Board of Health

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WESTWOOD BOARD OF HEALTH HELD MARCH 11, 2020 Pres. Beckman called the Meeting to order at 7:40 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 9, 2020 and published in the Record on January 29, 2020. A copy of the meeting dates are on file with the Borough Clerk. Present: Mrs. Betsy Beckman, Mrs. Donna Bott, Ms. Maria Costello, Ms. Louise Cue, Mr. Dennis Farrell, Ms. Susan McCloskey, Mrs. Maria Montana (Alternate #2). Excused Absence: Mr. Jon Andresen (Alternate #1), Mr. Lee Tremble. Absent: None Present: Sharon Blehl-Secretary, Angela Musella-Health Officer, Mary-Beth Netzer-Secretary to Sharon Blehl. Excused Absence: None. Present: Cheryl Hodges-Council Liaison. Excused Absence: None. Guests: None 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 Ms. McCloskey. 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 Ms. Cue. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. ACTIVITIES REPORTS 1) JANUARY AND FEBRUARY HEALTH OFFICER, PUBLIC HEALTH, INVESTIGATOR, REGISTRAR, SECRETARIAL The Board Members reviewed the following Activities Reports for January and February, 2020 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 January and February, 2020 be approved; seconded by Ms. Cue. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. MINUTES 1) SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 - REGULAR MEETING Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Minutes of Regular Meeting held September 12, 2019 be approved; seconded by Mrs. Bott. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Mr. Farrell. Nayes: None. Abstained: Ms. Cue, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Carried. 2) OCTOBER 9, 2019 – REGULAR MEETING The Minutes will be addressed at the next Board of Health Meeting as there is a lack of quorum available to approve the October 9, 2019 Minutes. 3) JANUARY 8, 2020 - REGULAR MEETING The January 8, 2020 Minutes will be addressed at the next Board of Health Meeting. PURCHASE ORDERS Bills for January and February, 2020 in the amount of $18,569.78 were presented to the Board Members. Mr. Farrell made a motion that the following be accepted for payment; seconded by Ms. Cue. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana.  Nayes: None. Abstained: None. JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2020 PURCHASE ORDE RS Bergen/Passaic Registrars Association 2020 Registrars Dues (three members) $ 75.00 Sharon Blehl 2019 Clothing Allowance 400.00 Borough of Hillsdale 2020 Child Health Clinic Contract 250.00 Munidex, Inc. Software Maintenance – Pet 354.40 Munidex, Inc. Software Maintenance – Vital Statistics 496.00 NJ State Department of Health – Vet September – December 2019 Dog Monies 18.00 NJ State Department of Health – Vet January 2020 Dog Monies 329.40 North Jersey Media Group, Inc. 2020 BOH Meeting Dates – Legal Notice 32.98 Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission 2020 Health Services Contract 16,314.00 Registrar’s Association of NJ 2020 Registrars Dues (Three Members) 75.00 Registrar’s Association of NJ Spring Conference – March 24th (3 Members 4 Credits Each) 225.00 Carried. NEW BUSINESS : 1) COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) BACKGROUND: COVID-2019 is a respiratory infection caused by a novel (new) virus that arose from the area of Wuhan, China in December, 2019. Most of the early cases of this illness were linked to a large seafood and animal market suggesting possible animal-to-person spread of the virus. The market closed on January 2, 2020 as part of the investigation and response to this outbreak. Once a person is infected, the virus causes respiratory illness. Outbreaks of novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern. The risk from these outbreaks depends on the characteristics of the virus, including how well it spreads between people, the severity of the resulting illness, and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, medications or vaccines). A discussion was held regarding the following: the schools plan in the event they need to close, personal protective equipment supplies, business owner stress and State of Emergency vs. State of Health Emergency. OLD BUSINESS 1) 2020 BOARD OF HEALTH SALARY BUDGET There was nothing to report. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT The Board welcomed Council Liaison Hodges. Council Liaison Hodges explained that she is very pleased to be the Liaison to the Board of Health and is looking forward to working with the Board. EMERGENT MATTERS: 1) SMOKING Pres. Beckman explained that a friend had to come into the Municipal Complex and had to walk through people smoking directly outside the building. Pres. Beckman said that it did not look good having smokers right outside the building that they should have to smoke in their cars. Council Liaison Hodges agreed there should not be any smoking and will bring this up at a council meeting. 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 Mrs. Bott. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M. Sharon Blehl Secretary The next meeting will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2020 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 13th day of January, 2021.