1999-12-16City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Board of Health
Subcommittee:
Date: December 16, 1999
Place: Beverly Public Library, Program Room
Board members present: Frank Carbone, Jr., M.D, Peter Hersee, and Norman Spector
Board members absent:
Others present: William Burke, Director of Public Health and Thomas Scully, Director of
Community Services
Recorder: Judith Balboni
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.
The Board reviewed and accepted the minutes of October 5, 1999 and November 9, 1999
meetings.
The first order of business was a request from St. Mary' s Star of the Sea Parish for variance from
Beverly Board of Health Regulation, Chapter 9, pertaining to smoking at their weekly Bingo
games.
Reverend Charles Hughes, Pastor requests a variance umil the fiscal year ends. He believes the
loss of monies from Bingo could cause hardship on some parents, as tuition would be increased.
He is seeking to eliminate Bingo emirely in the next year. Ft. Hughes agrees the health of the
children is a priority. He said that the ventilation system is an excellent one, and that it could be
run longer hours. Also, the fact that Bingo is held on Friday night gives the weekend to do so.
The Board asked Mr. Burke to make a site inspection. Request will be taken under advisement.
The second order of business was Stop & Shop, 37 Enon Street. Attending were Dominique
Gabriel, Store Manager; Joe Alicandro, District Manager; one other represemative from Stop &
Shop; Councilor Don Martin, and neighbors/abutters of property.
The Health Department has received several complaints of noise disturbance; that is, early
morning deliveries, late evening deliveries, sweeping early Sunday morning, also, servicing of
dumpster at early hours.
Mr. Alicandro expressed willingness to work with neighbors regarding these issues. Some
changes are already in the making, (i.e., installation of gates, letters to vendors, etc.).
The Board asked the Stop & Shop to please send us their written intentions for handling the
problem. An update will be expected at the February meeting.
After further discussion regarding St. Mary' s variance, the Board unanimously approved the
request to allow smoking at the weekly Friday night bingo ganles with the stipulation that the
space be adequately ventilated throughout the weekend prior to re-occupancy by school children
the following Monday. The variance will expire on July 1, 2000.
Director's Update
Tobacco sales compliance checks were conducted in early November. Seven merchants sold
to a minor. Warning letters sent to six, one was a repeat violator and fined $100.00. The
violators were as follows: Gibbs (both locations), Pump & Pantry/Texaco, Stop & Shop
(Enon St.), Li'l Peach (Essex St.), Brooks and CVS (Rantoul St.).
The State has received tobacco settlement money. Reportedly, 7 million to be allocated to
Boards of Health for use in primarily enforcement and 4 million for cessation programs. There
are three programs in our service area.
Salem & Marblehead Boards of Health are moving forward with Environmental Tobacco
Regulations (ETS). Director Burke spoke at Salem's public hearing and sent letter of support
to Marblehead.
Health agents & directors from Beve~y, Salem, Marblehead & Swampscott met with officials
from MDPH, Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment to discuss environmental sampling
regarding Salem Harbor Generating Station. They will begin to form/meet community
groups. Sampling tentatively scheduled to begin in late spring.
Mr. Scully & Mr. Burke met with Jack Good, V. P. of Community Relations for Beverly
Hospital to discuss community health initiatives and health fair. Mr~ Good suggests a one-day
fair for the fall on a smaller scale, possibly a second flu clinic and an opportunity to provide
health education and information to access health care. Also discussed was the creation of a
Health Access Reference Guide. Beverly Hospital may sponsor the directory of benefits for
the North East Health Systems service area. The Hospital will he hosting an informational
meeting on January 19, 2000.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2000 at 7:30 a.m. at the Senior Center Conference
Room.
Motion to adjoum at 8:30. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith A. Balboni