Board of Health

October 7, 2020 A meeting of the Lowell Board of Health was held on Wednesday October 7, 2020 by conference call. Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. Phone-In Participants: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson William Galvin, Board Member Lisa Golden, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Joanne Belanger, HHS Director Shawn Machado, Senior Sanitary Code Inspector The meeting of the City of Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:01 PM by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan. 10/7/2020 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. Informational: Erin Gendron - Appointment to Board of Health Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan welcomed Erin Gendron to the Board of Health. 1.III. For Acceptance: Minutes of the September 2, 2020 Meeting of the Board of Health Motion: To accept the minutes of the September 2, 2020 Meeting of the Board of Health made by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report Submitted By Cesar Pungirum, Program Director The Board accepted the report and placed on file. 1.V. For Review: Monthly Development Services Report Submitted By Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado reviewed the Monthly Development Services Reports with the Board. Board Member Lisa Golden inquired if the schools were prepping food on site. Mr. Machado indicated that five schools were doing so and the remainder have had all food products removed. Chairwoman Keegan asked about the Banner Pest Control schedule. Mr. Machado noted that he is not aware of the regular schedule but the company is responsive when called and the incident log is checked each visit. Board Member Kathleen Cullen- Lutter inquired as to why the Lowell High School cafe is noted as failed. Mr. Machado indicated that was a note made previously that he didn't remove. Board Member Erin Gendron inquired about the use of the Freshman Academy building by Community Teamwork Inc. Mr. Machado believes there will be children there eventually but does not know that the program will be. Health and Human Services Director Joanne Belanger added that it will most likely become a remote learning area but right now it will most likely be an after school area. Board Member Cullen-Lutter inquired what most of the COVID warnings were issued for. Mr. Machado indicated most were for lack of face coverings. Discussion on the fines for COVID violations and the Sanitary Code Inspectors doing off hours follow-up occurred. Ms. Belanger indicated that she would ask on the next conference call with the State about Administrative Hearings for frequent offenders. Member Cullen-Lutter asked about the appeal process. Mr. Machado informed the Board that the Municipal Hearing Officer would oversee any appeals. The Board had no further questions regarding the reports.  BOHM10072020 Page 2 1.VI. For Review and Vote: Annual Board of Health Agent Appointments HHS Director Belanger reviewed the lists of appointments and the reasons why such appointments are done with the Board. Ms. Belanger recommended that Development Services Director Eric Slagle be added to the list. Emergency appointments would only be done in the event of an emergency situation and only after consultation with the BOH Chairperson and the City Manager. Member Galvin inquired if City Solicitor Christine O'Connor should also be added. Ms. Belanger indicated that more individuals can be added at a later date. Motion: To accept the two lists of appointments with the inclusion of Development Services Director Eric Slagle made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. VOTE: Appointment of Permanent and Other Staff as Agents of the Board of Health Jo-Ann Keegan - Yes William Galvin - Yes Lisa Golden - Yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter - Yes Erin Gendron - Yes VOTE: Delegation of Emergency Appointments of Agents of the Board of Health to the Health and Human Services Director. Jo-Ann Keegan - Yes William Galvin - Yes Lisa Golden - Yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter - Yes Erin Gendron - Yes All in favor – Both documents pass. 1.VII. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications Submitted By Jon Kelley The Board accepted and placed of file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 Discussion occurred regarding the protocols for a child to return to school after having COVID-19 symptoms. HHS Director Belanger will send the revised parental letter out to the Board. Discussion on the number of COVID-19 cases occurred. Ms. Belanger informed the Board that the case numbers are increasing for Lowell. The parameters and guidelines for school closures as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) was discussed, as well as the pros and cons of keeping the children in school. Motion: To ask the School Department for their plan for going remote and inform them that the Board believes three weeks in the red is a considerable threshold to support remote learning made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports HHS Director Belanger informed the Board that the Health Department has moved to its new location at 107 Merrimack Street. The positions of Community Health Coordinator and Public Health Nurse-Clinics have been filled. Discussion on other open positions occurred. Ms. Belanger has asked the Public Health Nurses-Clinics to begin doing the monthly reports for the Board. Flu Clinics for staff and retirees will be held by appointment from October 26th-28th in the new clinic area. The State has opened up pediatric flu vaccinations and requires children be vaccinated by December 31, 2020. More flu vaccine has been made available for high risk adult populations. Member Galvin indicated that he is aware of a nursing student that would like to get some experience by assisting with flu vaccinations.  BOHM10072020 Page 3 Chairwoman Keegan inquired about the status of the Service Zone Plan. Ms. Belanger indicated that the Plan was approved but now needs to have minor revisions/updates due to staff changes. Ms. Belanger informed the Board that the Department has received funding from the State to be used for flu clinic planning. The request to accept the funding will be going before the City Council within the week. Funds must be used for purchases/expenditures between July 1 and Dec 31, 2020. The Board accepted the reports and placed on file. 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn at 7:35 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 NOVEMBER 4, 2020 AT 6:00 PM.