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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-25 Board of Health Minutes G(W6rVtd10 WOMMMUNNUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMUMM North Andover board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday- 3uly 25, 2024 7:00 p.m. 120 Main Street, Board of Select Room. Live broadcast can be heard on www.northaii(lovei-cam.org Present: Michelle Davis,Jennifer Abou-Ezzi,Bral Spight,Brian LaGrasse, Carolyn Lam,Annette Garcia, Shared Services Coordinator and Toni K.Wolfenden 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting called to order at 7:00 ptn. ll. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Ill. APPROVAL.OF MINUTES A. Meeting Minutes from May 23,2024 presented for signature. MOTION trade by Jennifer Abou-Ezzi for approval, seconded by'Bral Spight,all in favor and the minutes approved. (3-0-0) IV. PUBLIC HEARING A. Frank Stamos,The Cork Stop—Tobacco Permit Request MOTION made by Bral Spight to OPEN the PUBLIC I-IEARING,seconded by Jennifer Abou Ezzi. (3- 0-0) Brian L,aGrasse received a request for a tobacco variance from f"rank Stamos of The Cork Stop. (See Appendix A.) Brian asks the Board to review the Town of North Andover,Board of Health Regulating the Sale and Use of Tobacco Products, .Section 4: Tobacco Product Sales hermit. 4.14 At any given tame, there shall be no more than SIXTEEN(1 d) Tobacco Pr•oduct.Sales Permits issued in the Torun ofNorth Andover,.. (See Appendix B) Brian has asked the Board to view the current Tobacco List for 2024-2025. (See Appendix C.) Nick:Papantonakis,4 Sasha Circle Peabody,MA 01960,co-owner of The Cork Stop, explains with the addition of Liquor Junction,competition has been challenging. 'Fite track drivers coming in from Amazon are asking for tobacco products,which they cannot provide. The Cork Stop refers their customer to various local businesses, Losing the revenue is a serious problem. The Cork Stop has not had a town issued tobacco license in the past. They are also looking to add lottery sales. Jimmy's Famous Pizza/The Cork Stop has been a North Andover business for 25 years. They will not be advertising the tobacco products. 2024, North Andover Board of Health Meeting Nate The Board of Health reserve t:he right:to tale items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on the agenda. Board of Health Members: Michelle Davis,RN,Chairwoman;Dr.Patrick Scanlon Clerl(frown Physician/lvletnber;Jennifer Abou-Ezzi RN,Member;Jennifer I.eBourdais,ItN,Member;Bra]Spight,Ivlenrher. De ap rarnent Staff:Brian L.aGrasse,Health Director;Shanene Pierce,Public Health Inspector;Carolyn Lam,RN,Public Health Nurse;Toni.K.Wolfeuden,Health Department Assistant. Identification will be scarmed to ensure validity similar to alcohol sales. Brian explains that the Board did not vote in the attrition clause, which would reduce the number of tobacco permits available if a business leaves the town of North Andover. Brian explains that The Cork Stop could be added to the wait list. If a permit does come available the Health Department will reach out and explain the permitting process. MOTION made by Jennifer Abou-Ezzi to CLOSE the PUBLIC IIFARING, seconded by Brat Spight.(3- 0-0) `File Board set the cap in 2020 to 16,this decision will set precedent. The Board discusses various options. Brat Spight MOTIONS to REJECT the variance request seconded by Jennifer Aboll-Ezzi.(3-0-0) The Cork Stop will be added to the tobacco wait list. They will be first in line, V. DISCUSSIONS A. Matthew Brady—Presentation oil Single Use Plastic Bags Matthew Brady,resident and student,presented a letter to the Board to discuss single use plastic.(See Appendix D.) Brian has provided the letter sent to food establishments after the warrant article was passed On May 16,2023 at the North Andover Annual Town Meeting.(See Appendix E.) Matthew would like to re-visit the ban to encompass smaller establishments,rion-profits, bazaars, festivals and/or religious groups. Plastic is a severe threat to the environment in numerous ways. It takes on average,300 years to break down and when they(to, the results are toxic particles which effects plants and animals. Humans are affected by microplastics in our blood. Matthew is asking the Board to consider a further push to ban plastic bags. Banning more establishments and likewise would have an actual effect that matters. Brian explains that this was discussed with the sustainability committee. They are the ones that did the citizens petition to go to town meeting. What they found in their research was that over 80 establishments in towns (to not use plastic bags. The smaller establishments have more of an economic impact and a space requirement impact. Plastic bags are easier,cheaper and easier to store. Larger establishments are impacted far less as opposed to a small,morn and pop. There was a need to compromise. Nonprofits hardly use any plastic bags. Covid 19 and the Health Department shut downs impacted. The impact lasted years. The Flealth Department and Sustainability Committee collaborated and assisted with writing the proposal and the enforcement has started. Brian feels the movement should be done at a state level. Town by town is good but getting the entire commonwealth on board would make a lasting improvement. Brian would like the ban to go beyond plastic bags to stop waste. A grassroots