Board of Health

Approved as corrected BOH meeting 4.7.21 March 3, 2021 Phone-Participants Lisa Golden, Acting Chairperson William Galvin, III, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Joanne Belanger, HHS Director Nicole Chauncey, Public Health Nurse Manager - Clinics Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector The meeting of the City of Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:03 PM by Acting Chairperson Lisa Golden 3/3/2021 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the February 3, 2021 Board of Health Meeting Motion: To accept the minutes of the February 3, 2021 Board of Health Meeting made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. 1.III. Informational: Nicole Chauncey, Public Health Nurse Manager – Clinics Health & Human Services Director Joanne Belanger introduced Public Health Nurse Manager Nicole Chauncey to the Board. Ms. Chauncey reviewed her position and the efforts Public Health Nursing Division with the Board. 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director The Board had no questions. Report accepted 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 reports with the Board. The Board accepted and placed on file. 1.VI. Discussion: Dr. Peter Connolly - Contract The Board discussed the renewal of the contract with Dr. Peter Connolly as the Medical Consultant for the Health Department. Health & Human Services Director Joanne Belanger suggested that the Board increase the length of the contract to two years. Director Belanger is pleased with the services offered by Dr. Connolly. Motion: To renew Dr. Peter Connolly’s contract as the Health Department’s Medical Consultant made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. VOTE: William Galvin – Yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter – Yes Erin Gendron – Yes Lisa Golden – Yes Motion: To increase the length of Dr. Peter Connolly’s contract to two years made by William Galvin, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor.  BOHM03032021 Page 2 1.VII. Discussion: Return to In-Person meetings of the Lowell Board of Health Discussion occurred on the possible return to in-person meetings of the Board. Upon the recommendation of HHS Director Belanger, the Board will at this time remain holding on-line meetings. 1.VIII. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley The Board had no questions. Reports accepted and placed on file 1.IX. Communication: Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. The Board reviewed the communication relative to the CMMCP FY’22 budget notification and compliance certification policy dated February 4, 2021 and placed on file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 Upon HHS Director Belanger’s request, PHNM Chauncey updated the Board relative to COVID-19 and the ongoing vaccination clinic efforts. Director Belanger indicated to the Board that she will ask COVID-19 Clinic and Vaccine Manger Jo-Ann Keegan to attend the next meeting. Director Joanne Belanger updated the Board relative to contact tracing efforts, the start of pool testing for students within the school system, and current State guidelines on travel/isolation requirements for residents. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports Acting Chairperson Lisa Golden requested that the School Division report include figures for the pool testing initiative in the schools. Director Belanger updated the Board on the protocols and current results for the pool testing program, as well as the contact tracing efforts for positive cases found by the pool testing efforts. Personnel conducting the testing was discussed. The Board discussed the possible April 1, 2021 date of the re- opening of the public schools. Director Belanger informed the Board that the City has reopened to the public. Director Belanger informed the Board that the position of Youth Outreach Specialist has been filled by Devin Gilmore who will be asked to come before the Board at a future meeting to introduce herself. The Board was informed that the Emergency Dispensing Site Plan will be updated to reflect the Senior Center as a secondary dispensing site. Additionally, the Health Department was awarded a grant from the Reach Lowell program as a sub-awardee to the Lowell Community Health Center. This program will look at areas of the City, primarily the Highlands and Acre, for good nutrition and exercise activities associated with the Mass in Motion grant. While currently in the planning stages, the plan is to work with the Department of Planning/Development and the Department of Public Works relative to areas that would be good to conduct outdoor activities. 4. MOTION: TO ADJOURN Motion: To adjourn at 6:52 PM was made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE ON APRIL 7, 2021 AT 6:00 PM.