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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-13 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday—May 13,2021 7:00 p.m. VIRTUAL MEETING Town Hall — 120 Main Street Live broadcast can be heard on www.northandovercam.org Present: Joseph McCarthy,Dr.Patrick Scanlon,Michelle Davis,Daphne Alva-LaFleur,Max Tilson, Brian LaGrasse,Stephen Casey Jr,Caroline Ibbitson,and Toni K Wolfenden. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting called to order at 7:02 pm. Chairman Joseph McCarthy read the following statement: Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12,2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law,G.L.c.30A, Section 18,and the Governor's March 15,2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place,this meeting of the North Andover Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town's website,at www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.ore. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted,but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time,via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so,despite best efforts,we will post on the Town of North Andover website an audio or video recording, transcript,or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. If the public would like to participate in public hearings please email your question/comment prior to or during the meeting to blagrassena,northandoverma.gov The question/comment will be read during the proceedings and responded to accordingly. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. PUBLIC HEARINGS Jeff Thompson from TBI Industries is present to discuss a temporary operating permit. On August 20, 2019,a major fire destroyed the building and operations of TBI Industries,210 Holt Road. At this time, TBI was granted temporary approval from the Board of Health to engage in limited work outside,while undergoing re-construction. Simultaneously,there was another small fire on March 19,2021. This occurred in a concrete bay during welding work that was being completed by a subcontractor. Unfortunately,TBI was shut down again. Brian LaGrasse and Joseph McCarthy toured the facility. Jeff 2021 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Page 1 of 4 Board of Health Members:Joseph McCarthy,Chairman;Michelle Davis,RN,Clerk/Member;Daphnee Alva-LaFleur,Member; Dr.Patrick Scanlon,DO,Town Physician/Member;Max Tilson MD,Member Health Department Staff:Brian LaGrasse,Health Director;Stephen Casey Jr.,Health Inspector;Caroline Ibbitson,Public Health Nurse;Toni K.Wolfenden,Health Department Assistant Thompson submitted a letter outlining parameters for operations. At this time,verbal approval was granted,with a follow up email. Currently,TBI needs approvals from DEP,Building Department and Fire Department. Jeff Thompson explains that there is a sprinkler company on site installing a new system. Once the sprinkler system is in place,fire control will be installed which involves fire alarms,heat detectors,and smoke detectors. The new hydrant has been installed on the backside of the property. Testing results have been forwarded to the water department. Limited operations will not begin until after these items have been installed and additional approvals obtained. TBI provides many services to the town and surrounding area. It allows contractors to bring construction and demolition materials to be disposed of North Andover residents are charged based on weight. Non-residents are charge a minimum charge of $75,which residents are not. North Andover residents pay 8 cents per pound. Residents can drop off scrap metal for free. TBI hosts the hazardous waste days drop off twice per year. The next date will be in October. The single stream recycling is donated through TBI to the town and has done so since the facility has been in operation. MOTION made by Dr.Max Tilson to allow TBI Industries to work under"temporary operations", seconded by Dr.Patrick Scanlon.All were in favor and the motion was approved.(5-0-0) IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting Minutes from March 25,2021 presented for signature. MOTION made by Michelle Davis for approval,seconded by Dr.Max Tilson,all in favor,minutes approved.(5-0-0) V. NEW BUSINESS MOTION made by Dr.Max Tilson,to APPOINT,Lara Vlasuk,Temporary Part Time Health Inspector, as an agent of the Board of Health. Seconded by Dr.Patrick Scanlon. All were in favor and the motion approved.(5-0-0) VI. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION A. Brian LaGrasse discusses COVIDI9. The virus numbers have been trending down steadily. Vaccination numbers are up. Restrictions are being rolled back. Currently,the town is seeing single- digit case counts. There are 35 total active cases in town,6 are from higher education. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeing lower numbers as well. On Tuesday,there was 446 cases across the state,and 626 on Wednesday. 428 patients are in the hospital for COVIDI9,which is low. The positivity rate across Massachusetts is 1.25%with North Andover being at 0.73%. The mass vaccination sites across the state are doing well. They have tapered off. Massachusetts has vaccinated 3.1 million people. Last week,ages 75 and over,93%of that population had received at least one dose. This week is now 94%. Age group 65-74,last week was at 90%,this week is 91%. Age group 50-64 last week was 78%,now 80%. Age group 3049 was at 70%,now 73%. Age group 20-29,is at 57%now 62%. Age group 0-19 was at 12%,now 14%. The Town of North Andover is at 60%total population vaccinated. Age group 16-18 years has opened for the Modema vaccine. The government has opened the age group 12-15 for the Pfizer vaccine. Clinics have been scheduled next week at both the high school and middle school. Roughly,500 middle school students have signed up and 200 students from the high school. A large portion of the high school population were previously vaccinated. Getting these age groups vaccinated protects the parents and grandparents. The senior center will begin to add more programs. Stephen Casey discusses recent changes in terms of gatherings and sports,which has been monitored for the last year. As of April 301,Governor Baker went back to the open space covering rules which entails that if a person is outdoors and can socially distance,face coverings are no longer needed. As of May 101,sector specific areas were updated which