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January 17, 2002    MHOA Executive Board Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 9:25 by President Robin Chapell in the Newton City Hall. Present at the meeting were Vice President Donna Moultrup, Secretary Jana Ferguson, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Dawn Sibor, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Joel Hollis, Russell Henderson, Jane Gallahue, Joanne Martel, Johanna Prinderville, John Canning, Beth Altman, Paul Tierney, Joe Ferson, Steve Calichman, Paul McNulty, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Kathleen MacVarish, Fredric Cantor, Greg Erickson, David Naparstek, Charlie Kaniecki, (and one person whose name was illegible.)

Minutes: The December 6, 2001 minutes were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: Questions were raised about an expense of $150.00 for the Beaver Program.  MHOA was supposed to be reimbursed. Dawn Sibor will follow up.

Questions about December Quarterly Mtg; MHOA did not see much profit. Dawn Sibor will look into it.

Transferred $20,000 from Money Market account instead of $25,000 like last year.

$5,016.81 account balance

Discussed conference report. $29,451.71 total in account now. $4,500 will be left in the checking account. Motion to move $25,000 to regular MHOA account. Approved

Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded. Approved

Executive Director’s Report: The program for the TURN Grant now has 4 sites; tentatively scheduled for March 6 in Western MA, March 14 in Lowell, April 3 in Plymouth, April 25 in Wellesley. Concern expressed that the program must be practical and hands on. Todd Dresser and Beverly Anderson are working on it.

Dawn forwarded e-mail from NACCHO sent by Tommy Thompson, and dated January 11, 2002, about bio-terrorism money. The Coalition for Local Public Health will be involved.

Dawn received the Emergency Waiver Provision Form for waivers from the Child Protection Act. This form is available on the website for the Department of Food and Agriculture. The waiver allows health departments to override the CPA for immediate treatment.

The Retirement Committee is looking into changing the retirement class for health agents. LouAnn Clement is trying to find out the number health agents in the Commonwealth.

United We Stand Meeting – There were 70 – 80 health-related organizations working to insure that there are no cuts to public health services; these organizations are helpful in getting money restored to the budget. The MPHA is spearheading the organization. Robin Chapell thanked Dawn for attending the meeting.

Dawn reminded people who are running the NERO and CERO trainings that she needs the CEU forms with program fliers and sign-in sheets.

The following new members were unanimously voted:

Regular
Susan Sawyer  Health Agent  Amesbury
Isaac Rowe  Sanitarian  Gloucester
Edward Gallagher Director, PH  Newburyport
Joseph Alberta  Sanitary Inspector Taunton
Joseph Knott  Health Inspector Bedford

Associate
Kathleen Sullivan PH Nurse  Chicopee
Barry Woods  Water Resource Specialist, NE Rural Community Assist. Program
Lawrence Stepenuck Senior Water Resource Specialist, NE Rural Community Assist. Program

Waiting for dues to come in to determine how many current members of MHOA.  A new roster will be coming out.

DPH News:
Paul Tierney from the DPH Food Protection Program expressed that they were currently short-staffed.  Mr. Tierney thanked Charlie Kaniecki for his involvement with the anthrax collection.  He addressed new developing regulations for bottled water and frozen desserts. Bottled water regulations will go to public hearing in April or May. The internal draft of the frozen dessert regulations has been completed. Anticipating that these will go to public hearing in September or October. Linda Rosen, Sharon MA, will represent MHOA on the frozen dessert committee. DPH is also working on guidelines for the retail use of private well water.

DPH has spent a lot of time working on bio-terrorism response. We have good protocols for natural disasters and nuclear accidents, but no good, workable protocol for bio-terrorism. MHOA would like to help in finding out what was learned in the last few months and to have input on how to move forward. Motion to write a letter to Governor Swift (copy to Commissioner Koh). Motion Approved.
FDA has issued 2001 Food Code. DPH is looking at the Food Code to determine if there are any areas that the state should adopt. This is a good time to make any recommendations for changes to the current code. If changes are to be made, they can all be made at the same time.

The new retail food website is up and running and looks great.

Beth Altman updated on DPH training efforts. They hired an epidemiologist to work on food-borne illness training. This person has been going out in the field on inspections and is also working on a course for routine inspections, how to use HACCP, etc. They hope to have some of these trainings available within 6 months.

FDA has Pentium II computers available. These are only the central processing units – no monitors, software, modems, etc. Ray Duffle at the FDA in Stoneham is the contact person. Regional offices need to submit requests by January 23, 2002.

Fredric Cantor complemented Paul Tierney on his efforts to get key people together.

Charlie Kaniecki - Certified Pool Operator training will be available to health agents on May 1 and 2, 2002 in Eastern MA. He is also trying to get a CPO training for agents in Western MA. Charlie was commended on his calendar of events.

Other developing projects – How-to for establishing a health district, basic housing inspections (specific to administrative components, orders, court, etc.) MEHA and Jana Ferguson will help Charlie with housing training. If successful, will videotape sessions.

Discussion about continued need for training, curriculum development. Donna Moultrop will continue involvement with Institute of Local Public Health and continue to work on curriculum development that schools will carry. Several people stressed that on-the-job training for people is most important. Some training available through FDA at the website www.ora.fda.gov; available classes include epidemiology, microbiology, etc.

DEP News
Johanna Prinderville reminded of the scheduled seminars. Check the MHOA website or townboard.org for a schedule of locations and dates.

Robin thanked Greg for his great job on the MHOA website.

MEHA/MAHB

No new news. Item will stay on the agenda each month as a reminder to maintain a strong relationship.

Committee Reports

We need to staff the committees. Robin challenged executive board to find at least one person to sit on a committee. The list of committees and current representatives are available on the website.

Some openings include: massage regulations, education, the newsletter, exhibitors. Dawn Sibor will follow up on all committees to see who is meeting, their purpose, how often and where they meet, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Fredric Cantor is leaving the Needham BOH and joining the MA DPH as State Veterinarian. He begins his new position on February 8, 2002. Good Luck!

New committee formed to talk about training and curriculums. Contact Donna Moultrup or Steve Ward if you are interested.

