Board of Health

Kevin A. Elak, MPH City of Middletown Director of Health Department of Health 245 deKoven Drive Middletown, CT 06457 TEL: (860) 638-4960 FAX: (860) 638-1960 TDDL: (860) 344-3521 Middletown Board of Health Minutes from June 13, 2023 Meeting Present: Reverend Robyn Anderson, Tanielle Davis, Patricia DiStefano, Kevin Elak, Brian Gartner Jr., Yvonne Joy, Anthony Mangiafico, Stan Opalacz, Linda Salafia Absent: None Call To Order:  Meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Chairwoman Patricia DiStefano. Approval of Minutes:  Minutes presented from May 9, 2023 meeting. Motion by Yvonne Joy, 2nd by Patricia DiStefano. All in favor. Motion Passes. Public Hearing for Agenda Items:  Glen Russo, 208 Margarite Road, Middletown. In reference to the proposed changes to Chapter 107 of the Middletown Code of Ordinances, Mr. Russo stated that he is a big supporter of agriculture and raising chickens to support locally grow food. He stated that roosters should not be allowed on small lots due to the noise that they create. His preference is not allow roosters on residential properties in Middletown, but he would support the keeping of roosters if there was a minimum acreage of at least 3 acres. Directors Report:  Director of Health o Director Elak provided several updates:   The Middletown Health Department and Medical Reserve Corps ran a COVID-19 and Mpox vaccination clinic at the PRIDE event on June 3rd. The clinic was well attended and was a success.  A vaccine clinic will also be held at the Juneteenth Festival at Harbor Park on June 19th.  Division Report o Tanielle Davis, Public Health Manager, provided the following updates:  New food establishments and salons opening in Middletown  Gilead recently opened a Mental Health Resource Center at their Middletown office. The Health Department will make referrals to Gilead if we encounter residents that are in need of mental health services.  We received 5 applicants for the vacant Public Health Sanitarian position. We are waiting for Human Resources to vet the applicants and give us the names of qualified applicants.  We are working with the Community Health Workers from the Cross Street Training and Academic Center to assist tenants who were displaced by a house fire on Portland Street. Old Business:  Draft changes to Middletown Code of Ordinances Chapter 107 (Animals) o Brian Gartner, Jr. stated that the Commission on Conservation and Agriculture has failed to achieve a quorum to review and discuss proposed changes to Chapter 107. Brian stated that he still wants the commission to weigh in and provide comments on the draft ordinance. Their next scheduled meeting is on June 20th. Brian Gartner suggested to Glen Russo that he should attend the next Conservation and Agriculture Commission meeting to provide public comment. New Business:  Public Health Block Grant Awards for FY23-24 o Board of Health Commissioners discussed the allocation of awards to eligible applicants. A motion was made by Anthony Mangiafico to allocate grant funding as follows: CRT Elderly Nutrition-$7,500, Oddfellows Playhouse-$2,000, Northern Middlesex YMCA Schwarz Men’s Residence-$3,000, Middletown PAL-$2500. 2nd by Yvonne Joy. All in favor. Motion passed. Other Business:  A motion was made by Pat DeStefano to cancel the July and August meetings. 2nd by Yvonne Joy. All in favor. Motion passed. Adjournment  Stan Opalacz made a motion to adjourn. 2nd by Rev. Robyn Anderson. All in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM Respectfully Submitted, Kevin A. Elak, MPH Director of Health