2002-10-17 with regional Boards
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board:
Board of Health
Subcommittee
: Regional Boards of Health Group Meeting
Date:
October 17, 2002
Place:
Beverly Council on Aging
Board members present:
Frank Carbone, Jr., M.D. and Joseph W. Walsh, Jr.
Board members absent:
Peter A. Hersee
Others present:
William Burke, Director of Public Health and William Alpine
Recorder:
Judith Balboni.
Chairman Carbone opened the meeting at 7 p.m. He welcomed all and expressed gratitude for
attending. This is the fourth meeting being held for regional health boards. The purpose of the
meeting is to share some of the issues that are facing each community and to discuss handling of
such.
Cities and towns represented were Danvers, Salem, Manchester, Saugus, and Swampscott and
Ipswich. Also represented were Clean Air Works North, Mass. Assoc. Health Boards, Clean Air
Works Boston, and DPH-Mass Tobacco Control Programs.
Chairman Carbone invited representatives to introduce themselves and give status of ETS in their
city or town.
Danvers – no smoking in restaurants. Smoking permitted in bars in enclosed areas only. Looking
forward to January 2004, possibly complete ban.
Ipswich – continues to work on Regulations that would make restaurant and bars no smoking.
Salem – no smoking in restaurants and bars, workplace and possibly clubs in January 2004.
Marblehead and Swampscott – no smoking in restaurants, bars and clubs and complete ban in
workplace since 1996.
Saugus - no smoking in restaurants. Smoking permitted in bars in enclosed areas only. No
smoking goal, restaurants, bars and clubs by August 2003.
Peabody – no smoking in restaurants and bars beginning August 2003; until then, no smoking in
restaurants, smoking permitted in bars.
Manchester - Board has all new members. They will be setting the same goals but it will take them
longer.
Beverly – no smoking in restaurants and bars beginning August 2003; until then, smoking allowed
in bars and restaurants that do not serve full meals.
Joyce Redford, Program Chairman for the North Shore Area Boards of Health Collaborative
presented update of Organizational Partners, in support of CAW. Letters of support from Health
Departments would be very helpful. A map was provided showing communities that have signed
on. Saugus and Boston will join in March. Any help we can give to get Lynn interested is
welcomed. Dr. Larry Block, Swampscott offered to inform Mayor Clancy of the meetings and
share with him some views from other communities.
Allyson Doyle, Clean Air Works (Boston) said that just last night Boston signed on and hopes to
include private clubs by February.
Cheryl Sbarra from Massachusetts Association of Health Boards had information regarding
private clubs.
Lea Susan Ojamaa, the new Regional Field Director from DPH/MTCP informed us of budget cuts
the last of which was 80%.
Dr. Larry Block from Swampscott gave a presentation on Organic Pest Management and a Policy
that the Town of Swampscott has recently adopted. The town recognizes that “all pesticides are
toxic to some degree, and the commonplace, widespread use of pesticides is both a major
environmental problem and a public health issue.” All citizens, particularly children must be
protected from exposure to hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It is therefore in the best interest
of public health to eliminate use of toxic pesticides on public and town-owned land and also to
encourage the same on private property.
Dr. Block is interested in putting together a forum that would further educate other community
representatives on this issue.
Everyone felt that ongoing meetings were helpful. Meeting dates for 2003 being considered are:
January 16/23 and February 27. More talks on pesticides and management and/or West Nile
Virus, and possibly, invite speaker or hold forum will all be considered.
Meeting came to close at 9 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Balboni