Board of Health

Approved 9/26/19 BOARD OF HEALTH ` BOROUGH OF TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY BOARD MEETING, June 13, 2019 The meeting of the Board of Health was held on the above date. Mr. Howard Bader, 2019 Board of Health President, read the Board’s compliance with the Open Public Meeting Law and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Howard Bader Dr. Etta Frankel Dr. Daniel Feit Dr. Michael Basista Berton Greenberg Mark Alvarez Absent: Maria Xylas Also present: Council Liaison Lauren Dayton Sam Yanovich, Health Officer Ruby Parra, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Valerie Nicolosi, Board of Health Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made to approve the minutes of March 14, 2019. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Nicolosi reviewed the ordinance amending Chapter II, Section 10-9 or the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Tenafly Entitled “Buildings Unfit for Human Habitation” prepared by Councilwoman Dayton which would set fees for re-inspections of food establishments. It was noted that there is presently no section of the Borough Code which addresses any of the ordinances or fees adopted by the Board of Health. A new section for the Board of Health needs to be written, approved and adopted by the Mayor & Council. This would be done through the office of the Borough Clerk. Councilman Dayton subsequently arrived at the meeting and continued the dialogue. She explained to the board the recommendations in the ordinance. A motion was made and seconded to establish a chapter in the Borough Code for the Board of Health incorporating all prior ordinances adopted by the Board of Health and the new fees recommended tonight. A voice vote carried the motion. Councilwoman Dayton indicated that she would work with the Borough Clerk to prepare a Board of Health section in the Borough Code. When this chapter is ready to go to the Mayor & Council, the Board of Health will be notified so as to participate in the discussion of the matter. REPORTS OF STAFF Mr. Sam Yanovich, Health Officer, reviewed his June 2019 report. Board members had received this report via email. Approved 9/26/19 Tenafly Board of Health June 13, 2019 Page 2 Mumps The outbreak in the Bergen County Jail involves six (6) suspected mumps cases in migrant detainees. In December 2018, the CDC first learned about mumps outbreaks in detention facilities that housed such detainees. As ill migrants have been transferred between facilities, the disease has spread. Although not as contagious as measles due to its method of spreading (i.e. close contact generally required), it can cause complications, especially in adults. The county has ordered 1,000 doses of MMR to vaccinate both staff and those incarcerated, and has implemented a control plan besides vaccinations including: isolation where necessary, surveillance, & education. Mosquito & Tick Control Spraying for mosquitoes, including aerial spraying will be posted on the County website, and updated accordingly. A widget from the County will be provided to all jurisdictions for their websites that will link to mosquito control info. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) requested local Health Officers assist in forwarding a letter to school superintendents regarding a survey to provide information assessing what is currently being taught in schools on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. This will be used to develop updated recommendations for prevention messaging and resources for schools to use in their required tick-borne disease curricula. Mrs. Nicolosi forwarded the information to Tenafly Public Schools Superintendent Shauna DeMarco. Measles The ongoing measles outbreak in certain areas of the United States is due mainly to travelers returning from a few areas around the world. While traveler-related cause of outbreaks is unintentional, the anti- vax movement, which is not rooted in scientific based reasoning, has played a role as well. Research at Princeton University has shown just how important getting a measles vaccine is, since the measles virus suppresses the immune system vs. other infectious diseases, by attacking T lymphocytes. These are the cells that build up immune memory against other diseases. It was shown that reducing the incidence of measles causes a drop in deaths from other infectious diseases due to this indirect effect that measles has on the immune system. CBD oil in foods CBD is a chemical with analgesic properties that is derived either from the marijuana plant or its close relative, industrial hemp. While it lacks the psychoactive properties of THC, also found in both marijuana (i.e. in high concentration) or in industrial hemp (i.e. in trace amounts), the over-the-counter sale of dietary supplements and foods containing CBD has created some confusion regarding its legality. The 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, but industrial hemp derived products infused foods & supplements are still prohibited under the FDA. Until the FDA develops new regulations, the sale of CBD containing foods & supplements are still illegal under federal law, although rarely enforced. The New Jersey Department of Health has not ruled formally on this, but their opinion is that its use in foods is acceptable. Approved 9/26/19 Tenafly Board of Health June 13, 2019 Page 3 Ms. Parra, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, reviewed her report which covered March 15, 2019-June 13, 2019. Many inspections were done at numerous food establishments. Eighteen (18) food establishments received satisfactory ratings. Three (3) food establishments received conditional ratings. Ms. Parra inspected four (4) locations with pools; all received a satisfactory rating. There were several temporary events in the Borough, which required temporary permits for vendors. Events included the Northern Valley Earth Fair, Tenafly Street Fair, Cathedral of St. John’s Greek Festival and the Nature Center Festival. She inspected numerous vendors at these events. Spot checks were done at six (6) establishments in the Borough. There was one (1) dog bite reported. The dog was unlicensed. The resident was given a warning letter along with a confinement form. There was one (1) New Jersey State Department of Health (NJSDOH) request for rabies examination received. A groundhog was killed by a dog. Ms. Parra explained the numerous complaints outlined in her report. Complaints varied from improper food handling, mold issues, a metal shaving found inside a cream cheese bagel, plastic in a frozen yogurt cup and a follow-up after a police report on a tenant living in deplorable conditions. Ms. Parra investigated all complaints. After much discussion, Mr. Yanovich was directed to get HARP involved with the tenant issue to see if some assistance could be provided. Four (4) summonses were issued to food establishments for failure to maintain a refuse area clean & free of unnecessary items. One (1) summons was issued to a food establishment for failure to post a conditional health evaluation placard in a conspicuous place. Three (3) summonses were issued to a food establishment for not paying 2019 health license fees, not addressing a faulty ice maker and not addressing mice droppings on the floor. Spot checks of dumpster areas were done at various food establishments. There were four (4) OPRA requests which required providing information to the Borough Clerk. The next meeting of the Board of Health is Thursday, September 26, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. in the Richard D. Wilson Committee Room. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor of the motion; none were opposed. Respectfully submitted, Valerie B. Nicolosi Board of Health Secretary