Below is a summarized version of the Board of Health meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
Contents
Meeting Overview
- Purpose: The meeting addressed various public health and administrative matters, including quorum issues, agenda items, public comments, and updates on ongoing initiatives.
- Key Attendees: Rick Lopez (presiding), Joan Wetzel, Geri Kramer, Sophie Hansen, Sal Bramante (arrived later), Kevin Sexton (arrived later), Ade Solarin (Public Health Director), Annette Garcia (Shared Services Coordinator), Amelia, Olivia, and public attendees (McKenzie Ridings, Mr. Praau).
Quorum Issues
Meeting Start and Quorum Issues (0:00 β 7:26)
- Speakers: Rick Lopez, Joan Wetzel, Geri Kramer, Sophie Hansen
- Details:
- Kevin is late, and Kerrie is absent, requiring Sal to establish a quorum (0:00 β 0:23).
- Technical difficulties with Zoom access discussed, attributed to outdated software (2:48 β 3:56).
- To achieve quorum, Rick elevates Geri Kramer to a temporary voting member until Sal or Kevin arrives (4:11 β 7:14).
- Outcome: Meeting called to order with Geri as a temporary voting member (7:20). Roll call conducted: Geri Kramer, Sophie Hansen, Joan Wetzel, Rick Lopez (7:26 β 7:34).
Agenda Overview
Agenda Overview (7:41 β 10:02)
- Speaker: Rick Lopez
- Details:
- Agenda includes approving minutes, public comments, YMCA summer camp license, Starbucks compliance update, cease and desist order for chickens, 1051 Main Street update, shared services update, MBTA sound study, 178 Main Street tobacco suspension, rodent program, wildlife feeding regulation, and volunteer applications.
- Starbucks agenda item deferred as they are now compliant, eliminating the need for a variance (8:33 β 8:53).
- Feeding wildlife listed as informational but noted as a potential typo, with a vote possibly needed (9:26 β 9:49).
- Outcome: Agenda outlined, with some items deferred or informational.
Minutes
Approval of Minutes (10:14 β 11:52)
- Speakers: Rick Lopez, Joan Wetzel, Haley
- Details:
- Minutes for March 13 and April 10 distributed prior. Joan suggests a minor edit (βrestateβ instead of βreinstateβ on inspection report, March minutes) (10:34 β 11:06).
- Motion to approve both sets of minutes with the edit (11:30 β 11:36).
- Outcome: Minutes approved unanimously (Geri, Joan, Rick vote yes) (11:44 β 11:52).
Public Comment
Public Comment (11:52 β 14:12)
- Speakers: Rick Lopez, Haley, McKenzie Writings, Mr. Praau
- Details:
- McKenzie Writings expresses interest in the MBTA sound study (12:09 β 13:12).
- Mr. Praau joins, also interested in the MBTA sound study, confirming prior email communication (13:34 β 14:12).
- Outcome: Public attendees noted, with focus on MBTA sound study for later discussion.
YMCA Summer Camp
YMCA Summer Camp License (14:17 β 18:28)
- Speakers: Ade Solarin, Rick Lopez
- Details:
- YMCA requests a license for recreational camps without prior inspection, per 105 CMR 430.00, a recurring annual request (14:23 β 15:03).
- YMCA meets all six preconditions, and inspections occur post-opening (15:55 β 16:48).
- Motion to authorize the Public Health Director to grant the license without prior inspection for this and future seasons, provided requirements are met (17:15 β 18:11).
- Outcome: Motion passes unanimously (Geri, Joan, Rick vote yes) (18:19 β 18:28).
Starbucks Variance
Starbucks Variance (18:33 β 18:52)
- Speakers: Rick Lopez, Ade Solarin
- Details: Starbucks updated their process to comply with regulations, negating the need for a variance discussion (18:33 β 18:52).
- Outcome: Item deferred as no action required.
Chickens at 31 Audubon Street
Cease and Desist Order for Chickens at 31 Audubon Street (19:01 β 22:36)
- Speakers: Ade Solarin, Rick Lopez
- Details:
- Complaint about unpermitted chickens; owners (Mr. and Mrs. Campos) contacted multiple times but no permit application received (19:08 β 20:26).
- Cease and desist issued due to non-compliance; no definitive evidence chickens were removed, but complaints stopped (20:52 β 21:47).
- No representative present; Ade Solarin plans a formal inspection to confirm compliance (21:54 β 22:22).
- Outcome: No board action needed; Ade Solarin authorized to proceed with inspection and potential fines.
Quorum Established
Sal Joins, Quorum Established (22:55 β 24:24)
- Speakers: Rick Lopez, Sal, Haley
- Details: Sal joins, establishing a full quorum; Geri steps down as a temporary voting member (22:55 β 24:24).
- Outcome: Meeting continues with full quorum.
1051 Main Street
1051 Main Street Update (24:46 β 25:50)
- Speaker: Ade Solarin
- Details: Final inspection confirmed all violations corrected. Owner plans renovations, requiring a certificate of occupancy with health and building department inspections (24:46 β 25:43).
- Outcome: Case closed, pending future inspection if rented.
Shared Services
Shared Services Update (25:55 β 43:48)
- Speakers: Annette Garcia, Rick Lopez, Kevin, Ade Solarin
- Details:
- Annette presents the Middlesex Essex Public Health Collaborative update, serving six communities (26:07 β 27:13).
