HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-17 Board of Health Minutes '"mmawoiw ,
Town of North Andover
Board of Health
i my'
Dr. Patrzd- Scanlon Chair& Mch ll Dav�s R
Town Physician � �" � Jennifer Abou Ezzt RN.
Jennifer:eBourdais,RN, Clerk :oral Spight
rlu
s
V V11 w+rt,d it ii Ii I,iYt r(Ur llil
I'I III 14dl
1 I
.STING MINUTES
Th ursda ,April 17, 2 025 at " p.in.
Town Hall, 120 Haire Street,North Andover,MA 01845
Members Present: fir.Patrick Scanlon,Michelle Davis, Jennifer Abou-Ezzi, and.Drat Spight
Members Absent: Jennifer LeBourdais
Staff Members Present: Brian LaGrasse and Craig DeCosta
1. CALL TO ORDER-The meet in called to order' at 7: 2 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Motion Wade by B. Sp�ight to approve the March 27,2025 minutes. Seconded by M.,Davis. The vote to
approve is unanimous 4-+ , MOTION APPROVED.
4. NEW BUSINESS
Artificial Turf Fields Discussion
Artificial turf fields AT have a higher initial cost but offer a longer sports season.Natural grass fields
are often unusable after rain in the spring and fall due to potential damage to the fields, le,the
Planning Department Director does not require a.formal letter from the B SI,the board may choose to
issue a memorandum if it se advises.
A recent,seven-year,:non-biased.,and fact-based EPA study,which included :nte rnational findings, allows
for individual decision-n akm"g regarding A Fs,B. Spight indicated that the risk associated with being on
an ATF is comparable to or less than the risk of walking on roads. B.L.aGrasse stated that despite the
presence of chemicals in the turf and rubber, experiments with mice showed very low bio accessibility.
The EPA, CDC, ATSDR(Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry),and CPSC Consumer
Product Safety Commission)participated in the study,examining air quality, ingestion,metals, and
PAH's..
The study's conclusions include:
.Exposures are likely limited
Air samples on and next to the field showed no significant difference-
0 Ingestion(only small fractions released from crumb rubber into simulated biological fluids);
Blood tests for metals shoved no difference before and after playing on turf fields; and
pH levels showed no difference.
The European Chemical Agency also conducted a study and found no reason to advise against playing on
ATFs. Their mice study found no evidence of toxicity from ingesting crumb rubber.
Motion made by B. Spight to reaffirm the BOH's previously stated position(see BOH Memorandum
dated March 18,2019)that they do not deem ATFs a risk.BOH supports this stance with anecdotal and
factual evidence from the EPA report and emphasizes the positive impact and benefits of physical activity
and exercise as a factor in favor of ATF. Seconded by J. Abou-Ezzi. The vote to approve the motion was
unanimous(4-0),MOTION APPROVED.
Middlesex-Essex Public Health Collaborative(MEPHC) Strategic Plan Focus Group
BME Strategies were hired as a consultant. They conduct a lot of work for Mass DPH and do some
international work as well.Brian read the Focus Group questions into the record.Having a collaboration
decreases work amongst towns and we are planning to expand on the collaboration. Food trucks,body art,
etc. nursing trainings, CPR, educational series, etc.
Standardization efforts will focus on local food regulations, encompassing inspections,permitting,
trainings, credentialing, and standard operating procedures. This aims to simplify processes but will
require more staff, resources, and inter--town collaboration.Brian's visit to Newburn,NC, under the FDA
grant,provided insights into their county-based health department serving multiple communities and
thousands of people. The goal is to expand the MEPHC within the next three to five years to include the
standardization of local food regulations, inspections,permitting,trainings, credentialing, standard
operating procedures, enhanced outreach and education, and increased capacity,which M.Davis notes
will also improve emergency preparedness, supplementing the existing regional emergency planning
coalition.
The discussion touched upon job opportunities and hiring, considering the possibility of increasing
exposure to careers in the field, such as through internships,which the department currently offers and
could potentially expand to regional internships in the future.
5, COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DISCUSSION
Health Inspector update—Craig DeCosta:
Completed 75 inspections year--to--date(62 brick-and-mortar,remainder residential/food trucks).
Addressing sanitation/cleanliness issues in restaurants and resolving ongoing trash complaints.Additional
trainings and workshops scheduled for May and June.
Director update-Brian L►aGrasse:
An intern from Northern Essex Community College(NECC), facilitated by the Massachusetts Health
Officers Association(MHOA),will be joining the department. The paid intern will shadow the Health
Inspector and work on internal projects as part of a pilot program with IECC.
Received permission to price out tick kits with the public health logo and a QR code linking to the health
department website, due to increasing Lynne disease cases over the past couple of decards.
Katie Brown is presenting a webinar for the state regarding measles and vaccination concerns. A measles
update memorandum will be distributed by the Director in the coming weeks.
BOH Meeting-Allinutes 411712025 Page 2 of 3
M. Davis inquired about vaping updates and the student survey. The tobacco consultant will be at the next
meeting and can address at that time.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by B. Spight to adjourn the meeting. Seconded b'y J.Abou-Ezzi The vote to adjourn is
unanimous -0, APROVED
MOT101N P .The meeting adjourned a47 t 7: p.m.
4
Prepared_by;
Jennifer M Battersby, Health Departn7ent.4ssistant
,Revleived by.-
All Board o 'Health Mei�nbers &Brian LaGrasse, Health Director
f
Si ned b g
m�
dr*isler Ck far Date ood Si ne
gd
id, 17nifer LeBo�z�� ,
MeetinR Materials:Agenda;March 27,2025 Minutes;MEPHC Strategic Planning Focus Group Questions.
B'OH Alleeling Minutes 41171202'5 Page 3 of 3