HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-25 Board of Health Minutes BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
January 25, 2001
Dr. MacMillan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Francis P. MacMillan, M.D., Member; John S. Rizza, D.M.D., Clerk; Sandra Starr, Health
Director; Susan Ford, Health Inspector; Debra Rillahan, Town Nurse.
HEAD LICE REGULATIONS
Bobbi Hedstrom, Head nurse in the school system, spoke on behalf of all the nurses
regarding the head lice regulation. The North Andover school nurses would like to
request that the section of the Pediculosis regulations requiring restriction from school for
three consecutive days be eliminated. They find this requirement to be punitive and
counterproductive. The nurses have found that it is the rare case that needs this type of
restriction. Dr. MacMillan has no qualms about eliminating this section as requested by
the nurses. Both Dr. MacMillan and Dr. Rizza would like to give the nurses the liberty to
deal with each case as they see fit.
On a motion by Dr. Rizza, seconded by Dr. MacMillan the Board voted to change
the head lice regulations to read as follows:
"The North Andover Board of Health, acting in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 111,
Section 31, in order to protect the public health of the residents of the Town of North Andover,
hereby establishes the following regulation to control the spread of pediculosis infection within the
schools of North Andover.
DEFINITIONS:
1. Contagion—pediculosis as demonstrated by the presence of lice,nits,eggs, or egg cases.
2. Nits—the small eggs of the louse that are attached to hair with a glue-like substance that
cannot be blown or washed away. They range in color from a yellowish-white to
reddish-brown.
3. Pediculosis—infestations of the hairy parts of the body or of clothing with lice.
4. Treatment—an approved over-the-count medicated shampoo or cream rinse designed to
Kill lice or a product prescribed by a physician;AND the follow-up manual nit
removal process;AND the appropriate cleaning or storage of all potentially
infested items.
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January 25, 2001
GENERAL:
Henceforth, any person in any public or private school within the Town of North Andover
diagnosed as being infested with head or body lice, shall, upon diagnosis by the school
physician or school nurse, be considered to be carrying a contagious disease and shall be
immediately excluded from admission to school. Such person shall not be re-admitted to
school until a complete treatment has been carried out and the person has been found nit
free. Each such person shall be examined by the school nurse and only re-admitted to
school if there are no nits found, and the examination indicates that the person is free of
contagion. The person shall be examined daily by the school nurse for the next two
weeks. If, during the following two weeks of daily examinations, any signs of pediculosis
are found, then the person shall again be denied admittance to school until there is no sign
of nits. Affected children must be brought to the school by a parent or other responsible
adult.
This regulation was hereby adopted by a unanimous vote of the North Andover Board of
Health on December 18, 997, and amended January 25, 2001, and is effective
immediately."
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Ron Beauregard and Diane Pickles spoke on behalf of Healthy Communities. Ms. Pickles
would like to take another look at the smoking regulations in North Andover in bars and
restaurants. Ms. Pickles talked about having the Town go smoke-free in restaurants and
bars. One of the key findings is the ventilation in bars and restaurants and the health risks.
Ms. Pickles would like to do a survey in Town about smoking in bars and restaurants.
She would like to bring the data back to the Board and discuss it. The survey will go out
and Ms. Pickles will appear before the Board in March, 2001 and go over the survey data.
The Board favored the survey.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On a motion by Dr. Rizza, seconded by Dr. MacMillan a motion was made to accept
December 14, 2000 minutes.
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January 25, 2001
BUDGET
Ms. Starr showed the Board the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2002. A transmittal
letter and the proposed budget were prepared to show Town Manager and the Finance
Director. Salary projections included funds for a new Health Inspector, full time for the
Town Nurse, increase for Sue Contarino, Health Secretary. Operation expenses. The
budget will go before Town Manager then to Finance Committee to Town Meeting to be
decided on.
PENTUCKET MEDICAL ASSOCIATES
Deb Rillahan, Town Nurse, spoke regarding patients getting through to PMA. Ms.
Rillahan has received numerous phone calls from people saying they cannot get through to
their doctors. Elderly people cannot get through to their doctors. Ms. Rillahan has had to
call PMA for these patients and make appointments, etc. Dr. MacMillan will speak to
PMA about the problem.
RED CROSS
Deb Rillahan, Town Nurse will be holding a blood drive. In the past few days a Robert
King has called and e-mailed information to the Health Department about being against
the blood drive saying the Red Cross took tainted blood in the 1980's, and believe the Red
Cross is still doing it. Mr. King said he is going to picket the blood drive. Dr. Rizza
suggested calling the police. Mr. King wanted to appear before the Board and Ms. Starr
told Mr. King she would bring the information to the meeting and let the Board go over it
and if the Board wanted him to appear she would let him know.
SEWER TIE-IN REGULATIONS
Ms. Ford told the Board that letters go out and people do not respond.
BODY PIERCING AND TATTOO REGULATIONS
Ms. Starr is going over the regulations and tying the body piercing and tattoo regulations
together. Ms. Starr received information from the Internet and would like to use some of
the information for the Town. Ms. Starr would like to have the Town regulations ready
for the February 22, 2001 Board of Health meeting.
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January 25, 2001
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion by Dr. Rizza, seconded by Dr. MacMillan, the Board voted to adjourn
the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
John S. Rizza,DMD, Clerk