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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH 02/02/2023Town of Mansfield REGEiVED Board of Healt��'��` C� ER{� OFFICE February 2, 2023 MinaBtlga 12 D Mission Statement: The mission of the Mansfield Board of Heapf ist9�fiowkWe and 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: Chair, Antonia Blinn; Michael Healey; Clerk, Graham Wilson; Ryan Maxwell; Health Agent, Amy Donovan -Palmer;. Student BOH Liaison, Mahathi Kosaraju: Absent: Kasia Frenette The meeting of the Board of Health (BOH) was called to order at 7:01 pm by Chair, Antonia Blinn. None. Mr. Healev makes a motion to accept the consent agenda, 2"d bVMr. Maxwell. Approved 4-0. October 12, 2022 • Motion to approve the minutes from October 12, 2022 made by Mr. Healey, 2nd Mr. Wilson. Approved 4-0. November 17, 2022 • Motion to approve the minutes from November 17, 2022 made by Mr. Healey, 2"d Ms. Blinn. Approved 2-0. Abstained by Mr. Wilson and Mr. Maxwell. January 5, 2023 - - • Motion to approve the minutes from January 5, 2023 made by Mr. Graham, 2"d Mr. Maxwell. Approved 4-0. Academic Public Health Corps (APHC) member,'Katelyn Billings is sharing information on the project she has been working on with Ms. Donovan -Palmer on "Mansfield Food Establishment Violations." The presentation includes information on: • Total number of violations by code from May 2019 -September 2022 o Code 3.501116: Hot and Cold Holding (83 violations) o Code 4.602.11: Contact Surfaces and Utensils (75 violations) o Code 3.501.17: Date Marking (71 violations) • Total number of violations by code from January 2021 September 2022 (Displaying post-COVID-19 onset data) o 'Code 3.501.16: Hot and Cold Holding (33 violations) o Code 5.205.11: Using a Handwashing Sink (31 violations) o Code 7,102,11: Common Name (30 violations) • Differences in violations May 2019 - September 2022 versus January 2021 - September 2022 o More than 80 violations between May 2019 -September 2022 o More than 30 violations between January 2021- September 2022 • Trends of total food violation counts overtime by restaurant o Violations rapidly plateaued in 2020 when restaurants closed and food inspections were less frequent o There was an increase in violations that occurred in 2022 to reach the same levels of late 2019/early2020 • Changes in food establishment risk categorization (Categories 1-4) o 83% of food establishments in Mansfield are in Risk Category 1 or 2 Ms. Donovan -Palmer comments that graphics were additionally generated during this project for public distribution on Facebook and the Mansfield BOH website. Ms. Billings recommends that the information should be separated into categories that are most appropriate for the public and/or food establishment audiences. The Board discussed that this information can inform a workshop or similar event to better support food establishments from engaging in these violations in the future. Shaw's - Brian MacVarish, Director of Risk Management & Food Safety at Shaw's Supermarkets, speaks at the podium about repeat food code violations and anaction plan at the request of the Board. Shaw's was called to the January 2023 BOH meeting but due to a communication error, they were not represented and were rescheduled to appear at the February 2023 BOH meeting. Ms. Donovan -Palmer remarked that in the Fall of 2022, Shaw's committed a violation of blocking a',y handwashing sink with a cart and Shaw's took action to physically relocate the sink. Upon re -inspection, the violation was committed again and Shaw's was asked to submit an action plan and represent themselves at the January 2023 BOH meeting. Mr. MacVarish clarifies that the violation cited after the re -inspection was not due to a cart blockage but from the obstruction of a towel and glove left in the sink by an associate. Mr. MacVarish remarks that the action plan has been submitted to the Board and other changes have been made to prevent similar violations in the Bakery and Deli units. Changes have been made by labeling the glove area, placing visual markers with tape to avoid cart placement in front of handwashing sinks, and adding electrical outlets for bakery equipment within the new standard operating procedures as planned with Regional Food Inspector, Paul Gilpin and Health Agent, Amy Donovan -Palmer. The management and associate team are supporting the action plan and the re -inspection on January 20th did not cite any violations. Trattoria Romana - Ms. Donovan -Palmer mentions that Trattoria Romana was not asked to come to the February 2023 BOH meeting because they were represented at the January 2023 BOH meeting and have submitted the written action plan requested of them. Trattoria Romana has made marked