HomeMy Public PortalAboutBoard of Health Minutes 4-21-2021BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
MINUTES
The Watertown Board of Health has scheduled a REMOTE ZOOM meeting on
Wednesday April 21, 2021 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, Maureen Foley, Head Clerk
In attendance Heather McManus, BioSafety Committee, Mackenzie Sullivan, Audrey M., Mailin
Van Hoosear, Karisa Hanson, Joe Patel, Ryan Chapell, Scott Malstrom, Hussam Shaheen
CALL TO ORDER: Dr. Straus called the meeting to order 7:05 pm
Minutes
Minutes were approved for March 17, 2021 meeting,
Motions granted (Arnold, Beck) 3-0.
All in favor.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Watertown Biosafety Committee (WBSC)
Heather McManus, Chair, WBSC Biosafety Committee, indicated and reviewed the application
for registration and recommended registration of Arranta Bio, LLC. Heather McManus gave a
short synopsis of Arranta's activities.
All the recommendations have been met.
Motions granted (Beck, Arnold) 3-0.
All in favor.
Heather McManus, Chair, WBSC Biosafety Committee, indicated and reviewed the application
for registration and recommended registration of Pandion Therapeutics. Hussan Shaheen gave a
short synopsis of Pandion Therapeutic's activities.
All the recommendations have been met.
Motions granted (Beck, Arnold) 3-0.
All in favor.
Heather McManus, Chair, WBSC Biosafety Committee, indicated and reviewed the application
for registration and recommended registration of Platelet BioGenesis, Inc. Ryan Chapell gave a
short synopsis of Platelet BioGenesis's activities.
All the recommendations have been met.
Motions granted (Arnold, Straus) 3-0.
All in favor.
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Heather McManus, Chair, WBSC Biosafety Committee, indicated and reviewed the application
for registration and recommended registration of C4 Therapeutics. Joe Patel gave a short synopsis
of C4 Therapeutic's activities.
All the recommendations have been met.
Motions granted (Arnold, Beck) 3-0.
All in favor.
Dr. Strauss inquired whether there are planning or zoning implications of these labs/bioscience
require special permits based on their activities and waste disposal. Watertown is experiencing a
large bioscience development.
Dr. McManus agrees because the BioSafey Committee reviews and approves the safety of the
lab/bioscience facility and processes. The committee does not evaluate if the loading dock is in the
correct place or if the facility, activity, materials or wastes used are in the proper zoning area.
Larry Ramdin stated zoning and planning approved the building/facility for lab space prior to the
tenant signs the lease.
Dr. McManus stated there is a special meeting planned on April 29, 2021 to meet with Steve
Magoon, Director on Planning to discuss these issues.
Dr. McManus stated the WBC must discuss timing of when a lab introduces new materials and/or
protocols. WBC must define this process.
Thank you Dr. McManus and the members of the BioSafety Committee.
COVID 19 Updates
Since the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been paused, Health Department has had to halt
delivering vaccines to the homebound population. We have inoculated 70 plus homebound
residents. The state may provide Moderna vaccine for the homebound residents if Janssen does
not come onboard in the near future.
Response Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS)
The state distributes food boxes (dry goods) to municipalities to provide for the COVID patients
who are quarantining. Watertown has delivered 38 boxes to our residents.
Residents who are hoarding under the age of 65 are tracked internally. Health department provides
support through grants to mitigate and organize a resident's home. Residents over 65 are helped
through the Council on Ageing.
Hoarding cases have declined in the last 5 years due to hiring specialists and new awareness.
Staffing and Department Update
Carly Foster was introduced as our new ACO. Carly gave a short introduction to the board.
She was welcomed.
Larry Ramdin stated Chief Environmental Health Office, Rajit Gupta gave his resignation as of
April 30, 2021.
Next Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday May 19, 2021
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Larry Ramdin, Director of Public Health
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