City of Methuen Methuen Board of Health Meeting

Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 6:30 P.M. - Quinn Building-Sanborn Hall

Minutes

Present: Joyce Hersey, Vice Chairperson, Jeanine Lorenzo, Member, Brian J. LaGrasse, Public Health Director, John Catania, Food Inspector 

Call to Order:  Vice Chairperson, Joyce Hersey called the Board of Health meeting to order at 6:40 P.M. 

New Business: 

NIMS Training

 Mr. LaGrasse will make sure all board members have NIMS certification.  Mr. John Santore is the person in charge for NIMS training.  Mr. Santore is the NIMS Compliance Officer Emergency Management Director.  Mr. Santore currently is a detective in the police department.  Ms. Lorenzo mentioned she has taken both trainings: NIMS and ICS.  Ms. Lorenzo just received her certification for FEMA.  Mr. LaGrasse asked Ms. Hersey if she has taken the test.  She said she thought she would have to online.   Mr. LaGrasse will contact Dr. Chatterjee during the week to ask him if he can come into the office to take the training or do it online.   

Smoking Fines and Violations

 Mr. LaGrasse mentioned the two establishments that received citations due to selling cigarettes to minors: Galloway’s 196 Pelham Street, Methuen MA and Sunoco 119 Merrimack Street, Methuen MA.  Compliance checks were completed about a week ago. Mr. LaGrasse believes the fines are great.  The second offense is a $300.00 fine with a seven days suspension.  Mr. LaGrasse had a discussion with Mr. Ron Beauregard on fines and violations.  They would like to do mandatory checks on carding everyone on the second offense in lieu of a mandatory 7 days suspension. They decided to do three to four checks on carding people.  Mr. LaGrasse and Mr. Beauregard are deciding to educate clerks on selling cigarettes and carding individuals.

Mr. LaGrasse mentioned we haven’t received payment or a hearing request on those two establishments.  Ms. Lorenzo realized they could appear before the clerk or District Court.  She believed the board was the last word and could appeal to them.  Ms. Hersey believes we should have a business friendly environment.  Ms. Lorenzo mentioned at convenience stores, the clerks sell cigarettes to a minor but yet the owner takes full responsibility with the fine and suspension.  The clerk gets terminated but can find another job quickly.  They don’t get affected as much as the owners.   

Mr. LaGrasse agrees with Mr. Beauregard’s idea of a mandatory carding policy in conjunction with or in lieu of a suspension.  Ms. Lorenzo agrees about sending the clerks to be educated and trained.   Mr. LaGrasse is going to ask the mayor about liquor store fines.  Maybe on the third offense instead of 24 months use a 12 months period.  If there is another violation we can always increase from seven to thirty days suspension.  Mr. LaGrasse is open to any ideas and suggestions for any programs to help stop selling to minors for the next meeting.   

Food Fines and Violations

 Mr. Catania discussed critical violations and non-critical violations.  Ms. Hersey asked what is a critical violation?  The critical violations affect public health.  The non-critical violations are considered dirty equipment.  The fines for non-critical violations are as follows; $100.00 first offense, $300.00 second offense, and $500.00 third offense and suspension of license.  Also, $75.00 repeats on non-critical violations. Ms. Hersey asked Mr. Catania what would he recommend for a non-critical violation?  It is a $50.00 fine for dirty floors, dirty equipment, refrigerators not being washed or sanitized, personal hygiene, etc.  He mentioned a repeat violation would be $50.00.   

Also, Mr. Catania discussed bathroom signage “Employees Must Wash Hands,” handwash sinks without soap is another critical offense. The critical violation rate is currently $50.00.  Time and temperature control, not washing hands after taking the trash out or after using the restroom are other examples of critical violations.   Mr. LaGrasse’s recommendation for critical fines are as follows; $100.00 to $200.00 for first offense, $200.00 to $500.00 for second offense and repeat violations, and $500.00 for third offense repeats. Repeat third offenses may also result in a possible suspension plus an appearance before the Board of Health.  Mr. LaGrasse agrees with Mr. Catania’s recommendation.   Ms. Lorenzo made a motion to accept the new fee schedule for the critical and non-critical food inspection violations.  These fines are effective as of 10/15/06.  Ms. Hersey seconded the motion.  Motion passed. 

Mosquito Issues

 Mr. Brian LaGrasse mentioned there is no issue.  This issue was brought up during the last meeting.  The Massachusetts of Public Health will discontinue surveillance in the next two weeks.  The temperatures and mosquitoes activities are down.  The department has not received any calls regarding mosquitoes.   There barrier spray appeared to have worked on schools and fields.  The Athletic Department was really happy about it. Also, the state has suspended collecting dead birds.   Mr. LaGrasse said we did a good job in getting the information to people.  We worked with schools; superintendent and the athletic department had an educational video, which was worked on last year with Ms. Ewing.   The coaches and students were aware and the School Dept bought cases of bug spray for the coaches to bring to practices.  The insect repellant was used before, during and after athletic practices.   

A television show was also done to discuss EEE and the mosquito spraying.  Mr. LaGrasse stated the mosquitoes found with the virus were non-human biting mosquitoes.  The species of mosquito that was found was a species that only bites birds. Monthly Reports to the Board: July Departmental monthly reportsAugust Departmental monthly reports Ms. Hersey asked if anyone had questions on the monthly reports.  Ms. Hersey welcomed Ms. Heidi Conlon to the Health Department.  She was happy to see Heidi return.  The monthly report looks good. Mr. LaGrasse said, “She is great to work with”.  Ms. Jeanine Lorenzo made a motion to accept the monthly reports for July and August.  Ms. Joyce Hersey seconded the motion.  Motion granted. Minutes: Approval of August 8, 2006 Minutes Ms. Joyce Hersey made a motion to accept the August 8, 2006 minutes.  Ms. Jeanine Lorenzo seconded the motion.  Motion granted.   Any Other Business: 

Contact Information Sheet Update

 Ms. Lorenzo asked to update the contact information.  She wants all the staff information on the sheet too.  Mr. LaGrasse said if they have any questions to call him on his cell or home number.   

Chiropractor Packet

 Mr. LaGrasse mentioned to please look and read the packet.  He asked the board members if they have any ideas to promote television shows.  Ms. Hersey suggested teen pregnancy and Ms. Lorenzo suggested a show on sexual transmitted diseases.   Mr. LaGrasse discussed the past two television shows.  The Health Dept did television shows on the Triad Project and EEE Virus.  In October, the department will tape a show on Holiday Food Safety that will include how to properly handle and cook a turkey. Also, he brought copies of the Tobacco Regulations to hand them to the Board of Health members just in case they did not have any.   

Adjourn: Ms. Hersey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 P.M.  Ms. Lorenzo seconded the motion. 

Motion granted.