Board of Health

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WESTWOOD BOARD OF HEALTH HELD MAY 9, 2018 Pres. Beckman called the Meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. Pres. Beckman read the "Open Public Meeting Act" as follows: In compliance with the "Open Public Meeting Act,” P.L. 1975, C 231, the annual notice requirements have been satisfied. The meeting dates for the year were posted on the Borough Web Site on January 12, 2018 and published in the Record on March 26, 2018. A copy of the meeting dates are on file with the Borough Clerk. Present: Mrs. Betsy Beckman, Mrs. Donna Bott, Mr. Dennis Farrell, Dr. Theresa A. Lardaro (Alternate #1), Ms. Susan McCloskey. Excused Absence: Mr. Jon Andresen, Ms. Maria Costello, Ms. Louise Cue, Mr. Lee Tremble. Absent: None. Present: Sharon Blehl-Secretary, Angela Musella-Health Officer. Excused Absence: None. Present: Beth Dell-Council Liaison. Excused Absence: None. Guests: Michael Pontillo, Chief of Police SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mrs. Bott led those present in the salute to the flag. PUBLIC FORUM Mr. Farrell made a motion to open the floor to the public to discuss any topic; seconded by Dr. Lardaro. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. There being no public discussion, Mr. Farrell made a motion to close the public forum; seconded by Mrs. Bott. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. ACTIVITIES REPORTS 1) APRIL HEALTH OFFICER, PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATOR, REGISTRAR, SECRETARIAL The Board Members reviewed the following Activities Reports for April, 2018 which are on file and available to the public: Administrative and Supporting Services Animal Control Laboratory Services Vital Records Monies Received Environmental Health Communicable Disease Maternal and Child Health Chronic Illness Health Education Nursing Supervision Miscellaneous A discussion was held. Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Activities Reports for April, 2018 be approved; seconded by Dr. Lardaro. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL PONTILLO Michael Pontillo was sworn in as Westwood’s Police Chief during the Mayor and Council Meeting held on April 17, 2018. The Board welcomed Chief Pontillo. Chief Pontillo explained that as the Chief he plans on expanding programs, have the officers out in the community more and be more involved. The officers are more visible in the schools at different times of the day and will be directly involved with the children. Chief Pontillo is working diligently with making the cross walks safer for the pedestrians. A discussion followed. The Board was very impressed with Chief Pontillo’s presentation and his commitment to the community. MINUTES 1) APRIL 11, 2018 - REGULAR MEETING Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Minutes of Regular Meeting held April 11, 2018 be approved; seconded by Dr. Lardaro. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Mr. Farrell, Dr. Lardaro, Ms. McCloskey. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. PURCHASE ORDERS: One bill for April, 2018 in the amount of $661.50 was presented to the Board Members. Mr. Farrell made a motion that the following be accepted for payment; seconded by Dr. Lardaro. MARCH, 2018 PURCHASE ORDERS R.R. Donnelley State Paper-Vital Statistics $ 661.50 Carried. NEW BUSINESS: 1) WESTWOOD PRIDE DAY-JUNE 3, 2018 Westwood Pride Day will be held Sunday, June 3, 2018. Chantal Folkes, Health Educator from Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission will be present to represent the Westwood Board of Health. A discussion followed. Mrs. Bott will attend the event to distribute the File of Life. 2) NWBRHC-NAMED TO NEW JERSEY INFLUENZA HONOR ROLL Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission was added to New Jersey’s Influenza Honor Roll for the 2017-2018 flu season. The New Jersey Department of Health awarded this honor to Northwest for achieving an active role in improving the health of the communities they serve by promoting influenza prevention. The Board congratulated Health Officer Musella for receiving the award. OLD BUSINESS: 1) 2018 BOARD OF HEALTH SALARY BUDGET Pres. Beckman is in the process of reviewing the 2018 Board of Health Salary Budget with Council Liaison Dell. A discussion followed. 2) TICK BORNE DISEASE WEBINAR/TELECONFERENCE Ms. Blehl participated in the “Vector-Borne Diseases: The Growing Threat” teleconference on May 8, 2018 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM presented by the CDC. There were four speakers with various backgrounds. David Neitzel, Epidemiologist, Supervisor of the Vectorborne Disease Unit with the Minnesota Department of Health offered a very informative presentation. Surveillance is captured by county of residence not by county of exposure. His unit conducts surveillance for Vectorborne diseases. They conduct detailed interviews to try and determine where the exposure took place, once determined, case site investigations are conducted and educational outreach programs are held. Maps are kept to record all the vital information, research is conducted and disease prevention is initiated. Ms. Blehl is registered to participate in the “Tick-borne Diseases: What NJ Public Health Professionals Need to Know” webinar on May 22, 2018 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. This program is presented by the New Jersey Department of Health. Pres. Beckman discussed the articles in the newspapers about the deer population. Pres. Beckman explained that overdevelopment has pushed these animals into densely populated areas. County and state need to come together to maintain green space for all animals to live in their natural habitat. Pres. Beckman further explained that she understands people’s fears of tick borne diseases however deer are not the only animals to spread ticks. There will continue to be animal/people conflicts until the overdevelopment stops. A discussion followed COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT 1) PET ADOPTION EVENT Council Liaison Dell explained that there will be a pet adoption event on May 10, 2018 at the Train Station to honor Keller William’s Red Day. The event will be held between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. A discussion followed. 2) FOOD COLLECTION The United States Postal Service will be collecting food on May 12, 2018 for the local food pantries. Anyone wishing to donate food should leave it in a bag by their mail box. A discussion followed. EMERGENT MATTERS: There was nothing to discuss. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Mr. Farrell made a motion that the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Dr. Lardaro. Roll Call: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M. Sharon Blehl Secretary The next meeting will be held Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 7:30 P.M. in the Municipal Complex. These Minutes were approved at a meeting of the Board of Health of the Borough of Westwood held on the 11th day of July, 2018.