March minutes City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Board of Health
Date: March 29,2023
Place: Beverly Council on Aging Building Suites A&B
Board members present:Dr.Justin Jordan,Dr.Sheryl Silva,Rachel Morse
Others present: Laura DelleChiaie,Director, Teresa Kirsch,Public Health Nurse,Bruce Doig, Community
Services Director,Matt Lipinski,Animal Control Officer
Recorder: Lynne DePiero
Dr. Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
The minutes of the February 15, 2023 meeting were tabled until next meeting. Dr. Jordan had an
amendment. The Executive Session minutes from the March 6, 2023 meeting were approved.
Mr. &Mrs. Percival of 21 Belmont Street were present for the review of their keeping of animals
application for 5 chickens. The Percival's provided an aerial view of their properly to the Board. Mr.
Lipinski acknowledged that if the coop is placed exactly where they have stated everything meets the
requirements. Mr. Lipinski also reiterated that the regulations state no roosters. Ms. Morse motioned to
approve, Dr. Silva seconded, all in favor—approved.
Dr. Jordan welcomed new Health Director, Laura DelleChiaie. Laura introduced herself and gave a
background of her previous work for the Town of Milton. Board members Rachel Morse, Esquire and
Dr. Sheryl Silva,Pediatrician also gave their introductions.
Cabot Variety at 196 Cabot Street has applied for a new Tobacco license. Board discussed that this is in
the previous location of the Cabot Smoke Shop that was closed down in December of 2022. Board
agreed it is a reasonable license to approve—the Board wanted clarification that this is a convenient
store and not just a 21+ smoke shop. The Store Manager arrived later on in the meeting and confirmed
that it is a convenient store which would be selling tobacco in addition to groceries and not a 2 1+smoke
shop. Dr. Silva motioned to approve,Ms. Morse seconded, all in favor—approved.
For the April meeting the Board would like to discuss the possibility of retiring licenses not being used,
Beverly has 44 available and are currently using 38 of them. Ms. DelleChiaie suggested that Beverly
could adopt a regulation revoking some of the licenses. She also suggested amending the tobacco license
application to include a check off box for either a 2 1+Smoke Shop or Retail Store selling Tobacco. Ms.
Redford from the North Shore Tobacco Control Program will be present at the next Board meeting to
discuss the above matters.
Tuck Point Condominium Complex and Hannah Village Apartments have requested life guard waivers
for 2023. Tuck's Point sent a letter with all of the specifications of their facility. Dr. Silva motioned to
approve Tuck's Point waiver, Ms. Morse seconded, all in favor—approved. Hannah Village Apartment's
request letter was too vague for the Board to approve. The Board of Health will reach out to them and
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invite them to the next Board meeting to review their request. Ms. Morse motioned to table until next
month, Dr. Silva seconded it, all in favor to table discussion until April.
Ms. DelleChiaie wanted to discuss dumpster regulations based on the meetings she had with the Mayor's
office regarding the rat problem in Beverly. They are working on strategies on ways to improve and
mitigate rats from properties located near dumpsters for restaurants and construction waste. Ms.
DelleChiaie handed out Beverly's regulations for dumpsters—she suggested we could permit every
dumpster at their location and the fees could be used to go back into the community for rat control. Ms.
DelleChiaie wants to show the residences that we hear them and are taking action. Dr. Silva mentioned
we should also talk with restaurant owners about composting properly,Ms. DelleChiaie will reach out to
Erina Keefe, Sustainability Director, to come to our next meeting to discuss possible opportunities.
Ms. Wangari Fahari,the new Director of DEIB, attended the meeting and discussed her role. Ms. Fahari
explained that the Mayor has an executive order declaring that racism is a public health issue. Ms. Fahari
explained the ways she is working with the community for strategies on how certain areas/populations
can access information on programming. Dr. Jordan asked if there were certain areas in the city that are
more at risk with mental health issues? She stated that several populations such as, seniors, larger
families with a single parent that may have a disability,refugees and immigrants, Asian aged, and
unemployed youths that may be at risk are the areas she has been working with on preventing isolation.
She is trying to form relationships,welcome them into the community and make them feel included,
which then leads to freedom and pride in their community.
Mr. Doig also added that the city is working towards collaborating more with other departments, such as
transportation. He also mentioned working with Beverly Resource Group and Dr. Jordan added Beverly
Bootstraps.
Update on the Purdue funds,Mr. Doig said the Police Department, School Department and Board of
Health will have access to the use of these funds. Ms. DelleChiaie will be involved in talks on how to
use the funds and suggested that Ms. Fahari should be involved too.
Update on Community based health programs, Dr. Jordan met with the Director of Bootstraps. He also
stated that City of Salem has vending machines with Plan B,Narcan, Covid tests, tampons/pads and
would love Beverly to incorporate something similar. Dr. Jordan also commented on an article in the
Boston Globe about an ordinance for restaurants to donate leftover food, he would like to think of ways
Beverly could do this, such as an incentive for donations.
Ms. DelleChiaie reported that the BOH office has hired a full-time Sanitarian starting April 24, and are
looking to hire one more full-time Sanitarian. She has her budget meeting April 5th. She has been
conducting weekly team huddle check in meetings with her staff every Wednesday morning. She has met
with the new Director at the Council on Aging about being able to collaborate on some cases. She has
also been involved with the Rat Pack committee for the City.
Teresa Kirsch, Public Health Nurse Updates for the Board:
The 7-day average/100K(3/19/23-3/25/23) Covid case reports were at 5.22%, and the 14-day
average/100K(3/12/23-3/25/23) cases reported were at 6.61%. The Covid numbers to date (3/27/23) in
Beverly are 11,441 total cases confirmed, 256 deaths, 11,209 confirmed cases who have recovered and
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957 probable cases. These numbers do not include home tests that were positive.
Influenza activity is low. The Beverly Health Department has received a Massachusetts Controlled
Substance Registration license and was approved to purchase naloxone under the Community Naloxone
Purchasing Program (CNPP). Ms. Kirsch will attend a virtual orientation program by the Bureau of
Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) on 4/6/23. She will then complete any additional requests from
the state, order naloxone, train staff on distributing to the public and assemble go-packs that include
naloxone, fentanyl test strips and educational material.
She attended the quarterly School Wellness Committee meeting and learned about the Massachusetts
Behavioral Health Helpline which is available 24/7, for any age group,with timely follow up
connections to a clinician or appropriate professional.
April is national child abuse prevention month, which local health departments are sponsoring a diaper
drive to benefit families in need. Collection boxes will be placed at City Hall, the Health
Department/BCOA and the two libraries.
Ms. Kirsch continues to provide Directly Observed Therapy(DOT) 5 days a week, expected to continue
for 3 additional months. She continues to investigate infectious disease reports through MAVEN and by
providers. She is finishing up yearly inspections of Body Art establishments and practitioners for permit
renewals.
Dr. Jordan motioned to adjoin the meeting. Dr. Silva seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
The next meeting will be scheduled for April 19, 2023
Respectfully submitted,
Lynne DePiero
Secretary