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Home My Public Portal AboutSelect Board -- 2020-05-20 Minutes alIM110111 011,1114 a 0� Town of Brewster office of: • Select Board �3 �' •+i y 2198 Main Street Town Administrator o Brewster, MA 026314898 Phone: (508) 896 - 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 y�4! 40 �4/�np!/NtilMlfil01u11i\\A\\\\� MINUTES OF THE JOINT SELECT BOARD & BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING _ DATE : May 200 2020 TIME : 7 : 00 PM PLACE : Remote Call In ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY ; Chair Whitney, Selectperson Bingham , Selectperson Chaffee, Selectperson Dickson , Town Administrator Peter Lombardi , Assistant Town Administrator Susan Broderick, Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalinick, Robin Young, Julian Cyr, Tim Whelan , Sarah Peake, Amy von Hone , Tammi Mason, Sherrie McCullough , Joe Ford , Lucas Dinwiddie, Carmen Scherzo , Annette Graczewski , Penny Holeman Call to Order Chair Whitney called the Select Board meeting to order at 7 : 00 pm and read the information on conducting the meeting remotely. Chair Graczewski called the Board of Health meeting to order at 7 : 01pm . Joint Select Board and Board of Health Discussion on State Reopening Plans , Updated Guidelines and Orders , and Potential impact on Town Services and Policies ( including updates from State Senator Cvr and State Representatives Peake and Whelan ) Tim Whelan updated the Select Board and the Board of Health on what the legislation has been doing as far as communicating the feedback from residents, and how they have advocated on behalf of the communities to the State level government . The use of beaches was given as an example, on how the state decided to give the local municipalities leeway on how to oversee and best handle how to open the beaches on a local level for their needs . Everyone is working for a safe and healthy reopening of Cape Cod , Julian Cyr noted that the delegation has visited all the Select Boards on the Cape to connect with the municipalities which are key in re- opening as one voice . The re - opening advisory board is working, and will continue to revise the re - opening plan based on surveillance of the phases . Each phase is 3 weeks, so the State can capture the data on the virus spread , work on implementing the plan and communicating it to the public . Following the 4 protocols ; cover your face, wash your hands frequently, minding social space and staying watchful for symptoms and staying home when sick . Phase one will include the reopening to construction , manufacturing, curbside retail, personal services, and worship . Phase two could potentially begin June 8 . Mandatory safety practices for all sectors are available on mass . gov . Enforcement is delegated to the local Department of Health and the MA Board of Health and Public Standards . They will be elevating concerns to the Governor and the advisory board . Communication of rules and precautions to seasonal visitors is easier when all towns have the same rules in place . Sarah Peake feels that the crisis management phase has passed , and we are now in the guidance and re - opening stage . The public stayed home the end of March , April and beginning of May so www . brewster" ma . gov BoS 05. 20 . 2020 Page 1 of 3 DOC ID : 1d58087ef3deb8480e92168632111a37e500f7bb \\��a\�� u18rr�r��// , p� Select Board « :; �9 � Town of Brewster Office of: •, x + 2198 Main Street Town Administrator 3: uxoon Brewster MA 02631- 1898 Phone : (508) 896- 3701 y� : o^ ►tl^^�£, .�,� Fax: ( 508) 896=8089 that we can cautiously re - open . It is public health data that guides the re - opening phases . The biggest marker of success is children being able to return to school in the fall . The vast medical talent in MA is assisting the Governor on how to proceed on re -opening . They are looking for science driven decisions, to the degree different communities are making different decisions, each will be the markers the administration is looking to . Resources available to the public are signage for the best practices for reopening . In reguards to beach policies/ management, each town can manage as best suits them , with the understanding that decisions they make on individual communities have an effect on the neighboring communities . Sean O' Brien of the Barnstable County Health has hired 3 additional Health Agents . There are regional efforts to share materials . Selectperson Chaffee thanked the legislative delegation , and appreciates their advocacy . Public Health has been degenerated due to funding . Local Health Agents are doing great with the limited resources they have , At the Assembly