movement is a great way to start, the Health Department will support any way possible. V1. NEW BUSINESS A. Annette Garcia,Shared Set-vices Coordinator-Intermunicipal Agreement—PHE Grant The Middlesex-Essex Public Health Collaborative has entered into a three-year contract for the Public Health Excellence Grant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This secures level funding. One of the conditions of the contract is a formal intermunicipal agreement needs to be executed. Town Councils from North Andover and all of our member communities joined to draft the agreement. This establishes government structure,rules of participation in the Advisory Board,and the legal aspects of liability coverage for shared staff. Various responsibilities are outlined in the inter-municipal agreement. Approval and signatures from each municipalities Boards of Health and Select Boards, Annette is here today to ask for approval and signatures. (See Appendix F.) Brat Spight MOTIONS to accept and execute the Interrimilicipal Agreement for time Public Health Excellence for Shared Services Grant,seconded by Jennifer Abou-Ezzi(3-0-0) The Collaborative has had a successful fiscal year. They were able to support trainings for local health inspectors. Many inspectors trained in Certified Pool Operator(CPO),and Servsafe. I,ea-Anne Pero, Shared Services Public Health Nurse,has been working with all the communities to offer different health education opportunities. She has offered friends and family CPR and diabetes education classes. Lea- North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday--July 25, 202 7:00 p.m. 120 Main Street,Board of Select Boom Live broadcast can be heard on www.northandovercam.org t Anne;has helped with disease investigation,and filling in for the shared communities nurse maternity leave. Sharlene pierce has been lured as Regional Health Inspector. She will be assisting North Andover with t meeting their inspection requirements. Annette is available for inspections or emergencies. The grant will allow for a health Coin nnunication Specialist to be'hired. This person will help with social media and assisting with the development of a regional website. This will assist with model regulations, inspection forms and other educational resources. The team is also working to develop a foodborne illness investigation training. The Collaborative will be assisting with updating regulations with the goal being consistence between the six communities. They have a public health nurse subcommittee and all inspector subcommittee which meet monthly. This allows the local and regional positions to discuss projects and issues. Information will be consistent throughout the region and encourages the streamlining of'programs. Vli. COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Mosquito Control Brian.L.aGrasse reached out to Northeast Mosquito Control to complete the annual barrier spray. This will be towards tine end of August before school starts. parks,playgrounds,schools, fields will receive the barrier spray to protect against Triple E(EEE)and West Nile Virus(WNV). Haverhill had a positive WNV. B. Other A new restaurant,house of Bagels will be opening in the old Sal's pizza location. Brian has met with the owners. "There is a lot of work to be done however,construction has started. Brian has sent the AI.D training videos to the team coaches. Summer Camps have been going well. No issues. National.Night Out is August.6,2024---the Health Department with the Animal Control Officer Brad DiCenzo, will be featuring butterflies and educating people about mosquitos and ticks. Influenza vaccines will be arriving within the next f'ew weeks. planning has begun with the flu clinics. Carolyn hopes to partner with a local pharmacy to offr the COVID-19,pneumonia,and RSV vaccinations. More information will follow. If someone feels sick,they should stay home. Guidelines are not as strict. If someone is symptomatic,tine),are to stay home for 72 hours,they are recommended to wear a mask for five clays. 2024 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Nate.. 'rhe Board of Health reserve the right to take items out of order anal to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on the agenda. Board of Health Members. Michelle Davis,RN„Chairwoman,Dr.Patrick Scanlon Clerkrrown Physician/Member;Jennifer° Abou-Lzzi RN,Member;Jennifer Lellourdais,RN,Member;oral Spight,Member. Department Staff:Brian LaGrasse,Health Director;Shanene Pierce,Public Health Inspector,Carolyn Lam,RN,Public.Health Nurse;Toni K.Wolfendea,Ilealt:h. Department Assistant. Vill. ADJOURNMENT Jennifer Abou-Ezzi,MOTIONS to adjourn,seconded by Bral Spight,all in favor,MOTION approved. (3- 0-0)The meeting adjourned at 7:50pm. Prel2ared_ty. Toni K. Woffienden, Health DeI,)t.Assistant R.evieivedby.: ---------- All Board of Health Members& Brian LaGrasse, Health Director AI-11 D i-. Patric anlon, Clerk ofBoard Date Signed Documents Used At Meeting: Agenda Correspondence—Waiver Request for Tobacco Permit The Cork Stop North Andover Board of Health,Regulating the Sale and Use of Tobacco Products List of Tobacco Permit Holders 2024—2025 Correspondence—Matthew Brady—Single Use Plastic Presentation Correspondence-Health Department—NA Health Department Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Inter-Municipal Agreement(IMA)for the Public Health Excellence for Shared Services Grant