Board of Health

BOROUGH OF WALDWICK BOARD OF HEALTH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday, January 19, 2023 The Board of Health meeting for the Borough of Waldwick was held at Borough Hall in the Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 7:34 PM by K. Hillringhouse, BOH President. The Opening Statement was read according to the Sunshine Law and was followed by Roll Call: PRESENT: M. Giordano K. Hillringhouse D. Guy G. Hazley A. Paradiso A. Larro R. Rose D. Palladino ABSENT: K. Tone M. Weber PROFESSIONALS PRESENT: N. Reddy, Health Officer C. Woodward, Administrative Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES K. Hillringhouse asked if everyone reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and if there were any questions. R. Rose made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 17, 2022 meeting and then was seconded by D. Guy. ACTIVITY REPORT N. Reddy reviewed the December activity reports for 2022. Please refer to reports for specific data. Highlights include: December: • Increase in the number of Legionnaires disease cases being reported in Bergen/Passaic County. • Increase in invasive group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infections in the pediatric population. • COVID: As of the end of December the prominent strand is Omicron XBB, which is highly contagious, but not as severe as other strands. • Influenza activity level is high in Bergen County, with emergency department visits higher than last year’s numbers. • Continuing oversight of LTC facilities, daycare centers and schools. Working with the state ensuring LTC facilities have vaccination rate of 70% to prevent spread of communicable diseases. • More Health Education outreach; partnering with hospitals and American Heart Association. • More flyers, informational material to be distributed. 1  • Food Handling Class held at the Waldwick Library on 12/13/2023 • Received Narcan, Naxolone HCI Nasal Spray, which was distributed to towns for use by emergency professionals. • 14 Retail Food Establishment inspections performed, 1 plan review and temporary event licenses for Waldwick Annual Christmas Tree lighting. • Guidance documents sent to schools in regards to the increase in COVID 19 cases within the community; no know outbreaks in Waldwick schools at this time. • Child Health Conference held on 12/21/22; 12 patients scheduled; multiple immunizations as well as physicals for school attendance. • Calendar of social community outreach via Facebook and Instagram was presented. REGULATORY FEES REPORT The Registrar’s Reports for November and December were accepted as information. OLD BUSINESS New Health Officer: Dr. Namitha Reddy has been onboarded as the new Health Officer. 2023 Board of Health Meeting Dates: D. Guy mentioned as do we need to meet at a board 5 times a year or can we do it quarterly? Will check out what the state recommends. Time will continue at 7:30pm. NEW BUSINESS M. Giordano mentioned having a dementia specialist come in to do a presentation and can educate the public on the different resources available. Can hold the presentations at the library and open it up to the community. C. Woodward noted that it was mentioned to the new Health Educator, A. Fox, and she can reach out to coordinate. A. Larro mentioned she has resources from her employer as well that we can connect with for outreach. N. Reddy stated we onboarded A. Fox so there will be more public outreach and if there are specific topics that the board would like we certainly can look into it. M. Giordano mentioned she would like to offer education on hospice care as well to the community. K. Hillringhouse mentioned having a presentation on cancer care and education. Possibly offer lectures at the library and have a schedule of events. R. Rose mentioned reaching out to the Senior Club as well. With no further questions a motion to adjourn was made at 7:59 by K. Hillringhouse and seconded by R. Rose. The next regular Board of Health meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2023 at 7:30 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Corinne Woodward, Administrative Assistant 2