Board of Health

BOARD OF HEALTH ` BOROUGH OF TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY BOARD MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 The meeting of the Board of Health was held on the above date. Mr. Howard Bader, 2021 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 virtual meeting was held via Web-ex. The following members were present: Howard Bader Dr. Michael Basista Dr. Teresa Brevetti Dr. Etta Frankel Member absent: Mark Alvarez Berton Greenberg Also present: Councilwoman Julie O’Connor Jim Fordoko, Health Officer Ruby Parra, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Gabrielle Beck, Youth Liaison Omar Stovall, Board of Health Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of September 9, 2021. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Bader asked if the Board agrees with the days on the 2022 schedule. Dr. O’ Connor expressed that she has to check her schedule against the Environmental Commission meetings. REPORTS OF STAFF Ms. Parra, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, reviewed her report which covered September 8, 2021- October 31, 2021. Many inspections were done at numerous food establishments. Seven (7) food establishments, (1) Mobile food vendor received satisfactory ratings. One (1) food establishment received a conditional rating. Spot checks were conducted around garbage and dumpster area located on bypass road from Washington Road to Clinton Avenue. In addition, dumpsters located between Washington Road and Riveredge Road. She noted that there was one (1) issue with an animal bite. She also addressed numerous complaints filed with her office. Ms. Parra’s full report is on file in the Health Office. Tenafly Board of Health November 4, 2021 Page 2 Mr. Jim Fordoko, Health Officer, reviewed his October 2021 report. Board members had received this report via email. COVID-19 A review of the most recent 23 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Tenafly was conducted: Eleven cases refused to participate in the contact tracing interview or could not be reached. Twelve cases participated in the interview Of the 12 cases: Four case were unvaccinated: two adults and two children/ Eight cases were fully vaccinated; 1 Moderna, 1 unknown, 6 Pfizer (one receiving their 3rd dose) No hospitalizations were recorded. Age range is from 5 years old to 8. Average is 36 years old; median is 53 years old. (5,6,7,16,23,24,24,25,26,28,33,33,41,41,45,53,56,57,57,58,60,80) Vaccination rates for 18 and older as of October 26, 2021, with at least one dose are: Tenafly 100%, Bergen County 88%, and New Jersey 83%. Communicable Disease There were 26 reportable communicable diseases in Tenafly from January 1st to October 31, 2021. They are categorized as follow: Tick Borne Diseases :13 Hepatitis B: 10 Food Borne Illnesses: 3 Mosquito Borne Illnesses Mosquito borne illnesses and activity has trended above the five-year average in New Jersey through 2021. During the month of October, the activity level has dropped significantly and below the five-year average. Board of Health President Howard Bader asked if there was any other reports. Board of Health Secretary Omar Stovall informed the Board that a resolution was passed in Little Ferry to enter into a Shared Service agreement for registrar services for 3 yrs. Board of Health Secretary Omar Stovall asked if it is appropriate to bring before the Board the 2022 HARP, Mid Bergen, and Cooper Pest Contract. Mr. Bader requested to address the contract at the January meeting. Dr. Frankel voiced that she notice there was not a Board of Health article in the Borough’s Fall newsletter. Mr. Jim Fordoko, Health Officer offered either himself or Ruby Parra to assist coming up with a topic for the next newsletter. Tenafly Board of Health November 4, 2021 Page 3 The next meeting of the Board of Health is Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor of the motion; none were opposed. Respectfully submitted, Omar Stovall Board of Health Secretary