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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health -- 2020-06-03 Minutes \\\\\\\\tt1 I I I Ilo1!!//y�f�jj/�� Town of Brewster .Kr y � 2198 MAIN STREET Health Department j1Z* m" BREWSTER, MASSACHUSET'T'S 02631 - 1898 .} ° Amy L. von Hone, R. S ., C .H.O . Director tdr PHONE : 508 . 896 . 3701 EXT. 1120 O <� = FAX : 508 . 896 .4538 Sherrie McCullough, R. S . CO gzz bnccalth ubrewster- ma. 00v Assistant Director Tammi Mason $RPpR�aao \ �~`` WWW. BREWSTER-MA. GOV Senior Department Assistant ���//111jjiJlllt1I11111111t1tt�\i\\\\\�\\ it== !. :'i : 1. ° Board of Health Meeting Wednesday June 3 , 2020 at 7 :OOPM Remote Participation Meeting Board members on remotely: Annette Graczewski, MT (ASCP), Chair; Carmen Scherzo, DVM , Vice Chair; Joe Ford; Penny Hausser Holeman, MPH , MA, MS and Lucas Dinwiddie Others present remotely: Amy von Hone, R. S ., C . H . O ., Health Director, Sherrie McCullough, R . S ., Assistant Health Director and Tammi Mason, Senior Department Assistant Mrs . Graczewski stated that anyone listening to the meeting that had a question or comment could email them to health board meetina (cbbrewster- ma . aov . 1 . Chairman 's comments Mrs . Graczewski stated that key metrics shared by the MDPH yesterday reported the rate of incidence of positive tests was 4 . 6% on Monday. This is the lowest yet to date in MA and represents a 331d consecutive day of decline in positive test in the State . This is a favorable indicator for successful implementation of the remaining phases of the Governor' s re- opening plan . She stated that the majority of tonight's meeting will be dedicated to discussion related to COVID- 19 and the State of MA re - opening plan, but wanted to note that while conversations regarding this current pandemic have been focused primarily on public health, the Board recognizes there has been tremendous economic pressure on many of our Town 's local businesses currently open, providing safe access to take -out, curb side retail services and home delivery in accordance with the State' s Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and Industry Specific Guidance. She stated that in speaking with friends and neighbors, many local residents have made an effort to support these businesses over the past several months . She thanked the residents and urged them to continue their support for local businesses as they transition to Phase 2 guidance from the State. 2 . Citizen 's Forum None , 3 . COVID - 19 updates A. Phase 2 opening/Cape Cod Reopening Coalition - On Monday, June 1 , 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID - 19 Order No. 35 outlining Phase 2 Designated Enterprises, which include: retail stores, including shopping malls, restaurants offering on premise dining; outdoors at first indoors later in Phase 2, hotels, motels, inns and other short term lodging , limited BOH 6/3/2020 Minutes Page 2 organized youth and adult amateur sports activities, professional sports practice and training programs, personal services with no or very limited contact, close contact later in phase 2, non - athletic instructional classes in arts/education/life skills for children under 18, in groups of fewer than 10, driving and flight schools, outdoor historical spaces, excluding functions, gatherings or tours, funeral homes with increased capacity at 40% of occupancy, warehouses and distribution centers, golf facilities, including outdoor golfing ranges, other outdoor rec activities such as pools, playgrounds, spray decks, mini - golf, go karts, batting cages, climbing walls, ropes courses, past-secondary higher education schools, day camps including sports and arts camps and public libraries . All of these businesses will be required to comply with the Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards implemented in Phase 1 as well as industry specific guidance . More information for visitors, residents & business owners regarding Phase 2 can be found at the Cape Cod Re - Opening Task Forces website at httos ://www. reor) eninacapecod . org , The site is well organized and up to date . It has been set up by the group that Town Administrator Peter Lombardi has been participating with at the regional level on Cape Cod . They have been providing feedback to the State regarding our unique economy and Mr. Lombardi 's participation has been very valuable for the Town . In addition to participating at the regional meetings, Mrs . von Hone and Mr. Lombardi have been meeting with local Town Administrator's and Health Directors from the lower and outer cape, gathering information regarding their