Board of Health

Winthrop Board of Health Meeting Minutes November 16, 2023 Meeting called to order at 6:34pm Members Present: Bill Schmidt, Jeanne Holgerson, Christine Reilly Minutes for the BOH meeting on 10/10/2023 were unanimously approved 3-0 Public Comment Josh Aranov spoke regarding 2 issues Noise from Suffolk Downs - As the population density within a 1 mile radius of Suffolk Downs is 10,000 people per square mile, likely 100,000 people were affected by the noise from the concerts. 76 Sunnyside Ave- he noted three concerns regarding the property at 76 Sunnyside Ave. The trash barrels are not being emptied so the property continues to have trash present. There are workers at the property 1-2 days a week and they are not securing the building when they leave. Bricks are falling off the house from the chimney, posing risk of injury to any passer by. Past Business 76 Sunnyside Ave Inspectional services will be notified of the three concerns noted above. A remediation company is working on the house and the plan is for it to be sold shortly. Lewis Lake Water Quality 2nd email sent to DPW, awaiting response. Reports Director of Public Health and Clinical Services Update – submitted by email C.L.E.A.R. Program Had a recent site visit with MA DPH to review the work being done with the Equitable Approaches to Public Safety grant. Attended the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Roundtable “Public Safety through Public Health” Presented the C.L.E.A.R. Program with Chief Delehanty and Lt. Gergerian at the Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I) National Conference on December 4. Working with North Suffolk Mental Health to develop key policies for the utilization of the Community Behavioral Health Center in East Boston Immunizations We have completed all in home flu vaccination appointment We continue to host flu clinics on Tuesdays in the Office Other We are hosting the Dana Farber Mammography Van on November 30. We are also hosting a toy drive with HarborCov for families impacted by domestic violence. Wewill begin collecting next week. We are interviewing UMASS Boston practicum students for the Spring semester Drafting a grant application with BU School of Public Health to address chronic respiratory illness in Winthrop NSPHC Disease Status Report The Health Outcome scores received by Winthrop indicated high rates for certain health issues. Bill sent an email to Meridith asking if there was anything the BOH could do to address these issues. Additionally he sent an email asking whether there was any information regarding if many Winthrop residents responded to the Local Public Health Survey (conducted by the state).  Community Meeting with Police. At the recent fall forum held by the Town Council it was mentioned that there will be a meeting regarding collaboration between the Police Department and the Public Health Department. No further details are available. Soccer Field Fertilizer A voice mail message was left for the BOH by Marty O'Brien, President of Winthrop Youth Soccer, stating that the contractor for the fertilization of the field stated that the BOH needed to be notified of the work being done. He also stated that he had the Material Safety Data (MSD) sheet if needed. A return call was made and an email was sent asking for the MDS. As no response was received from him, another email was sent today. Commissioner of Inspectional Services Update – via email from Sharon You can remove 76 Sunnyside off the agenda. The house is completely being repaired. We removed it from our Problem Property List. 99 Bay View:This is just a tenant/landlord dispute. The landlord has pulled permits. We had an inspection done by ISD/Fire. They are trying to convert to a 2 family.You can remove this as well. Just a quick update-ISD has started their annual certificate of inspection program (which we inspect every food & liquor establishments) with Fire and Police. This will be concluded the end of December. The town hired a new exterminator to handle the rodent problem in Winthrop. We are now using B&B Pest control in place of Page Exterminators. Housing inspections ongoing Wrapping up year end tasks Grease Trap Regulations no update Dogs in Restaurants on hold Restaurant Grading System Bill will compose a draft as requested by Al Legee and will also send it to the town manager for his review. Noise issue Suffolk Downs – see under Public Comment. Mold issue Cummings School resolved Community Health Forum was held on October 18, 2023 at Winthrop High School. Event was successful. Speakers from NBC 10 were engaging and Bob DeLeo spoke as well. SAPHE Bill sent a letter to Rep.Turco and Sen. Edwards providing information of the aim of the organization and that they state the state’s emergency preparedness could be improved by better coordination with local public health departments. ​ ​ ​ Performance Standards for Local Public Health New standards were released on 10/11/2023 and can be accessed on the state DPH website, Bill attended the NSPH council meeting on enviromental health. At the meeting, it was stated that a zero carbon action plan will soon be released. Adjournment at 7:08pm approved unanimously 3-0 ​ Respectfully submitted, Christine Reilly, Member