Board of Health

November 4, 2020 A meeting of the Lowell Board of Health was held on Wednesday November 4, 2020 by conference call. Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the meeting to order at 6:03 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 6:03 PM by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan. 11/4/2020 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the October 7, 2020 Board of Health Meeting Motion: To accept the minutes with the revision in Section I.V correcting Erin Gendron's name made by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.III. 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 that police officers responding to an alarm at Lowell High School reported seeing a mouse. Chairwoman Keegan asked that the Pest Control company be informed. The Board accepted the reports and placed on file. 1.IV. Administrative Hearing: China Star Restaurant 369 Broadway St. Lowell Present on behalf of China Star Restaurant: Attorney Anthony Puolopo Ms. Michelle Tran Mr. Samuel Poulten Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado reviewed the inspections, violations, and closure of the establishment with the Board. Atty. Puolopo addressed the Board to dispute the number of failed inspections and informed the Board that a new owner took over the establishment in September. Mr. Machado informed the Board that the new owner never notified Development Services of the sale and did not obtain new permits as required. Chairwoman Keegan expressed concern that the violations and closure occurred 1 month after the purchase. Atty. Puolopo agreed and informed the Board that the establishment has undergone a deep cleaning and obtained the required certificates. Ms. Michelle Tran reviewed with the Board the establishment's plans to maintain standards. Mr. Samuel Poulten spoke in support of the owners of China Star and felt there would be no further violations as they were all addressed and added that it was understood this would be a last chance situation. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan inquired if the owner had taken the required food safety classes. Ms. Tran informed the Board that he had done that a month or two ago now. Chairwoman Keegan asked that copies be sent to Mr. Machado. Mr. Machado informed the Board that this information is contained in the new owner's packet on hand at Development Services. Mr. Machado indicated he likes the documentation tracking that the establishment has set up but he doesn't want this situation to occur 3-6 months down the road. Atty. Puolopo informed the Board that he has been retained by the owner Mr. Chen and he will work with him in the future. Chairwoman Keegan noted that the establishment was closed for the violations on September 6, 2020 not just the previous inspections. Chairwoman Keegan asked Mr. Machado how he would like to proceed. Mr. Machado indicated that he will meet with the owners at the establishment tomorrow and he will do monthly inspections for a period of time. Board Member Erin Gendron inquired if the closure will continue until the required paperwork is completed. Mr. Machado replied that the establishment would be able to reopen after the paperwork and an inspection is completed. Board Member William Galvin thought that would be fine. Motion: To allow China Star to re-open after paperwork/fees/licenses are caught up with monthly inspections for the first three months, one inspection at three months, and then a return to the six month inspection schedule and the establishment will return before the Board for any violations during this time frame made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. 1.V. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley Jon Kelley and Kirk Brigham from Trinity EMS Inc. were present. Mr. Kelley reviewed the monthly report with the Board. Mr. Kelley informed the Board that he is working on a decade presentation regarding opioids in the City and he would submit it to the Board in January. Chairwoman Keegan noted that the numbers are going back up. The Board had no further questions/comments and placed the report on file. Mr. Kelley reviewed the quarterly report with the Board. Board Member Galvin inquired about Trinity's new Medical Director. Mr. Kelley indicated that has gone well and that the new Medical Director was able to get Trinity approved to leave behind Narcan with patients that refused to go to the hospital. Mr. Kelley also informed the Board that communication between Lowell General and Trinity is better than it's ever been before. The Board noted the figures regarding the use of King Intubation tubes and the time taken for psychiatric patient transport. The Board had no further questions/comments and placed the report on file. Health and Human Services Director Joanne Belanger informed the Board there are now protocols in place for Trinity to test all City employees and staff members who may have had contact with a COVID positive person in the worksite. Ms. Belanger noted that Trinity has been very responsive and it may be possible to expand it out into the community. Mr. Kelley informed the Board that the test results are often back within 24 hours. 1.VI. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director The Board accepted and placed on file. 1.VII. Discussion: 2021 Board of Health meeting agenda The 2021 Board of Health Meeting Schedule was reviewed by the Board. Member Galvin may not be able to make the March meeting. Motion: To approve the 2021 Board of Health meeting schedule made by William Galvin, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor. HHS Director Belanger asked the Board if they would prefer to get the Board packet by email only or if they would prefer to still have it sent by mail. The Board agreed to have the packets sent via email. 1.VIII. Discussion: November 2, 2020 Joint Meeting with the School Committee Facilities and Transportation Subcommittee Chairwoman Keegan informed the Board Members that she had received a call from Mayor John Leahy asking how the meeting went and what else could be done towards getting the schools reopened. Testing was also discussed. Director Belanger spoke regarding reopening the schools affecting the numbers and also about busing situations as it is more than just putting children back in the classrooms. It was noted during the joint meeting that there should be a significant decline in the postitivity figures however the City just had a number of positive cases today indicating that the numbers are going in the wrong direction. Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter noted the confusing DESE recommendation that children should be in school. Ms. Belanger noted that DESE appears to recommend that if a community is in school now, that the community should not shut down right away without looking at the metrics for 3 weeks and what is going on in the community. It does not indicate that if your community is in the red and already closed that the schools should reopen. Chairwoman Keegan noted it would be helpful if the Board received the number of students/staff that are positive each monthly with a cumulative number. Director Belanger noted that the Department doesn't really have those numbers, especially if the children are out of school unless a parent calls and self-identifies. Member Galvin noted that there was no need to meet with the School Committee again unless they request a meeting. Chairwoman Keegan agreed that the Board would do that upon the School Committee's request. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 HHS Director Belanger updated the Board about on-going COVID 19 efforts as well as the possibility of emergency dispensing sites for the vaccine when available. Chairwoman Keegan noted there is an MOU with the University regarding the use of the Tsgonas Arena. Ms. Belanger noted that there are a lot of clusters currently happening and the nursing staff will probably be going back to working on the weekends to maintain the case load. Ms. Belanger informed the Board that the Service Zone Plan needs to have names and phone numbers updated due to new hires and that is being worked on with the plan to review it every year. Discussion regarding the new COVID protocols by Governor Baker occurred. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports The Board accepted the reports and placed on file. 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn at 7:47 PM made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE ON DECEMBER 2, 2020 AT 6:00 PM.