HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH 02/03/2022Town of Mansfield
Board of Health
February 3, 2022 Minutes
t" ;MS OFFICE
1D11 iiY 10 A 9, 00
Mission Statement: The mission of the Mansfield Board of Health is to protect, preserve and'' ' I 11S
improve the public health, environment and wellbeing of our citizens through the enforcement of
federal, state and local statutes and regulations, education and promotion of sanitary living and
working conditions, and protection of the environment from disease and pollution.
Present: Antonia Blinn; Chair, Michael Healey, Ryan Maxwell, Graham Wilson, Kasia Frenette, Amy
Donovan -Palmer; Health Agent, Jess Aptowitz; Select Board Member, Kevin Dumas; Town Manager
Guests: Cheryl Sbarra; MA Association of Health Boards (MAHB), Dr. Michael Valkanas; Emergency
Room Phvsician, Good Samaritan Hospital
Antonia Blinn Nominated by Kasia Frenette,
accepts nomination. Nomination Passes 5-0
by Michael Healey; Antonia Blinn
Position of Clerk: Graham Wilson nominated by Michael Healey, 211 by Kasia Frenette; Graham
Wilson accepts nomination. Nomination Passes 5-0
• Motion to approve the consent agenda made by Mr. Healey, 2"d by Ms. Frenette.
o VOTE 5-0 Passes
January 6, 2022
Motion to approve the minutes from January 6, 2022, made by Ms. Frenette, 2"d by Mr.
Wilson.
o VOTE 5-0 Passes
January 12, 2022
• Motion to approve the minutes from January 12, 2022 made by Ms. Frenette, 2"d by Mr.
Wilson.
o VOTE 4-0-1 Passes
Chief Desrosiers not available for BOH meeting. BOH was provided some monthly data, but
complete data will be compiled and discussed at next meeting. Ms. Donovan -Palmer inquired
whether we needed a vote to put something on to another meeting's agenda. Select Board
Member Jess Aptowitz commented that typically requests to put something on an agenda is run
through the Chairperson, but a vote isn't needed.
Amy Donovan -Palmer presented a review of the purpose of masks, how they work, and different
types of masks available for use. Transmission risk in Mansfield is still in the High category according
to CDC Risk Categories. Michael Healey presented analysis of percent positivity data between towns
with and without mask mandates, specifically comparing Mansfield to surrounding towns. Ms.
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Donovan -Palmer increased town -wide information updates from 3 times a week to daily to bolster
public education. Schools are switching from test -and -stay program to at home weekly testing.
Students take a weekly test at home and if it is positive, they stay home.
Cheryl Sbarra from the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards spoke on the authority of the
BOH to impose a mask mandate. The BOH's authority is covered under MGL Chapter 111, Section
31 and Section 122. Ms. Sbarra also noted that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has
consistently upheld board of health authority to enact health regulations.
Dr. Michael Valkanas spoke on the status of COVID related hospitalizations and ICU admissions.
After presentations, Cheryl Sbarra fielded questions from the Board regarding BOH authority to
Antonia Blinn noted the outreach received by the Health Agent both in support of, and opposition
to, mask mandates.
• Motion to end emergency mask mandate effective 2/4/22 made by Mr. Healey, 2"d by Mr.
Wilson.
Discussion: Kasia highlighted that despite the absence of a mask mandate, it is still a
recommendation to wear a mask, when possible, to prevent illness. Ms. Blinn has concerns over the
immediacy of rescinding the mandate and that it takes time to communicate with all proper
channels to make sure everyone has the information regarding the mandate coming down. Ms.
Donovan -Palmer echoed the same sentiment. Mr. Healey asked regarding willingness to retract his
motion to change it, replied in the negative.
• Motion to amend the current motion made my Mr. Healey to begin on 2/7/2022, 2"d by
Mr. Maxwell
o VOTE passes 4-1
• Revised Motion: Motion to rescind the emergency mask mandate Monday, 2/7/2022.
o VOTE passes 5-0
Met earlier on 2/3/2022, discussed mission changing from how to handle upcoming trash contracts
to how are we going to reduce trash production in town. 2 Companies submitted the RFP, RFP had
to go back out as part of the original RFP was not answered regarding replacement of trash barrels.
Trash budget would see an increase if we replaced all trash carts proactively and a smaller increase
if we only replace barrels as needed due to unrepairable damage. Committee is planning to meet
first Thursday every month. Mr. Healey asked if there is any discussion around a town swap type of
program. Mr. Wilson affirms that this is something to discuss going forward. Mr. Healey also
brought up the idea of income generating processes from our trash and recycling as opposed to an
expense.
Ms. Blinn brought forward that a formal motion is required for Mr. Wilson to continue representing
the BOH on this committee.
• Motion to nominate Mr. Wilson to represent the BOH on The Waste Reduction and
Recycling Committee made by Mr. Healey, 2"d by Ms. Frenette.
o VOTE passes 5-0
Ms. Blinn brought forward the idea that we should look at and reconsider the mask mandate for
municipal buildings considering rescinding the town -wide mandate. Ms. Donovan -Palmer states
that she has not heard anything regarding the municipal mandates. She states that the feeling frorr
town management is that masks indoors are important. Mr. Dumas, Town Manager, states that for
employees that have health related issues and feeling protection that the mandate is advantageous
for the BOH to further the municipal mask mandate. Hearing no motion, the current municipal
mask mandate stays in
Bristol -Norfolk Public Health partners Coalition Grants Update: meeting held with Town
Administration and Health Agents to discuss intermunicipal agreement being developed. Hiring
process for the Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services and Local health support
for COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing is moving forward. Aim is to have
intermunicipal agreement signed by end of month.
E-Permitting: First season using new system is complete. Next step is to work on sewer plans
integration.
FOG: Shared Services Food Inspector will be able to help take over some of the work around FOG
permitting and inspection.
PFAS: Nothing to report
Website/Social Media Update: A lot of COVID related postings online to help community with what
they can do to protect themselves and one another.
Housing Inspections: Had a couple inspections, nothing unmanageable.
Grant Anolications: No additional arant applications to report on.
No visitors or pre -submitted questions or comments.
o VOTE 5-0 PASSED
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Clerk
Date