HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health -- 2022-02-16 Minutes A,,,11111(N„�„�f,,,,,,,�� Town of Brewster
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Le 'v �'� _ Director
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r 0 zl' FAX : 508 . 896 .4538 Sherrie McCullough, R. S .
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brhealth@brewster- ma. gov Assistant Director
WWW.BREWSTER-MA. GOV Tammi Mason
Senior Department Assistant
Board of Health Meeting
Wednesday February 16, 2022, at TOOPM
Remote Meeting
Board members attending remotely: Penny Holeman, MPH , MA, MS, Chair; Jeannie Kampas, Vice Chair; Annette Graczewski, MT
(ASCP) and Kimberley Crocker Pearson, MS, MD, MPH
Board members absent: Joe Ford
Others attending remotely: Amy von Hone, R.S ., C . H .O „ Health Director and Tammi Mason, Senior Department Assistant
Anyone wishing to listen to the meeting can do so via Live Broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18) or by Livestream at
www. livestream . brewster- ma .gov or by video recording (www.tv. brewster- ma , goy)
1 . Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:OOPM
2 . Chairman's announcements
Free vaccination clinics and PCR clinics continue to be offered on the Cape. They are scheduled in Barnstable, Hyannis, Falmouth, and
Provincetown . Please visit the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment for specific details and to make appointments.
Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health updated guidance regarding the use of face coverings and masks by people
who are fully vaccinated against COVID- 19. Fully vaccinated persons should wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in
your own home) if you have a weakened immune system and if;
a . you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or underlying medical condition
b . if someone in. your household has a weakened immune system and is at increased risk for severe
disease or is unvaccinated
For more information, please visit the website of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health .
On February 11th, the CDC publicized data from two reports that showed COVID - 19 boosters remain safe, and that they continue to
offer high levels of protection against severe disease over time, and during Omicron and Delta waves.
On February 10, the CDC announced that COVID- 19 vaccination during pregnancy protected 61 % of babies from being hospitalized
with COVID - 19 . 84% of babies who were hospitalized were born to mothers who were not vaccinated . Of the babies admitted to the
intensive care unit, and who were the sickest babies, 88% were born to unvaccinated mothers .
If anyone would like to be added to the email distribution list to receive Board of Health agendas, please contact the Health Department
at (508) 896- 3701 ext. 1120 .
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BOH 2/16/22 Minutes Page 2
3 . Citizen 's forum
Laura Marshall, 8 Ebenezer Lane. She has a child in the Brewster school system and feels that it is time the BOH end the mask mandate
in the schools
Bill Jennings, 34 Thousand Oaks . He stated that he feels it is time for the BOH to end the mask mandate in the schools.
Laura Strunk, 70 Hillary's Cartway. She stated that the School District has refused to make a decision and is leaving it up to the BOH . It
has been extremely hard on the kids, and she feels that the BOH should end the mask mandate in the schools.
4. Covid update
Mrs . von Hone stated that the number of cases has dropped significantly in the last few weeks (77% drop) . We are back down to pre
surge levels.
The school cases are dropping also . As the Chair announced earlier, the DPH has issued a new mask advisory. Those that are positive
have to quarantine for 5 days and then continue to wear a mask for days & 10 when in public .
DECE ( Department of Early Childhood Education) announced that on February 28th, masks will no longer be required in the schools.
Local school districts have the option of continuing the mask mandate if they choose. Masks will still be required on school buses.
The Town will be handing out COVID home tests to residents on March 5th at Captains Golf Course. This will be a drive thru distribution .
There are a limited number of kits . There are 3 time slots and are done by last name. Residents can get more information on the
Town' s website.
5 . Discuss and possible approve the final draft of Nitrogen Loading Regulations (including Town Counsel edits)
Mrs. von Hone went over the changes that were made.
Motion : Approve the final draft of the Nitrogen Loading Regulation ,
Motion: Annette Graczewski Second : Kimberley Crocker Pearson Vote: Annette Graczewski — yes Action : Motion carried
Jeannie Kampas — yes
Kimberley Crocker Pearson — yes
Penny Holeman — yes
6. Discuss /comment on BOH 2021 Town Report
Mrs . Graczewski thanked Ms. Holeman for doing the report. Dr. Pearson stated that her name had been spelled incorrectly.
The Board was ok with the report.
7. Review & approve minutes from 11 /15/21 ; 12/ 1 /21
Motion: Approve minutes for 11 / 15/21 and 12/ 1 /21 as written .
Motion : Kimberley Crocker Pearson Second : Jeannie Kampas Vote: Annette Graczewski — abstain Action : Motion passed
Jeannie Kampas — yes
Kimberley Crocker Pearson — yes
Penny Holeman — yes
8. Liaison Reports
Dr. Pearson stated that the Water Quality Review Committee had not met.
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BOH 2/16/22 Minutes Page 3
Mrs . Graczewski stated that the Recycling Committee met last week. On November 1 , 2022, a new ban on disposal of textiles and
mattresses will go into effect. She also spoke about Beautify Brewster on April 23, 2022,
9. Matters not reasonably anticipated by the Chair
None ,
10. Items for next agenda
Dr. Pearson stated that she would have a report from the Massachusetts Pesticide Board for the second meeting in March.
11 . Next meeting : March 2, 2022
Noted .
Informational items were noted .
Meeting adjourned at 7 : 52PM
*Accompanying documents in packet: Agenda, COVID update information, informational items
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