MEETING PACKET OCTOBER 2011 � OCTOBER 2011
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CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF HF.:)a:I'I-i
120 WASHINGTO N STREET,4...FI,()OR
TI.I_.. (978) 741-1800
I�IM1�L:ru L�� I�ruscoLr� 1,-�x (978) 745-0343
�Zl1YOR Iramdin@salein.com
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l-.t l;,\i:ri i A(i I NT NOTICE OF MEETING
You are hereby notified that the Salem Board of Health will hold its regularly scheduled meeting
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7.00 PM
City Hall Annex, 120 Washington St. Room 311
MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to order
2. Approval of Minutes from September 13, 2011
3. Chairperson Announcements
4. North Shore Collaborative Health Services Program Implementation-MAPC
5. Public Health Announcements/Reports/Updates
a. Health Agent
• b. Public Health Nurse
c. Administrative
d. Councilor Liaison
6. Discussion of Board of Health mission, objectives, responsibilities and plans
7. BOH Exterior Paint Removal Proposed Regulations and RRP
8. Miscellaneous
9. Adjournment
Larry Ramdin
Health Agent
cc: Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Board of Health, City Councilors
Next regularly scheduled meeting is November 15, 2011 at 7pm at City Hall Annex,
120 Washington Street Room 311
Know your rights under the open meeting law MGL Chapter 39 Section 23B and City Ordinance
section 2-2028 through 2-2033
.'his agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a list of topics that the Chair reasonably anticipates will
be discussed at the meeting. However,the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up
at this meeting.
s CITY OF SALEM
BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
• September 13, 2011
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Barbara Poremba, Chairperson, Martin Fair, Marc Salinas, Dr. Larissa Lucas,
Robert Dionne& Gayle Sullivan
OTHERS PRESENT: Larry Ramdin, Health Agent
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Thomas Furey, Councilor Liaison
TOPIC DISCUSSION/ACTION
1. Call to Order Meeting called to order by Dr. Poremba, Chair, at 7:05pm.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting Unanimously approved with corrections
(June 14 2011)
3. Chairperson Announcements Dr. Poremba pointed out that the regularly scheduled November 8t'
meeting is on an election day. The Board agreed to change the
meeting date to November 15 '.
4. Monthly Reports-Updates
A. Administrative Presented and approved. Copy available in office
Report
Presented and approved. Copy available in office
B. Public Health Nurse
Report
• Presented and approved. Copy available in office.
C. Health Agent • Clarification of WNV: There was one (1) mosquito sample
Report in Salem which has tested positive for West Nile Virus and
the affected area has been treated;there were no positive
samples in 2010. The press release on the website will be
corrected to reflect this.
• Given tobacco violations reported, the Board requested that
Joyce Redford from Tobacco Control be invited to present
recommended changes in tobacco policies/fines to the board
next month or at a mutually convenient meeting date.
• Regionalization grant; will update the board next month.
None presented.
D. City Council Liaison
Updates
Request from owner of 117 Lafayette St. to vary the code for each
unit from the minimum size of 150 square feet of habitable floor
5. Variance Request for space per unit to not less than 100 square feet.
117 Lafayette Street— Clarification: The measurement of habitable floor space excludes
lOSCMR 410.400A Minimum closets, bathrooms, interior hallways, and kitchen cabinets,
Square Footage. countertops and fixed appliances.
• The building has been in its present use since renovations in1988
when Occupancy Permits were issued for all 63 units.
Notices of the hearing were posted on the doors of all units at 117
Lafayette Street on September 9, 2011.
Letters of support of the variance were submitted from the Building
Commissioner and Fire Department. ,r-
The state code states that a variance may be granted in cases where
implementation of the code would create "manifest injustice". If the �l
variance is not granted, 63 SRO units would be deemed illegal and
•uninhabitable.
Atty. David Jackowitz spoke on behalf of Caritas Communities, a
non-profit provider of affordable subsidized single room occupancy
(SRO) housing and owner of 117 Lafayette Street since 2004. This
variance will not conflict with the spirit of the code and stop a
manifest injustice by allowing the tenant to stay in their units and
allow continued use of the building as single occupancy dwellings
as if has for 23 years. Every unit has a private bathroom with tub
and shower and kitchen sink, small refrigerator and stove. There
have been no complaints regarding square footage prior to a former
tenant 6 years ago who has filed a civil suit against the owner.
Atty. Jackowitz presented that a variance was granted by the
Boston Housing Court in the case of Lenard Sammy Trustee of
Kelspec Realty Trust vs. Marshy Raribin Sonario —Boston ISD.
Wilson Tejada, Building Manager, stated that only one person is
allowed to live in each unit. Currently there are 60 units rented and
60 residents would be homeless without this variance.
The Board discussed the option of converting the building into a
rooming house. In that case, the stoves would need to be removed •
and the code requirement would then be reduced to 80 square feet
of habitable floor space, significantly less than what exists.
However, this type of change may impact provision of federal grant
subsidies, be costly to owners and present a hardship on residents
who would not have personal cooking facilities.
Atty. Chris Winton Hendderson spoke for current and potential
clients, 9 current tenants and 2 former tenants at 117 Lafayette St.
She requested a continuance to review information and interview
clients. Her understanding is that the units are not SROs but
dwelling units that require a minimum of 150 square feet. Given
that if the variance is not granted that her clients may be homeless,
her stated reason to delay action was that she did not know how
many of the tenants would be affected because it is not known how
many units are less than 100 square feet.
The Board clarified that the variance request was only for units
greater than 100 square feet and therefore any unit less than 100
square feet would not apply.
The Health Agent informed the Board that granting of the variance
would have no negative effects from a public health perspective.
Dr. Poremba, Chair, opened the floor for comments from the •
audience members that would be directly affected by this variance.
There were a number of tenants who reported that they had
previously been homeless, had no other place to go, and were
scared to be back on the streets; one resident had lived there for 12
.� years. All asked the board to grant the variance.
Wilson Tajada Sr., Site Manager showed a pile of applications of
• people looking for a place to live and asked the Board to support of
this variance.
A former resident, who has a legal case against the owners,
presented some information to the Board; he is opposed to the
variance.
The Board also reviewed letters submitted in support of the
variance.
Motion by M. Salinas: to approve variance for 117 Lafayette
Street permitting single room occupancy of all units that are
not less than 100 square feet.
2"d by R. Dionne.
Discussion by the Board included that:
• A continuance of the hearing would not provide any
new relevant information.
• The property owner has been responsive in correcting
any sanitary issues identified by the health department
as evidenced by inspection reports submitted.
• There is no evidence to support that the granting of the
variance will have any direct negative effect on public
health.
• • Not granting the variance would cause manifest injustice
by potentially leaving 63 people homeless.
Motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion of BOH Deferred.
mission,objectives,
responsibilities and plans
7. BOH Exterior Paint Deferred.
Removal Proposed
Regulations and RRP
8. Miscellaneous None
9. Meeting Adjourned: 9:50pm
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Lyons-Paul
Clerk of the Board
Next regularly scheduled meeting is October 11, 2011 at 7pm at City Hall Annex 120 Washington Street,
Room 311,Salem.
•
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r
This is a separate document for the official meeting book only; these names need not be published on •
the website.
The following where present and stated they were being represented by Atty. Chris Winton Hendderson
• William Sperlinga#213,
• Jane Barton#409,
• Charles Chouinard #303,
• Lisa Gianelli#203,
• Kris Blackburn #313,
• David Covino #201,
• George Covan#414,
• Faustao Martinez, #217
• Leon Keif, #208 former tenant, currently residing at Salem Heights A203,
• Francis Keeft, #310 former tenant, currently residing at Salem Heights A104
There were a number of tenants who reported that they had previously been homeless, had no other
place to go, and were scared to be back on the streets;they asked the board to grant the variance.
