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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-19 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thurs(lay—Decennber 19, 2013 7:00 p.m. 120 Main Street,2»« Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room North Andover, MA 01845 � Present: Thomas Trowbridge,Larry Fio/ec, Frank MacMillan,Edwin Pease,Joseph McCarthy,Susan Sawyer,Debra RUUabnu,Michele Grant,Lisa Blackburn i CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called\u order ut7:}5pm. R. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Ill. PUBLIC HEARINGS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Meeting minutes fi-000 l|/2|/l9 were presented fo«niAnu1uro. MOTION was made by Mr.Fixler to approve the minutes,the motion was seconded by Mr.Pease, all were in favor and the minutes were approved. V. OLD BUSINESS \/l. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration nf North Andover Public Schools Head Lice po|iuy. Cheryl Quruzuk,lead nurse for the North Andover School Oyeiom'Bm6ncuBodobum' Sargent School nurse, and Gail Munro,Atkinson School nurse,were present to ask the Board for u change to the current December 18, 1997 Pediculosis regulation(amended on 1-25-2001). The requested change in the regulation would allow children Wremain in school with nits but not live lice. A discussion ensued regarding the responsibilities for schools and parents.Nits would be monitored by the school,but if live lice are present, parents will be called and the child will be sent home for treatment. Children will be let back in school as long us there isuo presence of live lice.The nurses educate parents oo the idondfioobouand treatment of both nits and lice.Parents are asked to wash bedding and clothes in hot water and bag stuffed animals or put them iou hot dryer. If parents refuse to treat with chemicals,they are referred W their pediatricians for advice oo how totreat. Some parents are trying to reduce the amount of chemicals that are used{ntreat lice,and some are using natural alternative methods.Parents have generally been very vigilant and cooperative.Mrs.Barczak stated that lice don't carry disease and are more of a nuisance. Overall,the incidence of lice in North Andover schools has been low for many years.A discussion ensued regarding detection and transferring of lice,Dr.MacMillan suggested a fi-equently asked questions sheet be sent home to parents(o help with the issue.Dr.MacMillan questioned what type of policies do other schools inEssex County have and if there are any districts that have a regulation through the Board of Health?He referred to the handout that was given to him by Mrs.8aruzuk from the National Association ofNurses.He pointed 12/19/13 North Andover Board nf Health Meeting-Meeting Minutes Page l'd2 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 yixlc .88cm6c6Cle,b;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr., Member; Edwin Pease, Sawyer,Health Director; Debra `Rillahan, ^o6licDcubh Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant out that according to the handout,there should not be a lice policy by the Board of Health. Dr.Trowbridge first considered a compromise of the nursing policy and the current regulation,but then questioned if the problem could be handled internally by the nurses and the school department?Mrs. Sawyer stated that the regulation was originally set up because the schools needed support fi-om the Board of Health due to a difficult management problem at that time. Dr. Trowbridge suggested that the regulation be rescinded and the lice policy be managed by nurses at the school department.Discussion ensued.Ms.Rillahan stated that she would like a copy of the school policy so that she can be on the same page as the school nurses if she receives phone calls from the public. There should be communication between the Health Department and the school nurses. MOTION was made by Dr.MacMillan to rescind the December 18, 1997 Pediculosis regulation and give the policy back to the school department to oversee.The motion was seconded by Mr.Pease and all were in favor. VII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION A. Update on 2014 permitting Mrs. Sawyer reported that there have been no outstanding issues regarding the 2014 permitting season. Permitting has been going smoothly. She reminded the public that anyone who has not renewed their 2014 permit by the I"of the year will result in the fees being doubled.A discussion ensued regarding the new pay online program for food and dumpster permits.Although the response has been slow, a handful of people chose to pay online.There is no surcharge to make the payment online. The application paperwork does need to be submitted to the Health Dept.before the permit will be issued. VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS Deb Rillahan,public health nurse,will discuss Lyme disease at the next BOH meeting on January 23,2014. IX, ADJOURNMENT MOTION made to adjourn the meeting by Dr.MacMillan. Mr. Fixler seconded the motion and all were in favor.The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 pm. Prepared by., Lisa Blackburn, Health Dept.Assistant Reviewed bv: All Board of Health Members&Susan Smii�er, Health Director Si ng ed by: Larry^ ;l ; Jerk of the n d Date Signed 12/19/13 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