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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH 12/11/2025Town of Mansfield Board of Health December 11, 2025 Minutes r%l (T IV I) Hc[ Mission Statement: The mission of the Mansfield Board of Health is to improve the public health, environment, and wellbeing of our citizens through the enforcement dfi federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, education and promotion of sanitary living acid working conditions, and protection of the environment from disease and pollution. Present: Kasia Frenette, Chair, Ryan Maxwell, Chris West, Emily Beura, Amy Donovan - Palmer. Absent: Graham Wilson Guests: George Pantos, Ernie Granino, John McGarry, Dinesh Patel. The meeting was called to order at 7:OOpm on December 11, 2025 by Mrs. Kasia Frenette. Motion to approve the consent agenda made by Ryan Maxwell, seconded by Emily Beura. Passed unanimously 4-0. Motion to approve the October Meeting Minutes made by Ryan Maxwell, seconded by Chris West. Passed unanimously 4-0. A couple businesses were required to come to the BOH meeting to discuss their Fat, oil, and grease violations. Ms. Donovan -Palmer explained to the Board that our FOG regulations state that each business must pump their internal grease trap monthly, and external grease trap quarterly. Each business who is unable to supply pumping records to the health department for the year prior for renewing their 2026 permit will be required to show up at the next BOH meeting to explain to the Board why they have not been following the regulations, and what plan is in place to correct it moving forward. The first business to approach the podium was Jimmy's Pub Restaurant. Mr. George Pantos approached the podium, owner of Jimmy's Pub. Mr. Pantos informed the Board that it was just a big misunderstanding. He explained that Baker Commodities, the pumping company they use missed a couple pumping's, and then it got forgotten about. Gorge has a plan in place for the pumping company to come monthly. The next business to approach the podium was Cava. Mr. Ernie Granino approached the podium, Facility Manager for the North East. Mr. Granino explained that in June and July they transitioned away from their current pumping company. During this transition period, there was some miscommunication and therefor there was a couple missed months of pumping. Since then, there is an agreement in place for Baker Commodities to pump monthly and quarterly. Cava is working on maintaining a maintenance log, as to when the services take place. Mrs. Donovan Palmer asked the Board for any remaining businesses in violation of the FOG regulations, if they feel we should keep the business closed until they can come to a January 8th meeting, or would we want to come up with a proposal to keep them open for those 8 days and then be required to attend the BOH meeting. The health department believes there is 1 other business in town that has only been internally pumping quarterly. Board agreed that each establishment needs to write a letter to the Board explaining what happened, what they are doing to correct it, a letter from the pumping company, and attend the January 8, 2025 Board of Health meeting. Mr. Dinesh Patel approached the podium who owns several tobacco establishments here in Mansfield. Mr. Patel does not want to carry any Kratom product. Mr. Patel did say that there are some customers who come in from other towns to his establishments looking for it. Mrs. Beura suggested that before we put together a decision before the new year, that maybe we put together one last public forum. This will allow people who were traveling, or not able to attend another opportunity to voice their comments and/or experiences. The complexity of regulating Kratom can be difficult, and the Board doesn't want to rush the decision of adding them to our town's regulations. The Board feels it might be best to revisit this discussion in January. Mrs. Donovan -Palmer will draft regulations for all Kratom and synthetic Kratom related products for the next meeting for the Board to review and discuss. If the vote is scheduled for February this will allow time notify all establishments and anyone that might want to attend and participate in the meeting. UII November2025 Public Health Nursing Report &Infectious Disease tJpdat�s Mrs. Frenette shared with the Board that there has been an increase in cases of influenza, more so than Covid-19. Mostly Flu -A has been showing in testing. Mrs. Frenette shared with the Board that the town of Medford had to close their school due to 130 students contracting Norovirus. Hand washing and keeping your hands away from your face are all great practices to staying healthy. Mrs. Donovan -Palmer mentioned that the waste water levels for Covid-19 compared to where we were last year are down almost half. It was brought to the Health Departments attention the concern for overdoses in public restrooms. We partnered with Dayana, our Regional Health Nurse who will be conducting a Narcan Training for local businesses on Tuesday December 16". The training is also open to the public. None. Free Health Screenings including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, Hands only CPR and associated prevention information 211 Tuesday at the COA, 255 Hope Street, 9am-12pm 31d Wednesday at Town Hall, 6 Park Row, 9am-12pm Our Regional Public Health Nurse will be at the COA the first Wednesday of every month at 2pm. • Permitting — 2026 Permit Renewals • Bristol -Norfolk Public Health Partners Coalition Grants Update • PFAS • Website/ Social Media Update • Housing Inspections • FOG • Grants o FDA Retail Standards Grant None. Mrs. Frenette shared with the Board that Mr. Ryan Maxwell will be retiring from the Board. Also, we received an e-mail that our Regional Health Director, Mrs. Amy Donovan -Palmer received a very prestigious award from the Massachusetts Health Officers Association, honoring her for the John D. Crowley Award by the Massachusetts Health Officers Association. The award is given annually to a resident of the commonwealth who demonstrated the concern for the advancement of Public Health Programs to the benefit of citizens. Congratulations to both Mr. Ryan Maxell and Mrs. Amy Donovan -Palmer for your accomplishments. Motion to adjourn at 7:43pm made by Mr. Ryan Maxwell, seconded by Mrs. West Approved 4-0. Clerk Date