• James Bigaro #413 —previously homeless—in support of this variance
• Chris Edwards #308 —previously homeless— in support of this variance
• William Ceria#206— 1998—has no other place to go—in support of this variance •
• Lisa Gianelli#203 —has been homeless many times—scared to go to the street
• Joseph Devito #314—Read letter he wrote about a tenant at 117 Lafayette St who was giving
false information to other tenants to convince them to be against this variance- In support of this
variance.
• Ronald Coron#420— 12 years living there—in support of this variance
• Wilson Tajada Sr., Site Manager, holding a number of applications in his hand of people looking
for a place to live—in support of this variance.
Those not in support:
• Charles Chouinard #303—Asked for continuance for 1 month so his Atty. can get further
information-Not in support of this variance.
• David Covino #201 — Says the size of unit is too small. Not in support of the variance. (Atty.
Jackowitz is in court with this tenant.)
• Richard Harrell, currently a resident at 2 Heritage Dr and former resident of#23- Plaintiff-
presented information to the board about his ongoing case with Caritas Communities. •
CITY OF SALEM
BOARD OF HEALTH
. MEETING NOTES
July 12, 2011
Members present: Dr. Barbara Poremba, Gayle Sullivan, Dr. Larisa Lucas,
Others present: Larry Ramdin, Health Agent and Council Liaison Tom Furey
Members absent: Martin Fair, Bob Dionne & Marc Salinas
Meeting called to order at 7PM. As there was no quorum,business requiring a quorum was
deferred to the September meeting.
The meeting was devoted to discussing the Board of Health mission, objectives, responsibilities
and plans. Some of the highlights were:
• The Board's role in Public Health
Larry handed out a packet to members last month that explains the role and
responsibilities of the Board. Barbara sent out an email to the members with similar
information and directed members to complete the Orientation to Local Public Health
before the September meeting. http://sph.bu.edu/otlt/LPHI/OrientationtoLPH/
All Board members need to complete the MAHB Certification Program in November;
Larry will send out the information and dates to all members when available.
There was discussion about the additional time requirement for board members in
completing training and certifications and participating in such things as a retreat.
However all members must understand that by accepting this position, they also have a
• responsibility to meet the training needs necessary to do the work of the board.
• Mission, goals and objectives
Larry handed out a few mission statements for the board members to look over and will
email them to all of the members. Currently the mission statement is:
1. Responsible for protecting and promoting resident and visitor health through
enforcement of MA Department of Public Health and MA Department of
Environmental Protection sanitary and environmental codes and statutes, as well
as local regulations and ordinances.
2. Works to improve residents'health status by enhancing access to health care for
the most vulnerable of the population;limiting youth access to tobacco products,
providing vaccines to the health care providers;operating clinics; conducting
surveillance of contagious diseases,and collaborating with other agencies that
promote health.
3. Actively planning for infectious disease emergencies that may be presented by
bio-terrorism. Such planning improves our ability to respond to natural threats, as
well such as SARS and the Avian Influenza virus.
• Basically the logo is "Public Health: Prevent, Promote, Protect"; The primary focus of
the department has been on the "protect" in the area of inspections such as food, housing,
camps, beaches and this has been difficult due to limited staff. Larry is concerned that
staff is not meeting the state standards for food inspections because of short staffing and
the large number of housing inspections and trash violations that take precedent. Food
inspections should be done twice a year. Larry is having staff track all of their
inspections, including the length of each inspection. Heather will also prepare the fee
schedule for the board to review.
• • The Board would like to see more "Public Health Prevention and Promotion" but the
limited staffing is challenging. Some thoughts were to create projects that could be done
by volunteers such as students at SSU, applying for grants and working collaboratively
with another community. Another thought was to create something like "Friends of the
Board of Health" that could raise money for public health issues in our community. Larry
will explore how SSU might help in coming up with a new logo for a"Healthy Salem".
Larry is also working on building a local volunteer data base for emergency •
preparedness.
• Organizational chart of the department
Larry will provide this by the October meeting
• Staff performance
The Board is responsible for evaluating the health agent; however Larry states that there
is no formal evaluation of the health department employees.