Cancer Registry Advisory – David Naparstek said that there is data available on the website or MASSCHIP that is not available to the media.

Health Effects – DEP and DPH are currently looking at the health effects of hydrogen sulfide; also looking at impact on enforcement and nuisance issues.

Website – Greg would like to modify the roster page and remove e-mail addresses. Currently, the roster page is cumbersome and slow to work with. E-mail addresses will still be available on the e-mail page, which is updated more frequently.

Influenza Pandemic Committee – If health departments want to purchase flu vaccines, they can pay the same cost that the state currently pays. The cost will be $5.90 for a 10-dose vial. Purchase from March 1 – May 15 through Aventis. Delivery times will be the same as last year – 25% available in September, 75% available in October. (MHOA currently has good representation on this committee.)

Discussion about how Boards of Health should and can respond in the event of a flu pandemic (or bio-terrorist attack.)

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) – Using the flu pandemic model to address bio-terrorism.

Communicable Disease Surveillance Working Group – Joanne Martel said that the group really hasn’t met since last summer. They are currently working on quarantine regulations.

Coalition for a Healthy Future – Working on the budget and the Smokeless States grant. Meeting once  a month in Framingham from 8:00a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Scholarship – Applications will be ready by the March Quarterly.

R.S. Board – Voted to raise R.S. fees by 50%. Will put renewals, more information and CEU tallies on the website.

Conference Committee – Met with V.P. from EcoLab regarding exhibits; EcoLab wants to form a relationship with MHOA, provide trainings (no sales pitch), etc.  Considering a seminar on ‘nuisance wildlife.’ Refer questions from potential exhibitors to Donna Moultrop.

Education Committee – Conference for MHOA and MEHA scheduled for March 13, 2002.  Mold spores, remediation, post-9/11 building design, etc.

Action Items

a) Quarterly Meetings – how about 10 – 12 p.m. topic, 12-1 p.m. lunch, 1-3 p.m. executive board meeting? Motion to keep current schedule. Approved

b) Committee Appointments – Steve Baccari, Westboro, to massage regulations committee.

c) Web-site additions – committees and member contacts. No action taken

d) Mileage for Dawn Sibor from 25 cents to 34.5 cents. – Motion to increase reimbursement to 34.5 cents effective immediately. Approved.

February Executive Board Meeting changed to February 14, 2002 to avoid schedule conflict with DEP training.

New Business: Russ Henderson commented that the food at the annual conference was poor. Food was out of temperature, cold food, frozen desserts, etc. Robin told him that this was brought to the hotel’s attention in addition to other problems.

Community-based Social Marketing Training will be available. It will be free to health officers that run recycling programs. Training will be March 15, 2002, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Charles River Industrial, and on March 18, 2002 (same time) at Union Station in Northampton.

Old Business: The letter that was to go to the DPH regarding WNV doesn’t need to go out. DPH is already running WNV sessions.

Discussion about whether the Department of Food and Agriculture will be offering larvacide training to DPW workers. Ruth Clay suggested contacting them by phone. Charlie Kaniecki has already been in contact – MHOA will wait for response. Fred will try to find out details.

Discussion of whether recent letters have been well received. Ruth Clay received some negative feedback for her letter to DPH about the lack of attendance by DPH at MHOA meetings. Several people thought that the letter was appropriate.

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February 14, 2002     MHOA Executive Board Minutes

President Robin Chapell called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. in the Newton City Free Library. Present at the were Vice President Donna Moultrup, Secretary Jana Ferguson, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Dawn Sibor, Jim Nugent, Jennifer Sullivan, David Naparstek, Joanne Martel, Richard Day, Linda Shea, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jane Gallahue, Joel Hollis, Howard Wensley, Nancy Allen, Charlie Kaniecki, Ernie Mathew, Paul McNulty, John Higgins, Kathleen MacVarish, Beth Altman, Greg Erickson, and Steve Calichman

Minutes:  The January 17, 2002 minutes were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: Two bills have come in since the conference. EPA bills for speaker’s expenses, so keep this in mind when looking for speakers.  The Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented.

Executive Director’s Report: Flyers are out for the seminars on Mold and Toxics.

The following new members were unanimously approved:

Regular
Lee McConnell Health Inspector  Barnstable
William DeCarl Health Inspector  Quincy
Deborah Burke Sanitary Inspector  Methuen
Mary A. Tobin Asst. Health Agent  Norton

Associate
Nathan C. Weeks Project Manager  Stearns & Wheeler, Hyannis
Bethany Collins Public Health Nurse  Attleboro
Tracy Giarla  Public Health Nurse  Salem

Dawn has been working on committees. New people have joined the committees, but more people are needed – especially on the Skin Cancer and Tick-borne Disease committees. The Executive Board members need to remember (and meet) the challenge to get people on the committees.  Beverly Hirschhorn is the new co-editor of the newsletter. Tom Carbone is the chair of the Education Committee. Thanks to Fredric Cantor for his hard work on the the Education Committee and on behalf of MHOA.

We received good feedback on the evaluations for the December Quarterly Meeting.

Dawn needs CEUs and Agendas for the DEP Seminars.

MPHA dues are due. Anyone from MHOA can go to any of the MPHA meetings with our membership. Needs approval to join and pay $150.00 for the fee. Approved.
Dawn has been making a calendar. If you want something on it, please provide the information. This calendar is similar to the one maintained by Charlie Kaniecki for Western MA events. Discussion about providing this calendar as either a hard copy or e-mail to MHOA members.

Next monthly meeting scheduled for March 21, 2001 in Room 222, Newton City Hall.

President’s Report: Robin attended the meeting for United We Stand for Public Health. They are looking at restoring budget cuts; trying to get Governor Swift to look at raising revenue instead of making cuts. The minutes to the meeting were distributed (and included in Secretary’s notes to this meeting.) United We Stand is asking MHOA members to write letters to local papers to discuss how budget cuts will impact Public Health.

The Coalition for Local Public Health issued and invitation letter to MHOA to send a representative to the bioterrorism committee. Ruth Clay will represent MHOA; Phyllis Boucher will be the alternate.