improvements, the written action plan is approved, and the manager is active in making changes to keep them on track. Food Inspector, Kevin Duquette conducted another inspection on February 1,2023 and there were several code violations that were found that can prompt a risk categorization change according to policy. if Trattoria Romana receives a risk categorization change from Category 3 to Category 4, they will be invited to attend a BOH meeting at a determined date but they will not be required to be present due to recent frequent communication. If a risk category change is made, it will mean that Trattoria Romana will be subject to quarterly inspections in addition to the re -inspection for the February 1, 2023 violations. Motion to increase the number of food inspections of Trattoria Romana from 3 to 4 due to repeat priority to provide the report so Ms. Frenette will be asked to share data at the March 2023 BOH meeting. Ms. Donovan -Palmer is providing the summary of the January 2023 Public Health Nursing Report. One of the blood pressure and blood sugar screenings was missed because the Center On Aging (COA) was closed on that occasion. Additionally, the scheduled time for those events will be changed. Mr. Healey frequent o There was an increase in violations that occurred in 2022 to reach the same levels of late 2019/early 2020 • Changes in food establishment risk categorization (Categories 1-4) o 83% of food establishments in Mansfield are in Risk Category 1 or 2 Ms. Donovan -Palmer comments that graphics were additionally generated during this project for public distribution on Facebook and the Mansfield BOH website. Ms. Billings recommends that the information should be separated into categories that are most appropriate for the public and/or food establishment audiences. The Board discussed that this information can inform a workshop or similar event to better support food establishments from eneaeine in these violations in the future. Shaw's - Brian MacVarish, Director of Risk Management & Food Safety at Shaw's Supermarkets, speaks at the podium about repeat food code violations and an action plan at the request of the Board. Shaw's was called to the January 2023 BOH meeting but due to a communication error, they were not represented and were rescheduled to appear at the February 2023 BOH meeting. Ms. Donovan -Palmer remarked that in the Fall of 2022, Shaw's committed a violation of blocking a handwashing sink with a cart and Shaw's took action to physically relocate the sink. Upon re -inspection, the violation was committed again and Shaw's was asked to submit an action plan and represent themselves at the January 2023 BOH meeting. Mr. MacVarish clarifies that the violation cited after the re -inspection was not due to a cart blockage but from the obstruction of a towel and glove left in the sink by an associate. Mr. Macvarish remarks that the action plan has been submitted to the Board and other changes have been made to prevent similar violations in the Bakery and Deli units. Changes have been made by labeling the glove area, placing visual markers with tape to avoid cart placement in front of handwashing sinks, and adding electrical outlets for bakery equipment within the new standard operating procedures as planned with Regional Food Inspector, Paul Gilpin and Health Agent, Amy Donovan -Palmer. The management and associate team are supporting the action plan and the re -inspection on January 20th did not cite any violations. Trattoria Romana - Ms. Donovan -Palmer mentions that Trattoria Romana was not asked to come to the February 2023 BOH meeting because they were represented at the January 2023 BOH meeting and have submitted the written action plan requested of them. Trattoria Romana has made marked improvements, the written action plan is approved, and the manager, is active in making changes to keep them on track. Food Inspector, Kevin Duquette conducted another inspection on February 1, 2023 and there were several code violations that were found that can prompt a risk categorization change according to policy. If Trattoria Romana receives a risk categorization change from Category 3 to Category 4, they will be invited to attend a BOH meeting at a determined date but they will not be required to be present due to recent frequent communication. If a risk category change is made, it will mean that Trattoria Romana will be subject to quarterly inspections in addition to the re -inspection for the February 1, 2023 violations. Motion to increase the number of food inspections of Trattoria Romana from 3 to 4 due to repeat priority and priority foundational violations, effective March 12, 2023 by Mr. Healey, 2nd Mr. Wilson. Approved 4-0. Kasia Frenette is not present to provide