Minutes 1-31 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Board of Health
Subcommittee:
Date: January 31, 2022
Place: Via Zoom
Board Members Present: Dr. Justin Jordan,MD, William J. Alpine, Jr., Esq. and
Susan Higgins
Board Members Absent:
Others Present: William Burke, Director of Public Health, Teresa Kirsch, Public Health
Nurse, Beth Oldmixon, Assistant City Solicitor, and Bruce Doig, Director of Parks and
Recreation
Recorder: Karen Alpine
Mr. Alpine called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
It was decided that the approval of meeting minutes will be deferred until the next meeting to
address the next agenda item: the Indoor Face Covering Order. Mr. Burke and Ms. Kirsch were
asked to provide guidance and information to the Board. Mr. Burke relayed that many public
comments were forwarded to the Board. He stated that case incidence rates are starting to
decline. Ms. Kirsch said there has been some decline in the schools, but more home tests are
used. The seven day average is 73.38 cases. Since November 22, 21 Beverly citizens have died
of COVID. Testing has dropped off since the holidays.
Ms. Higgins inquired in regard to the steps taken to enforce the mandate and the findings. Mr.
Burke said he and the inspector went to 200-300 businesses, sometimes with the police. The idea
was education, outreach and distribution of masks and signage. He thanked the businesses for
cooperating with the changing regulations throughout the pandemic.
Mr. Alpine said the Order needs a motion to extend, modify, or rescind. It can't just expire with
no action. Ms. Higgins motioned to have it expire, as there is no Public Health Emergency and
each business should be able to choose. Dr. Jordan agreed the numbers are more encouraging
and Omicron is past its peak. The motion to allow the indoor face covering order to expire was
voted on by roll call: Ms. Higgins, yes, Dr. Jordan, yes, and Mr. Alpine, yes.
Mr. Burke had updates for the Board:
David Goodwin, Housing Inspector, has resigned. The position has been advertised and
temporary inspectors are filling in.
Mr. Alpine read the Proposed Executive Session narrative from MGL ch.30A, section 21(a)(3)
Open Meeting Law Exemption to discuss pending litigation against himself and Ms. Higgins.
Ms. Higgins motioned to go to into Executive session. Dr. Jordan seconded.
The meeting will be adjourned after the Executive Session.
The next scheduled meeting is February 24, 2022.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Alpine