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
🗓️ Reading Board of Health Meeting Summary
📅 Date: September 11, 2025
⏱️ Duration: ~1 hour 25 minutes
🖥️ Format: Zoom Only
👤 Chair: Richard Lopez
🧩 Main Topics: 🗑️ Dumpster and hauler regulations, 💵 Fee schedule updates, 🚉 MBTA turnback tracks, 🩺 Department reports, 🧪 Public health initiatives
🔹 Call to Order and Roll Call
🕒 7:03–7:45
- Meeting called to order by Chair Richard Lopez.
- Roll call: Sal Bramante, Kerry Dunnell, Sophie Hansen, Joan Wetzel, and Richard Lopez present.
- Kevin Sexton joined at approximately 7:40 PM.
- Agenda included minutes approval, hauler and dumpster regulations, fee schedule review, MBTA update, and department reports.
🔹 Approval of Minutes (August 14, 2025)
🕒 4:58–6:16
- Edits noted: Kerry Dunnell’s arrival time and correction of staff attendance.
- Motion to approve passed unanimously.
🔹 Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
🕒 6:16–6:25
- No public attendees or comments.
🔹 Hauler Regulation Review
🕒 6:25–25:28
- First review of proposed hauler regulation, developed separately from dumpster regulation.
- Key discussion points:
- Clarification needed on customer education and notification requirements.
- Coordination challenges between haulers and Board of Health.
- Concerns about requiring board approval for private hauler contracts.
- Suggestions to ensure haulers are permitted without requiring residents to appear before the board.
- Recommendation to include a provision requiring haulers to return barrels to curbside to prevent street hazards.
- Ade Solarin to meet with DPW and Town Counsel for further refinement.
🔹 Dumpster Regulation Vote
🕒 25:28–29:13
- Final version reviewed with all requested edits:
- Removed last sentence in Section 4.2.1.
- Exempted construction/demolition dumpsters from lid requirement.
- Motion to approve passed unanimously.
🔹 Fee Schedule Review
🕒 29:13–44:10
- Proposed fee increases reviewed; current fees shown in red, proposed in black.
- Town Counsel recommended:
- Clarifying that animal-related fees apply to Section 02 (Keeping of Animals).
- Holding a public hearing due to significant fee increases.
- Board discussion:
- General support for fee increases based on regional comparisons and workload.
- Agreement to hold a public hearing during a future regular meeting.
- Request for presentation showing comparative data and rationale for increases.
🔹 MBTA Turnback Track Update
🕒 44:56–56:06
- Community concerns raised about noise and emissions.
- MBTA committed to sharing raw data; awaiting delivery.
- Turnback Committee requested meeting with town officials and boards.
- Board agreed to review data before engaging with the committee.
- Kevin Sexton noted similar issues in other communities; Carrie Dunnell to consult MAHB for guidance on board authority.
🔹 Department Updates
🕒 56:17–1:02:36
Ade Solarin (Public Health Director)
- August Activity:
- 11 food inspections
- 5 housing complaints with violations
- 5 pest complaints (all rat sightings)
- 3 animal complaints (rooster, sick coyote, dead beaver)
- 5 pool inspections
- 3 dog bite incidents
- 1 nursing facility ownership change (Bear Mountain)
Liv Bartolomei (Public Health Nurse)
- Disease Report:
- COVID: 31 cases (Stratus strain active)
- Lyme disease: 7 cases
- Screenings & Clinics:
- Blood pressure screenings at library and senior centers
- Upcoming flu clinics (7 at library, 2 at Pleasant Street, 1 at Frank Tanner)
- Vaccine clinics at Coolidge Middle School (COVID included): Sept 26, Oct 17, Nov 7
- Hearing screening: Sept 24 at library
- Awareness Topics:
- Ovarian & Prostate Cancer
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Childhood Obesity
- Suicide Prevention
- Fruit & Veggie Month
- National Preparedness Month
- Takeback Supplies Program continues to be active.
🔹 Adjournment
🕒 1:07:00–1:07:22
- Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
- Next meeting scheduled for October.
✅ Key Outcomes
- 🗑️ Dumpster regulation approved with final edits.
- 📦 Hauler regulation reviewed; revisions to be made after DPW and legal consultation.
- 💵 Fee schedule supported; public hearing to be scheduled.
- 🚉 MBTA concerns acknowledged; board awaits raw data before further action.
- 🩺 Department reports show active inspections, outreach, and fall health programming.
- 🎉 Liv Bartolomei completed her one-year probation and was recognized for her contributions.
