Board of Health

March 6, 2019 A meeting of the Lowell Board of Health was held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 in the Mayor's Reception Room, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM. Present: Jo-Ann Keegan, RN, MSN, Chairperson John Donovan, DC, Board Member William Galvin, MD, Board Member Lisa Golden, RN, MSN, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, RN, CNM, Board Member Kerran Vigroux, HHS Director Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector 3/6/2019 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. For Acceptance: Minutes Of The February 6, 2019 Meeting Of The Board Of Health. Motion: To accept the minutes of the February 6, 2019 Meeting of the Board of Health made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. Motion: To take Agenda items under Section 2. Old Business out of order made by William Galvin, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor. Upon return to order, The Board reviewed Agenda item 1.II Tobacco Control Monthly Report. 1. II. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report: Submitted By Cesar Pungirum, Program Director. Chairwoman Keegan inquired if Mr. Pungirum had spoken to the School Nurses regarding the vaping article included in his February Tobacco Control Report. Health and Human Services Director Kerran Vigroux indicated there is something in the works and she will follow up with Mr. Pungirum. The Board had no further questions. 1. III. Monthly Development Services Report: Submitted By Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado. Mr. Machado reviewed the reports with the Board and asked if they would like to receive one regarding closed/condemned apartments. Chairwoman Keegan felt that would be a good report for the Board to receive. Member Galvin inquired if the China Star Restaurant had a failed inspection previously. Mr. Machado indicated that there are new owners and a fire occurred which he considers a failed inspection. Repairs have now been made. The Board had no further questions.  BOHM030619 PAGE 2 I.IV. Petition: Request to Accept the Lawrence Training School Courses as a Replacement to the Quincy Skin Course. The Board reviewed the information provided by the petitioner Mr. Mark Hatch. Chairwoman Keegan thought the packet provided by the petitioner did not include enough information and appeared to be for a cosmetology class. Mr. Hatch was present to speak and told the Board he believed this class is more intense. Chairwoman Keegan inquired on the qualifications of the teachers. Mr. Hatch replied that the City of Lawrence was accepting this class for their Body Art licensing requirements. Mr. Hatch supplied the Board with a larger packet of information regarding the classes that will be placed on the April 3 rd Board agenda. Chairwoman Keegan inquired if Mr. Hatch has been recently doing tattooing. Mr. Hatch replied that he is not currently licensed for Body Art anywhere. Member Galvin asked the Board Secretary to inquire if the Quincy Health Department is aware of this school and to reach out to the City of Lawrence to inquire if they are accepting the Lawrence Training School course for their Body Art licensing requirements. I.V. Informational: City Ordinances Regarding Keeping of Swine. The Board received copies of the current City Ordinances regarding the Keeping of Swine. I.VI. Citizen Petition: Keeping of Miniature Pigs as House Pets. The Board discussed the presented proposal regarding the keeping of miniature pigs as house pets. Member Galvin indicated that he is not in favor at this time without regulations that would be similar to owning dogs. Motion: to recommend no changes be made to the City Ordinance to allow for the keeping of swine, seconded by John Donovan. Vote: Jo-Ann Keegan – yes John Donovan – yes Lisa Golden – yes William Galvin – yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter – no Motion passes 4-1 in favor. I.VII. Communication: Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project The Board accepted the communication regarding the CMMCP FY’20 budget and placed on file. I.VIII. Informational: Environmental Notification Form dated February 15, 2019 The Board accepted the notification from National Grid regarding the 2385 Line Extension Project and placed on file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.1. Update: Lowell Public Schools Health Code Violations. The Board received a communication from City Manager Eileen Donoghue regarding the Health Code violations in the Lowell Public Schools. DPW Commissioner Ralph Snow was present and gave the Board an additional communication updating information contained within Manager Donoghue’s memorandum. The Board reviewed the information provided. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan inquired if an item is noted as addressed, whether that indicated that the item had been corrected.  