the report so Ms. Frenette will be asked to share data at the March 2023 BOH meeting. Ms. Donovan -Palmer is providing the summary of the January 2023 Public Health Nursing Report. One of the blood pressure and blood sugar screenings was missed because the Center On Aging (COA) was closed on that occasion. Additionally, the scheduled time for those events will be changed. Mr. Healey mentioned that the scheduled time will be identified and shared after the meeting. Commenting on the incidence of flu cases, Ms. Blinn highlights that the rate has risen to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels according to this report and that should be monitored as the year progresses. The wastewater treatment COVID testing data is supposed to be posted on Monday, February 6, 2023. The data had plateaued in Fall 2022 but there was a peak in January that seems to have returned to Fall 2022 levels now. Ms. Blinn comments that Ms. Frenette will inform the Board when she returns about how Mansfield comoares to other reeions and what can be done to advance BOH work. None. Mr. Healey, Ms. Frenette, Ms. Blinn, and Ms. Donovan -Palmer met in November 2022 to begin to form a work plan from the ten essential public health services to the Foundational Public Health Services. Ms. Blinn reads from "Mansfield BOH Goals and Objectives" which divides action items by each foundational public health area in a 2 to 3 -year time frame. The document is an opportunity to document what the BOH offers and to assist in the decision making process for what else can bolster those services. The following sections were briefly summarized to explain the purpose of the report. • A Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan will, be generated with other town, departments and local organizations in the interest of these goals and objectives as a whole. • The Policy and Development Support section is for what BOH work is being done while acknowledging what can be reinforced: • The BOH Education and Support section is an opportunity for growth through the Local Public Health Institute of Massachusetts to offer professional development for BOH members. Ms. Blinn recommends that BOH members review two selected sections of the document before the March 2023 BOH meeting to think about what is being done presently in that area and how the less supported parts can be strengthened. The two sections that were selected as background research for the next BOH meeting are "Environmental Public Health" and "Maternal, Child, & Family Health" which will be discussed for about 15 minutes. BOH members are asked to think about what resources are needed to sustain the services and what else can be added to the document related to time frame and lead personnel that will more effectively outline these goals and objectives. To answer a question posed by Ms. Kosaraju, it is stated that this "Mansfield BOH Goals and Objectives" document will be made available for the public when it is finalized. ; At the end of the Fall 2022 semester at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Master of Public Health students and a faculty member presented a Mansfield Community Health Assessment to the Board for its use. It is recommended that the improvement goals outlined in the report can be used in the review that BOH members are conducting in relation to the subcommittee goals and objectives document, Ms. Blinn highlights the three main goals of the improvement plan:_, • 'Increasing visibility of the LGBTQIA+youth and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) ; populations in Mansfield through inclusive, comprehensive, and affirming practices" • "Enhance and support the overall mental health and emotional well-being of all residents in Mansfield" • "Increasing accessibility of healthy and nutritious foods and food resources for all Mansfield residents" Ms. Blinn identifies the common practice of surveying community members during a community health assessment and improvement plan and that the BUSPH students included a drafted document of such questions for future use. Mr. Duquette generated a report from his re -inspection of Geno's Restaurant and the Board is using it as documentation to discuss the fee -waiver request. The re -inspection did not cite any violations and the request decision was pushed from the January 2023 BOH meeting pending the results of the re -inspection on January 6, 2023. Motion to waive the $100 reinspection fee assigned to Geno's Restaurant of 407 N Main Street based upon a 1/6/2023 re -inspection by Mr. Healev, 2"d Mr. Wilson. Approved 4-0. Ms. Donovan -Palmer presents the current re -inspection fee process as a handful of people who do not pay the re -inspection fee on time (4 weeks after the