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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-26 Board of Health Minutes I North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday--September 26, 2013 7:00 p.m. 120 Main Street, 2°d Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room North Andover, MA 01845 Present: Thomas Trowbridge,Larry Fixler,Frank MacMillan,Edwin Pease(arrived at 7:17),Joseph McCarthy,Susan Sawyer,Lisa Blackburn I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. PUBLIC HEARINGS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting minutes from August 22,2013 were presented for signature. Motion was made by Dr.MacMillan to approve the minutes,the motion was seconded by Mr.Fixler, all were in favor and the minutes were approved. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 285 Rea StT-eet homeowner with failed system requests suppeA for approval of building pefmit to finish the basemefft prior-to septic system approve'. REQUEST WITHDRAWN,ISSUE RESOLVED. B. Designation of agents for the MA Death Registration System. Mrs. Sawyer explained the process of how death certificates were previously issued and how they are currently issued.Most Boards of Health handle the death certificates or someone can be designated to handle the death certificates. Presently,the Town Clerks office is handling the processing of the death certificates.At this point, names must be designated,not just a certain department.Mrs. Sawyer reviewed the webinar she listened in on and explained the new electronic process on how the death certificates will be issued during on and off hours.Mrs. Sawyer explained that the goal of the new process is to improve reporting accuracy.Joyce Bradshaw,Patricia Sifferlen,Karen Fitzgibbons and Suzanne Pelich,from the Town of North Andover's Clerk's Office,will be designated as Burial Agents for the MA Death Registration System.This will allow them to continue the issuance of burial permits at the Town Clerk's Office located at 120 Main Street.Dr.Trowbridge thanked the Town Clerk's Office for the current support and help they have provided. Motion was made by Dr.MacMillan for the following persons,who are currently staff members of the North Andover Town Cleric office,as designated burial agents. September 26,2013 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2 Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on the agenda. Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr., M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant If 1 Joyce Bradshaw,Karen Fitzgibbons,Suzanne Pelich and Patricia Sifferlen Motion seconded by Mr.McCarthy,all were in favor and the motion was unanimously 1 approved. VII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION A. Mrs. Sawyer discussed the upcoming flu clinics for seniors and immune compromised residents which will be held on Monday,9/30/13 1:00-3:00 pm and Tuesday, 10/15/13 8:30-10:30 am at the Senior Center.There will be no clinics held this year at any of the housing authorities.The clinic information is posted on the town's website and North Andover CAM. B. Mrs. Sawyer discussed the upcoming family flu clinic which will be held on Monday, 10/21/13 5:00- 7:00 pm at High School Field House. The clinic is for residents and children who are school aged. Younger children should go see their doctor for the flu shots.Flu mist is available for those who are eligible. There are around 1000 doses available. Citizens are encouraged to be immunized against the flu. The dose is the 3 strain.The 4 strain will not be available at our clinic. The information for the clinic is posted on the town's website and North Andover CAM.Dr.Macmillan discussed the strain of the flu and the effectiveness of the vaccine and how long it lasts.Dr. Trowbridge encouraged residents to get a flu shot as soon as it is available and not to wait. C. Mrs. Sawyer discussed an update of mercury found in fish at Lake Cochichewick.Flyers were sent out with the recommendations for the consumption of fish. They were posted by the Department of Public Works where people frequently fish.They will also be posted in Spanish. D. Dr.Trowbridge discussed the recent mosquito spraying that took place on Wednesday 9/25/13 around the Senior Center and the spraying that was previously done around the DPW. The town has a good relationship with Jack Card from North East Mosquito Control and communication is seamless as far as addressing the risks promptly.A discussion ensued regarding mosquito spraying and its effectiveness. Mr. McCarthy stated that treating West Nile and EEE seems to be in the forefront, however,there should be a great concern on having measures for tic control and preventing the outbreak of Lyme disease which doesn't seem as prevalent. A discussion was held comparing and contrasting EEE,West Nile and Lyme disease. E. Mrs. Sawyer stated that September is Emergency Preparedness Awareness month. There are various ways that residents can find preparedness information;cable,town website,MDPH website etc. F. Mrs. Sawyer discussed the success of the recent Blood Drive on 9/23/13. She stated that at least two blood drives are held each year.This year we held three blood drives. G. Mrs. Sawyer informed the Board that there were two new businesses that recently opened up in town. Lady Jayne's Gourmet Popcorn mobile truck and the new Dunkin Donuts at the Volpe Center at Merrimack College.Mrs. Sawyer also stated that Gilbert Harb's mobile permit to sell ice cream in the Town of North Andover was suspended due to a recent offense he was charged with. VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made to adjourn the meeting by Mr.Fixler.Mr.McCarthy seconded the motion and all were in favor.The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm. Prepared bw Lisa Blackburn,Health Dept.Assistant Reviewed bv: All Board of Health Members&Susan Sawyer, Health Director Signed bv: ,cam Larry- ' er, C rk of the o rd Date Signed September 26,2013 North Andover Board of Health Meeting—Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on the agenda. Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr., M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant