Board of Health

Approved BOH meeting 9.4.24 PRESENT: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson William Galvin, III Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Alison Keegan, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member - Absent Lisa Golden, HHS Director Board of Health Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan called August 7, 2024 meeting of the Board of Health to order at 6:01PM 8/7/2024 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. For Acceptance: Minutes of the June 5, 2024 Meeting of the Lowell Board of Health Motion: To accept the minutes of the June 5, 2024 meeting of the Lowell Board of Health made by Erin Gendron, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. 1.II. For Review: Monthly Development Services Reports Submitted by Matthew Sheehan Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Matthew Sheehan reviewed the reports with the Board. Inspector Sheehan will include the establishment's past failures on the failed inspection section of the report. Motion: to reduce Body Art Establishment inspections to one time per six months made by Erin Gendron, seconded by William Galvin. All in favor. 1.III. Public Hearing - Body Art Regulations Chairwoman Keegan called the Public Hearing to order and asked if anyone present would like to speak in favor/against the proposed regulations. No speakers presented themselves for either side. Assistant City Solicitor John McKenna was present and recommended that section 19.11 be changed to "not to exceed" to comply with Massachusetts General Law. Motion: To accept the language change to "not to exceed" to comply with Massachusetts General Law made by William Galvin, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in Favor. Discussion on the correction to the Apprentice Program Regulations Minimum Requirements for Tattooing by moving the relevant microblading language to the section Apprentice Program Regulations Minimum Requirements for Microblading. Motion: To correct to the Apprentice Program Regulations Minimum Requirements for Tattooing by moving the relevant microblading language to the section Apprentice Program Regulations Minimum Requirements for Microblading made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. Motion: To approve the Body Art Regulations with corrections made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. VOTE: Jo-Ann Keegan - yes William Galvin - yes Erin Gendron - yes Alison Keegan - yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter - Absent 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report Submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director The Board reviewed the report and placed on file. Health & Human Services Director Lisa Golden informed the Board that Tobacco Control Director Cesar Pungirum will have seven public hearings for the September Board of Health meeting as well as recommendations regarding Kratom  BOHM08072024 Page 2 1.V. Nomination: Animal Inspector 2024-2025 Motion: to Approve the nomination of Mr. Andre Caraballo as a City of Lowell Animal Inspector 2024-2025 made by William Galvin, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. VOTE: Jo-Ann Keegan - yes William Galvin - yes Erin Gendron - yes Alison Keegan - yes Kathleen Cullen-Lutter - Absent 1.VI. Informational: CMMCP Monthly Mosquito Spraying and Program information - July and August 2024 HHS Director Golden updated the Board regarding West Nile Virus and the mosquito spraying that will occur on August 8, 2024. Chairwoman Keegan noted for the at home audience the programs conducted by the Central MA Mosquito Control Program and the phone number to call. 1.VII. For Review: PrideStar EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley The Board had no questions regarding the reports and placed on file. 1.VIII. Communication: Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services The Board had no questions regarding the communication and placed on file. 1.IX. Communication: Aries Engineering relative to 1671 Middlesex St Lowell The Board had no questions regarding the communication and placed on file. 1.X. Communication: Tetra Tech relative to 150 Phoenix Ave The Board accepted the report and placed on file. 1.XI. Informational: Lowell Water Department Consumer Confidence Report The Board accepted the report and placed on file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports and Updates HHS Director updated the Board regarding the School Department's plans to conduct mold testing at the Pawtucketville Memorial School prior to the start of school and how the City is conducting a lot of work on school projects over the summer. Director Golden noted that the state has had its first case of measles but the nurse at the Family Resource Center is reviewing student immunization records over the summer for the start of the school year. The Public Health Nurses in the Clinic Division conducted TB testing and childhood immunizations at the ICC and were able to help review the adults records at the same time. The Board discussed the completion date for Lowell High School which is still a couple years out. Director Golden also updated the Board regarding new staff hires in the Health Department Chairwoman Keegan inquired about vaccination clinics for influenza and COVID. Director Golden informed the Board that the influenza clinics will start sometime around mid-October. COVID vaccination clinics would depend on privately purchasing the vaccine. HHS Director Golden answered questions regarding the divisional reports relative to TB cases and changes to the Substance Abuse Division report. 4. Motion: To Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the August 7, 2024 meeting of the Lowell Board of Health at 6:39 PM made 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 SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 AT THE MAYOR’S RECEPTION ROOM, CITY HALL, 375 MERRIMACK ST 2ND FLOOR