Board of Health

Approved 2.7.24 BOH Meeting PRESENT: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson Erin Gendron, Board Member William Galvin, III Board Member Lisa Golden, HHS Director Alison Keegan, Board Member - Absent Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member – Absent Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called the January 11, 2024 meeting of the Board of Health to order at 6:00PM 1/10/2024 – Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. For Acceptance: Minutes of the December 6, 2023 Meeting of the Lowell Board of Health Motion: To accept the minutes of the December 6, 2023 Meeting of the Lowell Board of Health made by Erin Gendron, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. 1.II. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director The Board accepted the report and placed on file. 1.Ii. Tobacco Permit Suspension Hearing Establishment Date of Violation Fine Status Ramos Liquors 77 Branch St November 16, 2023 $1,000 Paid Mr. Pungirum reviewed the information regarding the sale of tobacco products to a minor with the Board. Establishment owner Mr. Sanjay Patel was present but chose not to address the Board. Mr. Pungirum recommended a three-day suspension starting with the opening of business on January 24, 2024 through the close of business on January 26, 2024. Motion: to suspend the Tobacco license for Ramos Liquors as recommended made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. VOTE: Jo-Ann Keegan – Yes William Galvin – Yes Erin Gendron – Yes Kathleen Cullen Lutter – Absent Alison Keegan - Absent Motion passes  BOHM01112024 Page 2 1.III. For Review: Monthly Development Services Reports submitted by Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Jimmy Le Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Jimmy Le reviewed the reports with the Board. Mr. Le informed the Board that he has started attending the interdepartmental meetings with the School Department, Department of Public Works and Aramark. Board Member Erin Gendron noted that at the last meeting the Aramark representative informed the Board that the ServSafe Certificates have been posted but today’s report indicates that they were missing. Discussion on the responsibility of obtaining services/repairs completed occurred. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan noted that the Board could ask representatives of the School Department to come to a Board of Health meeting to speak about the Pawtucket Memorial School. Board Member William Galvin asked for an updated report regarding schools in violation of the Sanitary Code for the next meeting. Mr. Le noted that during the last inspection for Lowell High School a new kitchen was discovered at Lowell High School that Development Services was unaware of and there were violations there too. Discussion regarding the development of an interdepartmental shared spreadsheet for actions that need to occur within the schools took place. 1.IV. For Review: PrideStar EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley. Member Galvin inquired if the information about the accident was all that was required. Health & Human Services Director Lisa Golden indicated that she believed it was what was required. 1.V. For Approval: 2024 Body Art Establishment/Practitioner Licenses Motion: To approve the 2024 Body Art Establishment/Practitioner License before the Board was made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. 1.VI. For Review: CMMCP 2024 Meeting Dates The Board accepted and placed on file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. For Review: Pawtucket Memorial - EMSL Analytical Mold Reports The Board accepted the report and placed on file. Chairperson Keegan noted that the report was very detailed with recommendations. HHS Director Golden added that some of the items to be fixed have already been completed. 2.II. For Review: Massachusetts Department of Climate and Environmental Health Air Quality Report - Pawtucket Memorial School Ms. Laura Ortiz, City of Lowell Resident, addressed the Board regarding the Air Quality Report and inquired if the Board could make the recommendations a policy school district wide. The Board requested a letter to recommend to the Lowell Public Schools Health & Wellness Committee to review the report and create a policy adopting the recommendations system-wide. Ms. Ortiz also inquired about needle boxes being placed around the city so people could pick up and dispose of needles, the accreditation process for the Health Department, and including the LTC link to the meeting. HHS Director discouraged citizens from picking up needles on their own as they are not trained in the proper technique nor have the required vaccinations. Citizens are encouraged to call the Health Department’s Syringe Pick-up Coordinator at 978-674-1049 for any pick-up requests. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. For Review: Update To DPH Viral Respiratory Illness Dashboard HHS Director Golden informed the Board of the new DPH Dashboard which will be released weekly. Director Golden noted the COVID infection numbers have been increasing and that the wastewater will soon be tested for COVID and opiates again. 3.II. For Review: Public Health Accreditation Director Golden reviewed the accreditation process with the Board and noted that the State will be paying the application fee for the Department. 3.III. Departmental and Divisional Reports and Updates HHS Director Golden reviewed the reports with the Board. Chairwoman Keegan asked about the Inn & Conference Center (ICC) information and numbers. Director Golden informed the Board that the first families have arrived and more would be arriving in the coming weeks until the ICC is filled. These families will be coming from hotels across the state. The ICC will have 24-hour staff on site. Director Golden informed the Board that the Health Department currently has Hepatitis A vaccine available for uninsured individuals due to an outbreak on the Cape, as well as COVID vaccines for uninsured individuals. 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the January 10, 2024 meeting of the Lowell Board of Health made at 7:07 PM by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LOWELL BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE HELD AT 6:00PM ON FEBRUARY 7, 2024 AT THE MAYOR’S RECEPTION ROOM, CITY HALL, 375 MERRIMACK ST 2ND FLOOR