Board of Health

CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 95 PLEASANT ST, ROOM 29 GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS 01440 Members Present: Lauren Saunders – Health Director Susan Avallone, RN - Member Atty. Geoffrey Tobia – Member Michele Parker, MD - Member Minutes for Board of Health meeting held Monday April 26, 2021 ________________________________________________________________________________ *Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §20, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Gardner Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation. The transcript of proceedings will be posted on the City’s website as soon as possible after the meeting. 3:15 Meeting called to order. 3:20 Minutes from 6/22/20 and 3/22/21 Board of Health meetings were each reviewed, discussed and approved. 3:25 Old Business: Body Art Apprentice Regulations: Lauren shared information she gathered from a local piercing artist about genital piercing. The body piercing class required for licensure includes in-depth instruction on safety, preparation, and what is anatomically required for genital piercing, along with instruction in after-care instructions, cleaning and healing. The current artist has performed about 100 female and 25 male procedures. The facility is adequate to perform the procedure, they use an autoclave for sterilizing piercing tools and send lab results to the Health Department monthly. Dr. Parker shared information she gathered, but from what she read genital piercings are treated the same as piercings on any other part of the body. There is a discussion about if the Apprentice Program will required a certain number and type of these procedures be done under supervision as with the other piercing procedures listed in the regulations. Dr. Parker believes that the apprentice should seek a variety of experiences for the different types of piercings during their apprenticeship. Once licensed, if an artist is uncertain of a procedure, they should seek the advice of a mentor. There is a discussion about apprentices that doesn’t wish to perform genital procedures that they sign a statement to be included in their file in the Health Department and be issued a limited license does not include genital piercing. 4:00 New Business: Curbside Municipal Trash/Recycling Contract: The contract was awarded to EL Harvey & Sons, the rates were about the same as Waste Management but Harvey offers newer technology including GPS tracking and cameras on the trucks that we believe will make service run smoother. Harvey will run the routes on the same schedule so there should be limited impact to the residents.  Senior Housing Vaccinations: The Health Department has completed vaccination clinics for all of the Senior Housing residents in Gardner. Homebound Vaccinations: The in-home vaccination plan the Health Department was working on with Fire, EMS, Heywood Hospital and the Mayor’s office was about to commence on 4/13/21 but was halted when the FDA issued a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The pause was lifted on 4/23/21 and the homebound program is planned to move forward on 5/4/21 with the Johnson & Johnson again. Keep Gardner Beautiful: On May 1st there will be a city-wide community trash cleanup organized by Keep Gardner Beautiful and a nip hunt sponsored by Anthony’s Liquors. Lauren has also been talking with Diane Leblanc from Keep Gardner Beautiful to better coordinate disposal of litter collected by the “Litter Angels.” Currently Diane disposes of the litter collected by the volunteers at the Transfer Station but they are hoping to incorporate something easier for the volunteers. EL Harvey has indicated that they are willing to help trash removal for some city events and they will donate the cost of the tonnage. 4:15 Next meeting set Monday June 7, 2021 at 4:30. Adjourn. _________________________ __ ___________________________ ___________________________ Susan Avallone RN, Chair Person Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member Michele C. Parker MD, Member All conversations are documented on ‘You Tube’ identified as B.O.H April 26, 2021 Meeting