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: November 24, 2025
⏱️ Duration: ~1 hour 43 minutes
🖥️ Format: Hybrid (in-person + Zoom)
👤 Chair: Richard Lopez
🧩 Main Topics: 🚭 Administrative hearing on tobacco violation, 🗑️ Hauler regulation update, 📊 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) progress, 🩺 Department reports, MBTA update
🔹 Call to Order and Roll Call
🕒 4:47–5:35
- Meeting called to order by Chair Richard Lopez.
- Roll call: Adi Bengali (associate member), Sal Bramante, Kerry Dunnell, Sophie Hansen (associate member), Joan Wetzel, and Richard Lopez present.
- Agenda included minutes approval, public comment, administrative hearing, hauler regulation update, CHIP progress, and monthly reports.
🔹 Approval of Minutes (October 9 & October 27, 2025)
🕒 7:47–8:42
- No edits noted.
- Motion to approve passed unanimously.
🔹 Public Comment
🕒 8:48–8:55
- No public attendees or comments.
🔹 Administrative Hearing: Reading Shell (110 Main Street)
🕒 9:01–55:26
- Violation Details:
- Tobacco product sold to a minor (17-year-old) on September 27, 2025 at 6:05 PM.
- Second violation within 36 months; first occurred January 6, 2024.
- Penalty: $2,000 fine and 7-day license suspension per local regulation.
- Compliance Officer Report:
- Youth trained under FDA protocol; no ID presented; sale completed without verification.
- Owner’s Response:
- Expressed shock and regret; cited extensive compliance measures:
- Monthly retraining and signed acknowledgment forms.
- Secret shopper program (100% compliance prior to incident).
- New ID scanner installed in September requiring scan-only for tobacco/alcohol sales.
- Signage posted (though missing local nicotine-free generation rule).
- Employee responsible terminated for unrelated performance issues.
- Expressed shock and regret; cited extensive compliance measures:
- Board Discussion:
- Commended owner’s efforts but emphasized clear violation and precedent.
- Clarified local regulation: No sales to anyone born after Jan 1, 2004.
- Debate on “may” vs. “shall” language in suspension clause; agreed to revisit regulation wording in future.
- Decision:
- Motion passed unanimously:
- $2,000 fine.
- 7-day suspension (dates to be coordinated by Health Director with store).
- Motion passed unanimously:
🔹 Hauler Regulation Update
🕒 1:15:25–1:15:56
- Regulations not finalized; pending alignment with new trash/recycling contract.
- Expected completion: January 2026.
🔹 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Update
🕒 1:16:03–1:32:45
- Three Health Priorities:
- Preventive Health Screenings & Treatment:
- Hearing screenings: 44 individuals.
- Vision van: 17 screened; 3 follow-ups.
- Mammography van: 19 screened.
- Blood pressure screenings: 121 appointments.
- Reading Coalition served 3,500 residents.
- Future goals: expand screenings, improve transportation access.
- Healthy Environments & Inclusive Programs:
- RECC building planning underway.
- 10 after-hour recreation programs; 13 health programs (122 attendees).
- Teen Talks launched; CPR and wellness education.
- Future goals: ADA compliance improvements, staff support for RECC.
- Healthy Eating & Active Living:
- 4 nutrition programs (65 attendees).
- Future goals: community education campaigns, farmers market feasibility, walkability initiatives.
- Preventive Health Screenings & Treatment:
- Board Feedback:
- Suggested adding data appendix for trend tracking.
- Encouraged collaboration with other departments and recognition of town-wide efforts.
🔹 Department Updates
🕒 1:32:52–1:42:33
Liv Bartolomei (Public Health Nurse)
- Disease Report:
- COVID: 15 cases in October (down from 23 in September).
- Flu cases rising in November.
- Programs & Clinics:
- Blood pressure screenings scheduled for December.
- Awareness campaigns: HIV/AIDS, impaired driving, sharps safety.
- Flu clinics: strong turnout; homebound shots available.
- Hands-only CPR classes to become bi-monthly in 2026; instructor certification in progress.
- Medical and diabetic supply takeback ongoing.
Ade Solarin (Public Health Director)
- October Activity:
- 11 food inspections.
- 2 foodborne illness investigations.
- 9 temporary food permits; 16 annual renewals.
- 1 housing complaint.
- Staffing:
- Health inspector position vacant; interviews underway.
- MBTA Update:
- MBTA withdrew continuance; RFQ for consultant canceled.
- Awaiting clarification on future plans.
🔹 Adjournment
🕒 1:43:03–1:43:15
- Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
- Next meeting scheduled for January 2026.
✅ Key Outcomes
- 🚭 Tobacco violation confirmed; $2,000 fine and 7-day suspension imposed.
- 🗑️ Hauler regulation update deferred to January.
- 📊 CHIP progress reviewed; future goals include expanded screenings and community campaigns.
- 🩺 Department reports highlight strong flu clinic turnout, CPR program expansion, and ongoing rat control success.
- 🚉 MBTA turnback track proposal withdrawn; monitoring for future developments.
