Board of Health

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WESTWOOD BOARD OF HEALTH HELD JANUARY 13, 2021 VIA ZOOM Pres. Beckman called the Meeting to order at 7:30 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, 2020 and published in the Record on February 10, 2020. A copy of the meeting dates are on file with the Borough Clerk. This meeting which conforms with the Open Public Meetings law is a remote Board of Health meeting. A notice was published in the Record on January 11, 2021, posted on the Borough website and on the door of the Borough Hall in conformance with N.J.A.C. 5:39-1 et seq.” 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. Lee Tremble. Absent: None. Present: Gina Behre-Health Officer, Sharon Blehl-Secretary. Excused Absence: None. Present: Cheryl Hodges-Council Liaison, Beth Dell, Deputy Liaison. Excused Absence: None. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mrs. Bott led those present in the salute to the flag. RESOLUTION #20-01 RESOLUTION #20-01 REMOTE MEETING PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY Pres. Beckman read Resolution #20-01 by title to the Board Members adopting the procedure for “Remote Meeting Public Comment Policy” for the year 2021. (Copy Annexed) Mr. Farrell made a motion that Resolution #20-01 “Remote Meeting Public Comment Policy” be approved; seconded by Ms. McCloskey. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. REORGANIZATION NOMINATION OF PRESIDENT 2 A motion by Mr. Farrell; seconded by Ms. McCloskey that Betsy Beckman be nominated for President of the Board of Health for 2021. Are there any other nominations from the floor? No, there were no other nominations from the floor. There being no nominations from the floor, Mrs. Bott made a motion that the nominations be closed; seconded by Mr. Farrell. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT A motion was made by Mr. Farrell that Betsy Beckman be appointed President of the Board of Health for 2021; seconded by Ms. McCloskey. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. At this time Ms. Blehl handed the meeting over to President Beckman. 3 NOMINATION OF VICE PRESIDENT A motion by Ms. McCloskey; seconded by Ms. Costello that Dennis Farrell be nominated for Vice President of the Board of Health for 2021. Are there any other nominations from the floor? No, there were no other nominations from the floor. There being no nominations from the floor, Mrs. Bott made a motion that the nominations be closed; seconded by Ms. Costello. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT A motion was made by Ms. Costello that Mr. Farrell be appointed Vice President of the Board of Health for 2021; 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. Carried. BOARD MEMBERS TERMS Cheryl Hodges was appointed Council Liaison to the Board of Health for 2021. Beth Dell was appointed Deputy Council Liaison to the Board of Health for 2021. Betsy Beckman …………………….……12/31/2022 Donna Bott…………………………….…12/31/2023 Maria Costello……………………………12/31/2021 Louise Cue ……………………………….12/31/2023 Dennis Farrell……………………………12/31/2021 Susan McCloskey …………………….…12/31/2023 Maria Montana, Alternate #2…………12/31/2022 Lee Tremble ……………………………..12/31/2022 Vacant, Alternate #1 …………………...12/31/2021 Mr. Farrell made a motion that the terms be approved; seconded by Ms. Costello that the appointments be approved. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENTS Pres. Beckman offered the following employee appointments for the year 2021 under the authority of Title 26:3-19 and Borough of Westwood Municipal Code 6- 18 to 6-22. Sharon Blehl is hereby reappointed Board of Health Director/Certified Municipal Registrar/Secretary to the Board/Public Health Investigator/Pet Licensing Official/Right to Know/Hazard Communications and Bloodborne Pathogens Coordinator of the Board of Health through her retirement date of March 1, 2021. Christine L. Compesi is hereby reappointed Certified Municipal Deputy Registrar/Secretary of the Board of Health for the year 2021. Mary Elizabeth (Mary-Beth) Netzer is hereby reappointed Alternate Deputy Registrar/ Secretary to Sharon Blehl and Angela Musella of the Board of Health for the year 2021. Gina Behre is hereby reappointed Health Officer, through a contract with Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission, of the Board of Health for the year 2021. Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Employee Appointments for 2021 be approved; seconded by Mrs. McCloskey. