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 March 12, 2024 Meeting Present: Pastor Robyn Anderson, Tanielle Davis, Kevin Elak, Brian Gartner Jr., Yvonne Joy, Anthony Mangiafico, Leslie Spatola Absent: Patricia DiStefano, Stan Opalacz Call To Order:  Chairwoman DiStefano was not in attendance. Anthony Mangiafico filled in as Chairperson for the meeting.  Meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM by Anthony Mangiafico.  Commissioners welcomed Councilwoman Leslie Spatola to the Board of Health! Approval of Minutes:  Minutes presented from October 10, 2023 meeting. Motion by Yvonne Joy, 2nd by Leslie Spatola. All in favor. Motion Passes. Public Hearing for Agenda Items:  None Directors Report:  Director of Health o Director Elak provided several updates:  A fire occurred at Peppermill Condominiums on February 29th. 9 condo units were heavily damaged by fire and were condemned by the building department. 3 of the occupants found alternative living arrangements, but there are 6 units that the health department relocated to a motel.   Middletown Health Department COVID testing for the public closed on February 29th. COVID response grant funding ended.  The health department has secured grant funding for the next 1-5 years. We received an FDA Grant to pay for a 1-year subscription for a digital food inspection program; a 4 year Workforce Development grant and a 3 year Immunization grant from the CT Department of Public Health; a 5-year grant for Tobacco Cessation.  Upcoming events that the health department will be participating: Middletown Kids Health & Safety Day – May 18th, Pridefest – June 1, Juneteenth – June 19th  The health department is preparing its budget for 2025. The Mayor asked for a zero percent increase budget.  Applications for Public Health Block Grants are due on March 15th.  Division Report o Tanielle Davis, Public Health Manager, provided an update for the environment health and housing division, emergency preparedness, and health education. Old Business:  Director Elak provided an update on congregate meals. There is finally an MOU between the City of Middletown and The Estuary to provide congregate meals at the Senior Center. It will begin as soon as renovations are completed in the Senior Center kitchen.  Director Elak provided an update on the status of Automatic External Defibrillators in City of Middletown buildings. The health department is working on a draft policy for the maintenance of inspection of AED units. We are also working on obtaining quotes to purchase new AED units for buildings that do not have an AED. There was an ad hoc subcommittee created out of the Mayor’s Safety Committee to discuss the policy and identify city buildings a property that should have an AED. New Business:  Councilman Mangiafico requested that the subject of panhandling and homelessness be added to the agenda. There has been an increase the homelessness throughout the city, especially in the downtown area. Panhandling is also an issue that affects businesses and people who frequent Main Street. Director Elak mentioned that the topic of panhandling has been the agenda of several Chamber of Commerce meetings. There is a proposed revision to the City of Middletown ordinance being reviewed that will give the police more authority. Meriden recently initiated a program to curb panhandling by posting signage in areas that encourage people to donate to local charities instead of giving money directly to panhandlers. This has been effective in other parts of the state and country.  Approval of the 2024 Board of Health Meeting Calendar. Motion by Leslie Spatola, 2nd by Yvonne Joy. All in favor. Motion passed. Adjournment  Leslie Spatola made a motion to adjourn. 2nd by Yvonne Joy. All in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM Respectfully Submitted, Kevin A. Elak, MPH Director of Health