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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH 12/14/2023Town of Mansfield Board of Health December 14, 2023 Minutes 1 RE:CCj\jE° F610E 1 .. Mission Statement: The mission of the Mansfield Board of Health -is to protect preserve and improve the public health, environment, and wellbeing of our citlzdbt tl" 1 c the enforcement of federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, education and prOM16fron of sanitary living and working conditions, and protection of the environment from disease and pollution. Present: Antonia Blinn, Chair, Graham Wilson, Clerk, Kasia Frenette, Maxwell, Amy Donovan -Palmer Guests: Brian Fenstermaker Junior, Samantha Cuimano, Arnie Biron, The meeting was called to order by Antonia Blinn at 7:01pm. Motion made by Mike He Maxwell. Approved 5-0. Motion made by Mike Healey, Seconded by Ryan Maxwell. Approved with 3 votes in favor and Amy Donovan -Palmer stated that building permits have been pulled for the work but it has not yet been completed so fining continues at $50 per day. Brian Fenstermaker Junior took the podium, along with his two children and wife. Mr. Fenstermaker reported that a mold company, Mowat Mold Removal, removed approximately 80% of the mold, but there is still moldy drywall present that they "tried to mask". He reports that he is unsatisfied with the process occurring, as his family has been displaced in a hotel for about a month and their personal belongings have been covered by debris from this mold removal process. He reported feeling at a loss of what to do, other than move. The landlord said that he will get a professional cleaner, but Fenstermaker is feeling doubtful as the things he has promised have not occurred thus far. Ms. Donovan -Palmer discussed health department authority and building department authority. Ms. Donovan -Palmer asked Mi. Fenstermaker for photo evidence of what is occurring, There was some discussion around mold and how it is not addressed in the Housing Code. This means that there are no regulations or standards around mold and it is more of an allergy issue, and not every individual is impacted the same. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that though she does not have the authority on this matter, that she is willing to help with the efforts including consulting other health departments. TGI Fridays Samantha Cuimano and Arnie Biron took the podium as the representatives of TGI Fridays. Ms. Blum begins by stating that the prior action taken, in an attempt to remedy the violations, includes hiring a private consultant to work with the staff. Cuimano stated that Maureen Lee from MoJin Solutions has been helpful and involved in this process and day-to-day running. She visits once per week, unannounced, with audits mirroring how the health inspector would if he was to come. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that as of the most recent report, there were no violations and that the newly installed systems are working. There was discussion on the positive progress that has been made by the management at TGI Fridays. Weekly inspections are currently occurring, though Maureen recommended slowing these down in order to see how the business fairs with less supervision. The Board will review progress at the January meeting. Trattoria Romana Ted Monahan took the podium to represent Trattoria Romana. Ms. Blinn began by asking for a recount of successes and improvements in the past year as a result of the implementation of the action plan. Mr. Monahan gave a list of successes and barriers, emphasizing the use of a previously -approved action plan focused on education and checklists, as well as now having two food service managers in the kitchen and one in the fiont of house at all times. Mr. Monahan stated that the largest problem was hand sinks and hand papers, mostly in the bar area. He explained this by large rates of turnover in the bar area, and emphasized education and corrective action as a solution. There was additional discussion on the need for education and managerial oversight. Kevin Duquette, food inspector, highlighted improvements and areas of concern. Mr. Duquette recommended the development and implementation of an Standard Operating Procedure for the bar area. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that Kevin has a follow-up inspection scheduled because of the two previous violations. Because of the Board of Health policy of a repeat P/Pf violation on a re -inspection, Trattoria Romana will now be Risk Category 5 and receive 5 routine inspections per year. Bertucci's No representatives were present. The board agreed to move on and circle back if representatives were present. Ms. Donovan -Palmer gave a brief update on the situation after no representatives came to the meeting. Bertucci's was experiencing issues with hot and cold holding. Paul Gilpin, Regional Food Inspector had noted on his most recent visit that temperature logs were present and being updated on site. It was stated that Bertucci's regularly has temperature issues, but it is not consistent in one area. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated she would follow up with the board with updates to which Mr. Healey requested that a corporate representative be present at the next meeting. It was stated that an application was received from Aroma Joe's for a variance to the Board of Health Fat Oil Grease (FOG) Regulations. Ms. Donovan -Palmer summarized the situation that the volume of FOG and solids being pumped monthly is relatively low, they have an external trap, and they won't change operations so there is not likely to be differences going forwards. Aroma Joe's also sent a recommendation from the pumper that they could change to quarterly for internal and semi-annually for external. A motion to approve the variance for Aroma Joe's variance request was made by Ms. Frenette, which was then seconded by Mr. Healey. The motion passed unanimously 5 - 0. Ms. Blinn opened up the floor to public comments due to last month's different retailers being present. Edward Valanzola, an attorney for Jay Amruta Corporation who will be opening the new food mart and liquor store, took the podium. Attorney Valanzola explained that the owner of the new Food Mart/ alcohol store opening up at Reservoir Landing. The process to obtain a liquor license was long due to a special process required by the state. Attorney Valanzola stated that his client met in October with Ms. Donovan -Palmer and at that time found out that the tobacco licenses are limited. Attorney Valanzola questioned the Board's authority to limit licenses based on existing case law. There was discussion around the process in which the revised regulations limited permits to 23 in 2020. Additional discussion occurred between Attorney Valanzola and the Board around the Board's authority and case law. Girish Patel of the Mansfield Smoke Shop took the podium and stated that more permits will be more competition and will hurt his business. Wayne Smith took the podium next. Mr. Smith recommended the Board to consider the distance between permit holders as a possible issue. Sarah McColgan, Massachusetts Health Officer Associations (MHOA) Tobacco Control Officer, spoke of options around local regulations. The Board decided to not include limiting distance to other permit holders because they had already decided to limit the amount of permits available. Ms. McColgan described what a smoking bar is and the requirements of a smoking bar. A motion was made by Ms. Frenette to ban smoking bars in the town of Mansfield. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion. Discussion occurred. The motion passed 3-2 to ban smoking bars in the town of Mansfield. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated she will update the draft regulations based on the discussion and votes from this meeting. In the notification to the retailers, Ms. Donovan -Palmer will state that the Board will be voting on the regulation at the January meeting. Ms. Blinn said that the draft regulations should be posted with the agenda. as numbers of people receiving the new vaccine. The Board had previously discussed trying to increase the public screenings, and Ms. Frenette stated that she reached out to the COA to request posting the flyers in public. Mr. Healey suggested that the COA host a coffee hour at the same time as the health screenings. Ms. Donovan -Palmer spoke to Bang LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager, who gave information on the current status of the Opioid funds. Mansfield has currently received around $353,000 in opioid settlement money, which has been moved to the Opioid Stabilization Fund. At Town Meeting, it was voted to use about $100,000 to supplement the POP (Problem -Oriented Policing) unit at the police department. The POP was determined to directly benefit those in the community dealing with opioid use disorder. There is now $261,290 in the Opioid Stabilization Fund, with no current plans for its use. Ms. Donovan -Palmer relayed that Mr. LaCasse stated that they are working with the John Snow Institute to ensure the stabilization fiords are being used properly. Ms. Donovan -Palmer will reach out to the town administration and let them know that the Board would like to be involved in any future plans and discussions. The meetings will go to four meetings a year. There was discussion in supporting Recolor in paint recycling. The Committee voted on a Recycling bylaw and once approved by the Select Board will go to Town Meeting. It was stated that the Committee is looking for opportunities to expand composting and the flmding to do so. The Committee is looking for the Board to finalize the private hauler regulations. The Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee was just asked again for comments to the draft regulations. A replacement needs to be found for Mr. Healey for the Committee. Ms. Blimp asked if anyone was interested in taking over and Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that she might be able to. The Health Department was just awarded $18,000 for the Community Health Inclusion Index nmini-grant. The Health Department and the Planning Department will develop a plan with the assistance of a contractor to make Mansfield more accessible. An Inclusive Health Coalition will be formed as part of this grant for input. Free Health Screenings including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, hands only CPR and associated prevention information - 2nd Tuesday at the COA, 255 Hope Street - 3rd Wednesday at Town Hall, 6 Park Row Support and Services to Families in EA Shelter System - Migrant families are established at the Envision Hotel. Working paper clinics have been conducted. There have been multiple donations of uber cards and laundry cards. The National Guard manages the distribution. Permitting Bristol -Norfolk Public Health Partners Coalition Grants Update - Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services - Local health support for COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing PFAS - Website/ Social Media Update - Attorney General update on healthy homes environmentalism, though Mansfield is said to have more information than this provided link - Monthly health awareness Facebook post - Ms. Donovan -Palmer asked for any public health suggestions to add to the monthly newsletter. She is trying to have public health topics in each one. - Housing Inspections - 49 Draper avenue foundation work - Cliff is working to inspect this property as the repairs did not work - FOG Grants - FDA Retail Standards Grant - No word about this grant yet. - Community Health Inclusion Index mini -grant of ChatGPT, wrote a poem to commemorate his time on the board. He was given a plaque to commemorate his service. There was a motion to Clerk Date