12-13-2018 meeting minutes.
Board: Board of Health
Subcommittee:
Date: December 13, 2018
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Place: Beverly Council on Aging, Arts & Crafts Room
Board members present: Frank S. Carbone Jr. MD, Susan Higgins, William J Alpine Jr.
Board Members Absent:
Others present: William Burke, Director of Public Health, Teresa Kirsch, Public Health
Nurse, Bruce Doig, Community Services Director
Recorder: Kathleen McCullough
Chairman Carbone called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
The minutes of the November 15, 2018 meeting were approved and accepted as mailed.
Dr. Stephen Jones made a presentation "Natural Gas and Natural Gas Infrastructure" to the
Board via remote participation. He discussed the risks of natural gas. The human health risks
include: indoor and outdoor air pollution and lung disease; toxic contaminants are benzene,
formaldehyde, lead, mercury and radon; also damage caused by fires and explosion; lastly, the
contribution to climate change. He warned of cooking with gas stoves contributing to worsening
asthma in children. Several cities and towns have written to Governor Baker stating their
concerns about natural gas and he provided the Board with examples of said letters.
Mr. Burke thought the building department should be contacted about the matter. He also would
like to see articles supporting the study. He thanked Dr. Jones and advised him that the Board
would discuss it further.
Mr. Burke had a few updates for the Board.
North Shore Tobacco Control conducted compliance checks on November 7 Two
establishments were found in violation. The Quick Mart, 246 Elliott St. had flavored tobacco
products and wraps for sale. Also a violation of minimum pricing on single /multi -pack
cigars. This is a first violation of $100.
The Sunoco at 131 Brimbal Ave. had flavored tobacco products for sale. The penalty for
this first violation is $100.
Mr. Burke stated he would confer with Joyce Redford of the Tobacco Control Program about
proposed language amendments to the Tobacco Sales Regulation. He will invite her to the
January meeting.
The new plastic bag ordinance will go into effect on January V. This ordinance prohibits
the use of plastic bags in retail stores. The Health Department will be the enforcement agent
but hopefully outreach and education will make it self - complying.
The next scheduled meeting is January 17, 2019.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen McCullough