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE Pres. Beckman chose the following Members to make up the Finance Committee for the Board of Health for 2021. 1. Betsy Beckman, President 2. Dennis Farrell, Vice President Ms. McCloskey made a motion that the Finance Committee for 2021 be approved; seconded by Ms. Costello. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Pres. Beckman chose the following Members to make up the Personnel Committee for the Board of Health for 2021. 1. Betsy Beckman, President 2. Dennis Farrell, Vice President Ms. McCloskey made a motion that the Finance Committee for 2021 be approved; seconded by Ms. Costello. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. MEETING DATES The Westwood Board of Health will hold the Regular Meetings at 7:30 PM via Zoom until further notice on the following dates: February 10, 2021 March 10, 2021 April 14, 2021 May 12, 2021 June 9, 2021 July 14, 2021 August 11, 2021 September 8, 2021 October 13, 2021 November 10, 2021 December 8, 2021 January 12, 2022 Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Meeting dates for 2021 be approved; seconded by Mrs. Bott. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. ACTIVITIES REPORTS 1) MARCH, APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER HEALTH OFFICER, PUBLIC HEALTH, INVESTIGATOR, REGISTRAR, SECRETARIAL The Board Members reviewed the following Activities Reports for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, 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 March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, 2020 be approved; seconded by Ms. Cue. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. MINUTES 1) OCTOBER 9, 2019 – REGULAR MEETING Mr. Farrell made a motion that a necessity vote be made to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 9, 2019; seconded by Ms. Costello. Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Costello, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey. Nayes: None. Abstained: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Cue, Mrs. Montana. Carried. 2) JANUARY 8, 2020 – REGULAR MEETING Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Minutes of Regular Meeting held January 8, 2020 be approved; seconded by Ms. Costello. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Ms. Costello, Mr. Farrell, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: Mrs. Bott, Ms. Cue, Ms. McCloskey. Carried. 3) MARCH 11, 2020 - REGULAR MEETING Mr. Farrell made a motion that the Minutes of Regular Meeting held March 11, 2020 be approved; seconded by Ms. Costello. Roll Call: Ayes: Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Bott, Ms. Costello, Ms. Cue, Mr. Farrell, Ms. McCloskey, Mrs. Montana. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. PURCHASE ORDERS The following bills from March through December, 2020 in the amount of $27,478.19 were paid. MARCH THROUGH DECEMBER 2020 PURCHASE ORDE RS Bergen County Department of Health 2020 Animal Control Contract $16,143.84 Bergen County Department of Health 2020 Animal Cruelty Contract 3,272.40 Sharon Blehl 2020 Clothing Allowance 400.00 G&D Surgical Medical Supplies 339.85 Borough of Hillsdale July Child Health Clinic 35.00 Borough of Hillsdale August Child Health Clinic 35.00 Borough of Hillsdale November Child Health Clinic 70.00 JA Montgomery Risk Control Right To Know Inventory 1,450.00 Lexisnexis Matthew Bender Title 8 Services November 2020 – October 2021 295.00 MGL Printing Dog & Cat Licenses 586.00 NJ State Department of Health - Vet Dog Monies February – July 428.40 NJ State Department of Health - Vet Dog Monies August – September 17.40 NJ State Department of Health - Vet Dog Monies October – December 5.40 Ray’s Reproductions Stationary 1,407.35 R.R. Donnelley State Paper for Vital Statistics 588.00 R.R. Donnelley State Paper for Vital Statistics 588.00 Treasurer State of NJ 1st & 2nd Quarter Marriage Monies 450.00 Treasurer State of NJ 3rd Quarter Marriage Monies 400.00 Treasurer State of NJ 4th Quarter Marriage Monies 275.00 Treasurer State of NJ 1st & 2nd Quarter Burial Permit Monies 40.00 Treasurer State of NJ 3rd Quarter Burial Permit Monies 5.00 W.B. Mason Office Supplies 352.76 W.B. Mason Office Supplies 293.79 NEW BUSINESS : 1) RABIES CLINIC The Board of Health in conjunction with Council Liaison Hodges is trying to set up a rabies clinic with a local veterinarian. If that can be accomplished all