inspection). If the establishment does not pay it before the due date, they are asked to come to a BOH meeting and they must explain why the fee has not yet been paid. The proposed change would make the re -inspection fee due in 4 weeks with a grace period of 60 days after the re -inspection before a fine for delayed payment is issued in the Permiteyes online system. The proposed change will no longer require the establishments to represent themselves at a BOH meeting to explain their late payment. The reinspection fee is $100 and the fine for delayed payment is set at $50. This discussion intends to change the re -inspection fee process to lessen the administrative burden. Ms. Donovan -Palmer will tell the re -inspected establishments that there is no current vote on the process change but there will be a discussion and vote at the March 2023 BOH meeting. Sushi Rice Policy Ms. Donovan -Palmer is currently working on the FDA "Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards)" with Diane Legere, a food safety consultant, and they began to investigate sushi rice regulations. The Time as Public Health Control (TPHC) guidance is most commonly used in Mansfield but the Health and Sanitation Safety Awareness (HASSA) plan is what is usually referenced by food establishments outside of the town. The HASSA plan is a food policy that is written out in detail with a flow diagram/chart and a hazard and critical control point identified. The concern related to sushi rice is that the grains have spores that can hold bacillus cereus which can cause food borne illnesses. Vinegar is used to acidify the rice and reduce bacterial growth at room temperature. but that must be a regulated guideline. Brenna Audette is a representative from the Fresh Catch that is asking about what is needed for the new HASSA plan. The Board responds that the drafted policy will list what is needed to follow the documents of the food code but it will include a flow diagram chart and a hazard and critical control point identified that is shown in the meeting. This voluntary HASSA training is an attempt to prepare establishments for inspections so they know what is expected. A discussion of the sushi rice guideline will be discussed at the beginning of the March 2023 BOH meeting. Mr. Wilson reintroduces the dumpster recommendations that were referenced in a previous meeting to include recycling regulations so residents can be directed on what is recyclable. This is an attempt to address the concern of rodent engagement with waste overflow and reinforcement of regulations. The Waste Wizard is found on the Mansfield Department of Public Works (DPW) site at https://www.mansfieldma.com/wastewizard to search a specific item and learn how to dispose of or recycle it. Mr. Wilson will begin work on what issues related to waste reduction and recycling can be addressed and in what ways. "Household Hazardous Waste Day" will be held at the Department of Public Works (DPW) parking lot on Saturday, June 17, 2023 for the community to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste. The APHC will be making flyer to hand out at the event on how to reduce and responsibly dispose of household waste. Ms. Donovan -Palmer would like to particularly reiterate that electronic waste will not be accepted at the Mr. Duquette generated a report from his re -inspection of Geno's Restaurant and the Board is using it as documentation to discuss the fee -waiver request. The re -inspection did not cite any violations and the request decision was pushed from the January 2023 BOH meeting pending the results of the re -inspection on January 6, 2023. Motion to waive the $100 reinspection fee assigned to Geno's Restaurant of 407 N Main Street based upon Ms. Donovan -Palmer presents the current re -inspection fee process as a handful.of people who do not pay the re -inspection fee on time (4 weeks after the inspection). If the establishment does not pay it before the due date, they are asked to come to a BOH meeting and they must explain why the fee has not yet been paid. The proposed change would make the re -inspection fee due in 4 weeks with a grace period of 60 days after the re -inspection before a fine for delayed payment is issued in the Permiteyes online system. The proposed change will no longer require the establishments to represent themselves at a BOH meeting to explain their late payment. The reinspection fee is $100 and the fine for delayed payment is set at $50. This discussion intends to change the re -inspection fee process to lessen the administrative burden. Ms. Donovan -Palmer will tell the re -inspected establishments that there is no current vote on the process change but there will be a discussion and vote at the March 2023 BOH