re - opening plans to assist Brewster in partnering with them as we go forward . Mrs . Graczewski and Mrs . von Hone have had the opportunity to listen in and participate in those meetings and have gained great insights regarding economic impact on the community which has been painful . On Monday, lune 11#, the Select Board met and pledged their support for local businesses as they attempt to creatively find solutions to overcome the limitations arising from the contagious nature of the virus and the resulting restrictions on gatherings . The Select Board has asked the Board of Health to similarly offer support for local businesses in their efforts to find solutions that allow them to take advantage of whatever opportunities exist as they try to salvage this season . B . Outdoor dining/regulations for the Operations of Outdoor Cafes - As part of preparations and accommodations for outdoor dining allowed at the commencement of Phase 2, Governor Baker' s most recent Order #35 that provides that a city or town may approve requests for expansion of outdoor table service . The Select Board is charged with putting a process in place for approval of such requests . Mrs . Graczewski stated that she would like the Board to have a discussion regarding a temporary waiver of the Brewster Board of Health's requirements as described in the Regulation for Operations of Outdoor Cafes to avoid any potential conflict with the process the Select Board may choose to implement for expedited approval of expansion of dining facilities for restaurants choosing to provide outdoor seating for the first part of Phase 2 . Mrs . von Hone stated that there were a few businesses in Town that have been licensed as Outdoor Cafes over the years. The Outdoor Cafe license allows the restaurant to have waiter/waitress service in an outdoor setting . She stated that the departments concern is that the septic system must be designed to handle the total number of seats that entertain waiter/waitress service both indoor and outdoor. How this relates to what is going on with the State orders is allowing the restaurants to open back up with dine in waiter/waitress service, at tables is in phase 2, in addition to curbside pickup and take out. They are going to be able to resume waiter/waitress service but is has to be in an outdoor setting . Technically, every restaurant in Brewster, in order to provide outdoor dining, would have to get an outdoor cafe license . The Select Board is asking the Board of Health to waive that requirement to help ease the burden of getting these businesses back open . Mr. Dinwiddie stated that he was in full support of lifting any regulations the Board had to ease the burden on the restaurants to reopen . Mrs. Graczewski stated that the State has been really clear in all the meetings with the local Boards of Health that the guidance they are giving to restaurants is relative to the safety of the employees & customers. She doesn 't think that the guidance is burdensome. They are not asking them to do anything outside of the things that we would do to protect BOH 6/3/2020 Minutes Page 3 ourselves anyway. Businesses are going to be asked to self- comply. They are being told that this is what's required and self- compliance is the next step and they are not going to be subject to a whole host of inspections in order to get up and running . The State Task Force is very invested in getting small businesses back to work. Mrs . von Hone stated that she is working with the Town Administrator, Town Planner and the Building Commissioner to try and pull together some documentation and guidance that will be sent out to all the food service establishments . It will explain what things they need to be aware of and also that this is what they will be allowed to do and not have to jump through hoops to offer outdoor dining . Ms . Hausser Holeman stated that she was in favor of waiving the regulation requirements and asked if opening inspections were being done . Mrs . von Hone said that the opening inspections were waived due to the pandemic . Mr. Ford stated that he was in favor of waiving the regulation requirements also . Dr . Scherzo asked how many restaurants in Town would take advantage of this . Mrs . von Hone said she did not know. He also asked if they are going to be required to have a plan in place like all the other businesses . Mrs . Graczewski stated that the State is issuing industry specific guidance and they will be required to follow that. Motion : Temporarily suspend the Outdoor Cafe Regulations . Motion : Joe Ford Second : Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Action : Motion carried Joe Ford — yes Lucas Dinwiddie — yes Carmen Scherzo — yes Annette Graczewski — yes Mrs . McCullough stated that there are roughly 98 food establishments in Town . 