Board of Health

APPROVED 9.1.21 BOH MEETING August 4, 2021 PHONE-IN PARTICIPANTS: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson William Galvin, Board Member Lisa Golden, Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Brendan Flynn, Dept. Director of Finance - HHS Cesar Pungirum, Tobacco Control Director Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Jon Kelley, Trinity EMS, Inc. Kirk Brigham, Trinity EMS, Inc. Casey Rainville, Lowell General Hospital Paramedics Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the August 4, 2021 meeting of the Board of Health to order at 6:03PM 8/4/2021 - Minutes NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the June 2, 2021 Meeting of the Board of Health Motion: To accept the minutes of the June 2, 2021 Board of Health meeting made by Lisa Golden, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. 1.III. Informational: Shannon Gray, Community Health Coordinator Shannon Gray, Community Heath Coordinator, introduced herself to the Board and spoke about the position and reviewed her report. The Board welcomed her and had no questions relative to her report. 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director Tobacco Control Director Cesar Pungirum reviewed his reports with the Board. Discussion occurred about current citations that had been issued and that one establishment has requested an appeal hearing. Mr. Pungirum recommended scheduling the hearings within the next three months and is comfortable with tentatively setting the hearing for the October or November meeting dependent the Board’s decision to return to in-person meetings. Additionally, Mr. Pungirum recommended that the Board be consistent when applying the terms of suspension under the new State law and advised the Board that, while past violations may be considered, they may not be considered to determine current penalties. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan requested Mr. Pungirum to give the Board the establishment’s number of past violations of the local ordinances and when they occurred so the Board can determine if a pattern is present, and if education outreach to the establishment is working. Mr. Pungirum will provide that information at the hearings.  BOHM08042021 Page 2 Mr. Pungirum informed the Board about the increasing presence of hemp wraps in the retail stores. These wraps may be flavored but are not currently classified as a tobacco product by the State; however they may be considered a tobacco enhancer. Mr. Pungirum will refrain from enforcement pending clarification by the State. Chairperson Keegan requested Mr. Pungirum obtain the State's position in writing if possible. 1.V. For Review: Monthly Development Services Report submitted by Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado Mr. Shawn Machado reviewed the reports with the Board. Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan asked that a corrected version fixing the dates of the July Body Art Inspection Report be put on the online record. Mr. Machado noted that the Lowell High School cafeteria inspection should have been deleted and there have been passing inspections since last year. Mr. Machado updated the Board on the On-Call Sanitary Code Inspector posting. Chairperson Keegan inquired about a rat infestation in Pawtucketville and if the State had any remediation programs or recommendations. Mr. Machado indicate that he had been out to the area and cited some properties for violations but did not see any rodents while he was there. Mr. Brendan Flynn, HHS Director of Finance, will speak with Mr. Machado about reaching out to the Department of Public Health for information on remediation recommendations. 1.VI. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley Mr. Jon Kelley (Trinity EMS), Mr. Kirk Brigham (Trinity EMS) and Mr. Casey Rainville (LGH Paramedics) were present. Mr. Kelley reviewed the Monthly Reports and Quarterly Report with the Board. The Board had no questions regarding the monthly reports. Discussion of the ongoing construction delays and the relocation of ambulances to account for those delays occurred. Board Member William Galvin asked Mr. Kelley to continue to move the trucks around as they are doing, noting it would not be a perfect system. Mr. Kelley informed the Board that Trinity EMS had recently done a presentation for a group of Public Health officials from California. There is a possibility that those officials may reach out to the City and the CO-OP team for information on the program. Mr. Flynn will alert Substance Abuse Coordinator Lainnie Emond of the possibility. 1.VII. Informational: Avian Botulism The Board reviewed the information. Animal Control is monitoring the situation and signs have been posted to notify the public not to feed the ducks. 1.VIII. Body Art Apprentice Licenses - New The Board reviewed the applications for two new Body Art Apprentice Licenses. Motion: To approve the Body Art Apprentice License for Christopher Cesar made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. Motion: To approve the Body Art Apprentice License for Christina McGonagle made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.IX. Informational: Rynne Beach Submitted By Peter Faticanti, Recreation Director The Board reviewed and placed on file. 1.X. Communication: Central Mass Mosquito Control Project The Board reviewed the communication and placed on file.  BOHM08042021 PAGE 3 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Discussion: Return to In-Person Meetings of the Lowell Board of Health The Board discussed returning to in-person meetings and will place the item on the September agenda for further discussion. 2.II. Update: Service Zone Plan Mr. Flynn informed the Board that there is currently no status update. He will attempt to get one for the September meeting. 2.III. Update: COVID-19 The Board reviewed and discussed the documents provided. Chairperson Keegan requested an update on pool testing and the free testing/vaccination clinics noted in the DESE letter for the September meeting. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports The Board reviewed the reports and placed on file. Mr. Brendan Flynn, Deputy Director of Finance - HHS, updated the Board on various items. Covid testing is continuing at Cawley Stadium with information available on the City's website. As of the last week of August, the citizens of Lowell have received 67,000 single doses of the various COVID vaccines and of those, 61,000 are fully vaccinated for about 53% of the population in the city. The City Health Department continues to run COVID Vaccination clinics which will be moved to the Health Department at 107 Merrimack Street as of August 10th. The hours will be every Tuesday from 10AM to 6PM with walk-ins welcome from 4PM-6PM. Additionally, the mobile clinics will continue to be held and there are 20 events for the mobile clinic being held between now and the end of September. Chairperson Keegan inquired if the School Department could be contacted to speak to the coaches of the various sports about having their players go to the Health Department for vaccinations. Mr. Flynn updated the Board on turnover and hiring of School Nurses. The Department is currently interviewing/hiring to fill 8 open school nurse positions. Additionally, Mr. Flynn updated the Board on three grants that the Health Department has been awarded/is applying for. The MassCall3 and SOR-PEC grants have been awarded and will assist the Department with Substance Use Prevention. The third grant is to assist the Department with taking over contact tracing currently being done by the CPC and has not been awarded yet. Discussion regarding the hiring and retention of the nursing staff occurred 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn at 7:15 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 SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 AT 6:00 PM.