Board of Health

BOH MEETING MINUTES 6/7/2023 In attendance: Timothy Cochrane Jr., Vice Chair; Jeffrey Harris, Member; Cathleen Liberty, Director; Ginny McNeil, Health Agent; Alicia Sullivan, Public Health Nurse; John Robertson, Shared Service Grant Regional Inspector; Steve Sherlock recording, Maureen Canesi, Administrative Assistant, and Brian Macverish. In attendance via Google Meet: Johnny Velasco, Sarah McColgan, Bridget Sweet, Chair Vice Chair, Timothy Cochrane called the Meeting to order at 5:03 pm APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Sweet made a motion to accept the BOH Minutes of May 3, 2023. Member Harris seconded the motion. Vice Chair, Cochrane polled the Board and the motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS AFC Sushi Discussion Upon a routine inspection at AFC Sushi/Shaws (255 E.Central Street), Regional Inspector John Robertson noted violations at this location.. He discussed the violations related to his inspection including the testing of sushi rice on site. It was revealed that during his inspection that the sushi rice was not being tested and the AFC employee couldn’t find the PH meter or test strips to perform this testing. Inspector Robertson along with Director Liberty decided at this point to order a Cease and Desist order. One Shaw’s representative, and one AFC corporate representative participated in the meeting and they discussed steps taken to address this issue: there will be more oversight from Shaw’s to ensure AFC compliance with testing the sushi rice. Chair Sweet recommended that there be a Certified Lab Analysis done for the sushi rice. The Board gave approval for them to re-open Thursday, June 8, 2023 with Shaws and AFC agreeing to the requirements of monitoring and inspections, and Certified Lab Analysis’ being submitted. OLD BUSINESS 2023 Sales Regulations Restricting the Sale of Tobacco and Vape Products Health Director Liberty reviewed the 2023 Sales Regulations Checklist Item #3 “Dual Cap” Smoke Shop and Tobacco Permit. Sarah McColgean, Tobacco Control Director clarified the rule and answered questions from the Board. It was decided that the Town would adopt 32 dual permits. Twenty seven permits for tobacco retail stores and five permits for adult smoke shops. Project Locker Metro West Grant. Director Liberty asked that this agenda item be tabled until the next BOH meeting. Fee for Bodyworks Application Discussion. Director Liberty asked that this agenda item be tabled until the next BOH meeting. Discussion of Health Fair on May 24, 2023 Cassia Monterio gave a recap of the successful Spring Health Fair held at the library. There were twenty vendors who attended and over 680 people visited the health fair. Giveaways from Big Y and other vendors including fire and police and a petting zoo made for lots of happy faces in the crowd. Work underway already to plan for the next health fair in the fall to keep this twice a year event happening. Metacomet Shared Service Grant Inspector Update Regional Inspector Robertson updated the board with the Regional Inspector Report for the month of May, 2023. Metacomet Public Health Nurse Update Public Health Nurse Sullivan updated the board with the Public Health Report for the month of May, 2023. Metacomet Shared Service Grant Epidemiologist Update Cassia Monteiro, Epidemiologist updated the board with the Epidemiologist Report for the month of May 2023. CITIZENS COMMENTARY Steve Sherlock commented that he attended the Health Fair. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Cochrane made a motion to adjourn at 5:53 pm. The motion was seconded by Chair Sweet. The Board was polled and the motion passed unanimously. Respectively submitted by: Maureen Canesi