Board of Health

CITY OF SALEM BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES January 10, 2023 MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Kirby, Geraldine Yuhas, Datanis Elias, Sara Moore, MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jeremy Schiller OTHERS PRESENT: David Greenbaum, Health Agent, Suzanne Darmody, Public Health Nurse, Mark Blanchard, Tomb Gallery Tattoo TOPIC DISCUSSION/ACTION 1. Call to Order 7:00pm 2. Approval of Minutes S. Moore motioned to approve the minutes. G. Yuhas 2 nd. (December 13,2022) Roll call vote: P. Kirby – yes G. Yuhas - yes S. Moore – yes D. Elias – yes Motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0. . 3. Mark Blanchard – Request for a P. Kirby asked for an update regarding the discussions the regional group variance to City of Salem Board of had about the educational requirements for body artists. Health Regulation #27 Body Art D. Greenbaum explained that the group met and had extensive discussions Regulation 4.0, ¶ 4(A), Proof of a High School Diploma or its about the educational requirements in the body art regulations. He equivalent. Continued informed the board that there was deliberation about easing the educational requirement and the possibility of allowing a certain number of years of work experience in lieu of a high school diploma. D. Greenbaum recommended the Board issue a variance to Mr. Blanchard to allow his work experience to count towards the educational requirement for 2023. P. Kirby asked Mr. Blanchard how many years of experience he had, and he informed the Board he has 18 years of experience. S. Moore motioned to approve the variance for Mr. Blanchard allowing years of experience in lieu if a high school diploma or GED through 12/31/23. G. Yuhas 2nd. Roll call vote: P. Kirby – yes G. Yuhas - yes S. Moore – yes D. Elias – yes Motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0. 1|Page 4. Chairperson Communications No new communications. 5. Public Health Announcements /Reports/Updates S. Darmody informed the Board she is working on a TB case in a new a. Public Health arrival. The regional nurses are planning another regional flu clinic for Nurse Report some time in February. She is working on trainings and the shelter at SSU. S. Moore asked how the flu cases look. S. Darmody explained that flu numbers have come down since the holidays and this is the same with COVID. D. Greenbaum explained that we have seen a downward trend in the wastewater surveillance for COVID and that we are going through COVID test kits at a rapid pace. S. Moore asked about the status of Essex County in regard to the CDC risk levels and if there have been issues at the hospitals. D. Greenbaum reported that currently Essex County is the only county in the northeast part of the state that is not at high risk for COVID transmission and that he has not heard of any issues at the hospitals. b. Health Agent Report D. Greenbaum advised the Board of the status with respect to the change in administration, Councillor McCarthy is Acting Mayor. He informed the Board the City is heading into budget season and he will be working on the department budget for submittal. Alan Hanscom advised the Board the video feed was frozen and there were issues with the audio as well. S. Moore asked if the Board had a new Council Liaison. D. Greenbaum informed the Board that the new liaison is Councillor Varela. The department is working to catch up on routine work and work that was delayed due to COVID, specifically enforcement of the short-term rental and dumpster enclosure ordinances. A meeting will be forthcoming with all city departments regarding the homeless encampment around Old Town Hall. S. Moore asked if there was a reason that Old Town Hall was chosen as the site of the encampment. D. Greenbaum explained there was no reason and the encampment had changed locations a few times over the last couple of months. P. Kirby asked what role the department would have regarding the encampment. D. Greenbaum explained that there could be an enforcement piece but the department could also play a role in what are the sanitary conditions of the encampment, is it creating a nuisance? S. Moore asked if nuisance conditions have been observed at the encampment. D. Greenbaum told the Board the department has not seen that kind of condition. c. Administrative Report Copy available at BOH office. d. Council Liaison Updates Councillor Varela attended virtually he stated he was happy to be the liaison and happy to be at the meeting. 2|Page  6. New Business/Scheduling of Future Agenda Items  Items that could not be anticipated prior to the posting of the agenda MEETING ADJOURNED: G. Yuhas moved to adjourn. D. Elias 2nd. Roll call vote: P. Kirby – yes S. Moore – yes D. Elias – yes G. Yuhas - yes Motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0. 7:20 PM Respectfully submitted, David Greenbaum Health Agent Next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 7:00pm At City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Salem, MA 3|Page