Budget cuts at DPH mean that Eastern MA will not have a District Health Officer (Charlie Kaniecki clone) for the time being, maybe not until next fiscal year – and then, who knows?

Robin passed around a written response from Howard Koh regarding letters MHOA sent addressing DPH representation at the Executive Board meetings.

MHOA received information about the DEP Stewardship Grant. Dawn talked to several people about the grant money; it doesn’t look good for MHOA to apply, but might be good for local Boards of Health. Grant applications are due March 1st and should be no more than 10 pages. See Robin for specific information.

Ruth Ellen reports that MHOA now has 425 members.

Ruth Clay sent a challenge to the Executive Board – all members should send copies of their town regulations to Greg Erickson for posting on the website.

Robin and Dawn are currently working on an MHOA brochure.

DPH News

Beth Altman from the Food Protection Program presented the following:
+ Paul Tierney encourages MHOA to join NEFDOA.
+ Walter Hohman – Seafood Inspector is retiring (party 3/21). He will be missed.
+ The next food establishment advisory meeting will be on 3/6 in Westboro.
+ The local health survey will be going out soon. If MHOA would like anything added – this is the time. (survey usually includes the # of inspections conducted, complaints received, etc.)
+ DPH is hoping to co-host a course (working session) on standardization with FDA – how to make proposed federal standards work for us in New England.

Howard Wensley from Community Sanitation presented the following:
+ He is not retiring any time soon.
+ He is currently working on regulations that will not affect Boards of Health.
+ The housing training being discussed may conflict with the MEHA training scheduled for 5/2. MEHA would like an annual training on housing issues.
+ Jennifer Murphy is coming back from maternity leave on Tuesday.
+ The beach money is not coming any time soon. $250,000 will be available for marine beach issues, but not for fresh water.
+ Camp update – SORIs will be required this year. BOHs will need to let the camps know that this requirement will be in place. The state will have one intern for camp inspections this year. The Attorney General is currently taking action against a camp in Western MA.
+ MEMA is setting up a drought task force. The situation is deteriorating. MEMA is issuing an advisory to watch the situation in Northeast and Central MA and the CT Valley. These areas specifically will be in serious trouble. Municipalities need to do all they can to get the message to residents to fix leaks, and take other water conservation measures.
+ Some BOHs have asked if pool-testing kits are more cheaply available. DPH buys the kits directly from Taylor or LaMont. Other BOHs stated that they have had good experience buying directly as well.

Charlie Kaniecki from DPH presented the following:
+ The housing training is scheduled for April 12.
+ A survey has been sent out to BOHs to determine interest in establishing regional health districts. Expressing interest does not commit you to actually establishing one. There will be some type of training (hopefully in the fall) to explain how to set up a regional health district.
+ WNV – Larvacide training: CK has received a response from Food and Agriculture regarding this training – there are no finalized plans to offer training to municipalities (DPW workers, etc.) to larvacide. Food & Agriculture did not receive an requests for training last year, so did not offer any. CK set up training in Western MA last year. He will send out a survey to determine if there is an interest in this training. It may be possible to have regional training sessions.
+ MHOA will commit to helping CK set up training in Eastern MA. Food & Agriculture will require that each town have a licensed applicator as the contact person/supervisor of the WNV project in each town.

A motion was made for Charlie Kaniecki to investigate interest for training. If there is interest, we will try to set up training sites in Eastern and Western MA. Motion Passed.

The view was expressed that the State should be pushing the WNV training issue to Selectmen and to DPW to keep the issue moving.

Mosquito Control Programs will not extend service to non-member communities even if there is an outbreak. The state will begin advising people in March, April, and May. Three (3) people contracted WNV in MA last year. There was an equine outbreak in Southeast MA.

DEP News

John Higgins provided the following:
+ Workshops start next week.
+ Early retirement has a lot of people leaving; most positions are not being refilled at this time.
+ DEP thought the issues with the soil evaluator courses were resolved – DEP had been trying to get these classes offered at a lower cost. Unfortunately, tuition now costs close to $500.00. Courses are not currently being offered.
+ DEP is not passing any regulations that will affect the BOH this month.
+ DEP is not currently restricting wells. They are working with water suppliers and encouraging conservation. DEP is discouraging any new wells. Focus is on conservation. Also implementing anti-terrorism efforts to protect water supplies.

Committee Reports

Disease Surveillance – Joanne Martel – Quarantine regulations have been distributed internally.

Website – Greg needs new pictures from some of the officers. The website has changed. Mediaone addresses need to be changed effective the end of March. If you e-mail address has changed, notify Greg.

DPE Solid Waste Advisory Committee and DEP Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee – Nancy Allen – DEP is currently proposing three things in these areas that will cost municipalities money (and maybe unnecessarily.)
1) Recycling Benefit Plan. DEP’s solid waste master plan says that waste haulers need to have a recycling benefit plan at cost to the town. Changes to the law assess a surcharge per ton to cover the plan; facilities also need to hire consultants to work on the plans. In most cases, municipalities are already doing the things required of the benefit plan – set out containers, mercury exchange, paint and hazardous waste collection. The costs will be passed onto the towns; Westboro is paying about $3.00 a ton due to surcharges.
2) Double liners for landfills – no evidence to suggest that these are more beneficial. Costs are very high.
3) Cumulative Impact Assessment – Looks at businesses within .5 – 1 mile within a proposed expansion. This assessment will look at air quality, soil, and water quality. This requirement only applies to solid waste facilities (not other businesses that may have adverse affects.) The cost is passed onto communities.

Comments - DEP is issuing these changes under guidance documents. The regulations reference the guidance documents; DEP does need to obtain public input on the development of guidance documents. DEP helped create the problem of solid waste overflow by closing landfills.

Frozen Desserts – Linda Mayo – Working on sanitation and HACCP procedures. Discussing labeling of known allergens.

MA Tick-borne Disease Committee – Has developed a mission statement.