22 have been open since the pandemic started and 14 seasonal establishments are now opening . C . Scheduled/organized events at Drummer Boy Park - The Select Board previously cancelled all scheduled , organized activities on Town property through June. The Town currently has a few dates on the calendar beyond June for Craft Fairs, and possibly weddings . Based on the most recent order received by the Governor's office, some of the activities of this nature are not slated for re -opening until, at the earliest, Phase 3, which is slated to begin no earlier than June 291H depending on the public health metrics and even then, only for " moderate" gatherings. Other activities that have a larger draw, may not be permitted until Phase 4, which will begin no earlier than July 28tH Mrs . Graczewski stated that on June 1 , 2020 the Select Board discussed, but did not entertain a vote regarding scheduled activities on Town property beyond the end of June. Specifically, their discussion was centered on the Drummer Boy Park and some craft fairs that are scheduled for July. Information regarding the businesses to be rolled out in phases 2, 3, and 4 was received from the State following the Governor' s press conference on Monday afternoon . This was likely why the Select Board did not vote as they may not have had time to amend their agenda . Although they did not vote, the majority of the Select Board members present at Monday's meeting expressed that it was their desire to cancel events at Drummer Boy Park through July. Because planning events like craft fairs and weddings takes some time, the Select Board asked the Board of Health to consider a decision regarding the cancellation of scheduled, organized events at Drummer Boy Park through July so that individuals who had scheduled events would not be in the position of waiting for the next Select Board meeting . This would not include resident and visitor access to the park for passive recreation, only scheduled events by third parties for planned BOH 6/3/2020 Minutes Page 4 public or private gatherings that might draw crowds in excess of those permitted under Governor Baker' s order for phase 2 & 3 activities , Mrs . von Hone is in agreement with the Select Board . It is a safety issue . This is not an appropriate time for large gatherings . The Select Board is not doing anything more restrictive than the state order. Mrs . Graczewski stated that the Brewster Historic Commission is holding their curbside farmers market currently at Drummer Boy Park and that is considered an essential business and will continue , The Board was in agreement to cancel events at Drummer Boy Park through the month of July. Motion : Cancel any scheduled/organized events through the month of July at Drummer Boy Park, Motion : Lucas Dinwiddie Second : Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Action : Motion Carried Joe Ford — yes Lucas Dinwiddie — yes Carmen Scherzo — yes Annette Graczewski -yes D . Brewster Farmer's Market curbside pick- up — Mrs . Graczewski stated that the Farmer' s Market falls under " essential services" . The Select Board has already given its approval of this to take place at Drummer Boy Park, Mrs . McCullough stated that they have been running this as a delivery service for a few months and will be transitioning over to curbside pick- up at Drummer Boy Park. Customers will pre- order and pre - pay through the Brewster Historical Website . Vendors will drop off goods at Windmill Village on Wednesdays at &OOAM , The market manager, as well as 4 volunteers will pack up the boxes using all the safety precautions , Customers will have an assigned time between 3 -7PM for pick- up . There will be no more than 15 cars at any given time , Customers announce their names at the gate and they remain in their cars while volunteers place the boxes in the trunks of the cars. They do plan on having their add on protein vendors with temperature sensitive food on site to ensure product safety. Those orders are also done online and pre- paid . All vendors are licensed by the Health Department and will all strictly adhere to safety protocol . She will be doing an inspection on opening day. Motion : Approve the Farmers Market curbside pick- up service for the summer season at Drummer Boy Park. Motion : Lucas Dinwiddie Second : Penny Hausser Holeman Vote: Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Action : Motion carried Joe Ford — yes Lucas Dinwiddie —yes Carmen Scherzo — yes