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BOH minutes 10-19-2022 City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board: Board of Health Date: October 19,2022 Place: Beverly Council on Aging Building Suites A& B Board members present: Dr.Justin Jordan MD,Ms.Susan Higgins Others present: William Burke,Director of Public Health,Teresa Kirsch,Public Health Nurse, Joyce Redford,North Shore Tobacco Control Recorder: Lynne DePiero Dr. Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Jordan had one revision to the September minutes to reflect that there were no updated policies for polio vaccinations. Ms. Higgins moved to approve the minutes with the amendment. Dr. Jordan seconded. Joyce Redford attended the meeting to update the Board on several violations on the Cabot Smoke Shop (21+ establishment). They had received complaints that the store was selling products to youths. A compliance check was done on 8/3/22 —they were in violation of letting a youth enter the store and when the youth tried to make a purchase they were told to come back after dark. They received a violation fine for entry of a youth into the store. On 9/22/22 North Shore Tobacco sent a youth in after dark and they were able to purchase, cash only, flavored tobacco items that the cashier got from the back of the store and were told to put it in their pocket and leave. On 10/18/22 North Shore Tobacco and Department of Revenue (DOR)went in and found flavored products, CBD/Cannabis, Hemp edibles, alcohol and ceased it all. Next administrative actions are for Mr. Burke to discuss with the Solicitor the egregious violations and to send out a letter. Ms. Redford mentioned potential local regulations regarding loop holes in existing regulations and laws. Dr. Jordan requested that she provide samples for consideration. Mask Advisory—A citizen emailed the Board of Health asking us to revisit the mask mandates in Beverly. The board discussed that the mask advisory is no longer necessary. The Massachusetts Department of Health website has a list of certain healthcare settings that require face coverings. Ms. Higgins motioned to rescind the mask advisory, Dr. Jordan seconded. All in favor. Board of Health member recruitment—Dr. Jordan has reached out to a prospective member who is a lawyer—board agrees that it is good guidance to have a lawyer on the board. Mr. Burke will be happy to reach out to the Mayor regarding this candidate and to see if he has anyone else in mind and also to see if we can add some additional members to the Board, as of now we have 2 members. Ms. Higgins term expires the end of December 2022 and she announced that she will not be renewing it. Mr. Burke thanked Ms. Higgins for all the great work she has done for the Board. Mr. Burke also announced that he will be retiring effective close of business on January 6, 2023, he had informed the Mayor earlier in the day. Ms. Higgins and Mr. Burke both acknowledged how Dr. Jordan has been a great asset to the Board. Teresa Kirsch, Public Health Nurse had updates for the Board: The 7-day average/100K(10/9/22-10/15/22) covid case reports were at 12.87%, and the 14-day average/100K (10/2/22-10/15/22) cases reported were at 17.04%. The Covid numbers to date (10/17/22) in Beverly are 10,603 total cases confirmed, 232 deaths, 10,307 confirmed cases who have recovered and 721 probable cases. Ms. Kirsch has held 3 flu clinics to date—a First Responders clinic was held on 9/27/22 and 28 doses were administered. A flu clinic for the general public and seniors was held 10/11/22 with assistance from North Shore Public Health Nurses, Health Department staff and volunteers, 128 doses were administered. A city employee flu clinic was held today, 10/19/22 and 51 doses were administered. Ms. Kirsch was asked how the numbers compared to previous clinics and she did say the numbers were lower. She did comment on how well the Color website worked for making appointments, but it may contribute to the numbers being down due to having to make an appointment rather than just walking in. The Northshore public nurses are planning on having 3 Covid booster clinics for adults in November. Beverly is scheduled for 11/15/22, 2:30-5:30pm at the Senior Center, Salem 11/16/22, 9:00-11:00am at the Community Life Center, and Danvers 11/17/22, 2:00-5:00pm at the Danvers Senior Center. Beverly has ordered Moderna Bivalent vaccine for all 3 clinics. Staffing updates— a second Sanitarian position (vs a Health Inspector)has been advertised with the hopes of one of the experienced part-time sanitarians would apply. Unfortunately the prospective employee accepted a job in another community due to salary. We continued the search for another part time inspector who has been selected and is in the process of being on- boarded. We also have John Coulon and Frank Giacalone working part time for the Health Department. Dr. Jordan asked for any outreach regarding his consortium for Chairs of Boards around the Northshore. Mr. Burke said he can email public directors and nurses to connect with Dr. Jordan. Dr. Jordan motioned to adjoin the meeting. Ms. Higgins seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 P.M. The next meeting will be scheduled for November 9, 2022. Respectfully submitted, Lynne DePiero