Retirement Committee – LouAnn Clement appeared before the Executive Board to ask permission to send out another survey; committee is looking for numbers of health agents, etc. to quantify the impact that the proposed retirement grade reclassification (from grade 1 to 2) might have. The Retirement System would have to accept the proposed reclassification bill. Reclassification would apply to ‘any person who enforces the regulations’ – health agents, inspectors, sanitarians, whatever you call them in your town.

Actions Items

We need to plan quarterly items – keeping in mind breaking news. Normally the quarterly meeting would be held in March. This year the quarterly meeting will be held on April 11th. Discussion of dates and topics resulted in the following proposed calendar.

April 11, 2002  Nuisance wildlife
June 20, 2002 Temporary food events; Food Questions and Answers with DPH (scholarship also issued)
Sept. 19, 2002 Prostate and Breast Cancer / Interpretation of the Cancer reports
Dec. 19, 2002 Schedule and topic on hold

New Business

No new business.

Robin thanked Steve Calichman for bringing flowers to people at the meeting.

Old Business

DPH needs to update communicable disease reporting forms. Bela Matyas is supposed to pressure doctors to increase reporting. Calls should be made to Boards of Health immediately.  Discussion was held about the need for laboratories to confirm the disease and to do own reporting; both doctors and labs need updated forms.

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March 21, 2002    MHOA Executive Board Minutes

Meeting called to order at 9:40 a.m.

Present: Donna Moultrup, Robin Chapell, Jane Gallahue, Jennifer Sullivan, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jim Nugent, Joel Hollis, Holly Detroy, Phyllis Boucher, Ruth Clay, Joanne Martel, Beth Altman, Nancy Allen, Ernie Matthew, Jana Ferguson, Richard Day, Steve Calichman, Howard Wensley, David Naparstek, Tom Carbone, Charlie Kaniecki, Paul McNulty, John Canning, Louis Gitto, Kathleen MacVarish, Linda Shea

Treasurer's Report: Complete report on joint MEHA meeting and DEP meeting next month. Total is low because we have paid expenses for mold workshop and TURN grant but haven't received receipts yet.

Executive Director's Report: The Toxic Use Trainings were held at Hadley, Winchester, Plymouth, and Wellesley. Ruth Clay thought the programs were informative. Jim Nugent thought it was worthwhile for school and DPW workers. Ruth wanted to make sure that Dawn's time is being covered by some of the grant funding.

April 11 meeting is all set. Boylston is a good central location.

The TCP Grant application is due April 15. This is a good opportunity to institutionalize training for staff and inspectors to do tobacco inspections (and maybe other inspections) attend meetings and give expert testimony. Dawn will serve as the tobacco coordinator. DPH is looking to see how grantees can integrate and help others. Several staff will also be paid for. Money can't replicate programs already funded, but can enhance. We are looking for $78,000 per year for 5 years. Letters of support from communities not necessary, but welcome.

The Robert Wood Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation are looking for unique proposals. We have grant writer in mind to maybe help. We shouldn't throw away potential fund sources.

New Memberships

Robert Ellenwood  Fall River  Sr. Food & Milk Inspector
David Madden   W. Newbury  Health Agent
Jane Morrisey   Andover  Public Health Nurse
Larry Ramdin   Newton  Health Inspector
Kristen Fernandes  Cambridge  Sanitary/Housing Inspector
Peter Gray   Wakefield  Health Director
John DuVally   Rehoboth  Chairman, Board of Health
Thomas Knightly  Lawrence  Health Agent/Prosecuting Officer

All approved. Now we have 455 current members.

2/14/02 Executive Board Meeting Minutes were approved with amendments.

President's Report: Bioterrorism funding allocation. Ruth Clay has been representing MHOA at the Advisory Committee meetings. See the President's Report for background. The LBOHs are the stakeholders. Ralph Timpieri is our liaison. Nancy Ridley is doing the hospital grant. A smaller group has formed with 12 members to assist the state with grant preparation, review, to develop and implement planning, policies, and resource allocation. They meet no less than monthly and report as needed. A discussion was held regarding the grant and the actions/discussions of the advisory committee. Ruth will summarize what is happening and let everyone know.

Robin asked Nancy Allen to update the board on the Recycling Benefits Plan. This plan is now on hold. There is great concern about DEP regulating the towns with guidance documents (which do not need to go through public hearing/comment process.) A group of community and industry representatives are introducing legislation prohibiting DEP from implementing guidance documents until a full review has been done (including impact assessments) and proper procedures are followed. Review and discussion of the proposed legislation. David Naparstek made a motion for the President to form an ad hoc committee to look at this issue and report back. Approved.  Paul McNulty, Nancy Allen and Richard Day will serve on the committee.

Robin introduced Lou Gitto, the new representative from DEP to MHOA. His e-mail address is Lou.Gitto@state.ma.us

DPH Reports:

Howard Wensley reported that there is a new Deputy Commissioner, Maryann Fleckner.

DPH is working with MEMA to develop a drought management plan. A draft has been finished. The drought is a serious situation that will likely worsen. DPH is asking BOHs to make this an issue in their communities.

Beth Altman reported that the NE Regional Food Protection Seminar will be in Sturbridge this year. DPH is going to try to have an extra day before the seminar as a 'regulator's day with a workshop on meeting federal standards.

DPH plans to have a pilot training on HACCP in June. They are getting the curriculum and the goals together.  The FEAC meeting will be on June 5.

FPP staff is reviewing the 2001 federal food code and comparing it with 1999. They will make any appropriate changes and hope to go to public hearing within the year.

Charlie Kaniecki sent out the letter to let people know that they need to get re-licensed to do pesticide applications for WNV. He also sent out a letters by mail and e-mail to see who is interested in the training. 85 people have expressed an interest so far.  Discussion was held about where and when to hold the trainings.

DEP Reports: A motion was made to send a Thank you to Johanna Prinderville. Approved.

DEP is scheduling a pay-as-you-throw program.
Committee Reports:

Food Safety - Holly Detroy said that the state is considering requiring the renewal of a regular PIC license every 5 years, maybe requiring a new course or a new test. There was a discussion about what the inspector PIC license renewals should entail.

