HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-22 Board of Health Minutes i
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North Andover Board of Health t
Meeting Minutes
Thursday-.January 22,2015
7:00 pan.
North Andover Police Department Community Room
1475 Osgood Street,North Andover, MA 01845
Present: Thomas Trowbridge,Larry Fixler,Frank MacMillan,Edwin Pease,Joseph McCarthy,Susan
Sawyer,Deb Rillahan
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
V. Meeting minutes from November 20,2014 were presented for signature.
Motion was made by Mr.Fixler to approve the minutes,the motion was seconded by Mr.McCarthy,
all were in favor and the minutes were approved.
Vl. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2015 Mosquito Control season;pesticide application"opt out"procedures for homeowners.Northeast
MA Mosquito control representatives Bill Mehaffey,District Supervisor and Robyn Januszewski,
District Administrator discussed the plan for the 2015 mosquito season(updated BMP for 2015 will be
presented at a later time).
Nh•.Mehaffey reported that all catch basins(4,176)in North Andover were treated in 2014.The
larviciding of the catch basins began in early April and was completed by July last year.They work
closely with the DPW on this task.There were three adulticiding resident requests in July. In 2014,N.
Andover had"0"positive tests for virus and"0"cases of humans with related virus. It was a safe year
for the citizens of NA.
Recently,Northeast Mosquito control sent out notices to local BOH to remind residents of the March
1"deadline to opt out. The form needs to be in to the town clerk's office by March I".The town's
website(httD://www.towiiofiiortliandovei•.com/Pages/NAndoverM.A Health/index)will have updated
information and the form available with the opt out options.Last year there were thirteen residents that
chose to opt out.By opting out,residents can exclude their property from pesticide applications.Once
a resident opts out,the request is good from April I't to March I"of the following year.Residents
cannot opt back in, for that year,once they opt out. A new request needs to be made each year.Any
requests submitted after March I5f will not be accepted.A request made by landlords supersedes tenant
requests.A discussion ensued regarding the subject of ticks and Lyme disease.
2015 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Page 1 of 2
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant
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VII. NEW BUSINESS t
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VIII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION
A. Middle School viral outbreak—Deb Rillahan,public Health Nurse,stated that there was positive
communication between the parents, students and staff regarding the recent norovirus episode at the
Middle School. Closing the school and the Youth Center was helpful in reducing the spread of the
norovirus.The Middle School has carpeting and it appears that the cleanup by the janitors,prior to the
outbreak,may have contributed to the spread of the virus. It was also noted that the janitorial staff
may have wasted their hard work by using the incorrect cleaning solution after the school closed. The
solution was not approved to kill the norovirus and led to the school needing to be cleaned a second
time over that weekend. There is now a protocol on using the correct cleaning solution and procedure.
Norovirus is very contagious and can live on inanimate objects for weeks at a time.A discussion
ensued regarding norovirus.
B. Permit renewal status—Mrs. Sawyer updated the 2015 food establishment permitting. Other than a few
dumpsters,installers and inspectors not renewing,the majority have renewed. A discussion ensued
regarding changing the permitting renewal dates for food to run from March to March to make
permitting easier since December is a busy time of year for all.Mrs. Sawyer also updated the status of
the trash trucks permitting for 2015.A discussion ensued regarding trash trucks.
C. Septic season status—Mrs. Sawyer stated that all systems are compliant according to health inspector
Michele Grant. The new season starts March 1,2015 depending on weather.
D. Merrimack College Cafeteria update—Sparky's dining hall was closed by the Health staff after a
cockroach infestation was identified. Sodexo operates the kitchen for Merrimack College.They
responded and completed all tasks needed to safely gain approval to reopen.The dining hall will be up
and operating as of Friday,January 23,2015.A discussion ensued regarding future inspections and
evaluations of the diner by the Health Department,Food consultants and Sodexo.Dr. Trowbridge
updated the communication between himself and the news outlets regarding the recent closure of
Sparky's diner. It was noted that this issue was uncovered after receiving two anonymous tips. While
speaking about Merrimack College,Deb Rillahan also updated the Board members about the summer
camps being held at Merrimack College and how Sodexo is now in charge of food,facilities and camps
at Merrimack College.
E. Update—North Andover's new Tobacco Control regulation goes into effect February 2,2015.A
discussion ensued regarding the possibility of increasing the age fi-om 18 years if age to 21 years of age
for the purchase of nicotine delivery products and tobacco.
IX. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION made by Mr.Fixler to adjourn the meeting.Dr. McMillan seconded the motion and all were in
favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8;38 pm.
Prepared b�
Lisa Blackburn, Health Dept.Assistant
Reviewed bv:
All Board of Health Menrbers&Susan Smiyer, Health Director
Signed bi:
Larry Fixle; r f tlie'Vo--ak Date Signed