Board of Health

City of Nashua Division of Public Health & Community Services 18 Mulberry Street, Nashua, NH 03060 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES February 10th, 2010 12:30 PM Meeting called to order at 12:45 by Dr. Anthony Storace - Quorum was met (Formal Meeting) BOH Members Present: Dr. Anthony Storace, Chair Dr. Ajay Sharma Aldermen Present: Lori Wilshire, Aldermanic Liaison Staff Present: Chris Lister, Heidi Peek, Ashley Conley, Patty Crooker, Barbara Scacco, Robert Mack, Kerran Vigroux, Sandy Mulcahy, Janet Graziano Staff Absent: Bobbie Bagley Introductions: Dr. Ajay Sharma – new member to the Board of Health Introduced staff to Dr. Sharma Recognition: Dr. Donald Levi retired from the Board effective January 1, 2010, and it was recommended and approved that we present him with a plaque in honor of his 20 years of service to the Board of Health. Department Reports: A. Community Health B. Community Services a. Child Care/Grants b. Emergency Preparedness C. Environmental Health D. Welfare a. Mediation The Board was given the meeting Agenda, monthly departmental reports for review, current Board of Health budget, copy of Bob Mack’s presentation and a copy of Heidi Peek’s Nashua Revised Ordinances. 1 Community Health – Due to a death in Bobbie’s family, she was not available to present. Kerran briefly mentioned that they are working on Gate City Wellness initiative, lead and TB. Emergency Preparedness – Patty Crooker presented: She is the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Nashua and the 12 surrounding towns; Nashua is the 3rd most populous in the State. We recently had two H1N1 Clinics: Milford administered 219 vaccines and Brookline administered 259. We are also planning for a Medical Surge, and have done site visits at three potential sites. Ashley Conley presented: H1N1 has been a major focus. Ashley reviewed her report numbers which dealt with health conditions that caused problems and required hospitalization: She also went over the absenteeism data which showed a spike in October and early November. There were three outbreaks of the flu in schools and one in college during this timeframe. Child Care - Chris Lister presented: Chris works with departments that have Grants and works with the Financial Director. Also, she is the Child Care Coordinator and provides technical assistance, representation at meetings and helps families find daycare. She recently closed out the City Readiness Grant. A new Tobacco Grant has been received. Environmental Health - Heidi Peek presented: Heidi is the Health Officer and oversees the Environmental Health Department. Recent incidents with in Environmental Health were: 1. A car went through Quizno’s on Coliseum Avenue while they were closed; no one was hurt. 2. There was a box truck fire – the truck contained Little Debbie’s snacks. 3. Wendy’s on Amherst Street was temporarily closed due to a back up of water. 4. One case of salmonella in salami was found in the state in Pelham. 5. Added a number of licenses to be issued. 6. Food sample results showed that the chicken salad at the Midfield’s Café failed. 7. Our laboratory is now included in the Environmental report. 8. Attended a meeting with Community Development and talked through scenarios; it involved various agencies in the event of an emergency….housing and displaced people. 9. Participated in the H1N1 Clinic in Milford 10. Presentation to the police department: “Bed Bug Presentation – Don’t Take Your Work Home With You”. Welfare - Bob Mack presented: The Welfare Department provides assistance to the poor and those who can not support themselves. There was as spike in the budget when Bob came on board and required additional staff people to handle increased demands. Currently there are: 4 case technicians; 1 technical worker; 1 admin; 1 Sr. Case Technician and 1 Mediation Coordinator, which is an independent program. Bob went over the statistical report which compares costs to the same time, same month for the previous year. There has been a significant decrease in costs for shelter expenses. People are filing applications; however, we are better at connecting people to resources in the community. Some people are so far 2 behind in their rent, there is nothing we can do to help them void eviction. Some are getting Social Security, unemployment benefits, and have been able to sustain themselves during this economy. We are watching trends monthly and give report to Mayor’s office and Aldermen. We are helping people who are homeless; seven families were sent to public shelters and seven individuals as well during January. The budget shows that we are $100,000 less than last year at this time; which is a very good thing. We are working closer with the Greater Nashua Continuum of Care which is an organization of different agencies within the community and social service agencies, including homelessness (40% increase). We try to assist those people. Bob attended a meeting on homelessness in Boston recently and the plan to end homelessness. Federal Resources give agencies flexibility in using those funds. We recently worked with the Red Cross in assisting those displaced by the fire on Pine Street. In particular, helping them to be re-housed, as they will not be able to return to their homes. Although we are not emergency responder, we are there after the initial response, in this case, from the Red Cross. Mediation – Sandy Mulcahy presented: The Mediation Program is a volunteer organization. The Parent/Child Program Mediation helps those in conflict, and keeps children out of placements as well as returns them home after placement, and conflicts in the schools. Some of the local towns are involved in marital mediation. She is also involved in the Peer Mediation Program at Nashua South High School, as well as the Peace and Justice Program at Nashua Community College, and DBART, which involves responding to people needing help after a disaster; for example – help during the ice storm, the H1N1 clinics and recent murders in the state. Presentation In conjunction with the NEPHLI Scholar Project, Bob Mack gave his presentation on the “Mass Care & Sheltering for Functional Needs Populations During an Emergency Response”. Executive Session called by Dr. Storace Next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Motion to Adjourn meeting. Meeting Ended: 1:45 p.m. 3