BOHM030619 PAGE 3 Mr. Snow indicated that was correct. Board Member William Galvin inquired on the repairs to the Rogers School. City Engineer Christine Clancy was present and indicated that the costs are being determined. Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter inquired about mold remediation. LPS Facilities Manager Rick Underwood explained that precautionary measures were taken. Board Member Galvin inquired on the status of the grant applications to the MSBA for repairs. Ms. Clancy indicated she has not heard anything but could find out when the responses were due to arrive. 2. II. For Review: Communication from the Commonwealth of MA, Department of Labor Standards. The Board discussed the letter from the Department of Labor Standards. United Teachers of Lowell President Paul Georges was present and addressed the Board regarding the document he handed out at the meeting. Mr. Georges stated things have gotten better and everyone is making a good effort to fix the problems. Mr. Underwood agreed progress was being made. Chairwoman Keegan noted that the repairs to the roof at Lowell High School had begun and asked about the timeline. Ms. Clancy indicated the repairs should be finished by the end of the summer. Chairwoman Keegan noted that the Mass DPH, Bureau of Environmental Health needed to return to check on the CO2 levels at the Lowell High buildings. This should be done either prior to the end of school or in September since the students need to be present. Chairwoman Keegan also inquired about the replacement of the carpet tiles that were noted in the initial report that needed replacement. Mr. Underwood indicated it was in the capital plan. Chairwoman Keegan indicated it should be a priority as it was recommended in the BEH report. Member Galvin recommended the retesting be conducted in September regardless if the carpet has been replaced. Motion: To have the Board of Health request MPDH Bureau of Environmental Health to come back to conduct a retest of the Air Quality in September made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 2. III. For Review: Documents Submitted by Paul Georges, President, United Teachers of Lowell. The February 6, 2019 document from the Mass Department of Labor Standards was reviewed by the Board. Chairwoman Keegan reviewed the lists of Needed Repairs per Teacher Reports by School with those in attendance. Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado was present and addressed the inspection schedule of Banner Pest Control. Mr. Richard Kelley of Banner Pest Control addressed the Board and submitted the school inspection forms for the month of February 2019. Mr. Underwood noted that the fire alarm has been repaired and he would check on the compressor noted in ticket number 12288. Ms. Clancy indicated the boiler at the Washington School has been repaired. Member Galvin commented on the fact that these documents do not show any one classroom consistently being too hot or too cold. Motion: To return to the order of the Agenda made by John Donovan, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 3. DIRECTOR’S REPORT 3. I. Update: Divisional and Department Reports and Updates. Director Vigroux informed the Board of the recent PSA videos created to promote the Medication Take Back Event on March 13, 2019 that are running on LTC and appearing on Facebook. Ms. Vigroux added that the Syringe Collection Program Coordinator has started. He will begin collecting syringes at the end of April and is also working on community outreach and education in the schools to educate the children. Member Galvin inquired if PSA’s could be done for this subject like the Medication Take Back events.  BOHM030619 PAGE 4 Chairwoman Keegan asked if MOAPC Coordinator Michael Hall has been able to start the Life Skills program in Dracut. Ms. Vigroux will check with Mr. Hall on the status. Chairwoman Keegan inquired about the target groups for the PFS grant. Ms. Vigroux believes the target groups are up to age 24. The new PFS Outreach Health Educator is assessing the gaps in the program and what opportunities there are to reach more than the Lowell High School students. Chairwoman Keegan inquired about the data in the School Health Division Report and if the figures in the FY’18 and FY’19 columns were correct. Ms. Vigroux will ask Nurse Coordinator Beth Moffett to take a look at the figures. Chairwoman Keegan asked about the status of the Service Zone plan update currently in progress. Ms. Vigroux is working on the items noted by the State for correction. 4. Motion: To adjourn Motion: To adjourn was made at 7:15 PM by John Donovan, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LOWELL BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 3, 2019 AT 6:00 PM IN THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION ROOM.