There will be a Food Safety Q & A on April 11.

Education - Tom Carbone is the Education Chair. He wrote up a report on the Mold Conference Review. MEHA is hosting a Housing Seminar at Holy Cross on May 2.

Tick-borne illness - Joanne Martel joined this committee.

Website - There are now 27 communities with regulations on the website. Rosters will be ready in April.

Action Items:

Fred Cantor resigned his position on the executive board. Nominations for the vacancy were held. A vote was taken by ballot. Lou Ann Clement was elected to be the new Executive Board member.

Scholarship applications are due May 1st.

Meeting adjourned at 12:05.

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MHOA Executive Board Meeting      April 11, 2002

Attending: Donna Moultrup, Paul McNulty, Nancy Allen, Russell Henderson, Richard Day, Beth Altman, Joel Hollis, Holly Detroy, Priscilla Neves, John Higgins, Lou-Ann Clement, Greg Erickson, Jennifer Sullivan, Charlie Kaniecki, Dawn Sibor, Linda Shea, Robin Chapell, Jana Ferguson, John Canning

Meeting was called to order at 9:38.

No Treasurer’s Report  today.

Directions were passed out for Chet Kennedy’s wife’s memorial service.

Executive Director’s Report

Three Toxic Use Reduction Trainings have been completed. There is one remaining. 190 people will probably complete the training. The Department of Agriculture is telling schools to contact the local Board of Health about waivers for the pesticide use law. Robin asked for additional information to be put on the MHOA website. There will be a reception at the statehouse on June 18, 2002. Executive Board members should attend. Thanks to all who helped with this project.

The next quarterly meeting will be on June 20th at UMASS Medical. The topic will be nuisance wildlife. There is also a group wishing to discuss the rabies vaccine use in the southeast part of the state. Dawn will call them to see if their presentation can be part of the June meeting.

We should know by May 10 whether we got the Tobacco Grant money ($78,000). Some of this money will be used to upgrade Dawn’s position; the focus is on institutionalizing tobacco regulations. DPH was supportive of MHOA applying for the grant. All of the money is designed to enhance or support communities.

The following new members were approved:

Regular
Doreen MacCaughey  Asst. Dir. of Env. Services   Westford
Diane Fielding   Executive Assistant    Dover
Michael Blanchard  Sr. Sanitary Inspector    Brookline

Associate
Alfred Scoglio   ESI Qual     Stoughton

Secretary

The minutes for the meeting held on March 21, 2002 were approved with amendments.

Jana Ferguson announced her resignation as Secretary of the MHOA Executive Board. Jana is leaving her position in Hopkinton to work for DPH as the Local Health Preparedness Coordinator under the CDC Bioterrorism Grant. Jana extended her thanks to MHOA for giving her the opportunity to serve as Secretary. She will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Board until somebody tells her she can’t.

President’s Report

The next Executive Board Meeting was changed to May 9, 2002 at Newton City Hall.

Jim Nugent has been working to set up meetings with a grant writer. She has some ideas about grants out there that MHOA might be interested in and some tips on preparing better grant applications. She will be at the next Exec. Board meeting.

We need a committee to form a Strategic Plan for the next five years. Our current strategic plan only carries MHOA through 2002. The committee should be a combination of new and old members.

DPH

Beth Altman – The Food Protection Program (FPP) is in the hiring process for a food processing inspector.

FPP is still looking at the frozen dessert regulations.

The next FDA meeting is scheduled for the third week of August in Sturbridge. Tuesday will be set aside for regulators.

Priscilla Neves – DPH is looking for a diverse population for the HACCP pilot training program at the State Lab on June 18, 19, and 25th. The regular training classes will start in September. Will MHOA consider sponsoring the training sessions? FPP is still working on development of food-borne illness training.

The Food and Drug Administration has partnership money available to build relationships between the state, local health, and the food industry. Under consideration is a food safety conference once a year involving the different groups, starting with a one-day program and possibly increasing the number of days. DPH is hoping 200-300 people might attend from the different organizations.

Several questions were raised about the recertification of inspectors. Initially DPH considered requiring inspectors without an R.S. to recertify the Food Safety certification every five years (same as the industry standard.) There should not be a less stringent requirement for code enforcement inspectors. There may also be an option to earn CEUs as an alternative. This would be a self-monitoring renewal. DPH does not currently audit inspector certifications. Greg Erickson pointed out how essential it is for inspector’s to keep the certifications/licenses up-to-date in the event that court enforcement is ever needed. There was a discussion about the types of recertification requirements people would like to see and whether it should be incorporated into the food regulations.
Charlie Kaniecki: All larvacide licenses expired on November 30, 2001, but this information was not widely publicized. Forms to renew the licenses have been sent out.

Charlie passed out a map and a list of people who expressed interest in pesticide training. He will need areas in Western and Eastern MA for training. MHOA agreed to help set up a location in Eastern MA. The Pesticide Bureau will provide dates and registration forms. There are no training dates at this time. This pesticide license is limited to use for larvaciding catch basins to address West Nile Virus, not for nuisance mosquito control. There was a discussion about when pesticide licenses will be issued and how towns are going to use them. Mark Buffone of the Pesticide Bureau has been working with Charlie on this issue. Dawn will e-mail him to ask him for the training dates.

The state is sending a workplan to the governor for approval and then sending this plan to CDC in response to the Bioterrorism grants. Charlie believes that the workplan addresses many of the concerns of local BOH. A lot of detail has been left out of the plan. Money has been set aside to address regionalization, training, and equipment. 34 new positions are being created at DPH in response to the grant money. Some of this staff will be dedicated to assisting local health departments. There was a discussion about how much money will go directly to boards of health and how the rest will be spent. Many of the decisions have not yet been made. Regions still need to be formed and a needs assessment will be conducted.

There will be a press release issued on May 10th regarding lyme disease. There will be a conference coinciding with the press release. Charlie asked MHOA representatives to be at the conference. There is an increase of lyme disease in Western MA. The press release will focus on awareness and protection.

A health fair has been scheduled for May 22, 2002 in West Springfield. The Western MA Public Health Association is sponsoring this event.