include: indoor and outdoor events,restaurants, retail spaces,theater and performance venues,and large capacity venues. Changes were minor or limited to each area. Singing is now allowed indoors for restaurants. Capacity in large venues has increased from 12%capacity to 25%. New pool guidance has been released for public and semi- public pools. There was some changes to the youth amateur sports guidance which involves mask guidance for spectators,depending on the sport and the risk category. Some areas have been eliminated which are sector specific. Depending on public health and vaccination data,bigger changes will be coming on May 291 and as of August I",industry restrictions could be lifted. All are subject to infection and vaccination data trends. The town of North Andover has hired a new part time temporary North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday—May 13,2021 7:00 p.m. VIRTUAL MEETING Town Hall - 120 Main Street Live broadcast can be heard on www.northandovercam.org health inspector named Laura Vlasuk. Laura has a great deal of experience. She will be assisting the department with the backlog of work from the past year. She will assist with all areas of the department,specializing in septic,housing,pools,general complaints and food inspections. Carolyn Ibbitson—Public Health Nurse: COVIDI9 has slowed down as far as contact tracing. There has been a small bump up in the tracing in the area of daycares;however,it has been much more manageable than in the past. Carolyn Ibbitson and Cheryl Barczak,School Department,Director of Health Services,have started working with Pe1Med Pharmacy,Waltham MA,to begin coordinating the student vaccination clinics. The first clinic will be on Monday,May 17,2021 for the Middle School and Friday May 21,2021 at the High School. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,Emergency Management have donated supplies for food insecure families. The items are non-perishable food boxes. These can be delivered to homes. If people are in need please contact the Health Department, 978-688-9540. Dr.Max Tilson and Dr.Patrick Scanlon:The cases of COVIDI9 in local hospitals are significantly lower. Lowell General Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital are down to single digits. Currently there is one patient in the ICU for Lowell General and zero for Lawrence General and Holy Family. Death rate is down. It is important for people to continue to be vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus. Current guidelines suggest that if you have had the virus,the vaccine gives added protection against reinfection from COVID19. The human body does not generate a robust immune response to coronavirus infections;this is why the vaccine is being promoted. At this time the medical industry does not know how long the vaccine will be affective in a patient. The vaccines have not been around enough to know. It appears the protection lasts for at least 6-8 months,perhaps longer. It will not be a surprise if a booster is needed in the future. There has been discussion with various pharmaceutical companies to combine Influenza and COVIDI9 into one booster,but it is not available at this time. B. Joseph McCarthy discusses Lyme Disease. Wearing light colored clothing and insect repellent with DEET is the best way to deter a tick. Symptoms of Lyme disease are fever,chills,headache,fatigue, muscle and joint ache,swollen lymph nodes,and a characteristic skin rash usually similar to a red bull's eye. The later symptoms of untreated Lyme disease are more complex and can affect the heart. Roughly,30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed annually with Lyme disease. Death is rare. Use caution when outside. The Town of North Andover does spray for mosquitos however,there is not a tick program at this time. They are two completely different insects with two completely different ways of treatment. Mosquitoes are easier and less pesticides is used for control. Ticks are completely different with different habitats. A tick bite takes 24 to 48 hours for the bacteria to transmit into your bloodstream. Tick checks are strongly recommended especially after hiking. Unfortunately, there is no current program to spray for ticks. Mosquito spraying will not kill ticks. 2021 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Page 3 of 4 Board of Health Members:Joseph McCarthy,Chairman;Michelle Davis,RN,Clerk/Member;Daphnee Alva-LaFleur,Member; Dr.Patrick Scanlon,DO,Town Physician/Member;Max Tilson MD,Member Health Department Staff:Brian LaGrasse,Health Director;Stephen Casey Jr.,Health Inspector;Caroline Ibbitson,Public Health Nurse;Toni K.Wolfenden,Health Department Assistant VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Dr.Max Tilson to adjourn the meeting.Motion seconded by Michelle Davis. All were in favor.The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.(5-0-0) Prepared by Toni K. Wolfenden, Health Dept.Assistant Reviewed bv: All Board of Health Members&Brian LaGrasse, Health Director Signed V Michelle Davis, Clerk of the Board Date Signed Documents Used At Meeting: Agenda North Andover Board of Health Meeting Agenda Thursday, May13, 2021 7:00 pm VIRTUAL MEETING Live broadcast can be heard on www.northandoverma.gov I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES A. March 25, 2021 III. Public Hearings A. Temporary Operations —Thompson Brothers, Jeff Thompson IV. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSIONS A. COVIDI9-Updates V. ADJOURNMENT Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town's website, at www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.org. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of North Andover website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. If the public would like to participate in public hearings please email your question/comment prior to or during the meeting to blagrasse(a)_northandoverma.gov The question/comment will be read during the proceedings and responded to accordingly. 2021 North Andover Board of Health Meeting—Meeting Agenda Page 1 of 1 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: Joseph McCarthy,Chairman;Michelle Davis,RN,Clerk/Member;Daphnee Alva-LaFleur,Member; Dr.Patrick Scanlon,D.O.Town Physician/Member;Dr.Max Tilson,MD,Member Health Department Staff:Brian LaGrasse, Health Director;Stephen Casey,Public Health Inspector;Caroline Ibbitson,RN,Public Health Nurse;Toni K.Wolfenden, Health Department Assistant.