• Educating the community on the value of Public Health.
This seems to be key for advancing public health in the community. Most people have no
idea of what is public health and therefore it has no value to them.
Barbara will try to get nursing students to work on the"What is Public Health
Campaign". She asks that Board members help by going to the website and order the free
educational stickers http://www.thisispublichealth.ora/
• Updating the Community Assessment of Salem
Larry will prepare and present findings for the October meeting.
Some incidental observations about community needs included
1. Trash receptacles are needed on the east side of Lafayette Street
2. Water fountains—Heather will send an email to DPW
3. Beach testing and permitting which includes Children's Island
4. Need input from the Point area and Latino community
• Where do we go from here?
Larissa suggested that we need a plan and strategy to work on all of these new ideas such •
as looking at a few at a time at a meeting.
Councilor Furey suggested a retreat similar to other boards. Barbara and Gayle agreed.
Larry stated that it would be difficult to get the staff to attend anything out of their
contractual time; however the retreat would be just for the board members.
All agreed that we could start with a "Meet &Greet" where the Board could come to the
office on a Thursday evening to meet all of the star Larry will arrange this.
Meeting adjourned at 9 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
•
•
Health Agent July/August 2011 Report
Meetings/Trainings
• Tracy Giarla attended the Northshore Cape Ann Emergency Preparedness
meeting and the following were discussed:
o The Northshore Hospital attended and was seeking input from the
communities on how they can participate in community engagement;
they will be contacting the Health Agent for further input.
o There new deliverables for this grant year which will include Chemical,
Biological and Radiological emergency preparedness.
o Elizabeth Salandrea attended `Special Processes at retail Workshop"
hosted by the FDA. The program dealt with a number of non- routine
food preparation processes, which may require Board of Health approval
and submission of HACCP plans. These include: Curing, Use of Food
Additives, Reduced Oxygen Packaging, Live Molluscan Shellfish Tanks
Sprouted Seeds, Processing and Packaging Juice, Custom Processing of
Animals
• • Elizabeth Salandrea.and Jennifer Keough have started the Foundations of Local
Public Health Course. The course provides the participants with basic
knowledge on Local Health Practice and is sponsored by the Local Public
Health institute.
Other Activities
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health West Nile Virus Surveillance unit
advised that there were 2 traps positive for West Nile Virus in Salem. The Northeast
Mosquito Project conducted spraying in a generalized area on September 9 and in the
entire city on September 20.
• Larry Ramdin attended a hearing before the City Council Administration and
Finance(A&F) Committee to discuss the `Vaccination and Health Promotion
revolving Fund'. The request for the fund was approved by the A&F committee
and will be referred to the Council for approval.
• David Greenbaum spent the latter part of September preparing for the Household
hazardous waste collection day.
• Preparation for Haunted happenings in October has started and the BOH staff are
reviewing temporary food permit applications..
•
• SALEM BOARD OF HEALTH ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Mayor
I
Board of Health
Board of Health Clerk
Q members)
Health Agent
Community Health Unit Environmental Health Services Administrative Services
1- Public Health Nurse 1-Senior Sanitarian 1- Principal Clerk
• Full time
• Full time
1 Sanitarian
• Full time
1- Code Enforcement Officer
• Full time
2 Sanitarian
• Part-time
•
/ooNrrr,�,�
CITY OF SALEM
NEflfl�P In City Council,
September 8, 2011
Ordered;
That the City of Salem hereby approves the adoption of a Health Department Clinics
Revolving Fund in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E '/Z which authorizes
special purpose revolving accounts.
