BOH
June 18, 2011
Regular meeting of the Monson Board of Health was called to order at 6:05 pm
by Chair Gary Allard. Members present: Peg Harrison, Jane Jacobs, John Schneider. Member absent: Phyllis Klick. Also present: Lorri McCool, Inspector- Gretchen Neggers, Town Administrator- Audra Staples, perspective Office Employee.
The Board read and reviewed the minutes of June 13, 2011. Ms. Jacobs moved to accept the Minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Schneider and voted unanimously.
The Board met with Ms. McCool to receive various updates. Ms. McCool has been inspecting temporary housing that is going up as repairs and rebuilding from the tornado begins. Ms. McCool also told the board about a tenant issue at 5 Lincoln Place. She had been called in to inspect the home for reports of “mold” and found no chronic wetness prior to June 1st. The tenant went to FEMA and claimed tornado damage. FEMA paid for the tenant to relocate due to mold and is replacing some of her personal property.
The Board met with Ms. Neggers and Ms. Staples about taking Ms. Staples on as an Administrative Assistant to work the office while Kathy Taft is out on leave. Ms. Staples currently works for the Town of Monson as the clerk for the Community Preservation Committee and is a Monson Conservation Commissioner. She also works for the Town of Longmeadow in their Human Resource Department, Assessor’s Office and Accounting Office. She would work in the Monson Board of Health Office Mondays and Fridays from 8am-4pm, 7 hours a day. She would also make herself available to the board for Meetings as long as they did not conflict with her prior meeting commitments. The board said they would be happy to have Ms. Staples to help them and welcomed her. Ms. Staples thanked the board and told them she would be
happy to start the following Monday, July 25, 2011.
Ms. Neggers told the board that the HCR unemployment board is putting together a program to hire people as part time or temporary relief. She feels the Board of Health office may benefit from this program to help supplement more of its hours. Ms. Neggers will look into this and get back to the board when she has more information.
The board discussed the date and time of their upcoming meetings. After discussing schedules between the members and Ms. Staples, it was decided that the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month would be the current meeting schedule.
Ms. Staples again thanked the board for their time and left the meeting.
Ms. Neggers spoke to the board about Trash. She noted that there would be changes to the abatements. There was a big change with the tornado and she warned the board that they would see a lot of new adds and drops as a result of the cleanup efforts.
Ms. Neggers also informed the board that Hope Bodwell is the person coordinating all volunteer efforts for the town and the tornado recovery.
Updates were given for the following Board of Heath Responsibilities:
- Bulky Day – Will be the 1st Saturday in October. Ms. Jacobs will check with Gaylin to reserve the sign space.
- Communicable Diseases – Mr. Schneider said that Lyme is still prevalent and there are other ticks causing some diseases.
- Flu Vaccines- Ms. Harrison called Lois and she said that the vaccines were only for the underinsured. She said many elderly have difficulty getting aid. To administer the shots the town will have to file for reimbursement with Medicare. Ms. Harrison will check into the Board buying the vaccines.
- Hazardous Waste Day – Will be the 3rd Saturday in October. Ms. Jacobs will check with John Morrell at the Highway Department to verify that the space is still available for the event.
At 7:08 p.m., Ms. Harrison moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Jacobs and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Monson Board of Health
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