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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200413 - Board of Health - Meeting Minutes HEALTH DEPARTMENT Town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts REMOTE MEETING Monday, April 13, 2020 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 534 p.m. by Chairman Whittemore. Mr. McAuliffe announced the “Script for Remotely Conducted Open Meetings” guidelines (attached). Members and participants role call for attendance: Elizabeth (Lisa) Whittemore-Yes Michale King-No/Yes (attended meeting at 5:48 pm) Dr. Richard Jacobs-Yes Nidia LaRoche-Yes Kasey Mauro-Yes Public Comment- ​Members of the community are invited to share ideas, state opinions or ask questions Chairman Whittemore, on behalf of the Board, acknowledged Mr. McAuliffe, Ms. Mauro, Mr. Besso, School Nurses and Ms. LaRoche’s tireless commitment not only to their respective duties and responsibilities but also to their professionalism and ability to adapt to offering services and their continued collaboration and support to Town Departments under the COVID 19 pandemic. Chairman Whittemore also announced that the Board is extremely and sincerely thankful for the preemptive approach and continuation of support the Department took in anticipation of the COVID 19 pandemic. Request to Approve March ​24​ 9, 2020 Meeting Minutes Mr. McAuliffe requested that the meeting minutes of March 9, 2020 be approved. He stated that due to a typographical error the date on the agenda is incorrect and that it should be the meeting minutes of March 9, 2020. Dr. Jacobs motioned to approve the meeting minutes of March 9, 2020, as presented. Chairman Whittemore seconded. Roll Call: Dr. Jacobs-Yes; Chairman Whittemore-Yes Request to Approve Director’s Reimbursements & Expenses Mr. McAulliffe requested the Board’s approval for his reimbursement of $85.98 for the nurses lunches and breakfast during the assessment period of COVID 19. BOH April 13, 2020-​REMOTE MEETING​ Minutes Page ​1 Approved April 28, 2020 Dr. Jacobs motioned to approve Mr. McAulliffe’s reimbursement of $85.98, as presented. Chairman Whittemore seconded. Roll Call: Dr. Jacobs-Yes; Chairman Whittemore-Yes Discussion of Construction Guidelines Mr. McAulliffe presented the “Mandatory COVID-19 Policies and Procedures for All Construction Sites and Construction Workers” Board of Health Order that was given to him by the Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazaurs and Director of Municipal Inspections Chuck Kadlik and drafted by Town Counsel for the Board’s consideration to approve. Both Ms. Lazarus and Mr. Kadlik stated that they are open to any suggestions directed by the Board. He stated that he emailed the Governor’s Construction definitions to the Board for their review and that the Board has the authority to implement “an Order” without a public hearing. Mr. McAulliffe also said that he has several concerns with the Order and emailed those comments to the Board for their review. He also commented that some of what is stated does not make sense in the Health Department’s preview. In addition, it doesn’t identify who will be enforcing the Order or how the internal tracking will be completed and/or who will be responsible for that. Chairman Whittemore commented that this Order seems to be very astringent and asked for clarification as to why this is being requested. Mr. McAulliffe explained that the Land Use Department would like options to limit their exposure of COVID 19 outside of the Town Hall, for their building inspections. Chairman Whittemore asked if Ms. Lazarus, Mr. Kadlik or Town Counsel consulted with him before bringing this request to the Board. Mr. McAulliffe said that he was never included in producing the document or asked for any advice. Chairman Whittemore directed Mr. McAulliffe to collaborate with Ms. Lazarus and Mr. Kadlik to eliminate some of the Board and Department's concerns and unnecessary items and to place it on the Board’s next meeting agenda. She also stated that if the Order is urgent to have the Board meet as soon as possible given the proper time frame for the open meeting laws to be advertised. Mr. McAuliffe stated that Ms. Lazarus did not indicate a deadline. Roll Call: Chairman Whittemore-Yes, Vice Chairman King-Yes, Dr. Jacobs-Yes Coronavirus (COVID19) Discussion/Action, if any Mr. McAuliffe updated the Board with the following: As of 11:00 a.m. on 4/13/20, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 20 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 6 of those cases are active, with 14 recoveries and zero deaths. The State is now within the beginning of the anticipated “surge” in the Commonwealth (April 10 - April 20) and based on the latest models referenced by Governor Baker on Friday April 10th, it’s looking more like the peak will be closer to April 20th. Cases are expected to continue to climb during this time, and local case numbers may not accurately reflect the infections in our community. The next two weeks will be critical in stopping the spread. Mr. McAuliffe stated there are 3 cases at Golden Pond in which the State Health Department has BOH April 13, 2020-​REMOTE MEETING​ Minutes Page ​2 Approved April 28, 2020 facilitated the National Guard to arrange testing sites to manage. Price Chopper has 2 cases; 1 is in isolation and has a risk management plan in place; the other case will be followed up either later today or tomorrow to conduct an assessment. Ms. Mauro stated that a resident fell and broke his hip at Golden Pond. He was transported to a rehabilitation facility and he developed COVID 19 there. He passed away on Saturday. Mr. McAuliffe said that as of today the person has not shown up on either MAVEN or the Virtual Gateway Burial Permit System. Ms. Mauro announced that the Department, with the enormous help from the school nurses, has a very good system in place, is ahead of the curve and doing very well with everything. She noted that she will instruct Golden Pond on the next phase tomorrow. Mr. McAuliffe noted that the Department is providing masks and instruction to seniors on how to properly use a mask and is also providing educational brochures on COVID 19. Any expenses affiliated with COVID 19 will be paid out of the COVID 19 Grant. ADJOURN​: Dr. Jacobs motioned to adjourn the Board of Health Meeting at 6:20 p.m. Vice Chairman King seconded. Role Call: Chairman Whittemore-Yes, Vice Chairman King-Yes, Dr. Jacobs-Yes. Respectfully Submitted, Nidia Ruberti LaRoche Health Department Administrative Assistant BOH April 13, 2020-​REMOTE MEETING​ Minutes Page ​3 Approved April 28, 2020