In City Council September 8, 2011V�/�
Referred to the Committee on Administration and Finance OCT 0620 V
• In City Council September 22, 2011 2011
Adopted 8 01'r>.nF S L
Approved by the Mayor on October 3, 2011 �f'�,J OF N LIMN
0xzv 6�" A
ATTEST: CHER A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK
•
CITY OF S.ALEM, MASSACHUSE I"TS
BOARD OF HI3AUD-1
•
120 W.ySI-IrNc;T<�N STR>✓ET,4"' Fl�cx�R
Tf-"j . (978) 741-1800
KI1�II3LRI,L;Y LllRI:SCOLL
FAX (978) 745-0343
MAYOR Ir,,imchn@salem.com
L,ARRY KAMIAN,RS/RFA IS,CI R),(:I'-I'S
11I?.\J:riI A(;kN'I'
Public Health Nurse Report
September 2011 Activities
Disease Prevention
• In contact with North Shore Pulmonary Clinic regarding active cases and case
contacts.
• Investigated communicable disease cases and reported to the MDPH.
Meetings/Clinics
• 9/6-9/10 Completed Pandemic Planning and Preparedness training offered by
the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston Alabama.
• PPD testing for 6 household contacts of TB case. 2 Positive tests results.
Referred to NSPC for evaluation.
• Attended Salem's Public Safety Day to distribute Emergency Preparedness and
Medical Reserve Volunteer information. We held two free raffles. Prizes
included a set of two way radios, and gift basket filled with EP supplies.
0 Met with Lucy Corchado and John Grullon at VOCES to discuss October Flu
Clinic.
• Attended the NSES meeting for Salem Collaborative to discuss the following
North Shore cases:
Case#1 Hoarding situation: House under foreclosure was condemned. NSES
reported elderly couple have been moved out of Gloucester Shelter, and into a
• SHA apartment.
Case#2 Hoarding situation: Elderly female. Referred to NSES. Case has .
refused any services. Case has allowed David and I to enter apartment. We
have instructed her and landlord on clearing egresses and other safety issues.
City referral form sent out to Police, Fire and COA.
Case#3 Services from NSES have been discontinued. Case will not pay for
cleanout service. COA and Salem BOH will follow up.
Officer Phelan discussed recent calls that may require follow up by Council on
Aging Social Workers.
• Attended the monthly NSCAEP meeting to discuss Coalition deliverables.
MONTHLY REPORT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
SEPTEMBER 201 1
DISEASE NEW CARRY OVER DISCHARGED REPORTED
CAMPYLOBACTER 1 0 1 1
GIARDIA O O O 0 •
HEPATITIS 1 0 O 0
LYME DISEASE 0 0 0 0
SALMONELLA 0 O 0 0
SHIGELLA O O O 0
TUBERCULOSIS 0 1 O 0
CAMPYLOBACTER: 1 CASE. 70 Y/O MALE. NON-FOOD HANDLER. SOURCE OF
INFECTION UNKNOWN.
HEPATITIS: 1 CHRONIC HEP C CASE. NO PUBLIC HEALTH FOLLOW UP NEEDED.
•
FEMA
The threats faced by the nation's emergency At the Chemical,Ordnance,Biological and
responders are diverse,deadly, and complex. Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF),the
There is growing concern that chemical, CDP offers the only
biological,explosive,radiological,or other - program in the
hazardous materials will become terrorists' nation featuring
weapons of choice. civilian training
exercises in a toxic
The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) chemical agent
opened its doors in June 1998,as a training center environment. The
for the advanced hands-on
nation's ,Y , .-„ training enables
emergency _ responders to effectively respond to real-world
responders. incidents involving chemical,biological,
The CDP's explosive,radiological,or other hazardous
mission is to materials. Responders serve as the nation's first
train - °z` line of defense and deserve the highest-quality
emergency training available.
response f
providers ' On March 31, 2007,the Noble Training Facility
from state, ;
(NTF) was integrated into the CDP training center.
local,and tribal governments,as well as the In 1999,the former Noble Army Hospital was
Federal government,foreign governments,and converted into a
private entities as available. The scope of training training site for '
p � � g 8
includes preparedness,protection,and response. health and medical
education in _
CDP training for state,local,and tribal responders disasters,to
is fully funded by the U.S. Department of include both acts
Homeland Security. International,Federal,and of terrorism and
private sector responders may participate in CDP manmade
training on a space available,fee-for-service disasters. The NTF is the only hospital facility in
basis. the United States dedicated to training hospital
and healthcare professionals in disaster
Training partnerships at the Federal and state preparedness and response. The facility includes
levels enable the CDP staff to take advantage of classrooms,break-out rooms,exercise/simulation
shared knowledge,to ensure the nation's areas,a resource center,computer lab,and two
responders receive the most up-to-date training. prototype mass casualty decontamination training
lanes.