MEHA The housing conference is scheduled for May 2, 2002.

MAHB Skin grant awards will be announced on April 25th. Donna Moultrup will be there to represent MHOA.

DEP John Higgins announced that UMASS is running soil evaluator trainings without the exam and without a contract with DEP. The primary issue is cost; UMASS courses are very expensive and DEP doesn’t support the increased costs. There was a discussion about the options of different organizations holding the courses. The primary problem is finding locations to do deep hole testing.

The Northeast Onsite Disposal System short course went well, with about 350 people in attendance. There probably won’t be another course for a couple of years, but DEP will try to get one held locally. Robin Chapell mentioned that some of the speakers were really good and that the presentations would be a good addition to the MHOA conference. It might be possible to set up two tracks of Title 5 programs – one more basic and another more advanced.

DEP is speaking to URI to do an installer’s training. This training would be hands-on and address alternative systems, pumps, etc. The training will be small (about 3 installers) and the students will actually install a system. John will provide updates.

DEP is also developing a lot of training for regulators, designers, and installers focusing on alternative technologies. Also, in order to reduce costs, they are going to quit handing out paper manuals. The manuals will be distributed on CDs. People without the ability to read a CD will be able to receive a paper manual. John has a CD of a pre-release copy of the EPA alternative design manual. E-mail John for a copy.

Robin asked if the training center could develop materials regarding additives. The EPA fact sheet states that no additives should be put in the system. DEP’s hands are tied to approving additives under the criteria that the product ‘won’t destroy the environment.’

Committee Reports

Conference: Donna Moultrup reported that the next meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2002. Subcommittees are working on the program and everything is moving along.

Solid Waste: Nancy Allen reported that the legislation regarding DEP guidance documents was presented to the MMA, who will support it. Industry is also looking at it. There seems to be some good support for it.

Scholarship: Linda Shea announced that scholarship applications are due May 1, 2002.

Retirement:  Lou-Ann Clement reported that the retirement reclassification bill is House docket # 5110 and is waiting for committee assignment. There is no need for municipalities to adopt this bill if/once it’s passed and signed.

The early retirement bill is in the Ways and Means Committee. It is being amended. The House bill # is 4978. Local communities must adopt this legislation. MMA’s official position on this bill is that it is only useful if the municipalities don’t have to replace the staff person.  There was a discussion about how much local choice should be included in this bill and who the approving authorities should be.

Website: Greg Erickson announced that the chat room has been eliminated because people were not using it. Members interested in chatting can use ICQ for free.

A whole section on regulations has been set up. Combine all of your regulations into one document and send it to Greg. There is a search engine on the regulations page, directing you to all of the towns that have regulations on your topic of interest.

Cancer Control Committee: Paul McNulty has been the MHOA representative to cancer control for the past 4 years; there are about 40-50 organizations involved in the committee and sub-committees. MHOA has been selected for one of the 11 spots on the Executive Committee.

Dawn will prepare a list of committees.

Paul McNulty has a copy of the Indoor Air Quality Desk Reference for review.

Meeting adjourned at 11:39 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jana Ferguson
Secretary

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MHOA Executive Board Minutes     May 9, 2002

The MHOA Executive Board meeting came to order at 9:43 am, in Room 222, Newton City Hall on Thursday, May 9, 2002.

PRESENT: Donna Moultrup, Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Joel M. Hollis, Jana Ferguson, Joanne Martel, Ruth Clay, John Higgins, Lou-Ann Clement, Nancy Allen, Gregory Erickson, Howard Wensley, Paul Tierney, Jane Gallahue, Paul R. McNulty, John M. Canning, Russell T. Henderson, Louis F. Gitto, Steven Calichman, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Phyllis Boucher, Robin Chapell, Priscilla Neves, Dawn Sibor, Jim Nugent, Holly Detroy, Dave Naparstek, Elizabeth Silva

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:  Dawn Sibor attended a recent immunization conference.  State budget cuts currently call for the use of adult immunization funding for the childhood immunization program.  That effectively means that there will be no money for flu or pneumococcal vaccine for adults this fall.  This has already been approved in the House budget, but there is time to influence the Senate budget due out the end of May.  There will be a Medicare B training in five regions of the State, with the first one being held at the end of May.  A flier should be in the mail soon.  Medicare B reimbursements for flu vaccine are expected to decrease this year.  Fliers for the June 7th housing training being done by Charlie Kaniecki will be going out soon.  There are 55 people so far registered for the May 17th larvicide training.  The MHOA committee list was circulated during the meeting in order to update committee information and membership.  Dawn investigated the possibility of MHOA being a member of NEFDOA, but it is more appropriate for health officers to join as individuals if they are interested.  The Newsletter deadline is May 24th.  Please send articles to Joe Godzik in Cohasset.  Several educational materials were circulated for members' review.  A small book on poison ivy will be made available for purchase at the June quarterly meeting.  The Board voted unanimously to have Dawn purchase a display board for MHOA's use.  Epi Bodhi is investigating the possibility of MHOA becoming an affiliate of NACCHO.  There are a number of questions concerning the cost and representation that need to be worked out before this can happen.  Steve Calichman had originally made a motion that MHOA pay to have a representative attend the NACCHO conference, but after much discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

The following new members were approved:
Regular Members:
· Gabrielle White, PH Inspector, Concord
· Valda Miller, Food Inspector, Lawrence
· Sean Collins, Health Agent, Grafton
· Peter Morano, Chief Sanitarian, Worcester
· Sigaile Zitomersky, Sanitary Inspector, Taunton

Associate Members:  none.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer's report was accepted as presented. It was decided that MHOA would pay for half of the Central Region's loss incurred during the DEP regional workshop. There was significant discussion of workmen's compensation that needs to be paid by MHOA and Dawn will report on that at the next meeting.

ELECTION:  Due to the resignation of Jana Ferguson who will now be working for DPH, an election for a new MHOA Secretary was necessary. Sharon Walker Mastenbrook from Acton was nominated by Phyllis Boucher and seconded by Donna Moultrup. The vote was unanimous.

