Board of Health

August 5, 2020 A meeting of the Lowell Board of Health was held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 by conference call. Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the meeting to order at 6:07 P.M. Phone-In Participants: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson Lisa Golden, Board Member William Galvin, Board Member Joanne Belanger, Director of HHS Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Jon Kelley, Trinity EMS, Inc. Kurt Brigham, Trinity EMS, Inc. The meeting of the City of Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:07 PM by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan. 8/5/2020 – Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the June 3, 2020 Meeting of the Board of Health Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan noted 2 corrections for the minutes - page one - correct Chairperson to Jo-Ann Keegan and on page 3 correct date of the next meeting to August 5, 2020. Motion: To accept the minutes with the noted corrections made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.III. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director Chairwoman Keegan noted that the common violation appears to be selling vape products without certification letters. Health & Human Services Director Joanne Belanger informed the Board that the certification letters are forms from the manufacturers stating the product is not above acceptable nicotine levels. The Board had no further questions. 1.IV. For Review: Monthly Development Services Report submitted by Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado reviewed the reports with the Board. Chairwoman Keegan noted the effort of the inspectors with getting all the inspections completed. Mr. Machado explained the shift between property and restaurant inspections allowing for more time. There has been a lag in the updating of ansul systems, fire extinguishers, and required food certificates due to the COVID shutdown but that should be improving. Board Member William Galvin inquired if the ServSafe classes were delayed because of the COVID shut down. Mr. Machado felt that was the case as well with the fire extinguisher/ansul system inspections. Additionally, Development Services has received 43 complaints for COVID reopening violations. Three establishments have been issued fines due to multiple warnings. It was noted the date on the Body Art Inspection Report should be July 2020 not March 2020. No further questions/comments.  BOH08052020 Page 2 1.V. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports Submitted By Jon Kelley Jon Kelley from Trinity EMS Inc. reviewed the reports with the Board. Member Galvin noted that on page 6 the "Within Standard 7:59>" number was going down and asked for the reason for the decline. Mr. Kelley will look at the 2019 information as it may be an error. Mr. Kelley verbally informed the Board that Trinity EMS, Inc. has a new Medical Director who will be introduced to the Board at a future meeting. HHS Director Belanger informed the Board that Trinity EMS has also been assisting with the Stop-the-Spread testing sites and that the events would have been impossible without their help. Ms. Belanger noted that the Partnership with Trinity is invaluable. 1.VI. Body Art Practitioner License - New Motion: To approve the Body Art Practitioner License for Katherine "Kat" Ventura made by Lisa Golden, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. 1.VII. Communication: Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program The Board accepted and placed on file. HHS Director Belanger will speak with CMMCP about updating the Board regarding on-going programs/projects. 1.VIII. For Review: Five-Year Vegetation Management Plan 2020-2024 The Board accepted and placed on file. 1.IX. Informational: Lowell Regional Water Utility The Board accepted and placed on file. Reverse flow requirements were noted. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 The Board reviewed the documents from the packet. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan noted that the School Nursing staff should be involved with any back to school discussions. HHS Director Belanger updated the Board on the back to school discussions as well as other COVID-19 related issues. Ms. Belanger noted that Nurse Coordinator Mary Beth Moffett is representing the school nursing staff and Public Health Nurse Carol Moriarty is representing the Health Department nurses during these discussions. Ms. Moffett discussed the school nursing needs required by DESE with the working group. These include PPE, isolation rooms, a person to monitor ill children, etc. The School Dept. will provide plexi-glass dividers and N-95 masks to the staff. There is no current final plan and no firm date of the start of school as of this time. The vacant School Nurse positions were discussed. Motion: To have someone from the School Superintendent’s Office address the Board about the plans are for the opening of school made by Lisa Golden, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. Further discussion occurred on the purchase of air purifiers for classrooms and the possible moving of school nursing offices occurred. Member Galvin noted that he would like an update on the replacement of the school furnaces. Director Belanger spoke to the Board regarding ongoing efforts for contact tracing and outreach and informed the Board that Lowell had been picked by the State for one of the Stop-the-Spread testing sites which allows for mobile testing sites for 5 weeks. Predominately Lowell residents have been tested and out of 1,000 tests there were only about 20 positive results. The State Travel Order that begins on August 1, 2020 was also discussed. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports and Updates HHS Director Belanger spoke to the Board regarding the closure of Rynne Beach due to high bacteria counts. It was noted that there are no lifeguards at the beach this summer and that information is posted at the beach. PH Nurse Moriarty is attempting to get more information relative to the possible closure of nursing homes due to the  BOHM08052020 Page 3 loss of MassHealth privileges. Ms. Belanger also informed the Board that she working with the UMass/Lowell Administration on their reopening of the University and how students with positive COVID test results will be handled. Director Belanger also informed the Board the move of the Health Department to Merrimack St. is continuing to move forward. Board Member Lisa Golden noted the Syringe Collection Program's annual number and that Syringe Collection Program Coordinator Andres Gonzalez is doing a great job. Chairwoman Keegan noted Board Member John Donovan’s years of service and dedication to the Board of Health and how much the Board enjoyed having him as part of the team. She then asked if there was an update on the Board of Health Member position. Director Belanger noted that a few resumes have been received and are being reviewed. 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn made at 7:32 PM by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor.