Wednesday
December 6, 2006
The Monson Board of Health met at 6:30 p.m. with Jane Arthur and her assistant, Denise, at the Monson Developmental Center’s Administration Building to discuss a dispensing site for pandemic flu/disasters.
Present: Chairman Gary Allard, Jane Jacobs, Robert Bator, Health Inspector Lorri McCool, Administrative Assistant, Kathleen Taft, and volunteer Catherine “Jackie” Mitchell.
Monson is seeking a dispensing site for mass inoculation in case of pandemic flu/disasters and was requesting permission from the state to use Monson Developmental Center as an inoculation site. Mr. Allard explained that the Board of Health had acquired a very elaborate refrigerator from the Hampden County Coalition, which is used to store serum, etc. Ms. McCool stated she would like to have the MDC put the refrigerator to use. This would also ensure that it does work effectively. Ms. Arthur stated the state was in agreement with the request and felt that the New Hope Work Center could be used as an inoculation site. This is a freestanding building with separate in and out areas. There is very easy access to the building, and the building also has a ramp. The building is kept
locked. Ms. McCool informed the MDC representatives that the staging area for Monson is the Granite Valley Middle School and residents will be brought to the dispensing site on buses. Ms. McCool requested a copy of the floor plan for the Board’s review with a future walk-through of the building. Ms. McCool informed Ms. Arthur that Monson has joined the Hampden County Coalition.
Ms. Arthur explained that all programs would be shutdown for 72 hours if the population needed to be inoculated. There are 11 or 12 nurses on site, but they are very busy. However, some nurses live in Monson, and work at the MDC. They may volunteer their services on their own time. Nurses and families would be inoculated first in case of emergencies.
A time will be set up for the MDC to visit Monson to view the refrigerator, which will be brought at some time to the Developmental Center. The New Hope Work Center is open Monday through Friday during MDC working hours. The Board asked if there is an area available for storage but they were informed storage space is questionable at this time, as the building interior is open like a warehouse. Ms. Arthur stated that the Buckley Building could be used for storage, as each room can be secured. The Board of Health and Ms. McCool felt that this building and area is what the Board needs and wants for its dispensing site.
The Board will visit again on January 10th at 3:00 p.m. to view the site. The meeting concluded at 7:00 p.m. and resumed at the Board of Health office at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Smith entered the meeting and joined the Board. Ms. Klick was absent.
Ms. Jacobs informed the Board that the S.A.L.T. Committee is trying to raise funds to buy carbon monoxide detectors for seniors.
After reviewing the minutes of November 22, 2006, Mr. Bator moved to accept them, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously.
Mr. Allard and Ms. McCool attended the pandemic meeting this morning chaired by Andrew Smith. Maps had been reviewed and possible vulnerable sites were discussed. Mr. Allard stated he attended the meeting as a representative of the Board of Health. Ms. McCool feels that it is important members of the Board of Health attend these meetings to show they are interested and to offer support to other departments/boards. The Board of Selectmen was not represented at this meeting.
Board members who attended the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the MDC discussed and informed Dr. Smith of the details.
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Ms. Mitchell spoke of her qualifications in regard to pandemic flu and informed the Board that she has done research on the virus of the bird flu. She has children and is interested in volunteering on a personal level. She has done a great deal of research on the topic and feels that the public needs to be informed and prepared. Flyers should be composed with helpful tips and left at various locations. Ms. McCool stated that the Hampden County Health Coalition has copies of information, and she will have these available for the next Board meeting. Ms. McCool further stated that Stephanie has done help for towns from the Coalition and grant money can be sought. Ms. McCool will ask her to meet with the Board and Ms. Mitchell at a future meeting. Each town in the Coalition will
have its own Medical Reserve Corps – but the MRC’s will be placed in a “pool” to enable whatever town in the Coalition (who may have a disaster) use of people in this “pool.”
Ms. McCool informed the Board that Hampden County Coalition has asked if the Monson Board of Health could identify specialty needs, i.e. some funds may be necessary to stock the building at the MDC. Also leaflets for the public on how to prepare for a pandemic flu, etc. The Board will need a list of day cares in Monson, a list of families where elderly are cared for in the home, and also single parent families. Ms. Mitchell informed the Board that a link was placed on the web site for public awareness of the flu.
The Board will meet with the Monson Developmental Center again on January 10th at 3:00 p.m. The Board of Health will also meet with the Board of Selectmen at their meeting of January 23rd. Ms. Taft will check to be sure this is the correct date.
The Board will discuss rules and regulations on outdoors wood boilers at the meeting of December 20th.
Mr. Bator moved to approve all licenses for 2007 seconded by Ms. Jacobs. The Board signed licenses.
Update of responsibilities followed:
Beavers – Mr. Allard stated that a letter was sent to Elizabeth Faichney stating this is presently trapping season. A licensed trapper may use state-approved traps, and if beaver dams are to be breached, the Conservation Commission must be contacted.
Bulky Day/Hazardous Waste Day – Ms. Klick was not available.
Body Art Regulations – Mr. Bator had nothing to report
Communicable Disease – Ms. Jacobs stated there is a case of Lyme Disease. She has spoken to the school nurses and there is nothing from Boston to confirm the two cases of Whooping Cough reported by Mr. Allard. The Department of Public Health is having a problem with data entry on their web page so this may be the reason – these cases could have been missed. Ms. Jacobs will check again with Boston.
Finances – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Floor Drains – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Food Safety – Mr. Bator had nothing to report.
Health Fair – Ms. Jacobs stated another would be held in 2008.
Housing Safety – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
Massage Licenses – Were approved and signed tonight for 2007
Recycling – Ms. Klick was unavailable.
Tobacco – Dr. Smith had nothing to report.
Trash – Ms. Klick was unavailable.
Wells – Mr. Allard had nothing to report.
December 6, 2006 Page 3.
Ms. Jacobs asked Board members if they would be willing to sponsor the flu clinic, as Wing Hospital no longer orders the vaccine for Monson. After discussion, Ms. Jacobs moved that the Board of Health sponsor flu clinics for the Monson Senior Center as of 2007, seconded by Mr. Bator and so voted.
The Board read correspondence.
At 9:06 p.m. Mr. Bator moved to adjourn the Board of Health meeting, seconded by Dr. Smith and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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