The CDP's interdisciplinary resident and non-
resident training courses promote greater Responders from all 50 states,the District of
understanding among these diverse responder Columbia,and the U.S. territories have trained at
disciplines: Emergency Management,Emergency the CDP.
Medical Services,Fire Service, Governmental
Administrative,Hazardous Materials,Healthcare, FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders
Law Enforcement, Public Health,Public Safety to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain,
Communications,and Public Works. and improve our capability to prepare for,protect
against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all
hazards.
Learn rn6mabout the Center for Domestic Preparedness
1866.213.9553 or.http:/lcdp.dhs:gov
• • • .
Administration Monthly Report
September-II
Burial Permits @$25.00 $825.00
Permits $210.00
Certificate of Fitness@$50.00 $2,100.00
Flu reimbusement $3,100.43
Fines $0.00
Total Monies Collected = $6,235.43
Annual Budget Expended
Available Balance
Total Salary/Longevity $344,000.00 Q $83,392.31 $260,607.69
Annual Budget Expended Available Balance
Non-Personnel $19,600.00 $11,646.48 $7,953.52
• • •
Public health affects all aspects of our lives
P
To the editor: �
What is"public health" r F where and how public health affects your
It's a question that is often life on a day-to-day basis.,
asked of me.It seems that From No Smoking signs and
most people don't under emergency alerts to immunization
stand what ublic heal and blood pressure clini from safe
public th is a,
much less how it affects their fond and water and trash recepta-
everyday lives. recepta-
cles;to bike paths and farmers'mar-
Given this,Salem State Univer- kets,public he th is everywhere,
si safe
nursing the
students ces.tY g udents will he joining a ��� �►la , . where we all
national initiative to educate residents on Keep, an.eke OZ l t f Off" live work and play. .
just bow important a role public healt 'put,public your health
plays in protecting their daily live$and these red-and. -whZte Now do keep an eye out for
St2cjZel"S and W11en white stickers and when you see one,stop
Instead of Band-aids,the nursing Stu- and think"Ahal So this is public healthl"
dents will be out and.about in Salem You see one, Stop and DR.BUMM POREhFA
applying red-and-white "This is Pub- t/ nk `Aha1 S6 this
Profeuor,Publk Health Nursing
He Health"removable stickers(shown. ' » mete University
Sale
! ub.,)to is public health! soe.Boars of Health
highlight,at least for a few days, p:
M sty
of Salem
a
��, . fir� _•�� r "' �� �' :^
Mi
k
f WE GIVE THANKS
y..
..a 2011
Dear Tracy and Dave,
For the past 2 years, North Shore Elder Services has sponsored the "We Give Thanks"Awards. These awards bring to
light examples of the care and service others provide to older persons on the North Shore and to publicly thank them
for their accomplishments and contributions.
I am pleased to tell you that this year The Salem Collaborative was nominated for,and chosen,as our winners for the
COLLABORATION AWARD. This award is given to a creative partnership where the impact on the older adult
40community is greater than each separate nominee.Your proactive approach to improved communication and outreach
in the city of Salem certainly makes you the perfect honorees!
Congratulations!
Our Awards dinner will be held on Thursday,November 17th at 6:OOpm at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem,MA and we
anticipate more than 150 people in attendance! I am sending you 2 tickets to attend this event as well as a certificate
stating that you won. At the dinner we will present you with a beautiful trophy!
Once again I congratulate you for the wonderful work you are doing on behalf of the elders in the city of Salem!.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
y
Director of Communications and Development
North Shore Elder Services
152 Sylvan Street
WDanvers,MA 01923
978-750-4540 ext 220