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The meeting convened at 1:45PM.
Present were Chairman Louis Fazen, III, Members
Nancy A. Sacco and Richard H. Seder, Public
Health Director Paul C. Pisinski, Public Health
Nurse Leslie Chamberlin, Sanitary Inspector
Dennis Costello and Administrative Assistant
Barbara M. Luther.
The minutes of the May 21, 2008 were reviewed
and approved with some clarifications and changes.
Members were briefed on the agenda
and any scheduled appointments.
Mr. Pisinski advised the members that several
important items on the agenda will require time
and attention in order to discuss and vote on
the issues.
PETITIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
2:45 PM DPW Superintendent Karen Galligan arrived
to discuss “Sharps” and Water
Mrs. Galligan reported that she has found a
Kiosk for $2,000 that will take the two liter
bottles that people seem to use to transport
their sharps. She is not sure how fast the Kiosk
will fill. Public Health Nurse Leslie Chamberlin
said that in the beginning the process can only
be trial and error. Mrs. Galligan said that
this bucket does have some spill-over space,
and the fee is based on pick ups not number
of sharps. Dr. Fazen asked about having a second
container. Mr. Galligan said that she would
prefer to start with just one container, which
will be located near the “Swap Shop”.
It was decided that Mrs. Chamberlin and Mrs.
Luther will develop an educational flyer to
possibly be sent out in tax bills. However,
education needs to be coordinated with the setup
of the Kiosk, because if residents are notified
too soon and look for the Kiosk that isn’t
there, the education could be wasted and forgotten.
A brief discussion took place regarding the
disposal of pharmaceuticals (pills) and Mrs.
Chamberlin said that she would look into some
other way to dispose of them rather than flushing
them down the toilet. She will work with DPH
regarding this.
Dr. Fazen then explained that the board wanted
to begin a dialog with the Mrs. Galligan regarding
water. The board believes that they can be of
help to the DPW Water Division in many regards,
one of which might be being able to explain
what the residents are hearing or reading about
their water. The discussion continued about
how good the MWRA water that the residents of
Southborough drink really is. Mrs. Galligan
explained the MWRA testing and the tests that
are performed by the Town of Southborough Water
Department. She explained that high coliform
counts surface in areas that aren’t looped,
and once the area is flushed the count returns
to normal. Dr. Fazen again stated that the board
would like to cooperate with the DPW when needed,
in area such as supporting, from a public health
view, the need to replace pipes or create loops.
Mrs. Galligan said that she would welcome that
type of support and noted that the next project
in which the board might be of assistance is
the painting of one of the water tanks. When
there is a break in the coating it is possible
for lead to seep into the water supply. The
DPW could use the help of the board to explain
the health issues involved. Dr. Seder remarked
again as to the good quality of the drinking
water in Southborough. A good time to inform
the residents about the water quality and the
sharps kiosk may be from a booth at Heritage
Day which is scheduled to be held on October
18th this year.
REPORT ON CORE DIRECTIVES
A. Emergency Preparedness
* Public Health Nurse Leslie Chamberlin advised
the board members that an Information Technology
(IT) person needed for Emergency Preparedness
Planning for the Town of Southborough is needed
to meet its deliverable. However, the IT person
for the town is a contractor. Mrs. Chamberlin
said that she had spoken with Vanessa Hale,
Asst. Town Administrator and it will not be
a problem for the Board of Health to use the
IT contractor. Mrs. Luther advised that the
Board of Selectmen have invited the Board of
Health members to attend the June 17th meeting
at 8:00PM regarding another issue and suggested
that the board members speak to this issue at
that time. We also should have an agreement
or contract with a printing company to print
any emergency pamphlets or notices in the case
of a public health emergency such as a pandemic.
The printing company needs to understand that
they might not be paid for their service for
a couple of months after the request to print
due to the reimbursement policies of the state
emergency management. Mrs. Luther will contact
Quik Print because they have done printing for
the Board of Health in the past.
* Both Dr. Fazen and Mrs. Chamberlin were
happy to report that at the TAR meeting this
month, which was held in Hudson, Southborough
Board of Health scored 78.9% and were the only
town working with a laptop so that the forms
could be submitted on line.