information will be posted under the Public Health Notices of the Borough’s Web Site. Bergen County Animal Shelter has currently suspended their rabies clinics as their buildings are closed to the public. Pet owners are reminded that they have until February 28, 2021 to license their pets. A discussion was held. 2) SHARON BLEHL-RETIREMENT Sharon Blehl will be retiring from the Board of Health on March 1, 2021 after 38 years of service. Ads have been sent to the League of Municipalities web site and placed on the Borough web site. Resumes have already been submitted. The Personnel Committee and Ms. Blehl will be conducting interviews as soon as possible. Pres. Beckman thanked Ms. Blehl for her years of service. Pres. Beckman also stated that it was a pleasure working with Ms. Blehl and commented on her kind, caring ways with people and especially animals. Everyone thanked Ms. Blehl for her years of service. A discussion followed. OLD BUSINESS 1) COVID-19 Pres. Beckman requests that everyone observe the CDC guidelines which includes wearing masks, maintaining a 6 foot distance and hand washing. It is important if you are not feeling well that you stay home. As from the start of the pandemic the Westwood Board of Health suggests you visit the following web sites for the most up to date information: State Web Site: https://covid19.nj.gov or the CDC Web Site: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker Vaccines are becoming available in stages depending upon your job description or age/health condition. Please go to the Borough Web Site to receive the most up to date information and to register to receive the vaccine. Once registered you will be notified when you are eligible to receive the vaccine. This information along with Westwood’s current positive COVID 19 numbers can be found on the Borough Web Site at www.westwoodnj.gov go to “Departments”, “Board of Health” then “Public Health Notices”. During 2020 there were 532 positive COVID 19 cases in Westwood. From January 1 – 11, 2021 there have been 67 positive cases. There have been 599 total (cumulative) positive cases of COVID 19 in Westwood residents. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT 1) COVID-19 Council Liaison Hodges said the Board of Health did a great job during these last month’s dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The residents that tested positive and the contact tracing numbers obtained from Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission were shared at the Mayor and Council Meetings. EMERGENT MATTERS: 1) COVID-19 VACCINE Health Officer Behre explained the following: a call center will be set up soon by the State to help people who do not have a computer which will allow them to call and register to receive the vaccine, Northwest Bergen Regional Heath Commission received approval as a vaccine provider and will be up and running once the paperwork is completed, the staff has been working 24/7 to keep up with all the added work from COVID and everyone must remain patient as more vaccine will become available. The Board commended Health Officer Behre for the excellent work she and her staff are doing. A discussion followed. PUBLIC FORUM Ms. McCloskey made a motion to open the floor to the public to discuss any topic; seconded by Mr. Farrell. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. Janet Dunn, 50 Berkeley Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675 Mrs. Dunn explained that she is a first responder for Westwood Ambulance Corps. and wanted to reassure everyone that the vaccine will be available eventually. Mrs. Dunn discussed different sites where the vaccine is available and the number of COVID positives in Westwood. Beth Dell, Deputy Council Liaison explained that she manages a senior center and discussed how frustrating it is for seniors to register for the vaccine. Ms. Costello made a motion to close the floor to the public; seconded by Mr. Farrell. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None. Abstained: None. Carried. 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 Ms. Costello. Voice Vote: Ayes: All present voted in favor. Nayes: None.  Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. Sharon Blehl Secretary The next meeting will be held Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 7:30 P.M. via Zoom. These Minutes were approved at a meeting of the Board of Health of the Borough of Westwood held on the 10th day of February, 2021.