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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH 02/28/2024Town of Mansfield Board of Health RECEIVED February 8, 2024 Minutes F0i ''l! CLERKS OFFICE 2024 MAR 15 A 9* 11 Mission Statement: The mission of the Mansfield Board of Health is to protect, preserW aNdIP rixA the public health, environment, and wellbeing of our citizens through the enforceme}�f of Wr I,SETT 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, Kasia Frenette, Ryan Maxwell, Graham Wilson, Melissa Almeida, Amy Donovan -Palmer Guests: Basel AI-Nummali (New York Pizza), Ted Monahan (Trattoria Romana), Allan Faiola (Trattoria Romana), Marco Cruqnale (Reservoir Landing), Josh Kelleher The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm on February 8, 2023 by Antonia Blinn. There was no correspondence at this time. The motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Maxwell to accept the consent agenda was passed unanimously, 3-0. The January 11, 2024 meeting minutes were approved with a motion by Mr. Maxwell, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and passed unanimously, 2-0 with 2 abstaining. Mr. Maxwell initially expressed concerns over the documentation of the decision regarding recycling regulations. He requested clarification on the decision and Ms. Blinn stated that the board was still investigating the topic. Mr. Maxwell approved the meeting minutes, without correction, with a motion. The newest member of the board, Melissa Almeida, introduced herself. Ms. Almeida has a Masters of Public Health and is interested in opening a local market. Basel AI-Nummali, a representative of New York Pizza, took the podium to discuss repeat food violations. Health inspector, Paul Gilpin, previously visited the restaurant and requested improvement on the closing process. This included gathering soiled linens, labeling food prep, and having clear instructions on date marking. Date marking was the original violation in the December routine inspection, but the violation was not corrected in the January re -inspection. Mr. AI-Nummali expressed hardships with staff turnover but insisted that he is teaching new staff to label properly. Employees now take photos of labels and send them to Mr. AI-Nummali. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that Mr. Gilpin felt that he had a productive conversation with Basel and all violations were being addressed. This was determined to be a sufficient resolution and Mr. AI-Nummali was dismissed. Ted Monahan, the financial controller and representative for Trattoria Romana, took the podium. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that the restaurant had a repeat violation originating in December, including the inconsistent implementation of a SOP/checklist for the bartenders. Kevin Duquette, the food inspector, described the inspection remotely. Mr. Duquette spoke to the manager Allan Faiola, who was responsible for managing these checklists. The checklists were not found to be consistent or adequate, as they were not being utilized on a daily basis. Mr. Monahan rebutted that the SOP/checklists were implemented but records were disposed of after 2-3 weeks. Ms. Blinn encouraged Trattoria to keep these records to demonstrate compliance but Mr. Monahan insisted that these checklists were only internal documents that did not require saving. The recent January inspection resulted in 12 total violations, with 6 priority violations. Ms. Blinn expressed concern over the lack of improvement. Ms. Frenette recommended hiring an outside consultant to assist this process, supported by Ms. Donovan -Palmer who also expressed concerns over consistent violations without proper correction. Further, Ms. Almeida suggested that the checklist should also include labeling the olives stored by the bar but Mr. Monahan insisted that Trattoria does not struggle with food integrity. Mr. Monahan stated that there will be a re -inspection and requested to delay decisions until those results were returned. However, Ms. Frenette and Ms. Blinn stressed the severity of these violations. A motion was made by Ms. Almeida to require Trattoria Romana to hire a food safety consultant, seconded by Mr. Maxwell. This would require communication about hiring updates, a comprehensive review of SOP checklists, and training to address the observed violations. The food consultant should be hired by February 16, although reasonable delays may be expected. The duration of employment will depend on performance. The motion was passed unanimously, 5-0. Ms. Blinn summarized previous actions to inform tobacco permit holders of the proposed regulations. It was stated that there were meeting opportunities for permit holders to share concerns, a health agent included drafted regulations in emails to permit holders, and concerns were discussed during board meetings. There was no motion to open the floor for input. Ms. Frenette proposed a motion to approve the updated Regulations Affecting Sale, Vending, and Distribution of Tobacco and Nicotine Products as it was written. This was seconded by Mr. Wilson. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that the largest change of these tobacco regulations was to enforce state language, but there would be no significant difference in practice. There was a change now prohibiting Smoking Bars but there are no permits available. A delay in effective date will not change anything. These updated regulations would align local regulations with state practices. The updated regulations were approved with 3 yeses, 1 no (Mr. Wilson), and 1 abstain (Ms. Almeida). Regulations were effective immediately on February 8, 2024. (Ms. Almeida excused herself at 8:OOpm at the beginning of the conversation) Grease Trap Pumping Reporting Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that almost all internal and most external grease traps were pumped as required. Internal grease traps must be pumped every month while external grease traps must be pumped once every three months. New FOG Pre -Treatment System Policy discussion Ms. Donovan -Palmer presented the Board a new Fats Oil Grease (FOG) Pre-treatment System Policy. This policy requires any new food establishments in buildings built before 2005 that cannot install an external grease interceptor to install an automatic internal grease trap to protect the sewer system from FOG. There was further discussion on the possibility of designating "FOG Areas of Concern' when there is FOG build up in the sewer system. This would require any food establishment connected to this sewer area to install an automatic internal grease trap. Mr. Maxwell did not support the language "FOG Area of Concern". Ms. Donovan -Palmer will work on rewriting this section. Variance Request -Trattoria Della Norma The Owner of Trattoria Della Norma has requested a variance to pump once every six weeks, supported by Ms. Donovan -Palmer. Ms. Frenette made a motion to approve the variance request, seconded by Mr. Maxwell. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. (Ms. Almeida returned to the meeting at 8:25pm when the agenda item discussion concluded) Ms. Blinn stated that a veterinarian may request a rabies vaccine exemption due to a medical condition. It is the Board of Health's responsibility to grant the exemption. Ms. Almeida made a motion to approve the rabies vaccination exemption request as presented, seconded by Ms. Frenette. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated there will be tick signs posted in multiple languages to inform the public about ticks. Ms. Frenette clarified that each town may request specific languages based on their individual needs. Mrs. Frenette compiled a list of communicable disease occurrences over 5 years (2019-2023). There are no abnormal trends. On page 60 of the presented document, it is apparent that Norton experiences much higher rates of Hepatitis-C. Ms. Frenette clarifies that Norton has a substance abuse program in which many carriers are identified. Ms. Blinn stated that the language of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee was changed to allow Ms. Donovan -Palmer to attend their meeting. Mr. Wilson made a motion to nominate Ms. Donovan -Palmer as a representative of the Department of Public Health as a member of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. Private Trash Hauler Regulations Apartments are not covered by town trash pickup and must hire their own private trash haulers. The board previously considered passing a bylaw about trash haulers that are privately contracted, which would require recycling. However, Ms. Donovan -Palmer expressed that this project would be too demanding. It was stated that this project would be put on hold and possibly revisited at a later, undetermined time. Donation Bin Bylaw Reviewed by Ms. Donovan -Palmer. The bylaw identifies the Health Department as the primary department responsible for permitting and enforcement. Ms. Donovan -Palmer stated that she will be meeting with the Town Manager to discuss this. Recycling Bylaw Reviewed by Ms. Donovan -Palmer. The bylaw does not concern the health department. 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 Community Health Inclusion Index mini -grant is in progress. Marco Crugnale • Mr. Crugnale is the owner of a development property called Reservoir Landing. He is inquiring about the availability of a license, as he would like to open a cigar bar in one of the buildings. • Ms. Blinn stated that smoking bars are not permitted in Mansfield. • Ms. Donovan -Palmer clarified that there is a waitlist for tobacco permits • Mr. Crugnale requested clarification on how the board communicates with permit holders. Ms. Blinn stated that permit holders attend board meetings, but Ms. Donovan -Palmer emphasized that it is difficult to communicate with non -permit holders. • The permits are owner -specific but not location -specific. No items not known 48 hours prior Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Maxwell, 2ndby Mr. Wilson at 9:00 pm. Approved 5-0 e�lwlm, AUZZE Clerk Date