HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health Minutes 09-14-2015BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
September 14, 2015
Watertown Administration Building, Third Floor Hearing Room
CALL TO ORDER: Dr. John Straus called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
PRESENT: Dr. John Straus, Chairman, Dr. Barbara Beck, Richard Arnold, Deborah Rosati,
Director of Public Health, Kristel Bennett, Chief Environmental Health Officer
Public Comment: No appearances
Animal Control: D. Rosati reported that the Police Department is not able to take the Animal
Control program into their department. The Board asked whether a tranquilizer gun would work
sufficiently for sedating an injured animal.
The Board indicated that the Keeping of Animals regulation should be kept separate from the
Animal Control Ordinance.
Recommendations on dog park rules will be submitted to Council Subcommittee. The
Ordinance needs to be changed to provide exception for dogs in dog parks as they are currently
prohibited.
Public Health Priorities Planning
Food Inspection Program
Educational Series
D. Rosati reported that she's attempting to obtain an intern from B.U. to assist with a food
educational series — creating a database of emails and providing monthly educational newsletters
R. Arnold recommended Constant Contact for newsletter format and tracking who is reading.
K. Bennett indicated that tablets are used in field for photos, researching code, and emailing from
the field. They are not able to use for timing of inspections or triggering upcoming inspections.
Most locations are being inspected twice per year, low risk coffee/tobacco shops are being
inspected once per year.
Swimming Pool Inspections
K. Bennett reported that inspections are being done twice per year. There are 12 seasonal pools
and 11 annual pools. Variances will be needed for some of the pools. Recommendations are
made to the State for variances. For example, at Perkins School, there is an old pool with an
obstruction on the deck.
Temporary Food
Applications and handout information is being redesigned. Risk level may be considered on plan
review application.
11Page
Residential kitchens
There are 4 or 5 permits for such items as pecan pies, spices, two with baked goods.
Tobacco Control
Age requirement is going to 21 in March 2016. Hookah tobacco cannot be unflavored — there
was an exemption offered for six months. All flavored tobacco was banned to prevent kids from
purchasing. Natalie Miller is doing twice annual checks. Inspections are funded through the
State and involve certain cigarette brands. But the youth is purchasing other varieties now. It
was recommended that Rep. Hecht be contacted about the requirement to see if cigarette
varieties can be unspecified. Our own staff can do compliance checks with other varieties.
Other Updates
The Board was updated on the Fee Schedule, LiveWell Watertown, and Emergency
Preparedness grant funding. It was suggested that a fee might be able to be charged for flu
clinics.
Wayside and the SSRS will be invited to the next meeting to provide an update.
Next meeting — tentatively October 14tH
Adjourn: Meeting was adjourned at 9:58 PM.
Respectfully submitted: Deborah M. Rosati, Director of Public Health
Approved: October 15, 2015
2IPage