HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-22 Board of Health Minutes n
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Town of North Andover
Board of Health
Patrick
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Town Physician Jennifer A.bou-Ez,zi, RN
Jennifer Moore, RN Clare Brat Spight
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MEETING MINUTES
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Th u rslay, May 22,, 2 025 at :0 01 p,�.
Town Hall, 120 Main,street,North Andover MA 01845
Members Present: Dr. Patrick Scanlon, Michelle:Davis, Jennifer. .-Ezzi, and Beal Spilght
Members Absent: Jennifer Moore
Staff Member's Present: Craig DeCosta
1. CALL TO ORDER.- The meeting was, called to order at 7: p.m.
w PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Motion made by J. Abou`ELszi to approve the April 17, 2025 minutes. Seconded by . Spightw The
vote to approve is unanimous,MOTION APPROVED.,
4. NEW BUSINESS
Tobacco Regulation Update-. Ronald neaure and Tobacco Consultant, provided an update
regarding the integration of stave law into local tobacco control regulations and retailer response to
cash register systems,requiring scanniwng of government-issued identification cards.*Key points from
Tobacco Law 105 CMR 665 included:
o Prohibition of tobacco product coupons, broadened to include all orms'(sign, digital,p�aper)w
o .Electronic cigarettes are now officially termed "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices."
Prohibition against flavored tobacco now extends to tobacco product flavor enhancers.
o Requirement for five specific signs.
o Identification The age for identificaticin has been raised, and the State now mandates
identification for all tobacco sales.
o Violations (all relating to 105 CMR 5):
First offense: $1,00
Second offense; $2,000
Third offense: $5,000
o 17.2 violations pertain to North Andover local regulations not mirrored in state law.
o The 2019 regulations are among the strongest in the state. Proposed changes, are indicated in.
red.
Dr. Scanlon inquired about the average annual state collection from finds and the allocation of„these
funds. Over$80,000 has been collected in fines since early 2023.Fines collected in 18 communities
are deposited into the respective town's general fund.
The identification section,which mandates identification for all tobacco sales regardless of perceived
age, is not consistently enforced, as compliance cheeps are not conducted for individuals clearly over
the legal age.
-1—%0 a
oiscussion revolved around the effectiveness of cash register systems that prompt ID scanning upon
product purchase. While these systems remind part-time employees to request ID, their effectiveness
relies on employee discretion. The goal is to reduce non-compliance from 5-10%to 0-1%.
Challenges include military IDs that do not scan. The estimated cost for such systems ranges from
$3,00044,000, plus a monthly fee. Implementation would only proceed with widespread agreement.
-1 included Potential funding sources discussed, nciuded state grants or rep,urposing fines. The Juul settlement
was also mentioned.
Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides, (SGAR)Presentation:
Carol Disney and Denise Dion, members of Save North Andover Wildlife, delivered a presentation
on SGARs.
• Save North Andover Wildlife is dedicated to reducing the use of these poisons,which are
sickening and killing local wildlife (including coyotes, foxes, owls, and bald eagles) and pets,
and also pose as danger to children. SGARs are Second Generation Anti-Coagulant
Rodenticides.
• Wildlife become sick after consuming poisoned mice and rats. I O�0% of red-tail foxes
examined showed evidence of rodent ici de poisoning. Mice typically die within 5- days of
exposure.
• The group advocates for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which involves exclusion,
starvation,.and targeted approaches.
• The group has presented before the Conservation Commission and plans a similar
presentation to the Select Board on June 2nd to request a ban on SGARs on municipal
property, thereby establishing an official policy. Eighty-two cities and towns are currently
working on similar initiatives. The Hawkins bill, a state bill to ban SGARs across
Massachusetts, is currently before the legislature.
Denise Dion provided an example of a faux-rock bait box that her grandson inadvertently picked up
unaware it contained rat poison.
Janet, member of Save North Andover Wildlife, has a neighbor that reported that her dog died after
ingesting poison from a bait box.
Dr. Scanlon commended the group's focus on education.
The group is seeking support for public education efforts and will be asking the Select Board to agree
to a ban on SGARs on municipal properties.
B. Spight expressed support for the initiative.
5. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION
Health Inspector Update—Craig DeCosta.-
• An intern from MHOA commenced work two days per week after the last Board of Health
meeting.
• Trash issues are being resolved.
• Pool inspections are underway.
• Hoarding issues are also being addressed.
• An uptick in "river rats"' has been observed, with a few in residential neighborhoods,
attributed to trash and bird feeders.
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6. ADJOURNMENT'
Motion made by B. Spight to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by J. Abou-Ezzi. The vote to adjourn
was unanimous (4-0). MOTION APPROVED. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Prepared by:
Jennifer M. Battersby, Health Department Assistant
Reviewed b y:
All Board of Health Meinbers & Brian LaGrasse, Health Director
Signed b
-1 re;'Clerk of B'oa rd Da' i e Sign e d
Al A
Meetig,Materials.-Agenda;April 17,2025 Minutes;Proposed Amenchnents,to North Andover Tobacco
Regulations; Save North Andover Wildlife presentation.
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