Annette Graczewski — yes E . CC Sea Camps, designate surrogate testing at Linnell Landing — Mrs. Graczewski stated that CC Sea Camps has closed for the summer season and they are looking for alternative ways to utilize their property and have approached the Health Department regarding having a surrogate testing site for their beach at Linnell Landing . Mrs. von Hone told the Board that the State Bathing Beach regulations require that all public and semi - public beaches are registered and sampled on a weekly basis in order to be open to swimming . CC Sea Camps has been registered as a seml - public beach since the program was instituted a handful of years ago . Because they are not going to be opening the camp this summer they did request relief from the permitting and the water sampling for the season . The regulations allow the BOH to approve a surrogate sampling beach as long as their beach has met a certain set of parameters . The BOH 6/3/2020 Minutes Page 5 public beach at Linnell Landing (which the Town tests weekly) would be the most appropriate beach to use as a surrogate , It meets the criteria as far as being a certain distance from Linnell Landing and has an uninterrupted coastline between CC Sea Camps and Linnell Landing . The Board has previously approved surrogate beaches . Motion : Designate a surrogate testing site at Linnell Landing for CC Sea Camps for the 2020 Season , Motion : Penny Hausser Holeman Second : Carmen Scherzo Vote: Penny Hausser Holeman — yes Action : Motion carried Joe Ford — yes Lucas Dinwiddie — yes Carmen Scherzo — yes Annette Graczewski — yes F. Mask order and 6 ' social distancing compliance — Mrs . Graczewski wanted to remind everyone that as we move into Phase 2 (presumably next week), the State remains under orders limiting gatherings to no more than 10 persons, requiring social distancing (remaining 6' apart) and the use of a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained . In addition, there is an advisory for out - of- state travelers to self- quarantine for 14 days and a Safer- at- Home advisory requesting individuals traveling away from their home do it only for essential services or needs . The progress we have seen with controlling the disease is largely a result of everyone' s sacrifice and everyone' s cooperation in social distancing, wearing masks where social distancing cannot be maintained and largely staying at home. The Health Department has received reports from various sources of relatively lax behaviors more recently at the Rail Trail, the Herring Run and other places where avoiding others may be a bit more challenging . This is not the time to drop our guard . We are moving forward in Phase 2 and all the businesses that are so dependent on becoming more actively engaged in commerce next week are depending on all of us to continue to demonstrate the behaviors that got us here in the first place . Keep in mind that what we do today, we will see that in the metrics that the state is gathering 2 weeks from now, so even though things are relaxing a bit, it is important to continue to follow orders from the State and particularly important to be respectful of your neighbors , G . Ms , Hausser Holeman stated that she had given some articles to the Board for tonight's meeting , She stated that she has been interested in what is going to happen with our citizens when we start to re- open , The articles talked about COVID fatigue, and mask wearing and also talked about groups expanding into a bit bigger social circle, She stated that she has not seen much from social media as she has from WHO and CDC, but would be interested in finding ways to help the citizens of Brewster in changing behaviors and keeping safe, Mr. Ford wanted to thank Sherrie McCullough and Tammi Mason as well as Amy von Hone for all the hard work during this time. Dr. Scherzo spoke about Whole Health Pharmacy doing COVID testing without a doctor's note and thinks it should be on our website. 4. Topics the Chair did not anticipate Mrs. Graczewski asked the Board to review the meetings from 5/ 18/2020 and 4/ 1 /2020 to help clarify what was said for the minutes. 5 . Liaison updates BOH 6/3/2020 Minutes Page 6 Mrs . von Hone stated that the WQRC had issued 2 certificate renewals . David Bennett, gave an informational update with regards to the Daniels/Antinerelli stump dump . There is a company looking to purchase the property for a solar array and trying to close out the site assignment . Informational items were noted . Mrs . von Hone reminded people about other environmental dangers out there such as ticks and mosquitos . Meeting adjourned at 8 : 05PM