HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health Minutes 9-16-2020 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
MINUTES
The Watertown Board of Health has scheduled a REMOTE ZOOM meeting on
Wednesday September 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Dr. John Straus, Chairperson and Dr. Barbara Beck, Secretary; Richard Arnold,
Board Member.
Staff: Larry Ramdin, Director of Public Health
CALL TO ORDER: Dr. Straus called the meeting to order 7:04 pm
Minutes
Minutes were approved for August 19, 2020 meeting.
Motions granted (Beck, Straus 2nd) 3-0.
Public Comment
No public comments.
Daneerous Dog,
Karen O'Reilly, Animal Control Officer stated the dog has had 3 incidents of biting in the last
year and is requesting that a dangerous dog hearing be scheduled per ML Chap.140s157. The
Board of Health will schedule a Special Hearing regarding this issue. Larry Ramdin will
schedule a date and time to hold the Dangerous Dog Hearing remotely and inform the Board.
Oaklev Country Club,Reinstate Tobacco Product Sales Permit
Rajit Gupta, Chief Environmental Officer stated Oakley Country Club did not renew their
Tobacco Sales Permit for 2019 and 2020. Scott Johnson of Oakley Country Club stated due to
personal hardship he let the permits lapse unintentionally. Mr. Johnson was asking the board to
reinstate the Tobacco Permit with any fines or fees. The Board discussed the application and
asked questions of the applicant and Mr. Gupta.
Dr. Beck made a motion seconded by Mr. Arnold that the Board deny the application to
reinstate the tobacco permit of Oakley Country Club.
All were in favor.
Face Covering review
Town of Watertown has a stricter face covering protocol than the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts or Gov. Charles Baker. As a consequence of current levels of compliance and
differences between the Board's order and current guidance from the Massachusetts Reopening
Commission and the Commonwealth's guidance. The Board believed it was prudent to bring its
order in alignment with the governor's order with face coverings. took a motion to bring the
Town of Watertown's face covering orders to align with the State's. All were in favor.
Amendment to Town of Watertown Board of Health Emerqencv Order Mandating Face
Coverings
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Watertown Board of Health hereby amends its September 16, 2020 emergency order as follows:
1. Section 1 of the emergency order is amended to provide that individuals aged two (2) years or
older are subject to the terms of the order; provided, however, that the wearing of face coverings
by children aged between two (2) and five (5) years is encouraged but shall be at the discretion
of the child's parent or guardian. 2. Section 1 of the emergency order is further amended to
provide that individuals shall be required to wear face coverings when in or at any place open to
the public, whether indoors or outdoors, if such individuals do not or are unable to maintain a
distance of approximately six feet from any other individual. 3. Section 3 of the emergency order
is amended to provide that if non-criminal disposition is elected for enforcement, then any
person who violates any provision of the order may be subject to a warning for the first violation
and may be subject to a penalty in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each
subsequent violation. 4. All other provisions of the emergency order shall remain in full force
and effect.
Biotechnologv Committee Appointments
There are two positions to fill on the Watertown Biosafety Committee and two positions will be
occupied by Larry Ramdin, Health Department Director and Dr. John H. Straus, Board of
Health. Heather McManus, Biosafety Consultant recommended two appointees to the Board,.
Dr. Deborah McEwan and Dr. Brad Parsons. Dr. McEwan spoke regarding her background
regarding diagnosis, compliance and regulations. Dr. Parsons was not present but Heather
McManus summarized his qualifications and experience. The Board motioned to approve the
appointments of Dr. Deborah McEwan and Dr. Brad Parsons to the Biosafety Committee start
immediately. All in favor.
Staffing and Department Update
The Department is fully staffed. There have been more housing issues than restaurant
inspections. The restaurant inspections have been suspended due to COVID since restaurants did
not reopen until July 2020.
Main Street Mobil has been fined $300.00 for not complying with the face cover order. Health
Department has received 4 complaints for the non-compliance. Health Department has referred
this issue to the State's Department of Labor and Standards that has jurisdiction over the
industry. This agency has the ability to shut this business down.
There have been 3 food establishments that have not complied with closed doors and windows.
This regulation has been in effect for 19 years. Health Department has issued 4 warnings.
Farmers' Market will end on October 14, 2020.
Event for Erase the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder on Sunday, September 13, 2020 was
attended remotely by 55 participants.
Next Meeting
Scheduled for October 21, 2020
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Adiourn: Meeting adjourned at 8:150p.m. (Motion Beck, seconded by Arnold 3-0)
Respectfully submitted: Larry Ramdin, Director of Public Health
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