HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-27 Board of Health Minutes Town q f North Andover
Board of Health
Dr. Patrick Scanlon, Chair& Michelle Davis., RN
Tbivra Physician � ��o��%/�i��� Jennifer Abo-a-Ezzi,ITV
Jennifer LeBourdais, RN, Clerk Bral Spight
MEET"ING MINUTES
Thursrdayr,March 27,2025 at 7.O11'pm.
Torurr Hall, 120lIT'"ain Street,North Andover,MA 01845
Members Present: Dr. Patrick Scanlon,Jennifer LeBourdais,Jennifer Abou-Ezzi, and Baal Spight
Members Absent: Michelle Davis
Staff Members Present: Brian LaGrasse,Carolyn Lam,and Craig DeCosta
I, CALL TO ORDER-The meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
MOTION made by J. Abou-1 zzi to approve the February 27,2025 minutes.. Seconded by B. Spight.The vote
to approve is unanimous 4-0,MOTION APPROVED.
4. NEW BUSINESS
Variance Request of Brookside Homeowner's Association, Inc.for a three-year lifeguard regulation.
variance,dated March 6,2025.
Katherhre McC"rae, Brookside Hilage Board Member, 624 C'hiekerhig Rd, stated that the BO" has
historically granted lifeguard variances since 1989. Three Brookside residents are CPR certified;the pool
rules are posted; and a census which includes the pool rules is sent to all residents to be signed and
returned to the Board prior to the opening of the pool each year. Brookside contracts a pool maintenance
person to clean, test,and balance the pool chemicals, Board members also test the water at various times
throughout the day.
B. LaGrasse stated that there is a low number of unit owners making it cost prohibitive constituting a
financial hardship.The gates remain locked and only residents with a key may access the pool. J.
LeBourdais inquired if there have been any incidents. K. McCrae responded they have had no safety
incidents to date.
MOTION made by B. Spight to approve the request for a three-year lifeguard variance. Seconded by J.
LeBourdais.The vote to approve was unanimous 4-0,MOTION APPROVED.
S. COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DISCUSSION
PHE updaate—Annette Garcia:
• S. Pierce started in August 2024 and has perforated 206 inspections in six communities,
• From January to March,she completed 54 inspections; in North Andover,site has helped with
approximately 40 inspections year to date,including food,pool, body art,and housing.
• Site also helped train the new inspector.
• The MEPHC nurse has participated in training opportunities, including a Narcan"training of the
trainer,"and has hosted two additional meetings to discuss types of opioid rescue Narcan training in
different coin III till itics.
• Additionally,tile public health nurse has helped C0111111111lities maintain 100%compliance with Maven
(a disease investigation too[)and has provided coverage for local public health nurses who are out of
the office or have outbreaks,
• To date,the collaborative has completed 50%of the work plan and is on track to complete it by the
end of the fiscal year.
• Tile collaborative is also working with BME Strategies to develop a five-year strategic plan and has
been holding monthly meetings,
• BME will be conducting key stakeholder meetings with all local health departments find Boards of
Health
B. LaGrasse asked for an update on tile mobile food inspections.
A. Garcia noted that many mobile food trucks are permitted in multiple communities, and each community
performs its own inspection on the same food truck. To standardize this process and conserve resources, S,
Pierce will Conduct one inspection oil behalf of all communities where the mobile food unit operates. S. Pierce
plans to schedule inspections at a single location for a few specific dates,each with a two-to-three-hour time
period,and will forward completed inspection reports to those communities allowing them to waive their local
inspection requirement.
Trainings to be offered:
• Mental health first aid training for both inspectors and public health nurses. Learn to identify someone
who is a mental health crisis and become more familiar with resources;
• Collaboration with a food consultant to plan a special processes training(i.e., reduced oxygen
packaging;smoked meats/cheeses; Sushi);
• Planning a"stop tile bleed"training session
Health Inspector update—Craig DeCosta:
Have been busy conducting inspections of residential kitchens and churches; Inspections of pools and food
trucks are upcoming; Taking more trainings and workshops which have been helpful, including all emergency
preparedness training session; Attending a five-day Tier 2 food code training course in June; Have had a few
hoarding situations, one is coming to a resolution; Generally taking oil more inspections overall.
Nurse update—Carolyn Lam:
Camp season is starting with five new camps;Obtained Nat-can "train the trainer"certification;Applying to
receive Narcan and distribute to communities;Earned CPR instructor certification and hoping to get people
Narcan and CPR trained to help Out the community; Blood pressure checks are being performed at the Senior
Centel-; Several food-borne illnesses are being reported, many of which are travel-related, not town-related,
B. Spight inquired about funding clits.Nothing is currently affecting North Andover,and We just applied for
and were approved to receive childhood vaccines to administer to children. To date,there have been no alerts
of measles in North Andover.
Director update-Brian LaGt-asse:
A more in-depth discussion regarding artificial turf will be on the agenda for next month for the proposed high
school prqject to expand the existing turf. The discussion today will be based oil the Arlington report which is
13011 Ifeeling Minutes 312 712025 Page 2 of 3
not as scientific. The EPA report is more in-depth and will be irlcltrded in next month's discussion. The
Arlington report covers the following and ultimately opposes an outright ban and recommends options, with
conditions,such as looking for alternative infill, etc.
• beat stress issues;
• less bacteria on ATIt;
• injuries—may be increased ankle and foot injuries(more collegiate and professional level);
• less concussions;
• chemicals(subjective and makes asstrmptiolts);
• storm water management/climate change 1 cost comparisons l field maintenance.
Food regulation changes:
A. Garcia states that the proposed changes include risk-based inspections, automatic adoption of the most
current food code,having a certified food protection manager on shift, and new allergy requirements that list
each individual allergy(top 9)for every menu item.
B.LaGrasse reports that the trash truck sign has been installed and that the AED's will be installed within the
next few weeks.The Health Dept. is partnering with T. Wolfenden at the DPW to sponsor a double barrel at
both ends of the overpass located near Mc;Donalds and the Nigh School. Additionally, we are looking to
replace trash bins around the common and sponsoring pet waste stations. A meeting has been held with the
DPW to discuss.
G. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION made by B. Spight to adjourn. Seconded by J.Abou-Ezzi.The vote to adjourn is unanhnotrs 4-0,,
MOTION APPROVED. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
P)-e crr-ecl Fib
,Iennffiet.A,l Bctttet-sby, Health Deljctt-Iment Assis ont
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All Boai-d c f°llealtlr Allemhers&Bt•ion I ctGiwsse, Health Dimetat-
Jenn 4a cBotrtcicrr"s, Cletkqj'Bocrrcl Dctte 5i tzecl
Meeting alerials:Agenda;February 27,2.025 Minutes;Brookside Request for Lifeguard Variance;Draft Addendum to State
Food Code(CdvIIt 590.000),Artificial T urf Fields Memorandum dated March 18,2010(with attached 13011 Minutes dated
March '14,2019).
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