Board of Health
Regular MeetingMiddletown, CT · December 10, 2024
Minutes
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 November 12, 2024 Meeting
Present: Robyn Anderson (Chairperson), Tanielle Davis, Kevin Elak, Yvonne Joy, John
Laudano, Anthony Mangiafico, Leslie Spatola, Sheeja Thomas
Absent: None
Guests: Michael Tortora
Call To Order:
Meeting called to order by Robyn Anderson at 6:09 PM
New Commissioner Welcome:
Director Elak introduced Dr. Sheeja Thomas as a new Commissioner. Sheeja provided the Board
with her background, and the Board welcomed Sheeja.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes presented from the November 12, 2025 meeting. Motion by Yvonne Joy, 2nd by
Leslie Spatola, 6 yea, 0 nay. Motion passed.
Public Hearing for Agenda Items:
No members of the public were in attendance.
Department Reports
Director Elak provided an update on the following:
o On January 1, 2025, the action level for elevated blood lead levels in children will
decrease from 10 ug/dL (micrograms per deciliter) to 5 ug/dL. The action level
triggers the Connecticut General Statutes for local health department to conduct
and environmental and epidemiological investigation to identify the source of
lead poisoning. The lower action level may lead to an increase in the workload
for the environmental staff, but it is difficult to predict. Data from the past 4
years show that there have been an average of 6 new reports of children with a
blood level level of 5 ug/dL or higher. The City of Middletown has an ordinance
(Chapter 178-7 C. (4)) that requires the homeowner to secure the services of a
qualified testing firm to perform a comprehensive lead test, so this will reduce
the burden of the department staff.
o Director Elak explained the grant application, review, and approval process for
the National Opioid Settlement Grants that the City of Middletown is making
available to non-profit agencies who provide services to people in Middletown
who are impacted by the opioid crisis. There is $200,000 in funding available for
this first grant period. Each applicant can request up to $50,000 in funding.
Grant applications are due by December 17th.
Tanielle Davis reviewed the November activity report for Environmental Health,
Housing, Emergency Preparedness and Health Education.
Old Business
Vacant commissioner seat: The seat previously held by Brian Gartner will be filled by
Michael Tortora. Michael is on the list of Mayor’s appointments for the January 6, 2025
Common Council meeting.
New Business:
The 2025 Board of Health Meeting Calendar was presented to the Board. A motion was made
by Yvonne Joy to approve the meeting calendar, 2nd by Anthony Mangiafico. 6 yea, 0 nay.
Motion passed.
Other:
None
Adjournment:
A motion made by Yvonne Joy to adjourn, 2nd by Sheeja Thomas. 6 yea, 0 nay. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 6:49 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin A. Elak, MPH
Director of Health
Agenda
Kevin 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
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH COMMITTEE
The Middletown Board of Health will hold a regular scheduled meeting on:
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting will be held in Room 208 of the Middletown Municipal Building and electronically
via Webex
Dated in Middletown, Connecticut this 6th day of December, 2024.
Kevin Elak, MPH
Director 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 November 12, 2024 Meeting
Present: Robyn Anderson, Tanielle Davis, Kevin Elak, Yvonne Joy, John Laudano, Anthony
Mangiafico, Leslie Spatola
Absent: None
Call To Order:
Anthony Mangiafico filled in as temporary chairperson for the meeting.
Meeting called to order at 6:07 PM
New Commissioner Welcome:
Director Elak introduced John Laudano as a new Commissioner. John provided the Board with
his background, and the Board welcomed John.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes presented from the September 10, 2024 meeting. Motion by Leslie Spatola, 2nd
by Robyn Anderson. 1 abstention. Motion passed.
Public Hearing for Agenda Items:
None
Department Reports
Director Elak provided an update on the following:
o Director was recently appointed by Governor Lamont to serve on the State
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. The committee is tasked with deciding
how national Opioid Settlement funding received by the State of CT should be
spent.
The vaccine clinics run by Stop & Shop Pharmacy have been well attended, although
there is a slight decrease in participation from last year. One of the reasons is that Stop
& Shop changed changed their policy last minute to only vaccinate individuals ages 19
and older. They said that it was due to a change at the state level. They said that they
are working on applying for the Vaccines for Children Program so that they can
vaccinate under 19 next season. The city may need to find a new vendor.
The health department is assisting the Water & Sewer Department to gain access to
residences in Middletown who may have lead service lines. This is part of a statewide
Department of Public Health initiative.
One of the short term goals for 2025 is to review and revise City of Middletown
Ordinances that pertain to the health department. The first priority is to revise the
ordinance pertaining to the keeping of animals, as the current ordinance does not
address the needs of the community.
The Office of General Counsel developed ethics training for city Commissioners. This
will be distributed to all Board of Health Commissioners.
The City of Middletown now has a Fair Rent Commission. A flyer was shared with Board
of Health Commisioners.
Old Business
Director Elak reported that there is one commissioner seat that is vacant. There is a
person who is interested in joining the board.
New Business:
Election of new Board of Health Chairperson. Motion was made by Anthony Mangiafico to
nominate Robyn Anderson. 2nd by Yvonne Joy. Motion passed unanimously. Robyn Anderson
graciously accepted. Chairwoman Anderson presided over the meeting.
Other:
None
Adjournment:
Motion made by Yvonne Joy to adjourn, 2nd by Anthony Mangiafico Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 6:44 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin A. Elak, MPH
Director of Health
KEVIN 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
Board of Health
Regular Meeting, December 10, 2024, 6:00 PM
Hybrid Meeting on WebEx and in Room 208 of City Hall
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONER: Sheeja Thomas, MD
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. November 12, 2024
3. PUBLIC HEARING ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
a. Director Report – Kevin Elak
b. Division Report - Tanielle Davis
5. OLD BUSINESS
a. Vacant Commissioner seat
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. 2025 Board of Health Meeting Calendar
b. Opioid Settlement Funding Grant Update
7. OTHER
8. ADJOURNMENT
**Virtual attendance option available for Panelists**
Event link:
https://middletownct.webex.com/middletownct/j.php?MTID=mbac7274682771bf606a2ab474fdd5e18
Panelist Password: Holiday!
Join by phone: 1-408-418-9388 Webinar #: 2343 223 3496 Password by Phone: 46543290
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
TO: Ashley Flynn-Natale
City and Town Clerk
FROM: Kevin Elak
Director of Health
CC: Linda Reed
Council Clerk
SUBJECT: 2025 Board of Health Meeting Schedule
DATE: November 13, 2024
Pursuant to Connecticut General State Statute 1-225, below is a list of the regular meetings scheduled for the
Middletown Board of Health for the calendar year 2025. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month
from 6:00 – 7:00 PM in Room 208 of the City of Middletown Municipal Building and on Webex.
January 14
February 11
March 11
April 8
May 13
June 10
July 8
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 11
December 9
January 13, 2026
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