburg to make room for migrants, kicked them out in the middle of winter. There is insufficient housing for people in recovery that's another need that we have. They should also be using these funds to provide direct detox and rehabilitation services rather than on people who are essentially middle men and middle women and don't provide direct medical services to the population in need, unfortunately in this country we don't have a single payer system we don't have treatment on demand. Years ago I had an addict who I cared about and he went for treatment and he relapsed he went a second time he relapsed he went a third time he relapsed he wanted to go a fourth time he couldn't because he had had no insurance coverage, these are the things I think we should be using the money on you don't have to throw a lot of money at government salaries and one of the most effective programs out there to treat addiction as narcotics anonymous which is a volunteer organization when you look at what we are paying the people in our Outreach Team and you compare it to people at Recovery Centers of America next to Westminster our people here in the City of Fitchburg are making twice what the people at RCA are making it's a very bloated wasteful use of our Opioid Settlement funds when they should be used for the people in need and the families of the people in need. Joining the meeting by Zoom, Cheryl Sbarra, Executive Director & Senior Staff Attorney for the Massachusetts Associations of Health Boards as well as Carly Britton, Care Massachusetts Team. Ms. Sbarra stated they are a membership association made up of Board of Health members throughout the Commonwealth and provide legal education and technical assistance to 351 Boards of Health in Massachusetts. MAHB is a member of the Care Massachusetts team which will provide training to municipalities that have agreed to in exchange for money received from the OPIOID Abatement Program. Presentation included the following; 1. Background on the Settlement • A 26 billion nationwide resolution with Opioid distributors and manufacturers • Massachusetts will receive $900 million over the 18 years to fund prevention, harm reduction treatment, and recovery programs • Funds are distributed among municipalities, with specific guidelines on their use including restrictions against supplanting existing budgets. 2. Priority Strategies for Funding • Enhance Opioid use disorder treatment • Support treatment and recovery • Facilitate connections to care • Promote harm reduction (e.g., distributing naloxone) • Address the needs of justice-involved individuals • Prevent misuse through education and outreach 3. Recommendations for Fund Use • Establish a diverse committee including community members for decision making • Collaborate with nearby municipalities to pool funds for greater impact • Partner with local organizations to enhance existing programs • Focus on unmet community needs rather than duplicating existing services • Prioritize evidence-based programs  4. Examples of Programs • Direct funding for recovery centers and mobile units • Transportation services for treatment access • Establishing funds for stabilization (e.g., housing, employment support) • Community education campaigns to reduce stigma 5. Data Utilization • Communities encouraged to use state provided dashboards and local data to meet the needs and measure outcome 6. Collaboration Opportunities • Legal and logistical support available for municipalities The Board of Health asked numerous questions to Ms. Sbarra & Ms. Britton. Director Curry gave a presentation of the Opioid Settlement Fund Program and Proposal; 1. Community Strategies and Addressing the Opioid Crisis: • Strategies include harm reduction, connections to care, promoting treatment, support for criminal justice involved individuals, and pregnant/parenting women • Emphasis on preventing Opioid misuse and implementing education and support efforts. 2. Advisory Boards Formation: • Mayor Squailia intends to appoint an ad hoc Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Board • The Board will analyze community priorities and recommend funding allocations to the Board of Health and the Mayor. 3. Actions in Other Communities: • Examples from communities like Salem, Fall River, and Lynn were shared, including strategic planning, surveys, and forming working groups to allocate Opioid Settlement Funds 4. Survey Results: • Surveys conducted across Fitchburg highlighted gaps in access to services, harm reduction, and social need  • 61% believe access to treatment is unequal • 67% say race, wealth, and stigma impact services assess • 96% noted inadequate permanent housing for individuals with Opioid use disorder 5. Proposed Budget and Initiatives: • A three year budget was proposed, using $810,000 from settlement fund to support the following; • Outreach workers, harm reduction specialists, and prevention coordinators • Distribution of Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and wound care kits • Mini grants for community organizations addressing opioid related issues • Education about the Good Samaritan Law and drug take back initiatives • A clinical nurse will assist with outreach and wound care 6. Concerns Raised: • Limited funding allocation for housing support despite it being a critical issue • Suggestions to pool resources with neighboring communities to address housing needs 7. Next Steps: • Meet with Auditors to establish a budget • Establish the Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Board • Contract the Institute for Community Health for evaluation services • Initiate Narcan training and distribution programs • Explore partnerships with community organizations for housing solutions • Budget implementation meeting with City Council • Launch of the mini grant pilot program Director Curry stated this budget also includes fringe benefits therefore there will be no use of city funds. A lengthy discussion ensued the BOH members asked numerous questions. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to approve the three year budget with flexibility for future adjustments. Ms. Tousignant 2nd the motion, all were in favor, motion carried. Petition Requests: 1. Request to Repeal all Local Tobacco Regulations – Tabled until retail education provided by Tobacco Control  2. Council Petition #030-24 - Update Greif Paper Director Curry stated there was only one complaint on December 30, 2024. At the time Dir. Curry went out to the site and no odor was detected at that time which was a few hours after the complaint. The city is working on contracting with a third party specialist to investigate the odors and putting a program together. Meeting Minutes: Review/Approve meeting minutes of December 5, 2024. Tabled until the next meeting. Announcements: Flu & COVID Clinic – Friday, January 10, 2025 located at City Hall, 718 Mail St from 9:00 – 4:30pm. Public is welcome. Dr. Bogdasarian made a motion to adjourn. Motion was 2nd by Ms. Tousignant. Meeting adjourned at 6:30pm.