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.
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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
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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
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Approved April 28, 2020