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: Jennifer A. Susen-Roy, BA. - Health Director Dr. John Mulqueen, Chairperson Susan Avallone, Member Attorney Geoffrey Tobia, Member Board of Health meeting held on Monday, April 24th, 2017 __________________________________________________________________________________ 5:00 Meeting called to order 5:07 Jimmy Buccaroni present at meeting to continue discussion about a request for a variance to the tattoo regulations requirement for a year apprenticeship so Jimmy can work as a tattoo artist in the city of Gardner. The board reviewed the recorded 33 times that Jimmy performed “set ups and break downs” of the sterile work station observed by Eugene Guerra and Robert Coutiere. Jennifer reported to the board that the Cambridge, MA Public Health Commission apprenticeship program for licensed tattoo artists and new tattoo artists are as follows; Cambridge apprenticeship program is a 2 year program. They issue an apprentice and “apprentice license” that requires them to work under a licensed tattoo artist (mentor) that has been licensed for at least 2 years and Cambridge MUST be familiar with this person and their work before they are approved to be a mentor. They have many tasks that they have to complete before they can have a “regular” license. Level I- Minimum of 150 procedures and 500 hours of small single color pieces. Level II- Minimum 150 procedures and 750 hours of medium sizes (5”x 5”), more complicated pieces of moderate difficulty. Level III- Minimum of 150 procedures and 1000 hours of larger more complicated pieces involving the blending of multiple colors, custom designs, cover-up and fine line tattooing. Jennifer stated HOWEVER, if you are coming in for a license before the Cambridge board and you have never been licensed before there are more stringent guidelines. The applicant would get a “Restricted Apprentice License”. For example with a restricted apprentice license the first 75 hours the applicant would only be able to observe. The next 75 hours the applicant could setup, clean, and break down the work station. The mentor is very involved and has to sign off on everything. The mentor also has to be there watching the apprentice tattoo artist at all times until the end of the apprenticeship program. The expectation of the board is that Jimmy Buccaroni will not need 500 hours and 150 small procedures. Instead the board would like for Jimmy and Eugene to come back before the board in December 2017, (December 31, 2017 the provisional license will expire). The board will be looking to see where Jimmy is and if Eugene and Robert feel that Jimmy is ready to move on to performing more complicated and detailed tattoos.  After much discussion the board made the motion as follows…. To grant a temporary variance for a provisional tattoo license that will expire December 31 2017. Subject to all the restrictions of the Cambridge, MA regulations. (Mentioned above). A variance can be granted provided that the board will waive the 75 hours of observation (as the owners and the applicant have already stated he met this requirement), and there is a documented 75 hours of set ups and break downs of the sterile work station. The variance is based on the evidence provided and a written signed statement by both Robert and Eugene that Jimmy has completed 75 hours each of observing as well as setting up and breaking down the sterile work station. Level I will be modified from the Cambridge regulations to reflect what the Gardner Board of Health is requiring to read a 3x3 or less, single color tattoo. Subject to a requirement of a complete written log documenting date, time, and amount of time spent with customer, a consent from the customer as well as a picture of every tattoo that Jimmy performs. Motion Passed 3-0. The board will review and discuss the current Gardner Board of Health regulations for body piercing and tattooing and possibly make changes to the regulations at a later date. 5:40 Old Business- none 5:41 New Business- Jennifer spoke with Trevor Beauregard director of Community Developing and Planning to let him know that she would like to be a part of the conversation regarding medical, recreational, and edible marijuana. She wants to be a part of the zoning process where these dispensaries will be located. Jennifer also informed the board that there have been at least 3 people that have approached her regarding opening up a vape and or smoke shop. 6:00 Meeting Adjourn. Recorded proceedings were preserved and are available upon request. ________________________ _______________________ _________________________ Dr. John Mulqueen, Chairperson Susan Avallone, Member Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member All conversations are documented on recording identified as B.O.H April 24th, 2017