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: January 8, 2026
⏱️ Duration: ~1 Hour
🖥️ Format: Zoom Only
👤 Chair: Richard Lopez
🧩 Main Topic: New health inspector introduction, approval of past minutes, community fridge proposal discussion, department updates
🔹 Call to Order and Roll Call
🕒 5:20–5:56
- Meeting called to order by Chair Richard Lopez.
- Roll call: Sal Bramante, Carrie Dunnell, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, and Richard Lopez present.
- Sophie Hansen absent.
- Agenda:
- Introduction of new health inspector
- Approval of minutes (Nov 24, Dec 8, Dec 18)
- Public comment
- Discussion: Community fridge proposal
- Department updates and nursing report
🔹 Introduction of New Health Inspector
🕒 6:41–7:56
- Ade Solarin introduced Zerihun Ayele, former health inspector for Medford, with a Master’s in Public Health from UMass Lowell.
- Zerihun expressed enthusiasm for joining the team and commitment to community health.
🔹 Approval of Minutes
🕒 8:05–10:02
- Reviewed minutes from Nov 24, Dec 8, and Dec 18 meetings.
- Edits noted:
- Correct spelling: “Peer Associates” → “Pear Associates” in CHIP update.
- Remove Liv Bartolomei from “members not present” section in December meetings.
- Motion to approve all three sets of minutes passed unanimously.
🔹 Public Comment
🕒 10:02–10:08
- No public attendees or comments.
🔹 Community Fridge Proposal Discussion
🕒 10:17–50:31
- Proposal: First Baptist Church (45 Woburn St) seeks to install an outdoor community refrigerator to combat food insecurity and reduce waste.
- Context:
- Concept started during COVID; ~200 locations statewide; no DPH or Reading-specific regulations exist.
- Other communities have adopted guidelines rather than formal regulations.
- Concerns Raised:
- Food safety risks: cross-contamination, allergens, sanitation, temperature control, unlabeled or expired food, pest issues.
- Liability implications for town and church.
- Monitoring responsibilities and enforcement challenges.
- Suggestions:
- Require non-porous surface, weather protection, surveillance, thermometer with data logger, and assigned person for cleaning and monitoring.
- Limit permitted items to unopened packaged goods, fresh produce, and factory-sealed meals; prohibit leftovers and expired foods.
- Consider signage disclaiming Board of Health responsibility.
- Board Consensus:
- Support concept but need more information before decision.
- Action items:
- Survey other towns with community fridges for practices and liability handling.
- Consult town counsel on legal exposure.
- Seek guidance from DPH and statewide public health organizations.
- Explore applicability of cottage food regulations.
- No vote taken; topic to be revisited after research.
🔹 Department Updates
🕒 50:37–59:58
Ade Solarin (Public Health Director)
- December Activity:
- 2 housing complaints.
- 10 food establishment complaints.
- ~15 temporary food permits issued.
- Focused on permit renewals and filling health inspector position.
- Updates:
- Shared services collaborative coordinator hired (Lydia Sweetzer).
- Preparing fee schedule increase presentation for Select Board.
- Working on new animal control contract and private well regulation amendments.
Liv Bartolomei (Public Health Nurse)
- Disease Report:
- December: 135 flu cases, 25 COVID cases; RSV also high.
- Norovirus outbreaks noted in schools.
- Health Guidance:
- Wash hands, avoid crowds, stay home when sick.
- Programs:
- Blood pressure screenings: Jan 15 (Frank Tanner), Jan 26 (Library).
- Awareness campaigns: Thyroid health, blood donation, cervical cancer.
- Hands-only CPR classes: January full; March nearly full; sign-ups open for May–November.
- Medical and diabetic supply takeback programs ongoing.
- Vaccination Update:
- Reading flu vaccination rate: 49% (state avg ~33%).
- COVID vaccination rate: ~30% (state avg ~15%).
- Additional flu clinic scheduled Jan 23 at Coolidge Middle School.
🔹 Adjournment
🕒 59:33–59:58
- Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
- Next meeting scheduled for February.
✅ Key Outcomes
- New health inspector introduced: Zerihun Ayele joins Reading Health Department.
- Community fridge proposal: No decision; board to gather data from other towns, DPH, and legal counsel.
- Public health update: Flu and RSV cases rising; additional flu clinic scheduled Jan 23.
- Operational updates: Fee schedule revision, animal control contract, and private well regulation amendments in progress.
