Board of Health

CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH ROOM 29, CITY HALL GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS 01440 (978) 630-4013 FAX (978) 632-4682 To: Bernard Sullivan, R.S., C.H.O. - Health Director Attorney Geoffrey Tobia, Chairperson Susan Avallone, Member Dr. John Mulqueen member RE: Minutes for the Board of Health meeting held on Monday, March 21, 2016 __________________________________________________________________________________ 5:00 Meeting called to order 5:05 Review Meeting minutes dated February 22st, 2016 to be signed. Board approved the minutes with the typo changed. 5:08 Bernie spoke with the board regarding the interview process for the new Public Health Director. In their packets, the board members will find some applications for this position. Bernie explained that Debra Pond, being the Human Resource agent, has said that she will be available as much or as little as the board needs. A reminder to the board that they may email each other in regards to who and when they would like to interview, however, Bernie cautioned them, that in order to discuss any of the candidates, they must do it in a working meeting. Bernie also reminded the board that meetings have to be posted 48 working hours before the meeting. 5:10 Mr. Patel is asking for a plumbing code variance at 157 West Street Convenience Store. This variance to the plumbing code will allow them to utilize a single unisex restroom to replace the two non-accessible rest rooms currently installed. Bernie reported that the city’s plumbing inspector is not opposed to the code variance. The board has approved this request by a vote of 3- 0. Bernie will write a letter for Mr. Patel to give to the plumbing examiners board in Boston. 5:30 It was reported that cooking grease has been disposed of down the ravine and near the stream just on the other side of Burger King’s drive thru. Further evidence shows that cooking grease has also been dumped into the catch basin in the parking lot of Burger King. Jennifer reported that Burger King has a rendering canister, which is where the cooking grease should be disposed of, just off their customer parking lot. The owner/manager of Burger King, Gregory Bernhardt reported that he is unaware of any one of his employees dumping cooking grease in either of the improper disposal places. Mr. Bernhardt said that he has put his employees on notice that this is not a practice that he will tolerate. The board believes that Mr. Bernhardt did not know this was happening and has confidence that Mr. Bernhardt will be able to make sure it does not happen again. 6:00 Jennifer and Bernie performed an inspection at Cruisers Malt Shoppe on March 14, 2016. There were a number of sanitation violation as well as major issues with grease on the floors and walls because of the hood system, 1) is not being cleaned properly, and 2) the hood system needs to be replaced. Captain Lagoy from the fire department was with Jennifer for the inspection that took place on March 21, 2016. The captain reported that the hoods need to be replaced as it is a fire hazard. Captain said that they have gotten a number of “noncompliance” reports from Tri State, the hood cleaning company. The fire department has issued a warning citation for failure to maintain the cleaning of the hoods and failure to maintain suppression systems. A recap by Bernie: It was requested by the Health Department Board in 2015 that Mr. Ron Robichaud personally obtain a managers food handler certification so he could better understand how to supervise his own employees. This did not take place. Sanitation has been an issue for some time and the Board of Health has been trying to work with Ron to provide guidance. It is Bernie’s professional opinion that in order to address these issues in a timely fashion it could not  be done while the restaurant is open. It would involve taking out the floor in the food service area. Changing the floor and wall surfaces to a product that is nonabsorbent and would be cleanable. Although there are no signs of rodents at this time, but there is a very high risk for them to become established at this location. The fire hazard is a concern because there are residents living very close to the restaurant. Paul Johnson came before the board to let them know that he is working on getting the place up to code and keeping it up to code. It is Paul Johnsons plan to take over the restaurant. There was some discussion about all the permits that are needed to get the restaurant up to code to reopen. The order that stands before the board is that the restaurant closes down on Friday, March 25th 2016. After much discussion, the board voted to let the restaurant stay open until Friday, March 25th 2016. If by Friday they have everything taken care of and passes an inspection by all departments involved, the board will allow them stay open. 7:15 Joan Hamlett and DJ Wilson discussion of flavored Tobacco Products. After much discussion of the “sample regulation restricting the sale of flavor tobacco products” The board will take a couple of meetings to discuss the regulations before they schedule the Public meeting. Joan will update this office, to be sent to the board members, of any development that occurs. 7:20 New Business: Bernie gave the board the annual report for 2016. Bernie also gave the board his official resignation letter. 7:25 Old Business: Jennifer spoke with Chris Casavant regarding the boilers at Waterford Street School. They have two boilers at that location. One boiler has a hole in it but because of the mild winter they were able to function with only one boiler. The school was approved for $300, 000, 00 by council to replace one entire boiler, this will take place this summer. Jennifer asked if some of that money would be used to address the urinals in the boy’s bathroom, they will be replacing all the urinals bringing them up to code. Jennifer will follow up with the school as summer comes and the final inspection in September. Laser Tattoo Removal Service: Jennifer contacted many cities, Worcester was the only one that has Laser Tattoo Removal service. They do not have their own regulations, they have adopted the State Radiation Control Boards regulation and from what Jennifer could tell, a physician is needed. Bernie’s recommendation: If the board pursues the laser tattoo removal service, it is highly suggested that the board completely exempt from any regulation that is conducted on premises performed by a certified professional, medical doctor or nurse practitioner. But, some level of para professional under some off premise supervision, you would want close regulations with a required certified professional on site. Update on Patriot Pizza: Chris Pappas was invited to the board meeting in February but did not attend. Chris came to the board of health the next day. Jennifer advised Chris the importance of having running water into his restaurant and if there is none, for whatever reason, he should shut down the restaurant. 7:35 Set next meeting, adjourn Recording proceedings were preserved and are available upon request. The next meeting was set for Monday, April 25, 2016. ________________________ _______________________ _________________________ Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member Susan Avallone, Member Dr. John Mulqueen All conversations are documented on recording identified as B.O.H March 21, 2016