- Team includes Leanne Perau (nurse) and Shenine Pierce (inspector) (27:30 β 27:56).
- Activities include strategic planning, health fairs, substance misuse workgroups, and foundational public health services reporting (28:03 β 30:21).
- Future plans: hiring a second health inspector, increasing nurse hours, epidemiology work, and sustainability planning (30:52 β 34:44).
- Data on nursing and inspection activities presented (34:55 β 36:02).
- Kevin questions Haverhillβs low service use; Annette explains their robust staff and focus on training support (37:42 β 39:06).
- Rick asks about opioid fund best practices and collaborative learning; Lynfield highlighted for prevention programs (39:21 β 42:34).
- Outcome: Update received; Annette to provide biannual updates (43:01 β 43:48).
MBTA Sound Study
MBTA Sound Study Update (43:59 β 1:00:29)
- Speakers: Ade Solarin, Mr. Praau, McKenzie Ridings, Rick Lopez, Sophie, Kevin
- Details:
- MBTA withdrew their Notice of Intent (NOI) to gather more data and address resident concerns (44:08 β 44:20).
- Sound study conducted, but no report provided yet; concerns about scope and potential bias due to the consulting firmβs VP (former MBTA executive) (44:26 β 51:44).
- Mr. Praau and McKenzie Ridings express concerns about inadequate scope (e.g., missing idling, vibration, diesel emissions) and conflict of interest (45:28 β 51:01).
- Sophie suggests involving state legislators if delays persist; Ade Solarin notes MBTA is still collecting data (52:54 β 54:00).
- Kevin emphasizes need for a qualified third party to review the report (54:41 β 56:58).
- Outcome: Board to follow up on study scope and conflict of interest concerns; no immediate action taken.
178 Main Street
178 Main Street Tobacco Suspension (1:00:36 β 1:01:33)
- Speaker: Ade Solarin
- Details: Mobile Gas Station received a 3-day suspension (May 5-8) and $1,000 fine for selling tobacco to a minor; measures expected to prevent future violations (1:00:51 β 1:01:28).
- Outcome: Issue resolved, no further action needed.
Rodent Program
Rodent Program Update (1:01:46 β 1:03:00)
- Speaker: Ade Solarin
- Details: Program effective with 157 catches since January; $35,000 allocated for mitigation during DPW projects; contract execution planned (1:01:46 β 1:02:46).
- Outcome: Program progressing; Ade Solarin to update at next meeting.
Feeding Wildlife Regulation
Feeding Wildlife Regulation (1:03:07 β 1:11:40)
- Speakers: Ade Solarin, Rick Lopez, Kevin
- Details:
- Regulation prohibits feeding wildlife with exceptions (e.g., natural vegetation, agricultural pursuits) (1:03:40 β 1:04:08).
- Fines: $50 (first offense), $100 (second), $150 (subsequent) (1:04:13 β 1:04:19).
- Kevin notes agenda lists item as informational, precluding a vote (1:05:02 β 1:05:23).
- Discussion on wildlife definition (e.g., excluding rodents, deer) and typos (e.g., βsea debrisβ to βseed debris,β 48-hour correction timeline) (1:06:34 β 1:11:01).
- Outcome: Vote deferred to next meeting to allow review; typos to be corrected.
Monthly Report
Monthly Report Updates (1:11:46 β 1:29:22)
- Speakers: Amelia, Olivia, Luke, Ade Solarin
- Details:
- Ameliaβs Report (1:11:46 β 1:20:04):
- Conducted 32 inspections (schools, preschool) in April (1:12:16 β 1:12:37).
- Addressed complaints (trash, pests, dog waste, housing issues) (1:12:50 β 1:16:59).
- Issued cease and desist for chickens at 31 Audubon Street; plans in-person follow-up (1:17:08 β 1:20:04).
- Oliviaβs Report (1:21:00 β 1:29:22):
- Disease report: 13 COVID, 25 flu cases in April (1:21:24 β 1:21:29).
- Upcoming blood pressure screenings and health awareness campaigns (mental health, food allergies, ticks, heat stroke) (1:21:41 β 1:26:34).
- Announced holistic health class (July 15-16) and Narcan training (June 10) (1:27:13 β 1:28:01).
- Health fair success with 70 attendees, 27 vendors (1:28:44 β 1:29:14).
- Ameliaβs Report (1:11:46 β 1:20:04):
- Outcome: Updates received; no actions required.
Volunteer Applications
Volunteer Applications (1:29:32 β 1:31:57)
- Speaker: Rick Lopez
- Details: Reappointment process underway; Rick and Joan reapplying, Geri stepping down after five years; one applicant for associate position (1:29:42 β 1:31:27).
- Outcome: Process ongoing, interviews scheduled; updates to follow.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: March 13 and April 10 minutes; YMCA summer camp license authorization.
- Deferred/No Action: Starbucks variance (compliant), chicken cease and desist (pending inspection), wildlife feeding regulation vote (deferred to next meeting).
- Ongoing Issues:
- MBTA sound study: Board to follow up on scope and conflict of interest concerns.
- Rodent program: Effective, with new funding allocated.
- Volunteer applications: Reappointment process underway.
- Updates Provided: 1051 Main Street case closed, shared services progress, 178 Main Street suspension enforced, health department activities (inspections, disease reports, community programs).