MHOA Tobacco Grant has been submitted. There is no news yet as to its success.

DPH/DCS News: Howard Wensley
· Recent Housing Conference a success
· EPA has given DPH $261,000 for support of marine beaches. Possible uses of funds include work on study of contamination and lab certification of sample testing.
· DPH is investigating an indoor air quality complaint possibility involving Sherman Williams paint producing bad odors during periods of high humidity and heat
· The next code to be revised in the housing code with specific issues to be addressed including sub-metering, lights in common hallways and water metering
· There is an anticipated 23% cut in the DPH budget which will include no travel funds, no interns, and no hiring of temporary employees

DPH/DCS News: Paul Tierney
· Proposed budget cuts will have impact on personnel levels
· June 26 public hearing on new bottle water regulations: comments desired
· Public hearing in July, August or September on frozen dessert regulations
· $2000,000 CDC grant will address vulnerability assessments

DPH/DFP News: Priscilla Neves
· DPH/DFP sent out a press release concerning people getting sick from cakes from a bakery in Braintree. Symptoms include vomiting, fever and diarrhea with period of illness being 2-3 days with a 24 to 36 hour onset of symptoms. Dates of concern are events that took place on April 26 and 27.
· The Food-borne Illness Pilot training will take place on May 20, 23,30. Places are still available.
· The HACCP Pilot training will be June 18, 19, 26. All places are full.
· During the summer there will be a risk-based inspection pilot training
· New England Regional Food Protection Seminar meeting will be in Sturbridge the week of August 25: a mailing about this will be sent soon. Contact Priscilla Neves if interested. Prior to the meeting there will be a one-day food standards meeting run by the FDA.
· DPH/DFP has been asked to hold a plan review course
· 2000 FC has a few changes, including lowering hot holding temperature to 130oF. DPH will recommend 135oF. The 2000 FC has not been adopted as yet.
· Milk licenses have not been repealed yet.
· Discussion of Dunkin Donuts/Stop and Shop partnership where Stop and Shop employees will sell Dunkin Donuts products in the stores. How to permit? DPH recommends evaluating the set up and permit separately if Dunkin Donuts is responsible for the violations.
· Annual food inspection surveys are out and need returning.

News from Jana Ferguson about CDC grant on Bioterrorism
· Jana Ferguson is the liaison between the local BOHs and the state. Her phone number is 617-983-6731. She reports that local communities will be grouped into regions to address bioterrorism issues. Grant includes some funding for local preparedness. MHOA asked that towns be grouped together that are used to working with each other, if possible.

DEP News: John Higgins
· Soil evaluators course at U. Mass costs approximately $850 for the course and DEP exam. He feels this is too expensive. He suggests letters be written to the Commissioner saying the cost is too high for local BOHs. DEP will write a memo complaining that U. Mass doesn’t include the DEP Exam and has a high cost. There is a shortage of new soil evaluators. Motion for MHOA to send a letter protesting high cost and lack of the DEP exam with course.

MEHA News: no report

MEHS News: BOH recognition day recently at State House. One MHOA member recognized.

Committee Reports
Scholarships: Linda Shea
There are two applicants who will be reviewed
Website: Greg Erickson
Please note new instructions on e-mail page. He recommends virus protection software and having no names in the address book.
Retirement: Lou-Ann Clement
The House Bill 5110 is stuck in the Rules committee. Write the Statehouse to move the bill forward: Angelo Saccia, State House Room 167, Boston, MA.
Solid Waste: Nancy Allen

Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Silva, Winchester Board of Health
She spoke on grant writing for MHOA. She had the following suggestions:

· Build relationships with funders
· Know who is on the finding board of directors
· Use language in your proposals that is appropriate to the funding organization’s expectations
· Explore new subject areas for possible program funding
· Submit several proposals to the same finder in order to be successful once
· Apply for infrastructure grants from one or two funders
· Hire a professional grant writer
· Develop internal capabilities to write grants in the future
· Earmark a portion of any funding dollars for evaluation of outcomes
· Write job of grant writer into any grant so grant writer could be paid by the grant and not MHOA
· Market MHOA as a research organization with unique access to important data
· funders seeking research projects would want to support
· Have a proposal plan in place so that quick action can occur when RFPs come out

She will have a list of Internet resources for MHOA use. She recommends establishing a committee to develop a strategic plan.

Greg Erickson volunteered to coordinate a MHOA fund raising effort focusing on baseball hats.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Secretary

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MHOA Executive Board Minutes      June 20, 2002

The MHOA Executive Board meeting came to order at 9:43 am, in the Percy Wadman Room, Massachusetts medical Society on Thursday, June 20, 2002.

PRESENT: Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Joel M. Hollis, Jana Ferguson, Joanne Martel, Ruth Clay, John Higgins, Lou-Ann Clement, Gregory Erickson, Howard Wensley, Jane Gallahue, John M. Canning, Louis F. Gitto, Steven Calichman, Jennifer Sullivan, Phyllis Boucher, Robin Chapell, Dawn Sibor, Jim Nugent, Holly Detroy, Gail Nixon, Charlie Kaniecki, Jeannyaire Kent Joyce, Beth Altman, Kathleen McVarish, Patricia Cole

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:

1. The next quarterly meeting is on September 19, 2002 in West Bolyston. The topic is breast cancer.
2. It is possible to study on-line for CEUs for R.S. requirement: see CDC and NEHA websites
3. The tobacco control grant of $60,000 was awarded to MHOA. There are two positions available. MHOA was the only new grantee in the category from which it received funding.
4. MHOA is applying for a skin cancer prevention mini grant. The grant application is due Monday. Please fax letters of support to Dawn by Friday afternoon.
5. The TURN grant had ended. There was a concluding program on June 18 at the State House. MHOA received an award. MHOA will apply again for another grant. Approximately 195 people attended training sessions funded by this grant.
6. Charlie Kaniecki completed larvicide and housing inspection training. MEHA and MHHB also want to do training. Howard Wensley will coordinate all of the organizations to prevent overlap. MHOA will also work on a cooperative effort with MEHA. There was a discussion of the issue of copyright and cost of any training materials developed for these trainings.
7. Immunization vaccine will be available with the same allocation as last year. Letters are going out to BOHs in June explaining this. The state is encouraging roster billing. There was a discussion of staff costs if roster billing is used.
8. The following new members were approved:
Regular Members:
· Joseph Rouse, Health Inspector, Westfield Health Department
· William James Peterson, Food Inspector, Hingham
· Bernard Sullivan, Director of Public Health, Gardner
· James Rock, Environmental Sanitary Inspector, Boston
· Samuel Lipson, Director of Environmental Health, Cambridge
Associate Members:
· Kevin Doherty, Executive Chef, Delaware North, Fleet Center
· Roger Dufour, Director of Minimum Housing, Fall River

