Town of Concord
Board of Health
Minutes from the Meeting
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
PRESENT: Dr. Susannah Bedell, Chairman
Ann M. Snow
David J. Burgess
John M. Henderson
Brent L. Reagor, Public Health Administrator
Karen M. Byrne, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS: Judith Quanrud, FinCom
1. MINUTES & BOARD CALENDAR
The Board reviewed and discussed the minutes from the meeting of Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Ann Snow moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Dr. Bedell seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
The Board reviewed the calendar for April 2008. The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Board will be April 15, 2008.
Town Meeting is scheduled for April 28, 29, 30. The Board of Health does not have any warrant articles pending.
2. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT & REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
Deborah Farnsworth (who was unable to attend the meeting) had submitted some information regarding Marfans Syndrome for the Board’s review. Dr. Bedell commented that other than directing people to the website, which she noted was very informative, she was unsure what Ms. Farnsworth was hoping the Board of Health could do from a public health standpoint on the issue. The issue will be discussed at a future meeting.
There were no additional reports submitted.
3. REPORTS FROM STAFF
Report from Public Health Administrator
The Public Health Administrator (PHA) presented the Board with monthly updates for February and March outlining the activities undertaken by the Health Division since the last meeting.
Finance & Management
During February and March, the PHA met with Marcia Rasmussen, Director of Planning & Land Management and Chris Whelan, Town Manager to carefully review the services contract with the Town of Lincoln. After discussing it with staff as well, it was determined that it was in the best interest of the Town of Concord that the contract with Lincoln be renewed for a limited period of time allowing for the Town of Lincoln to transition to their own Health Agent no later than July 2009.
The contract with the Town of Carlisle has been re-drafted and is awaiting Town Manager’s signature.
The PHA explained that the Health Division continued to work on the fee schedule for various permits/licenses issued to better reflect the actual costs of the services provided. The Town Manager and Finance Director are currently reviewing revised fees for septic systems and semi-public beaches.
Emergency Preparedness
The Public Health Administrator announced that the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) membership had risen to 60 volunteers since January. The trainings that were held in February averaged 15 students and were taped for future broadcasts on Concord Cable Television.
Since last summer, Karen Byrne has been working in conjunction with the Finance Department on the contract language to hire the consultant to draft the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for the Town. In January, the Health Department received the FY08 funding from Region 4A and approximately $5,000 of that amount will be used for the EOP and the consultant is ready to begin work very shortly. The remainder of the funds will be used to strengthen public health preparedness of the department.
Regulations
Massage Therapy Regulations
In January, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts assumed licensing responsibilities for the practice of Massage Therapy and Massage Therapy Establishments. Gabrielle White, Public Health Inspector has been evaluating some modalities not governed by the new State regulation. Some of these varied practices do not involve skin to skin contact and therefore have no public health ramifications. At this point, Health Division staff felt there was no public health reason to continue to regulate these other practices, many of which are unrelated to each other.
The Public Health Administrator advised the Board members that he believed the Board would have to officially repeal the current regulations on the books governing massage therapy. Board members disagreed and suggested that Mr. Reagor look into this further, David Burgess said that if the Commonwealth enacted a law that superseded local authority, no further action was necessary.
Well Water & Small Wastewater Treatment Plants
The PHA is currently working with staff to completely re-draft our private well regulations. Mr. Reagor explained that these regulations had not been updated since the early 1970’s. He hopes to have a draft for the Board to review in April for approval in May.
On a related note, Mr. Reagor mentioned that he had consulted with staff and the Water & Sewer Department and determined that the best way to handle regulations for
(Small) wastewater treatment plants would be by adding a section within a revised version of Chapter 3 of the Board of Health Regulations (Septic Systems).
Tobacco Control
The Public Health Administrator noted that Governor Patrick had reallocated funds to the Tobacco Control Project in his FY09 budget plan and Mr. Reagor hopes to rejoin that initiative in the future.
Miscellaneous
Dr. Bedell asked where in the process Health Division staff was with developing the rating system for restaurants. Mr. Reagor explained that he and Gabrielle White would be “overhauling” the entire food inspection program moving towards a risk-based standard which could incorporate a rating system.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
Chapter 1: General Administrative Procedures
The Board opened a hearing for comments on Concord Board of Health Regulation – Chapter 1: General Administrative Procedures. There were none from the audience or the Board.
Jack Henderson moved that the Board enact Concord Board of Health Regulations Chapter 1: General Administrative Procedures. David Burgess seconded it. All VOTED in favor.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
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