BOH minutes 1-18-23 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Board of Health
Date: January 18,2023
Place: Beverly Council on Aging Building Suites A& B
Board members present:Dr.Justin Jordan MD,Dr. Sheryl Silva,Rachel Morse (remote)
Others present: Teresa Kirsch,Public Health Nurse,Beth Oldmixon,Assistant City Solicitor
Recorder: Lynne DePiero
Dr. Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. -roll call was called for attendance.
Dr. Jordan welcomed our two new board members, Dr. Sheryl Silva and Rachel Morse. He also
gave a brief orientation of the Board meeting format.
The minutes of the December 21, 2022 meeting were approved and accepted.
Annual renewal application for tobacco sales permit for Cabot Smoke Shop:
The Cabot Smoke Shop had submitted their 2023 renewal application and check prior to the
December hearing which resulted in revoking their tobacco license. Ms. Oldmixon reviewed the
facts from the December 2022 hearing and the authority of the Board to deny renewal based on
failure to complete outstanding suspensions. Ms. Oldmixon requested the Board to either grant or
deny the renewal application. Dr. Silva made a motion to deny renewal due to revocation, Ms.
Morse seconded. Roll Call vote: Dr. Jordan—yes, Dr. Silva—yes,Ms. Morse—yes—motion
passes 3-0. The 2023 renewal license application and check will be mailed back to The Cabot
Smoke Shop owner via certified mail along with a letter drafted by Ms. Oldmixon.
Dr. Jordan shared that he has been working with other Chairs for his consortium. One
representative from each town/city is involved. Each city shared what has been on their agendas.
Several cities have anti-racism activities as topics. Dr. Jordan would like to open the discussion
up on anti-racism with Dr. Silva and Ms. Morse. He suggested inviting a speaker to come and
talk to us. Everyone is open to discussing it and interested in what other communities are doing.
Ms. Oldmixon stated that the City Council may have a consultant come to give a presentation to
City Council.
Updates on the Purdue settlement: Dr. Jordan spoke with the Mayor. The Mayor is working on
ways to deploy the funds. Dr. Jordan asked for everyone to think of ways the funds could be
used, he suggested using funds to support mental health.
Dr. Jordan would also like to revisit the tobacco ordinances, referencing a Brookline ordinance
recently heard by the Massachusetts Superior Court. The topic will be added to the February
Agenda.
Departmental Updates:
The Board voted on the recommendation for Joe Reale to have authority to sign on behalf of the
Board of Health, all licenses,permits and correspondence. See M.G.L. c. 111, Section 30. Dr.
Silva motioned to approve the authority, until such time as a new Director is appointed. Ms.
Morse seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Dr. Jordan—yes, Dr. Silva—yes, Ms. Morse—yes—
motion passes 3-0.
The Board also wants to have a vote on approval of any tobacco licenses that come in to the
Board of Health as of 1/19/23.
Teresa Kirsch, Public Health Nurse updates for the Board:
The 7-day average/100K(1/8/23-1/14/23) Covid case reports were at 13.91%, and the 14-day
average/100K(1/l/23-1/14/23) cases reported were at 17.91%. The Covid numbers to date
(1/16/23) in Beverly are 11,197 total cases confirmed, 246 deaths, 10,885 confirmed cases who
have recovered and 890 probable cases. These number do not include home tests that were
positive.
Influenza is active in all age groups. The North Shore Nurses will host a flu clinic on 1/26/23 In
Danvers. They will also meet via zoom on 1/26/23 to discuss how the hired nurse through the
Public Health Excellence Grant can assist the group in re-establishing the North Shore Mother
Visiting Partnership (NSMVP).
She and Police Lieutenant Mark Panjwani reviewed death certificates from 2019-2022 that were
deaths attributed to opiate/drug overdose/use. The deaths may be accidental overdoses, self-harm
or infection. 2019: 19 deaths, 2020: 14 deaths, 2021: 9 deaths, 2022: 6 deaths (not final-some
cases are pending)
Ms. Kirsch continues to investigate infectious disease reported through MAVEN and by
providers. She is also preparing for the yearly inspections of Body Art establishments and
practitioners.
Dr. Silva motioned to adjoin the meeting. Ms. Morse seconded.
Roll call vote: Dr. Jordan—yes, Dr. Silva—yes,Ms. Morse—yes
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M.
The next meeting will be scheduled for February 15, 2023
Respectfully submitted,
Lynne DePiero