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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200210 - Board of Health - Meeting Minutes HEALTH DEPARTMENT Town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts Hopkinton Senior Center 28 Mayhew Street-​Main Room Monday, February 10, 2020 Public Hearing MINUTES Members Present: Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Richard Jacobs Also Present:Shaun McAuliffe, Health Director, Kasey Mauro, Public Health Nurse Absent: Late Arrival(s): Early Dismissal: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Whittemore. Public Comment- ​Members of the community are invited to share ideas, state opinions or ask questions Playground Allergy Signs(s) Presentation Reese Robledo, 6 Cobblers Way, introduced herself and proceeded to give a video presentation of her food allergy challenges from birth to now (copies of presentation attached). Her demonstration included the difficult aspects of her visiting playgrounds and worrying about everything she touches even how traces of food proteins and crumbs may have a detrimental effect on her and other children with severe food allergies. She also explained what an anaphylactic reaction is and feels like and noted that hand sanitizers do not remove food proteins from your hands. Ms. Robledo announced that 1 in 13 children have a food allergy and further noted that the food allergy awareness color is teal and hopes that if this color is added to parks it could help remind people to be safe and cautious. Ms. Robledo thanked her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Tremblay, for helping her make the project come to fruition and hoped that the signs will be placed everywhere around town to alert everyone of the severity of food allergies. Mr. McAuliffe revealed, to the attendees, the sign that will be placed on the town’s playground. Ms. Robledo and family thanked the Board of Health and Mr. McAuliffe for their time and support in this initiative. Proposed Tobacco 2 Tier Fee & Sunsetting Language Hearing At 6:15 p.m. Chairman Whittemore publicized the opening of the Proposed Tobacco 2 Tier Fee & Sunsetting Language Hearing. Ms. LaRoche announced the Purpose, Order, Conduct and the Conduct for Citizens and Residents. Chairman Whittemore read the language of both proposed regulations. BOH January 27, 2020 Minutes Page ​1 Approved February 24, 2020 Cynthia Esthimer, 118 Hayward Street, stated that she is interested in understanding the process of these regulations to better regulate tobacco products, would like to know how many tobacco licenses exist today and what is the Board of Health’s thought for the future of tobacco allowances products in 5 or 10 years from now. Chairman Whittemore stated that Mr. MacAuliffe would be able to answer the first question(s); however, the Board would not be able to lend an opinion on the second question due to the unforeseen future. Mr. McAuliffe stated the the Town currently has 9 tobacco permits; of those 9 not all of them sell e-cigarettes. The general concept is not to normalize the sale/use of e-cigs. If the Board adopts the sunsetting regulation it will help place uniformity with the State’s tobacco regulatory path. Ms. Esthimer asked if the Board of Health in Hopkinton were to be informed of e-cigarettes dire health and/or product consequences, how would the Board of Health intercede with that kind of situation. Chairman Whittemore explained that the Board of Health takes its direction from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and works with them to enforce whatever public health arrangement they decide, as announced by Governor Baker last year. Ms. Esthimer commented that she greatly appreciates the Board of Health considering this regulation and believes that it sets a positive example to the young adults and further added, that as difficult as it is for older adults to make changes she thinks that by enacting this statute is a gentle avenue for people to consider viewing tobacco in a different light. Mr. Brian Moran, Director of Government Affairs, New England Convenience Stores & Energy Marketers, asked if there was an opportunity to submit written statements. Ms. LaRoche informed Mr. Moran that written correspondence was requested in the advertised legal hearing notice prior to the hearing date. Mr. Moran also asked how the existing tobacco permits will be handled with the March 16, 2020 effective date regarding the sunsetting and renewal fee structure. Mr. McAuliffe stated that the tobacco permits are renewed on a annual basis (July 1-June 30). The 2 tier fee structure will take effect on their renewal permits for July 1 2020. If a tobacco selling business transfers/closes the new owner will need to reapply (within 60 days of the signed & dated agreement) for a new tobacco permit. If the reapplication is not enacted within 60 days that permit will retire. Mr. Moran thanked Mr. McAuliffe for the clarifications to his questions. Chairman Whittemore announced that it is 6:15 p.m. and requested the Board’s direction as to either move forward with a motion to end the hearing at 6:15 p.m. or to continue the hearing. Vice Chairman King motioned to close the hearing at 6:15 p.m. Dr. Jacobs seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Chairman Whittemore requested a motion for the Tobacco 2 Tier Fee Structure. Vice Chairman King motioned to adopt the Tobacco 2 Tier Fee Structure, effective March 16, 2020, as presented. Dr. Jacobs seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. BOH January 27, 2020 Minutes Page ​2 Approved February 24, 2020 Chairman Whittemore requested a motion for the Sunsetting Language Vice Chairman King motioned to adopt the Tobacco Sunsetting Language, effective March 16, 2020, as written. Dr. Jacobs seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Request to Approve Board’s January 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes Ms. LaRoche requested the Board’s approval of the January 27, 2020 meeting minutes. Vice Chairman King motioned to accept the January 27, 2020 meeting minutes, as presented. Dr. Jacobs seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Request to Approve Director’s Mileage Expenses(s) Chairman Whittemore requested a motion to accept Mr. McAuliffe’s January Mileage expense for a total of $ 101.77. Dr. Jacobs motioned to approve Mr. McAuliffe’s mileage expense in the amount of $101.77, as presented. Vice Chairman King seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Request to Approve Director’s Massachusetts Health Officers Association/Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MHOA/MADEP) Sanitation Annual Spring Seminar Chairman Whittemore requested a motion to accept Mr. McAuliffe’s MHOA/MADEP Sanitation Annual Spring Seminar for a total of $75. Dr. Jacobs motioned to approve the Sanitation Annual Spring Seminar in the amount of $75. Vice Chairman King seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Approval of the Department’s 2019 Annual Town Report Chairman Whittemore requested a motion to accept the 2019 Annual Town Report for the Department and noted that it was very well written and that it touched base on some of what the Department’s statutory duties and responsibilities are. Dr. Jacobs motioned to approve the Department’s 2019 Annual Town Report, as written and presented. Vice Chairman King seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Director’s Report No Director’s report was presented. ADJOURN​: Dr. Jacobs motioned to adjourn the Board of Health Meeting at 6:17 p.m. Vice Chairman King seconded. Chairman Whittemore, Chairman King and Dr. Jacobs in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Nidia Ruberti LaRoche Health Department Administrative Assistant BOH January 27, 2020 Minutes Page ​3 Approved February 24, 2020