Board of Health

Accepted 10.7.20 BOH Meeting September 2, 2020 A meeting of the Lowell Board of Health was held on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 by conference call. Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. Phone-In Participants: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson Lisa Golden, Board Member John Donovan, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member Joanne Belanger, Director of HHS Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Cesar Pungirum, Tobacco Control Program Director Timothy Deschamps, Director, Central Mass Mosquito Control Program Richard Underwood, Lowell School Department Facilities Manager Marianne Busteed, Lowell School Department Safety Officer Christine Clancy, Commissioner of Public Works, Assistant City Manager The meeting of the City of Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:02 PM by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan. 9/2/2020 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the August 5, 2020 Meeting Of the Board of Health Motion: To approve the Minutes of the August 5, 2020 Meeting of the Board of Health made by Lisa Golden, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor. 1.III. Discussion: Update from the School Department Regarding the Opening of Lowell Schools Rick Underwood - Facilities Manager for the Lowell Public Schools summarized the status of the School openings. Nurse's office at the High School in the process of being moved to another location in the 1980's building. Various items such as the setup of isolation/quarantine rooms in the schools near the nursing offices, the staffing/observation of the rooms, PPE for staff, and the development of protocols for various scenarios with the staff/students were discussed. Joanne Belanger added that the N95 masks are actually recommended for health care/hospital workers only so in this situation they are not recommended for the school nurses or staff. School Safety Officer Marianne Busteed updated the Board regarding the training videos/protocols being reviewed with all the school staff. 1.IV. Update: Status Summary of 2019 Freshman Academy Air Quality Report and MSBA Projects DPW Commissioner/Asst. City Manager Christine Clancy updated the Board on the Freshman Academy Air Quality Report mitigation efforts and MSBA projects and how COVID expanded the air quality efforts out to all 30 schools. The City is following DESE guidelines regarding this and the company that worked on the high school project will be conducting this survey. The City is purchasing HEPA Air purifiers to support the HVAC system. The MSBA Accelerated repair program $13.6M project for the replacement of roof and boilers at various schools is ongoing and being coordinated with the start of school. The use of air purifiers in the classrooms was discussed.  BOHM09022020 Page 2 Paul Georges, President, United Teachers of Lowell was registered to speak and was recognized by Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan. Mr. Georges inquired if the Board would be walking through any schools prior to them opening. Mr. Georges also stated 50% of the roof ventilation systems were not working at the time schools were closed in March and inquired if it would be realistic to expect them to be repaired prior to the start of school. Christine Clancy spoke regarding the ongoing efforts to inspect all 461 fans throughout the district and workers are putting many hours in to make sure we have 100% functioning before school starts. Chairwoman Keegan informed Mr. Georges that that the Board did not currently have any plans to do any walk-throughs of the buildings. Mr. Georges added that he had been hoping the Board could see if there were enough sanitizing products in the school and that they were in the proper place/amounts. Chairwoman Keegan indicated that the school nurses could be asked for feedback on any lack of hand soap, PPE, etc. and that information could be followed up with by the Schools. 1.V. Presentation: Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program Mr. Timothy Deschamps spoke to the Board regarding the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program initiatives including mosquito spraying/trapping efforts and the abandoned tire pick-up program. Discussion was held on how to help promote the CMMCP tire pick-up program. 1.VI. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report Submitted By Cesar Pungirum, Program Director Mr. Cesar Pungirum reviewed the report with the Board. Mr. Pungirum noted the inconsistency of people (staff and members of the public) wearing masks in the stores and asked if anyone has reached out to them regarding any mask wearing policies. Mr. Shawn Machado asked him to report any violations to him and Development Services will follow up on any violations. Mr. Pungirum is conducting inspections relative to the new Tobacco Law and retailers are for the most part being very cooperative in making any corrections needed. Mr. Pungirum reminded the Board that the fines for violations begin at $1,000 and he suspects that retailers will appeal these fines to the Board. 1.VII. For Review: Monthly Development Services Report submitted by Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado Mr. Shawn Machado reviewed the Development Services Reports with the Board. Mr. Machado will be starting to include a COVID violation report for establishments. 1.VIII. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications Submitted By Jon Kelley The Board had no questions regarding the reports. 1.IX. Body Art Practitioner - New Motion: To approve the Body Art Practitioner License for Brendan Morgan made by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.X. For Discussion: Resuming In-Person Meetings of the Board of Health The Board discussed the possibility of resuming in-person meetings. HHS Director Joanne Belanger recommended the Board continue remote meetings at this time. The Board put in-person in meeting on hold and will reconsider in the future. 1.XI. Communications The Board accepted and placed on file. Ms. Belanger asked the Board the type of items/communications they would like to see and asked for direction in that regard. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 HHS Director Belanger updated the Board regarding on-going COVID efforts. The proposed rapid response testing was discussed although the final document is still in flux. The Stop-the-Spread testing initiative was reviewed with the Board. It has been extended in some communities but Lowell will not be continuing past September 12, 2020. Mass.gov will list the communities that will continue with the testing program. Ms. Belanger hopes to expand the relationships forged with this testing program to other programs like the influenza clinic. Ms. Belanger has recommended that the State set up regional testing sites rather than expend the funding in individual communities. Ms. Belanger included the City's COVID travel policy for the Board's review. The Board had no questions regarding the policy.  BOHM09022020 Page 3 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports HHS Director Belanger informed the Board that the Health Department will be moving next week to the new facilities at 107 Merrimack St. and will open at that location on September 14, 2020. The Department is starting to gear up for flu season. There have been inquiries as to if the Health Department could help with pediatric flu vaccines as all school children must be vaccinated by the end of December. Ms. Belanger hopes to have an update for the next meeting. Ms. Belanger asked about establishing policies regarding people speaking at the meeting. Chairwoman Keegan noted that the Board's policy is to allow people to speak and not limit it too much. Ms. Belanger noted that the City Council requires registered speakers to appear on camera. Chairwoman Keegan thought that was not needed to be a requirement to speak to the Board. Board Member Lisa Golden felt it was not necessary for someone to have camera access. Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter agreed. Chairwoman Keegan thought a draft policy would be ok. Ms. Belanger asked about time limits for speakers. Ms. Keegan noted that there has not been a problem with people speaking for long periods of time during a public hearing or regarding an agenda item. Ms. Belanger will be putting a list of staff that need to be recognized as Agents of the Board of Health to act on behalf of the Board regarding inspections and other functions. The Board had no further questions or comments. The Board had no questions regarding the Substance Abuse Report - accepted and placed on file. Member Golden inquired on the Public Health Report and communicable diseases. Ms. Belanger updated the Board regarding on-going Public Health functions. The Public Health Report and School Health Report will be starting back up after the move. Discussion regarding vaccines and vaccine monitoring for the school children occurred. 4. MOTION: TO ADJOURN Motion: To adjourn at 7:58 PM made by Lisa Golden, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE ON OCTOBER 7, 2020 AT 6:00 PM.