Board of Health

City of Nashua Division of Public Health & Community Services 18 Mulberry Street, Nashua, NH 03060 BOARD of HEALTH MEETING March 9, 2016 12:30 PM 18 Mulberry Street, 2nd floor Nashua, NH 03060 MEETING MINUTES BOH Members Present: Anthony Storace, M.D., Chair Thomas Astolfi, M.D. Charles Cappetta, M.D. Aldermanic Liaison Present: Lori Wilshire, Alderman at Large - Vice President of Board Dr. Storace called the meeting to order at 12:00pm. Board members were provided copies of the agenda and department reports. The Board members did not have a chance to review the February minutes, Dr. Storace asked that they be tabled to the next meeting in April. Board approved motion. Director: Ms. Bobbie Bagley was official appointed to the position of Director of Public Health and Community Services at March 8, 2016 Board of Alderman meeting. Ms. Bagley provided an overview of her past experiences including working for the city of Nashua as a Public Health Nurse, then as the Manager of the Division and most recently as the Director of Public Health at Rivier University. Ms. Bagley updated the Board on her key priorities for the division which included increasing the visibility of the division by increase outreach, printed advertising and TV and radio presentations on public health topics. A top priority for the Division will be a strong focus on Substance Misuse and Prevention. Also, that the division is at 85% of completion in the accreditation process. The goal is to submit the completed documentation in June 2016, the NDPHCS would be the first in the state to attain this credential. 1 Reports: Public Health Network Services (EP & SMP) Patty Crooker reported that the Resilience Against Climate Change and Severe Weather grant that was awarded through the Public Health Network Services framework was rejected by the Board of Aldermen at the February 10, 2016 meeting. The Board of Alderman will reconsider the grant proposal at the March 22, 2016 meeting. The Greater Nashua Public Health Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2016 at Rivier University. The Keynote: Recovery and the Community will be presented by Sandi Coyle, Director of Recovery Services, Fedcap. Other topics will include Public Health Networks in NH and Intersections of Planning and Public Health. Lunch will be provided DHMC and the United Way. There will be a statewide stock pile drill in August, 2016. Ms. Crooker is on the planning committee. Ms. Crooker announced that they have recently hired a new Continuum of Care Facilitator, Janail Archer. Ms. Archer previously worked at the DCYF and the Boys and Girls Club. Community Education: Lisa Vasquez reported that the Soughean Valley Coalition is developing a root cause analysis to look at opioids, alcohol and other drugs in the community. Milford, Merrimack, Hudson, Pelham and Litchfield have hosted community meetings to discuss the Substance Misuse epidemic. Program Coordination/CHIP Beverly Doolan was on vacation. Update will be provided at April meeting Community Health Jackie Aguilar reported outreach activities for the month at Keystone, Nashua Library, Nashua Senior Center, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Share all supported by nursing staff and the community outreach worker. A lunch and learn presentation was held at H.E.A.R.T.S on HIV/ HCV. Lead: Two venous BLL were received on clients, both have decreased. World TB event confirmed for March 24 at DHMC. Twenty three TB tests planted, 12 negative, 1 not read, 2 positive and waiting on 8 results. Luis Porres, Outreach worker is also working with Environmental 1 day a week. Blood Pressure clinics were held at Dr. Crisp Elementary School and City Hall. An Zika presentation was conducted at the Adult Learning Center by Laurie Fleming (intern). Possible grant for asthma and lead. 2 Environmental Health Heidi Peek reported that Environmental Health Department received many calls about burst pipes, emergency response visits were conducted to insure no contamination. The license of the Taste of the Mediterranean (Pheasant Lane Mall) was suspended for improper food handeling, handwashing and food not at correct temperatures. The owner lives in Toronto and manages the restaurant remotely. EH staff educated the employees on proper food handling techniques. Staff informed that the owner may close the restaurant. There is a very high turnover rate in staff. Serve safe is used in Concord but the state is against implementing it state wide. Heidi will update Bobbie on the revocation policy. Ms. Peek stated that there will be a Blood Bourne Pathogen training on March 14, 2016 conducted by Risk Management. With the increasing number of needles that are being found in the community, departments that may come into contact with the needles need to be familiar with the city policy. All new hires that may come into contact with needles will need to take this training. Ms. Peek asked if the unions are still disagreeing on who is responsible to discarding needles when they are found. Risk Management may make a video of the presentation and provide it to new employees and other community partners. An presentation was made to the newly recruited police officers on the services the Division provides and also this needle policy Rene Beaudoin has been conducting educational programs in the area on air quality, Lyme, lice, and bed bugs. He is working with the Risk Department to purchase equipment to test the air quality in city buildings and the schools. Dr. Cappetta asked if Nashua has had any reported scabies cases. Ms. Peek replied no. Welfare Department Bob Mack reported there was an increase in overall expenditures for 2016 when compared to February 2015 but overall in line with budget. Welfare assisted 14 families and 1 individual in emergency motel placement and referred 3 families to public shelters. Welfare has been working closely with Coordinated Entry providers to direct many homeless contacts and callers. There are only six family shelters available at any one time in Nashua and it is challenging when large families need assistance. Turnaways due to family size present a dilemma in the decision making process. Board Chair Dr. Storace, Dr. Storace reminded all present that the Board of Health appreciates all the work of the Division. He stated that the BOH is here to advise and that they are behind the staff at this time. Public Comments None Minutes Dr. Storance requested that the February minutes be tabled to the April meeting. Dr. Cappetta seconded the motion. The motion passed. Dr. Storace made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Astolfi seconded the motion. The motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 1:05 PM. The next meeting will be April 13, 2016. 3