* Mrs. Chamberlin advised the member that
Selectmen Phaneuf had approached her with a
concern about the Board of Health not having
24/7 coverage. Mr. Pisinski said that Mrs. Phaneuf
had also spoken with him and said that she felt
someone should carry a phone and be available
24/7. Mrs. Phaneuf also was concerned that the
Board of Health did not have the power to quarantine
someone with a contagious disease. Mrs. Chamberlin
explained that when the Board of Health receives
information on an illness the State Isolation
Regulations gives the Board of Health the power
to quarantine.
At 1:50 PM Selectmen Phaneuf arrived at the
meeting to relate her concerns. She wanted to
advise the members that the selectmen have not
seen a report of the Public Health Advisory
Committee. If the report is not expected to
be ready before June 30th, the end of the fiscal
year, all the members of the committee will
have to be reappointed for the report to be
officially accepted by the Town. Dr. Fazen explained
the credentials of Mary Lou Woodford, who had
agreed to chair the committee and with whom
he has been working on the report. He advised
that the report is two thirds completed, but
he felt that it shouldn’t be finalized
until all the members had a chance to review
it. Therefore, he believes that the committee
will have to be reappointed. Dr. Fazen agreed
to contact the Town Administrator regarding
the reappointments and each member advising
them that they must be sworn in again.
The other item Mrs. Phaneuf was concerned about
resulted in the May 29th Table Top Exercise.
She was surprised that the Board of Health doesn’t
have 24/7 coverage, saying that all other town
officials are expected to be available 24 hours
a day. Her concern centered on the fact that
she didn’t see anything set up through
that Board of Health for the 24/7 coverage.
Noting that she is powerless to instruct the
Board of Health, she suggested that there should
be something in the job description. Dr. Fazen
advised that before 9/11 public health was a
9 to 5 job even at the State level. This issue
is being looked at in every town, and right
at this moment Southborough Board of Health,
through its COOP plan (Continuity of Operations
Plan), meets the Department of Public Health
requirements with a “call down list”
of telephone numbers. Mrs. Phaneuf questioned
if there was any formal guidance as to how long
to wait to call the next person on the list,
and was told that it was standard to immediately
go to the next phone number if the first one
doesn’t answer. Dr. Fazen also reminded
Mrs. Phaneuf that the Board of Health is not
like the police department with 29 employees
to cover the 24 hours. This issue could be worked
into employment contracts, but there would have
to be compensation for people on call. Region
4A is looking into the use of mutual aid between
towns as one way to resolve the issue. This
issue might have to be decided by the town meeting
determining whether or not Southborough wants
to have 24/7 public health coverage because
there will be costs related to such coverage.
Dr. Seder asked what has been the nature of
discussions regarding working with other towns.
Mr. Phaneuf said that the Board of Selectmen
would like to be in on any mutual aid discussion,
as well as commenting on where the Board of
Health is going in the future with Public Health.
Dr. Fazen said that the Board of Health would
like to discuss the ideas regarding the transition
and direction the Board of Health is going with
the Board of Selectmen, as well as having the
24/7 discussion regarding how loosely or tightly
the system is set up. The board will also be
happy to speak with both police and fire regarding
the type of calls and who to call. Dr. Seder
said that he thought the Board of Health should
consider 24/7.
Mr. Pisinski said that he use to have a line
item in the Board of Health budget “Emergency
Contractor” specifically for emergencies
but was required fairly recently to remove it
due to budget constraints.
* There was discussion regarding the Intermediate
Special Care Unit (ISCU) with will be located
at the Assabet Valley Vocational High School,
but run by Marlboro Hospital. The reality is
that the hospital will not have enough hospital
staff to also run an ISCU and so the ISCU may
have to be staffed by the MRC with oversight
from Boards of Health in the three towns affiliated
with this ISCU. Dr. Fazen reported that he has
e-mailed Region 4A telling the leaders that
Southborough would like more of a connection
with Marlboro Hospital regarding the ISCU.
* The board unanimously voted to purchase 500
syringes which can be rotated with the flu clinic
syringes.
B. Working with other Departments
* Public Safety/Public Health Working Group
– report from Working Group meeting. Dr.
Fazen reported that he met with Officer David
Hagen and consensus was that a good place to
begin is with education. Dr. Fazen is going
to present something to the Police Department
about civil responsibility and the spread of
disease. He will also include a sense of self
protection by the use of immunizations. Mrs.
Sacco wondered if it may be prudent for the
Board of Health to have a representative attend
the police department quarterly staff meetings
as part of this new working group orientation.
