Board of Health

PRESENT: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member – via phone William Galvin, MD, Board Member Alison Keegan, Board Member Cesar Pungirum, Tobacco Control Director Jimmy Le, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Jon Kelly, Trinity EMS, Inc. Casey Rainville, Lowell General Hospital Paramedics Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. 5/10/2023 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. For Acceptance: Minutes of the April 5, 2023 Meeting of the Board of Health Motion: To table item due to the recent cyber event. The minutes will be presented at a future meeting upon restoration of the City’s computers made by Alison Keegan, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. 1.II. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley Mr. Jon Kelley, Trinity EMS Inc. was present to review the reports with the Board. Various sections of the Quarterly report were discussed. Mr. Kelley informed the Board that the City of Lowell is part of a study being conducted through Tufts Medical School where data from the monthly opioid reports is being used to predict surges. 1.III. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director Due to the recent cyber event, the Monthly Report will be presented at a future meeting upon restoration of the City’s computers. Motion: to take Agenda Item V out of order made by William Galvin, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. 1.V. Public Hearing: Proposed revisions to the Regulations of the Board of Health Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products. Mr. Cesar Pungirum, Tobacco Control Director, reviewed the proposed changes to the draft regulations. PUBLIC HEARING: Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan called the public hearing to order at 6:20 PM. 7 members of the public registered to speak, 2 in favor, 5 in opposition. Registering to speak against the proposed regulations were retailers Joe Villanueva, Nitil Patel, Elizabeth Silva, Sammy Patel, Amil Patel. Jack Abboud was also recognized by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan to speak against the proposed regulations. Registering to speak in favor of the proposed regulations were Nelson Ferrer (retailer) and Lisa Stevens-Goodnight (MMA-Tobacco Control). Questions/discussion regarding the state mandated manufacturer letters, non-menthol products and the  BOHM05102023 Page 2 need for retailers to confer with the Tobacco Control Office prior to purchasing new products labeled by the manufacturer as non-menthol, the organization of documentation required during inspections, and the stance of the Commonwealth regarding a new tobacco product as a flavored product. The Public Hearing closed for comments at 7:24 PM Discussion – the Board discussed the proposed changes to the regulations. Board Member William Galvin inquired about the requirement for companies to obtain permits via their local establishments rather than the national/regional offices. Mr. Pungirum indicated that this requirement would require the local establishments to acknowledge their awareness of local regulations. Motion: To approve the proposed changes to the Regulations of the Board of Health Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products made by William Galvin, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. VOTE: Jo-Ann Keegan – Yes William Galvin – Yes Alison Keegan – Yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter – yes Passes 4 yes 1 absent Mr. Pungirum recommended to the Board that the implementation of the revised regulations begin on August 1, 2023. Motion: to set the implementation date for the revised Regulations as August 1, 2023 made by William Galvin, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. 1.IV. Public Hearing: Proposed revisions to the Board of Health Regulations Governing Body Art Chairwoman Keegan called the Public Hearing to order at 7:28PM/ Registered to speak were 2 members of the Public. Registered to speak in favor were proposed establishment owners Julia Silva and Leticia Dos Santos. No persons registered to speak in opposition. Julia Silva spoke in favor and had questions regarding sections 3.17, 3.18, areole tattooing, and micro-shading. Leticia dos Santos, via a self- provided translator, indicated her agreement with the previous speaker and asked the Board to move forward with the revisions to the Regulations. Motion: to amend sections 3.17 to include micro-shading made by Alison Keegan, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. Motion: to amend sections 3.42 to include micro-shading, and section 13.02a(1) to remove micro-shading made by Alison Keegan, seconded by William Galvin. All in Favor. The Public Hearing closed for comments at 7:55PM. Motion: to approve the regulations as amended made by Katleen Cullen-Lutter, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. VOTE: Jo-Ann Keegan – Yes William Galvin – Yes Alison Keegan – Yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter – yes Passes 4 yes 1 absent  BOHM05102023 Page 3 For Review: Monthly Development Services Report submitted by Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Jimmy Le Due to the recent cyber event, the Monthly Report will be presented at a future meeting upon restoration of the City’s computers. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. For Review: Cashins & Associates Indoor Air Quality Report – April 24, 2023 Health & Human Services Director Lisa Golden reviewed the report with the Board. The Board will review next month’s report and determine if any action is warranted. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Department and Divisional Reports and Updates Health & Human Services Director Lisa Golden updated the Board regarding staffing in the Health Department. Director Golden informed the Board that Lowell General Hospital will start holding a childhood vaccine clinic in the Pediatric Unit on Tuesdays 2-6:30 and Saturdays 8-12 with extended hours in August. 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the meeting of the Board of Health at 8:07 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 JUNE 7, 2023 AT 6:00 PM IN THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION ROOM, CITY HALL.