Board of Health

BOH MEETING MINUTES 06-06-2022 Council Committee Room, 140 Main Street Jim Griffin, Chair Joseph Tennyson, MD, Vice-Chair Also in attendance: Director John Garside and Clerk Tina Nolin The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Reading and Approval of Minutes • Minutes from the April 4, 2022, meeting: Vice-Chair Tennyson motioned to approve and place the minutes on file; Chairman Griffin seconded the motion; the motion passed with a 2-0 vote. There was no meeting of the Board in May. COVID-19 Update COVID-19 Cases Today, according to Department of Public Health (DPH) data in MAVEN, our communicable disease surveillance system, we have 64 active cases in the city. The city has had between 45 to 80 active cases since mid-May. Since our last meeting in April, we have had four additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing our total up to 138 since the start of the pandemic. COVID-19 cases in the schools are 10 in Marlborough Public Schools, one in AMSA, and 1 in Assabet Valley Technical High School. The MWRA wastewater indicator has been tracking down in the last few days, suggesting less COVID-19 in the area. Vaccinations: Citywide vaccine rates continue to climb. Since our last meeting, we are up a percentage point among the fully vaccinated (77%) and two percentage points for those who have received a booster (41%). Test Kits The city has 7200 more iHealth Home COVID-19 Test Kits coming from the State to give out to the community. We will continue to offer them in various city departments and post their availability on the website and the local cable station. MHOA Grant The department received a grant in mid-April from MHOA for $51,885, which we will need to expend by the end of FY22 (June 30th). The grant may be used on COVID-19 contact tracing, testing, and vaccine efforts, including clinic supplies, nursing staff, outreach, and PSAs. Clinic outreach activities: We continue to do weekly clinics at city hall on Wednesdays at noon.  June 6, 2022, meeting minutes – page 2 AAA Vape Update • When the Board met in April, it held a public hearing regarding the cease & desist order and tobacco permit suspension at AAA Smoke & Vape Shop. It was the 3rd violation in 36 months. The Board supported the 30-day retail tobacco sales suspension and $500 fine. Tobacco Control has visited the location three to four times since then and found them in compliance. The Director confirmed that the establishment did remain open for other non-tobacco sales during the permit suspension. Director’s Update OpenGov The Director reported on the new application and permitting software that the city is using, stating that the new online permitting site would go live one June 13th. The department would be going live with all of its food permits (Food Establishment Application, Temporary Food Application, Food Establishment Plan Review, and Food Establishment Plan Review – Residential Kitchen), as well as public and semi-public swimming pools and tobacco permits. Eventually, all health department permits will be online. Sewer Variance Process The Director reviewed an email exchange between himself, a city councilor, and the engineering department regarding the sewer variance process. The councilor had originally received several questions and concerns from a constituent and in turn the engineering department and the health department provided process guidance Subdivision, Site Plan and Special Permit Reviews The Director presented the site plan of Alta Marlborough, a new residential/retail project, coming before the City Council, which may or may not grant a special permit for the location. No formal action needed to be taken, at least at this juncture, but he wanted to bring it to the Board’s attention. The site’s location is at the corner of Lincoln and Mechanic streets. It will have 276 residential units, of which 10% will be affordable housing. There will be an open-air courtyard and swimming pool. Parking will be provided onsite with a 448-space parking garage. An additional parking lot for bike path use will be created consisting of 22 spaces. Restroom facilities will be constructed along the bike path as well. There will also be 10,000 square feet of retail/commercial space. As always, the health department is concerned with how trash and recycling will be handled. According to the plans, there will be a couple of trash rooms with compactors filled via chutes from the different floors. These will be vented through the roof, so there shouldn’t be any issues with odors. Scheduling of Next Meeting The Board’s next monthly meeting will be on Monday, July 11th, at 6:30 pm. ADJOURN Vice-Chairman Tennyson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 pm; Chairman Griffin seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 2-0 vote. Respectfully submitted, August 15, 2022 James H. Griffin Dated