Board of Health

APPROVED BOH MEETING 3.3.21 February 3, 2021 Phone Participants: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson William Galvin, III, Board Member Lisa Golden, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Joanne Belanger, HHS Director Cesar Pungirum, Tobacco Control Program Director Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Jon Kelley, Trinity EMS, Inc. The meeting of the City of Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:03 PM by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan. 2/3/2021 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the January 6, 2021 Board of Health Meeting Motion: To accept the minutes of the January 6, 2021 Board of Health Meeting made by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.III. Informational: Nicole Chauncey, Public Health Nurse Manager - Clinics Health & Human Services Director Joanne Belanger deferred the introduction to the next Board of Health Meeting due to the shortness of Ms. Chauncey's time in the position of Public Health Nurse Manager. Director Belanger spoke to the Board regarding Ms. Chauncey's acceptance of the position. 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director Tobacco Control Program Director Cesar Pungirum spoke to the Board regarding his report. Mr. Pungirum reviewed the ongoing efforts in regards to the new State Tobacco law that went into effect last year and the State issued guidance/clarification for establishments to relative to the required information they must obtain from the tobacco manufacturers. The Board was informed that 111 permits have currently been issued. The Board had no questions and placed the report 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 Development Services reports with the Board. The Board had no questions and placed the reports on file. 1.VI. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley Mr. Jon Kelley reviewed the Trinity Reports with the Board. Kirk Brigham, Trinity EMS, Inc., and Casey Rainville, Lowell General Hospital, were also available to speak. Mr. Kelley informed the Board that Trinity EMS can now leave Narcan at a call if requested. This has been done around 25 times in the month of January 2021. Board Member Erin Gendron inquired how the CO-OP program was proceeding. HHS Director Belanger will speak to Substance Abuse Coordinator Lainnie Emond and have some information on the program for the next meeting. Mr. Kelley noted that the low response figure in the quarterly report was due to staffing levels relative to quarantines and construction throughout the city. Mr. Kelley also informed the Board that the number of non-emergency lift assists has decreased dramatically. The Board had no questions.  BOHM02032021 Page 2 1.VII. Discussion: January 25, 2021 Joint Meeting with School Subcommittee on Facilities and Transportation Correction: This joint meeting was with the full School Committee. Marianne Busteed, LPD Safety Coordinator, was present for the discussion. Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan informed the Board that Mayor John Leahy had inquired if she felt another joint meeting should be held. Chairperson Keegan indicated that, unless the Board felt otherwise, she thought that there was no need for another meeting at this time. Ms. Busteed informed the Board that the School Department was setting up a COVID pool testing program for the start of school on February 22, 2021, and that she thought this will help the school staff feel more comfortable. Board Member William Galvin spoke about vaccinating the staff and that it was important for those meeting the State criteria get the vaccine. Ms. Busteed also informed the Board that Superintendent Boyd has asked her to be the Communication Director at the school level, and as such, she will be issuing information to the teachers and staff as it becomes available. Director Belanger updated the Board regarding the ongoing discussions relative to pool testing and Trinity and UMass/Lowell would be assisting with different aspects of the program. 1.VIII. Discussion: Jo-Ann Keegan - Leave of Absence Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan informed the Board that she has requested a leave of absence from the Board in order to assist the City with COVID Vaccine coordination. Ms. Keegan expects the length of the leave to be about 4 months. Motion: To nominate Lisa Golden as the Acting Chairperson of the Board of Health for the length of Jo-Ann Keegan's leave of absence made by William Galvin, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. ROLL CALL William Galvin - yes Erin Gendron - Yes Kathleen Cullen- Lutter - Yes Lisa Golden - yes Jo-Ann Keegan - Abstained Motion passed 4-0-1 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 Member Galvin informed the Board that Lowell General, in coordination with the Lowell Health Department, would be opening a vaccination site at 1001 Pawtucket Blvd within the next few weeks. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports Director Belanger gave the Board more details on the steps for the pool testing program for LPS students/staff and the Lowell General Hospital regional vaccination site. The Board was informed that the Commonwealth would be covering the cost of the pool testing until the end of March, at which time the district would need to assume the costs. Further discussion occurred. Ms. Busteed informed the Board that the School Department will evaluate the program in mid-March and determine if it should be continued with available funding. Additionally, the Board was informed that consent must be obtained for each student/staff member tested. Additionally, testing will not be a requirement for a child to return to in-person learning. Board Member Jo-Ann Keegan inquired if the LGH vaccination site would allow people from outside of the surrounding towns to attend. Member Galvin indicated that he believed that would be allowed. 4. MOTION: TO ADJOURN Motion: to adjourn at 7:04 PM made by William Galvin, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LOWELL BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 3, 2021 AT 6:00 PM.