Board of Health

CITY OF GARDNER OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 95 PLEASANT ST, ROOM 29 GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS 01440-2630 Members Present: Angela DiPrima – Agent for the Board of Health Susan Avallone, RN – Chairperson Geoff Tobia, Esq. – Member Dr. Michele Parker - Member Absent: Attendees Present: Debra Pond-Director of Human Resources Board of Health meeting held June 12, 2023 ________________________________________________________________________________ 4:34 Meeting called to order. 4:35 The May 8, 2023 meeting minutes have been approved. 4:36 Old Business: The contract for the Transfer Station pump work has been signed. Chris, the Engineer from CEC, is working with the contractor on the project. The “Keep Gardner Beautiful” event was held on 5/20/23. Lauren and Angela participated along with many volunteers from Gardner. Approximately two tons of litter were removed from the city’s streets. The dumpster service was donated and provided by E.L. Harvey. Lauren has resigned as Director of Public Health as of 6/6/23. She has moved to a position within a private sector and Angela is currently overseeing all her tasks and department staff. Angela will be appointed as the Temporary Agent of the Board to oversee the staff and sign-off on the inspections and other office business. Once a new Director is hired, they will need to be appointed by the Board. A motion is made and passed; Angela is unanimously appointed as Temporary Agent of the Board. There were two tobacco violations in the city in the past month. Joan from Tobacco Control Alliance will be sending the inspection reports and other information. One establishment was a first offense, and a $1000 citation was issued. The second establishment violation was their second offense and is subject to a $2000 citation and possibly a 3-day suspension. More information will be provided once received. The Health Inspector position that had been posted has been filled. Eric Babin started and will be training with Angela but his primary focus with our department will be Housing Code Inspections and Nuisance Complaints. Angela will be focusing on the office work, food inspections and a number of other permits that we handle. The City Solicitor has filed a Housing Court Case against one of the multi-family properties in the city. The property has had several significant violations which the property owner has failed to bring to compliance. The hearing is currently scheduled for  6/30/23. Angela has been working with the Solicitor for the last few months. There weren’t electrical or plumbing permits pulled or any inspections. They have a rodent infestation of squirrels as well as a bed bug infestation that’s been going on for about three years. 4:40 New Business: There are several city events coming up with food trucks. The PACC will have fireworks on 6/24/23. The Summer Kickoff Concert on 6/29/23. The Annual Food Truck Festival on 7/8/23. And the Summer Celebrations at Mount Wachusett Community College on 7/22.23. The Health Department will be involved with inspecting all of the food trucks. Household Hazardous Waste Day is coming up on 6/24/23. The Central MA Mosquito Control Project has started spraying for the season. The Health Director interviews are scheduled to start at 5PM. 4:45 Next meeting: Monday July 17, 2023 at 4:30 PM here at Gardner City Hall in the Mayor’s Conference Room; recess. Interview Candidates: (5:00 PM) Matthew Fortier (6:00 PM) Micah Blondeau (6:45 PM) Kristal Bennett (7:30 PM) Tina Gendron Director of Public Health Interview Questions Attached. 8:00 Motion to offer the Director of Board of Health position to Matthew Fortier, under the condition that if the terms do not work out the next offer would go to Micah Blondeau. If the second offer falls through, the Board would go back and review other resumes. Motion approved by all Board Members. 8:08 Adjourn. ____________________________ __________________________ ____________________________ Susan Avallone RN, Chairperson Atty. Geoffrey Tobia, Member Michele C. Parker MD, Member All conversations are documented on recordings identified as BOH June 12 Meeting, 2023.