of Delegates meeting, they have discussed the work load and burden at their level . There have been conversations about increasing the people on the ground for communication and enforcement . Julian Cyr explaned that the Senate has a Covld - 19 working group , however reopening implementation and enforcement is a local level task . Businesses have to do the initial work of submitting their business plans . As a commonwealth and society, we have not kept up our public health agencies to proper need . He will fight for additional funding for public and local health . Selectperson Dickson asked about the transition from phase 1 to phase 2 , and how much lead time will be given for the businesses to prepare ? Tim Whelan answered that on Monday, the State released framework for everything through phase 4, however they are going to have to be flexible going forward . Logistics can be frustrating with the unknown . Lead time is important and to watch what the trends are . Board of Health member Carmen Scherzo wants to know when there will be diagnostic testing to find asymptomatic carriers . Julian Cyr remarked that the logistics of the tracing is still difficult and is hoping the December date given is overestimated . Getting the testing and approval is in process, but there are privacy considerations as well . In hot spots, they have open testing to anyone who wants to be tested as being tested is prioritized in harder hit communities . Joe Ford had no questions . Penny Holeman is hearing wonderful optimism in opening, as she has observed about 801 are making a good effort . The other 20 % are putting their own personal needs first . She asked is there any sort of consistent messaging from the State , so the same message is heard and reinforces the behaviors needed to be followed ? Tim Whelan feels that the communication has been consistent and good . The Governor has almost daily press conferences and the mass . gov website is updated daily as well . He stated that it is still the United States of America , where people can make personal decisions . They can enforce regulations, however not guidelines . Personal choice can be coupled with personal responsibility for a Regulations vs Guideline balance . If data moves upward , then regulations will become stricter . Ms . Holeman would like to see more positive messaging . Julian Cyr pledged that he will find resources for small businesses . Sarah Peake offered that ambassadors have been appointed in other towns to communicate local municipal regulations and guidance . Lucas Dinwiddie feels that this is an increased work load for any department . He asked Health Director Amy VonHone if her workload was increased , and if the Select Board had any budgetary freedoms to provide additional hires to support the health department . He then asked Julian Cyr, what financial aid will look like from the State . Senator Cyr is unclear what support from the State looks like , and is not sure what www, brewster- ma . gov BoS 05 . 20 . 2020 Page 2 of 3 Doc ID : 1d58087ef3deb8480e92168632111a37e500f7bb \`�06' 01%s wa/J 0/oaf a4 ai�`�':; �9 ° Town of Brewster Office of: Z *� Select Board 2198 Main Street Town Administrator p` ON Brewster, MA 026314898 r ,ra Phone : (508) 896 -3701 ., , Fax: ( 508) 896-8089 '�g000 1 0 fir`` �fj�ilbllHHttfNfHit{1Nri\\1Q�� the amount for Brewster is . There is a 75 % reimbursement for Covid related costs from FEMA, however the Commonwealth is looking at a $ 5 billion dollar revenue gap, which is double of the great recession gap . With little Federal financial help, the aid could be very limited, and without a Federal stimulus this will be very difficult . It is crucial to the Commonwealths ability to assist or triage local municipalities . Ms . Graczewski asked for insight on the Travel advisory in phase 1, as residents from outside MA are urged to 14 day quarantine, which will continue to phase 2 . Topics the Chair did not Reasonablv Anticipate No discussion Future Meetings —June 1 , June 15 , and June 29 , 2020 (Joint with Nauset Regional School Committee ) Adjournment Selectperson Chaffee moved to adjourn at 7 ; 57pm , Selectperson Dickson second . Roll Call Vote : Selectperson Chaffee — yes, Selectperson deRuyter _ yes, Selectperson Bingham — yes, Selectperson Dickson — yes, Chair Whitney — yes . The Select Board voted 5 -Yes 0- No . The Board of Health continued their meeting , Respectfully submitted , Robin Young Approved : 08/ 17/2020 Signed : Date Selectperson Bingham , Clerk of the Board of Selectman Accompanying Documents in Packet on website for review . www, brewster- ma . gov BoS 05 . 20 . 2020 Page 3 of 3 Doc ID : 1d58087ef3deb8480e92168632111a37e500f7bb