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
🗓️ Board of Health Meeting Summary
📅 Date: October 9, 2025
⏱️ Duration: ~1 hour 25 minutes
🖥️ Format: Zoom Only
👤 Chair: Richard Lopez
🧩 Main Topics: 🚉 MBTA turnback track public health concerns, 🗑️ Hauler and dumpster regulations, 💧 Private well regulation updates, 💵 Fee schedule planning, 🩺 Department reports
🔹 Call to Order and Roll Call
🕒 7:30–8:01
- 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 later.
- Agenda adjusted to prioritize MBTA discussion following public comment.
🔹 Approval of Minutes (September 11, 2025)
🕒 9:20–11:56
- Edits included spelling correction and clarification of board approval process for permits.
- Motion to approve passed unanimously.
🔹 Public Comment (MBTA Turnback Track Concerns)
🕒 12:04–38:43
- Multiple residents expressed concerns about health impacts from diesel emissions, noise, vibration, and traffic congestion.
- Requests included:
- Independent air quality and noise studies
- Transparent complaint tracking and mitigation audits
- Coordination with other town boards
- Consideration of environmental justice communities and vulnerable populations
- Residents cited inadequate MBTA studies and lack of raw data transparency.
🔹 MBTA Turnback Track Board Discussion
🕒 39:24–1:01:31
- Board acknowledged gaps in MBTA data and lack of community engagement.
- Agreed to:
- Request raw data from MBTA
- Hire an independent consultant to review MBTA studies and conduct additional analysis
- Send a letter to the Conservation Commission requesting delay in project approval until health data is reviewed
- Motion passed unanimously to authorize Ade Solarin to initiate consultant procurement and coordinate with town officials and residents.
🔹 Hauler Regulation Update
🕒 1:02:05–1:16:20
- Regulation revisions paused pending execution of new trash/recycling contract.
- Board discussed:
- Clarifying hauler responsibilities for resident education
- Ensuring haulers are permitted by the town
- Adding language to address barrel placement and safety
- Avoiding unintended regulation of one-time trash removal (e.g., handyman services)
- Final draft to be reviewed after contract alignment.
🔹 Private Well Regulation Update
🕒 1:16:31–1:19:34
- Board informed of upcoming amendments to include:
- Definitions for abutters
- Standards for irrigation and geothermal wells
- Clarification of setback and testing requirements
- Town has ~366 wells; categorized data available.
🔹 Department Updates
🕒 1:19:39–1:26:14
Ade Solarin (Public Health Director)
- September Activity:
- 18 food permits issued
- 12 food inspections
- 27 temporary food event permits, 11 inspections
- 3 housing inspections
- 1 animal violation (corrected)
- 14 rat complaints (39 catches in September; 433 total)
- 1 well plan review, 1 tobacco inquiry, 2 dog bites, 1 cat scratch
Liv Bartolomei (Public Health Nurse)
- Disease Report:
- COVID: 23 cases (down from 30 in August)
- Screenings & Clinics:
- Blood pressure screenings ongoing
- Flu clinics at library, Pleasant Street Center, and Tannerville
- Homebound flu shots available
- Vaccine clinics at Coolidge Middle School (COVID included)
- Awareness Topics:
- Breast Cancer, Down Syndrome, Menopause, Pregnancy & Infant Loss, SIDS
- Programs:
- Hands-only CPR classes
- Teen Talk series
- Medical supply takeback program
🔹 Fee Schedule Update
🕒 1:27:14–1:28:18
- Ade Solarin to present proposed fee changes to Select Board.
- Public hearing to be scheduled; may be during a regular meeting or via doodle poll.
🔹 Adjournment
🕒 1:32:30–1:32:57
- Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
- Next meeting date to be determined based on town meeting schedule.
✅ Key Outcomes
- 🚉 Board to hire independent consultant to assess MBTA health impacts; letter to Conservation Commission to delay project approval.
- 🗑️ Hauler regulation revisions paused pending contract; draft to be finalized post-review.
- 💧 Private well regulation updates in progress to include non-potable wells and clearer definitions.
- 💵 Fee schedule hearing to be scheduled; Select Board presentation planned.
- 🩺 Department reports show active inspections, outreach, and successful flu clinic turnout.
