Board of Health

CITY OF SALEM BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES July 19, 2022 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Jeremy Schiller, Chair, Paul Kirby, Geraldine Yuhas, Sara Moore, Datanis Elias OTHERS PRESENT: David Greenbaum, Health Agent, Megan Riccardi, City Council Liaison, David Knowlton, City Engineer, Frank Occhipinti, PE, Vice President, Joe Lauria, PE, Project Manager Weston & Sampson TOPIC DISCUSSION/ACTION 7:05pm 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes G. Yuhas motioned to approve the minutes. P. Kirby 2 nd. (June 14, 2022) Roll call vote: J. Schiller – yes P. Kirby – yes S. Moore – yes G. Yuhas – yes D. Elias-yes Motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0. 3. Public Hearing for the proposed F. Occhipinti of Weston & Sampson presents on the current state of the Board of Health Fats, Oils, Grease, FOG management program in Salem. He provided a brief history of the (FOG) Management Regulations program, what has been done to date and what the initial phase showed as fare as how restaurants have dealt with grease management and the existing data provided by the initial inspections. Mr. Occhipinti reviewed the existing FOG regulations and the proposed new regulations, and the key changes proposed in the new regulations. J. Schiller inquired what does cleaning entail? Mr. Occhipinti provided a description of what is done when a grease trap is cleaned. P. Kirby asked what happens to the waste after cleaning. Mr. Occhipinti informed the board that the waste is generally disposed at a facility that handles the waste or potentially put in trash for disposal. Further discussion on disposal was held. G. Yuahs inquired as to the cost of installing a grease trap and cleaning. Discussion took place providing general cost for installation and cleaning. Discussion of public outreach took place. S. Moore asked if there has been any pushback regarding the regulations. D. Greenbaum stated he has not received any pushback. Mr. Occhipinti reviewed the enforcement and penalties for failure to comply. J. Schiller asked what the annual cost to the city for these blockages is. D. 1|Page  Knowlton provided a rough cost and indicated it would depend on how many blockages the city had in a year. S. Moore asked how easy it is to identify restaurants that caused a blockage. Mr. Occhipinti and Mr. Knowlton explained how the city determines the cause of a blockage. J. Schiller inquired if the Board of Health would be involved with hearing appeals for violations. D. Knowlton stated that appeals would most likely go through Engineering. P. Kirby asked how quickly a follow-up inspection would be conducted after a violation. F. Occhipinti noted the follow-up inspection would be 21 days after the violation. Further discussion took place regarding inspection schedules. D. Elias asked who makes determination if an establishment is grandfathered under this proposed regulation? F. Occhipinti stated it would be dependent on the condition and size of the trap. J. Schiller asked what other cities have similar regulations. Mr. Occhipinti, Mr. Lauria and D. Greenbaum identified other cities and towns that either have similar regulations or are considering them. D. Knowlton explained the effects on the water system and Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO). S. Moore asked for clarification around enforcement and suspensions. D. Greenbaum stated for suspensions of the food service permits the Board of Health would hold the hearing and fines would be generated through Engineering. P. Kirby moved that the Board of Health adopt the proposed Board of Health Board of Health Fats, Oils, Grease, (FOG) Management Regulations, effective January 1, 2023. S. Moore 2nd. Roll call vote: J. Schiller – yes P. Kirby – yes S. Moore – yes G. Yuhas – yes D. Elias-yes Motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0. 4. Discussion on placing a cap on the D. Greenbaum informed the Board about a request from a Body Art Number of Body Art establishment to place a cap on the number of establishments allowed to Establishments allowed to operate operate in the City. S. Moore stated if this is a compliance and inspection in the City issue then this would be something the Board could consider but if this is to limit business then this would not be in the purview of the Board. 5. Discussion of reducing the tobacco D. Greenbaum informed the Board that based on the number of current vendor cap from 60 to 50 tobacco vendors in the City and frequency of which tobacco permits are establishments in the city requested it may be worthwhile to consider reducing the current cap from 60 to 50 vendors. J. Schiller stated this is a public health issue within the purview of the Board. D. Greenbaum will work with Joyce Redford on language around reducing the tobacco permit cap. 2|Page  J. Schiller stated he did not have any updates at this time and recommended 6. Chairperson Communications that unless anything catastrophic happened the Board return to their normal practice of not having a meeting in August. it seems like the COVID numbers are coming down. 7. Public Health Announcements D. Greenbaum reported that he had nothing of substance regarding the /Reports/Updates public health announcements/reports/updates. He reminded the Board about the invitation to the sun safety kick off event on July 21, 2022. He also updated the Board that routine work was returning to pre-COVID levels. a. Public Health Copy on File Nurse Report b. Health Agent Report S. Moore asked if there could be any discussion about masking and if so could we get that message out sooner rather than later. J. Schiller stated he thought the Board would have to look at the variants and conditions in the hospitals to make those determinations. S. Moore requested messaging around the current state of COVID and should things change dramatically then the Board could look at additional restrictions in the fall and particularly October be sent sooner rather than later. c. Administrative Report Copy available at BOH office. M. Riccardi thanked the Board for their support of the Council Order d. Council Liaison Updates regarding reproductive rights. She informed the Board about things currently in the Public Health Safety Committee of the City Council: There will be a meeting around noise pollution with the Police Chief, Inspectional Services, and the Health Agent. She also informed the Board about an ordinance before her committee regarding feeding of wildlife, particularly in public parks. And lastly to meet with James Davis of Bay Staters for Natural Medicines to discuss legalization of certain plant medicines. 7. New Business/Scheduling of Future None Agenda Items  Items that could not be anticipated prior to the posting of the agenda 3|Page MEETING ADJOURNED: P. Kirby moved to adjourn. G. Yuhas 2nd. Roll call vote: J. Schiller – yes P. Kirby – yes S. Moore – yes G. Yuhas - yes Motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0. 8:05pm Respectfully submitted, David Greenbaum Health Agent Next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 7:00pm At City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Salem, MA 4|Page