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 – Chairperson Geoff Tobia, Esq. - Member Attendees Present: Judy Paine, Ridgewood Condominiums Board of Health meeting held Monday April 25, 2022 ________________________________________________________________________________ 4:35 Meeting called to order. 4:36 Ridgewood Pool Discussion: There appears to be a state-wide certified lifeguard shortage. Judy Paine, Property Manager, from Ridgewood Condominiums is present and has asked if the Board will consider allowing them to have a CPR/First Aid certified employee to monitor the pool as an alternative to a certified Lifeguard. The pool at Ridgewood is a semi-public pool. Lauren has provided a copy of the state regulations, highlighting the applicable sections. After a discussion the Board decides that they will uphold the standard that a certified Lifeguard will be required during all open hours. 5:00 The minutes from March 28, 2022 Board of Health meeting were reviewed, discussed and approved. 5:05 COVID Updates: At last month’s meeting the COVID positivity rate was 1.7% in Massachusetts and 2.56% in Gardner. As of 4/21/22 the positivity rate is 3.72% in Massachusetts and 3.19% in Gardner. This is a slight uptick from last month’s numbers. The Unitarian Universalist Church is having a COVID vaccine clinic on Thursday, 4/28/22 from 2-5pm at on Elm St. The Senior Center will be hosting a COVID vaccine clinic on 6/1/22 from 12:30-6:00pm. Both clinics are being organized in partnership with the Community Health Center mobile team. Old Business: The downtown trash barrel replacement funding was approved; prototype has been approved. The barrels should be delivered and placed downtown this summer. The Health Department installed a camera in the city to help identify illegal dumping, the camera has changed locations recently. Transfer Station FY22 sticker have sold out early this year, the FY23 new stickers are available now. The Transfer Station and the Health Department office are both now fully staffed. Stop N’ Buy had a hearing at last month’s BOH meeting and was given 14 days to submit a written plan to address the roof leak . This plan was to be executed within 30 days of the hearing. They have not yet submitted the written plan. There are 3 more days before the 30-day deadline, Rick will reinspect at that time. Failure to pass inspection may result in a suspension of the Food Establishment Permit and the Building Department may have to become involved to determine if the building is structurally safe. New Business: Kendall Pond water testing will start within the next week. The Lithuanian Outing Association pays for the lab testing, water testing is a requirement of their bathing beach permit. Lauren will be attending a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency workshop on 4/27/22. 5:30 Next meeting: Monday May 23, 2022 at 4:30 pm; this will be an in-person meeting; adjourn. NOT PRESENT ____________________________ __________________________ ____________________________ Susan Avallone RN, Chairperson Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member Michele C. Parker MD, Member All conversations are documented on recordings identified as BOH March Meeting 4/25/2022.