* Sharps Disposal coordination between DPW
and Board of Health (DPW disposal/BOH education)
This issue will be formally tabled until Early
2009 because there has been an extension in
the compliance deadline to July 1, 2009. However,
the board will continue to coordinate with the
DPW on educating the public on how to meet this
State requirement.
A. Transition/Reorganization of Staff
* New Administrative Agent for the Board of
Health - Mr. Pisinski reported that he only
has a draft of the job description for the Administrative
Agent and needs to work with Mrs. Luther on
the details. Mr. Pisinski will have to schedule
a meeting with the Personnel Board for early
fall. Dr. Fazen said that he would like the
appointment to be at the earliest possible time.
He suggested that all the board members, Mr.
Pisinski and Mrs. Luther should meet before
any meeting with the Personnel Board. A discussion
about how this will affect the budget ensued.
There is a limit in the Salary Administration
Program and Mr. Pisinski suggested that the
position not begin at its highest salary, which
would leave no room to grow. Therefore, Mr.
Pisinski suggested that the position begin at
a Grade 3 Step 6. It was also discussed that
it must be emphasized that this position is
unique to this person and this time of transition
in the Board of Health to make the best use
of what is available and in the best interest
of the Town and Public Health.
* Director’s desire to extend his contract
– official letter
Mr. Pisinski advised that he has reviewed his
contract and found that it does not required
him to give written notice of he desire to renew
his contract However, he wants to formally notify
the Board of Health of his wish to develop and
additional one (1) year contract with the board.
Dr. Fazen said that the board needs to integrate
any new contract with the proposed new position.
Mr. Pisinski agreed, but indicated that there
is slightly less Title 5 work, but that there
is still much he can do in his new retired capacity.
He envisions a few less hours and possibly less
money. Dr. Fazen asked that Mr. Pisinski put
together an expansion of Mrs. Luther’s
responsibility with Mr. Pisinski working less
hours. Mrs. Sacco asked if the Board of Health
had to go to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Pisinski
said that they do not, but that they do have
to have Town Counsel review the document as
to form.
* Dennis Costello’s desire to continue
in his contract – contract review
Mr. Costello’s contract will also have
to be reviewed by Town Counsel as to form.
Board members were advised of a memo from Town
Administrator, Jean Kitchen asking the members
to attend a Board of Selectmen’s meeting
regarding Mr. Pisinski’s and Mr. Costello’s
contracts. Dr. Fazen said that the Board of
Health understands that Mr. Costello’s
hourly wage has increased, but the number of
hours he will work for the board has decreased.
Mr. Pisinski will include a maximum number of
hours in to both contracts. However, the statutes
are very clear that the Board of Health has
the ability to hire or contract with whomever
is needed to meet the responsibilities of maintaining
the public health of the community. Both contracts
will include a clause that requires quarterly
monitoring of both the Public Health Director’s
and Sanitary Inspector’s hours. Mr. Pisinski
worked eleven (11) hours more than he should
have this year and the Board of Selectmen is
asking that the Board of Health monitor hours
so that this will not happen again. Mr. Pisinski
spoke with the Finance Director and was advised
that this year’s overage would be manageable
because Mr. Pisinski had reported it and the
Board will not exceed its total budget even
with this oversight. However, an amendment to
his current contract may have to be made.
Dr. Seder moved to approve the new contracts
for Mr. Pisinski and Mr. Costello with the discussed
modifications added; limiting the number of
hours, and a quarterly review of each employee’s
status with regards to the budgeted limit of
their wages. This motion was seconded and approved.
NOTIFICATION OF ACTIONS BETWEEN MEETINGS
A. Licenses
280601 Steere James E. Steere Contracting Corp.
280602 Campbell Douglas J. Masterson Construction
Corporation
B. Septic Permits
Permit Number St. No. St Name Town Applicant
Name Map # Parcel# # Bdrms/GPD Explanation
2008007 8 Ted Ln. Southborough Margaret Ariansen
15 45B 3 Complete Replacement
BUDGET The budget is in good
shape as we come to the end of the fiscal year.
Mrs. Luther will be purchasing as much as she
can for the Cordaville Hall office out of FY
2008 funds.
NEW BUSINESS
Members approved closing the office next Thursday
and Friday so that the office can be packed
and ready for the move the following week.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM
Respectfully submitted by: Barbara M. Luther,
Administrative Assistant to the Board of Health
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