meeting. Sushi Rice Policv Ms. Donovan -Palmer is currently working on the FDA "Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards)" with Diane Legere, a food safety consultant, and they began to investigate sushi rice regulations. The Time as Public Health Control (TPHC) guidance is most commonly used in Mansfield but the Health and Sanitation Safety Awareness (HASSA) plan is what is usually referenced by food establishments outside of the town. The HASSA plan is a food policy that is written out in detail with a flow diagram/chart and a hazard and critical control point identified. The concern related to sushi rice is that the grains have spores that can hold bacillus cereus which can cause food borne illnesses. Vinegar is used to acidify the rice and reduce bacterial growth at room temperature, but that must be a regulated guideline. Brenna Audette is a representative from the Fresh Catch that is asking about what is needed for the new HASSA plan. The Board responds that the drafted policy will list what is needed to follow the documents of the food code but it will include a flow diagram chart and a hazard and critical control point identified that is shown in the meeting. This voluntary HASSA training is an attempt to prepare establishments for inspections so they know what is expected. A discussion of the sushi rice guideline will be discussed at the beginning of the March 2023 BOH meeting. snea n . _..«,MKI Mr. Wilson reintroduces the dumpster recommendations that were referenced in a include recycling regulations so residents can be directed on what is recyclable. This is an attempt to address the concern of rodent engagement with waste overflow and reinforcement of regulations. The Waste Wizard is found on the Mansfield Department of Public Works (DPW) site at https://www.mansfieldma.com/wastewizard to search a specific item and learn how to dispose of or recycle it. Mr. Wilson will begin work on what issues related to waste reduction and recycling can be addressed and in what ways. "Household Hazardous Waste Day" will be held at the Department of Public Works (DPW) parking lot on Saturday, June 17, 2023 for the community to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste. The APHC will be making flyer to hand out at the event on how to reduce and responsibly dispose of household waste. Ms. Donovan -Palmer would like to particularly reiterate that electronic waste will not be accepted at the event as many residents waited in line and their waste could not be accepted at last year's event. Permitting - No discussion. Bristol -Norfolk Public Health Partners Coalition Grants Update - Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services - The grant will be continuing with the same inspectors. • Local Health Support for COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing - The grant has been extended for another year. FOG - Mr. Gilpin has collected the fat, oil, and grease (FOG) records of businesses around Mansfield and there are inconsistencies of businesses completing their FOG pumps every month. The cost of pumping is $100 and the policy is that noncompliance wards a written first warning, a second warning of $100, and a third warning of $250. There will be a letter sent out to all businesses to remind them of the regulation, and those who are noncompliant in pumping and/or reporting will receive a formal first warning letter. Ms. Donovan -Palmer reiterated that there was a FOG backup recently in the parking lot of a strip mall and DPW cleaned it up because the backup was not on private property but they will only clean what is on public property. PFAS - No discussion. Website/Social Media Update - A question from Ms. Kosaraju about social media led to an action that there will be research into the existence of various Mansfield social media accounts. Ms. Kosaraju recommends a social media presence for the health department to better distribute information to younger people and use it as a favorable platform for infographics. Ms. Blinn recommends that if an Instagram account is started, the APHC has graphics that are ready for use to fill the content inventory. Housing Inspections - After attending a housing training, Ms. Donovan -Palmer projects that there will be a new housing code in April 2023. Grant Applications - • FDA Retail Standards Grant- Ms. Donovan -Palmer met with Diane Legere to start the process. • CHII Mini -Grant- Ms. Donovan -Palmer met with a consultant from an independent living center to start the process. None. in Septic Svstems - No discussion. Ms. Blinn announces that there will be an event for parents at Mat February 15, 2023 at 6:30 PM. made by Mr. Healey, 2nd by Mr. Wilson at 9:00 Clerk Date g on � t f �•y �� i` f�A '`�i��� ��' ..