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 Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member Minutes for the Board of Health meeting held on Monday, November 27, 2017 __________________________________________________________________________________ 5:20 Meeting called to order 5:22 5:25 Judy O’Donnell from Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps present at meeting. Judy is the President of the Wachusett MRC and with her is Dennis O’Donnell. Judy would like to update the Board of Health, on the MRC. It has been several years since she has been before the board to update them on the inner workings of the MRC. The MRC is a nonprofit, 501C3, all volunteer organization with about 400 volunteers. This is a national group with close to 1,000 units across the nation. There are three MRC’s in central MA, located in Worcester, Grafton, and Hubbardston. Judy’s group in Hubbardston has two focuses… Emergency Planning, and Preparedness… Judy and her volunteers have been passing out booklets to the communities that explain how to plan ahead for emergencies. As well as the importance of having three days minimal supplies on hand. The reason for a three day supply is that it could take up to three days for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and Red Cross to be able to respond in an emergency situation. In the packet that Judy gave the board there is a book on emergency preparedness. This book and other versions, have been handed out in 22 communities. Although Judy’s group have spoken at senior centers, they would like to reach out to Boy Scouts, and address churches in an effort to get the information out, but this has been difficult. Public Health projects they have been working on… “WACK” the flu, Wash your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, ears, noise, and mouth. Cough in your elbow. Keep your distance from someone who is sick. MRC put on a puppet show in area schools to help get the information out about “WACK” to the communities. They have been supportive of flu clinics in the area. In years past they have handed out sun screen with flyers informing consumers the need to protect their skin from the sun. This year it’s about, “Tick Kits” in the kit there is an alcohol wipe and a tic remover. The kits cost MRC $1.50 each, they hand them out for free. Flyers on West Nile virus, and Lyme disease have also been handed out to the communities by the MRC. Any information that the MRC gets from the state they pass on to the communities. There was a campaign during Health week to walk more, MRC had posters made, door knob signs and flyers on how to increase walking time without stressing yourself out. Judy’s group was at National Night Out with a trivia tree on nutrition. They passed out little plates with the right portions on it. MRC has also handed out “Wash your hands” posters. Some of the things that Judy’s groups are working on now… talking with and trying to help with mothers that have new born babies and are fighting addiction issues. As well as working on getting better lead poisoning screening for children. . Judy would like to stay connected with the Boards of Health as well as other agencies in the area and offer them resources for support.  Judy ask, what does the Board of Health feels are the top three issues in the City of Gardner? Susan spoke of Lyme disease as being one of the concerns. Jennifer mentioned concerns about the Opioid epidemic. Dr. Mulqueen mentioned the hoarding issues that the city has had to deal with, this has been a strain on Gardner’s resources. Judy said that other cities have developed a simple form for the EMT’s to use on a call. When the EMT’s go into a home they can ask 5 simple questions to the person or family member. The answers to these questions could trigger more questions as a follow up and pull in other agencies. Judy also said that informing the public what is, and what is not hoarding, as well as what is the illness that leads to hoarding. This may help a family member understand and they can reach out to different agencies for help. The fire department has a program to educate the senior citizens on safety in the kitchen. Judy would like to “piggy back” on this and educate the seniors on having a bag ready by the door with personal items. This way if they are taken out of the home for whatever reason, they would have some of their own items. The bag would contain a list of items, such as, a change of clothes along with important papers, and a list of medications and any allergies they may have. Judy wanted to let the board know that all the trainings are open to any community member that would like to go. Alzheimers is one of the topics as well as “active Shooter” that will be coming up in November. Sargent Ron Newton has agreed to assist with the active shooter training. In the spring Judy said they are looking at having a training on quarantine and the impact it has on the community. Judy invited the members of the board to join any of the trainings. 6:10 Old Business. Cricket Farm on Barthel Avenue. The board was wondering if it is humane to freeze the crickets then turn them into flour for cooking. Jennifer reported that the zoning board has scheduled two more meetings to discuss if Barthel Avenue is zoned for this endeavor. The BOH Board has some concerns to the noise the large amount of crickets will make, thus disturbing the residents around them. The board wanted an update on the vaping. Jennifer reported that she has not heard anything from Mr. Harry Patel, the party that wants to open the smoke shop at 307 Central Street. Jennifer said that he does not have an occupancy permit yet. Jennifer has concerns about the location of this shop and has expressed the concerns to Community Development and planning committee. Jennifer has asked the Zoning board if they have a task force, she would like be put on the task force. The hope is that the Zoning board will be developing some regulations on where these smoke shops can be located. 6:15 New Business. A letter from Antea group was sent to the Chairman of the board in regards to The Getty Station located @ 221 Main Street. Per the letter, soil excavation and disposal, soil, groundwater and soil vapor sampling, LNAPL removal, and a Method 1 Risk Characterization. The source of the gasoline release has been eliminated. The results of Method 1 Risk Characterization, the concentrations of petroleum remaining in soil and groundwater do not pose a significant risk of harm to human health and the environment. Jennifer will follow up with this with the Department of Environmental Protection. Geoffrey would like to make sure that John Flick will receive a copy of this letter as well. Jennifer wanted to let the board know that the Victorian House Mansion is looking to open up a Bed and Breakfast. The Department of Public Health regulations are very clear, the owner must live in the house, the owner lives in New Jersey. They have not been approved for the bed and breakfast with the zoning board. They have no permits for serving food, or permits to allow people to stay overnight at this time. However, they have advertised “sleeping with the Sprits” on Facebook. Jennifer spoke with the owner, Robert Conti, regarding the advertisement on Facebook, he denies knowledge of such an event. Jennifer set up a meeting later this week  with the different departments within the city to discuss the Victorian House Mansion, the owner of the building, Robert Conti was also invited. Food permits for the shack at Gardner High School. Every year the shack needs to be inspected. Lauren is waiting to do a second inspection, there was a problem with the running water on the first inspection. A seasonal food permit from each of the organizations that want to use the shack need to be filled out, no one has turned in their paperwork yet. Hopefully all will be completed before the first game. GHEM, Gardner Housing Emergency Mission. Christian Orabella is on this committee, they are looking to use all the churches in the city as emergency housing shelters for families. The questions are, where will the families shower? Are there adequate Bathroom facilities? Are there sprinkler systems in the building? Handicapped accessible? Who will monitor if people are bringing in needles, medication, and drugs? There will be children there, who will run Cori checks for sex offenders? Jennifer heard that they were letting people sleep in the Faith Lutheran Church as well as the Holy Rosary rectory. The plan is that they will let families stay for seven days and then rotate them out to other churches. The concerns are that the churches will not have the right occupancy permit for housing the families, as well as, will the churches have the right insurance for occupancy of these families. Jennifer has added this to the meeting that she has planned for next Wednesday with the other departments in the city. 6:20 Next meeting: Monday, September 25, 2017. Meeting Adjourn Recording proceedings were preserved and are available upon request. ________________________ _______________________ _________________________ Dr. Mulqueen MD, Chairperson Susan Avallone, Member Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member All conversations are documented on recording identified as B.O.H August 28, 2017