HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200224 - Board of Health - Meeting Minutes
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Hopkinton Senior Center
28 Mayhew Street-Main Room
Monday, February 24, 2020
MINUTES
Members Present: Chairman Whittemore, Vice Chairman King
Also Present:Shaun McAuliffe, Health Director
Absent: Dr. Richard Jacobs
Late Arrival(s):
Early Dismissal:
The meeting was called to order at 5:25 p.m. by Chairman Whittemore.
Public Comment- Members of the community are invited to share ideas, state opinions or ask questions
Request to Approve Board’s February 10, 2020 Meeting and Hearing Minutes
(Tobacco 2 Tier Fee & Sunsetting Language)
Ms. LaRoche presented the Board’s February 10, 2020 meeting and hearing minutes for approval.
Vice Chairman King motioned to approve the hearing and meeting minutes of February 10, 2020, as
presented. Chairman Whittemore seconded. Chairman Whittemore and Vice Chairman King in favor.
Department’s January 2020 (Fiscal Year 2020) Budget Summary
An updated budget summary of the department’s January 2020 expenses were presented to the Board for
their review.
Director’s Mid-Year Goals Review for Fiscal Year 2020
Mr. McAuliffe offered his mid-year goals for the Board’s review. He proceeded to recite all three goals
and his written employee comments. He stated that he has met one out of the three goals which were
charged to him by the Board and continues his efforts in completing the other two by the end of the fiscal
year.
The Board voiced their satisfaction with Mr. McAuliffe and thanked him for all of the department’s
positive outcome(s).
Administrative Assistant’s Mid-Year Goals Review for Fiscal Year 2020
Ms. LaRoche’s mid year goals were presented for the Board’s review by Mr. McAuliffe. He stated that Ms.
LaRoche has completed two of the three goals that were assigned to her and will meet her third goal by
July 1, 2020.
The Board showed their content with Ms. LaRoche’s achievements and thanked her for all her efforts.
BOH February 24, 2020 Minutes Page 1
Approved March 9, 2020
Department’s Publicizing & Achievements Examples
Ms. LaRoche supplied several drafts of the department’s achievements and publicizing statements that
will be forward via social media on a monthly/bi-weekly basis. The Board was gratified with the
proposed drafts. Chairman Whittemore offered some vaping information to also be included. Ms.
LaRoche acknowledged Chairman Whittemore’s direction.
Signing of Director’s Payroll/Timesheets Discussion
Chairman Whittemore explained that due to the new electronic payroll system, that the Town has now
implemented, Mr. McAuliffe is not able to approve his own payroll. The software stall’s when Mr.
McAuliffe tries to approve his own work week but after trying a couple of more times it is accepted.
After she and Mr. McAuliffe met with the Town Manager, earlier this month, the Town Manager suggested
that the Assistant Town Manager sign Mr. McAuliffe’s payroll. Chairman Whittemore noted that the
Town Manager stated that this would only be an administrative function-nothing more.
The Board members and Mr. McAuliffe deliberated on other options and other department(s) that have
the same signing process structure. After their discussion, the Board concluded to continue with the
same procedure for now.
Coronavirus Discussion & Action, If Any
Mr. McAuliffe informed the Board that the Coronavirus is not an official epidemic, in Massachusetts, as of
yet. He stated the department is in weekly and/or every other day contact with the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health (MADHP) discussing a system in place to plan and coordinate with the
Center for Disease Control when and if an epidemic is announced. He also apprised the Board that the
Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has been instructed at the State and Federal level that all running
groups traveling to Boston for the Marathon will need to arrive 14 days prior to the race and be
quarantined prior to the race.
Mr. McAuliffe announced he and Public Health Nurse Kasey Mauro have been very active answering
resident’s questions regarding the virus and that Ms. Mauro has been conducting several residential
nurse care requests and outreach awareness around town.
Director’s Report
Mr. McAuliffe updated the Board of the following items:
Vaping/Tobacco – The Director and the Grants/Procurement Officer met with the MWHF on 2/14 to
discuss our grant submission. We will seek $30,000 to improve the existing program, improve the
cessation components, improve the stress and anxiety coping education and improve internal and
external communication and outreach. The regional health directors will seek to adopt the new state
regulations in June. The regulation will address the state’s new regulations and, in Hopkinton, will
include a ban on adult-only shops and smoking bars.
Nursing – Hopkinton HS students participating in the STEAM program shadowed Kasey most of last
week. She discussed vaping with all of the students and identified stress and anxiety as the main reason
the children are turning to vaping. She added several new cases last week.
Natural Gas - The Health Department continues to support Eversource in their septic design planning for
the new infrastructure. Eversource will start a visual and metallurgical investigation of Tank B in the
coming months.
BOH February 24, 2020 Minutes Page 2
Approved March 9, 2020
Mosquitoes/EEE - Diedre informed us that she is working with the MDPH on EEE research. We will be
assisting her as needed. We continue to work with the MDPH as we prepare for EEE season.
Ticks - I’m giving a presentation on Ticks and EEE this week. We expect to have all of the post materials
for the MVP EEE outreach in March.
Coronavirus - Kasey and I have participated in a webinar and conference call about the outbreak. We
are working with the MDPH and providing outreach as needed.
Maspenock- The Department has completed a review of the herbicides proposed for use on the lake.
Both are MDEP and EPA approved. Both will be applied by a licensed applicator and in accordance with
the manufacturer's application instructions. The chemical properties of the herbicides should prevent
them from impacting regional groundwater.
Youth and Families - We continue to support Y&Fs and are assisting them when possible on their Drug
Free Communities Grant.
Food Inspections - The Department has started utilizing the Food Code Pro software in the field. We will
complete a full assessment of all of our establishments in March.
Hoarding - Clear Path reports that the Health Department’s sponsored decluttering class has been a
success.
Legacy Farms - The Department is working with the MDPH and MDEP on issues related to soil
management, submetering, groundwater discharge and the public water supply.
2020 Interns - We intend to host an undergraduate and graduate intern this summer. We’ve selected an
undergraduate candidate from the UMass School of Public Health. We are awaiting a graduate match
from the MDPH’s Local Health Internship Program.
ADJOURN: Vice Chairman King motioned to adjourn the Board of Health Meeting at 6:15 p.m. Chairman
Whittemore seconded. Chairman Whittemore and Vice Chairman King in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nidia Ruberti LaRoche
Health Department Administrative Assistant
BOH February 24, 2020 Minutes Page 3
Approved March 9, 2020