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
 The Finance Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee will meet soon. Members of the Strategic Planning Committee include Kathleen McVarish, Robin Chapell, Joe Godzik, Bev Anderson, Tom Carbone, Donna Moultrop, Peter Klodziej and Dawn Sibor.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer's report was accepted as presented

DPH/DCS News: Howard Wensley
· There is one intern for camps and beach inspections for the summer.
· SORI checks are a new requirement for camps this summer.
· EPA has awarded DPH support of marine beaches. Possible beaches to study include ones in Salem and some MDC beaches. DPH will put out a RFR later in the summer for beach studies as well as for assistance for towns or groups of towns to do water testing.
· The next code to be revised is the housing code with specific issues to be addressed including indoor air quality standards.
· DPH is planning a mini course on swimming pool plan review.
· MAHB will discuss record retention in its fall training. DPH, MAHB, MHOA and MEHA will meet with the Attorney General’s Office to discuss the issue of record disposal and record retention.
· If questions come up about ambiguities in regulations DPH will consider issuing Guidance documents to avoid reviewing more than one set of regulations at a time.

DPH: Beth Altman
· June 26 public hearing on new bottle water regulations: comments desired
· The Food-borne Illness and HACCP Pilot trainings took place and went well.
· New England Regional Food Protection Seminar meeting will be in Sturbridge the week of August 25.
· Next to last draft of frozen dessert regulations has been written
· MHOA urged to join NEFDOA. There was a discussion of membership options. Individuals can join, not MHOA as an organization.

DPH: Charlie Kaniecki
· Discussion of BOH efforts to hold clinics for medicine in times of emergency on the same site as Red Cross services and Red Cross standards for sites housing shelters and/or clinics.

News from Jana Ferguson about CDC grant on Bioterrorism
· The state has received an award notice from CDC for approximately $22 million. Jana is recommending work groups to act on suggestions made at the monthly advisory committee meetings. One major goal of the grant is to set up regions of the state and to establish disaster plans for specific emergencies. First there will be a needs assessment of the state before any grant money is allocated for specific regions or towns. There will be a RFR for the needs assessment. Jana wants small local BOHs represented in the process. She requested anyone send her existing disaster plans for her study.

COALITION OF PUBLIC HEALTH GROUPS: Ruth Clay
· A recent meeting produced the suggestions on bioterrorism to submit to DPH. Local BOHS should develop relationships with other town departments so that if a cooperative effort is needed during an emergency, all town departments will be ready.

DEP News: John Higgins
· Title 5 courses are ongoing. A new course will start in the fall.
· Univ. Mass. cancelled its soil evaluator course. The field course is still scheduled.
· DEP is looking into setting up a soil evaluator course.

DEP News: Louis Gitto
· A group looking at unfunded solid waste mantes will meet soon
· He asked for questions or concerns about any non-Title 5 issues

Committee Reports
Public Health Coalition: Ruth Clay
· The local health institute will not meet. The institute is being restructured. It needs funding.
· The next meeting is on August 2 at 10 am in Framingham.
FIAC: Holly Detroy
· Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety has a new brochure on Bag Lunch Safety.
Awards: John Canning
· As yet there are no nominations.
Website: Greg Erickson
· Please note new chat room on the MHOA site.
Retirement: Steve Calichman
· Reminder to lobby on the Retirement Bill now in Rules committee.

Robin Chapell discussed a need to pay the Executive Director for extra hours worked. It was moved and seconded and voted to pay the Executive Director $2083.33.

Jane Gallahue of Quincy has taken early retirement.

The meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Secretary

The MHOA Executive Board meeting came to order at 9:35 am, at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Thursday, September 19, 2002.

PRESENT: Donna Moultrup, Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Joel M. Hollis, Joanne Martel, Ruth Clay, John Higgins, Lou-Ann Clement, Nancy Allen, Gregory Erickson, Howard Wensley, P. Robert McNulty, John M. Canning, Russell T. Henderson, Louis F. Gitto, Steven Calichman, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Phyllis Boucher, Robin Chapell, Dawn Sibor, Jim Nugent, Sandy Collins, Gail Nixon, Paul Etkind, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Richard J. Day, Cathleen Drinan

TREASURER'S REPORT: No written report available at this meeting.  There is approximately $5,500 in the checking account.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
1. The skin cancer grant is in progress. There will be a table at the conference as part of this grant.
2. The Food-borne Illness workshop is full. They may add additional dates since there has been so much interest.
3. Two housing trainings, like the one given by Charlie Kaniecki in June, are planned for January, probably one in the northern part of the State and one in the southern part.
4. The tobacco grant funding that MHOA had received has been eliminated due to the severe cuts in the State budget.
5. John Higgins presented another Title 5 realtor training on the south shore and received a standing ovation.
6. All four dates for the Surveillance Trainings have good registration. Sandy Collins has been instrumental in the planning for these trainings.
7. Dawn has been working to create a better relationship with MMA (Mass. Municipal Association.) Todd Dresser is giving a presentation at the MMA conference in January and he has been very helpful with contacts at the organization.
8. There is an Emergency Preparedness workshop being planned by a coalition of groups and we should be receiving a flyer in the mail in the near future. The MEMA Emergency Preparedness conference, about which many members received information in the mail, is very expensive. At this point the State has decided to help defray the cost of one person from each Health Department's attendance at that conference.
9. Joanne Martel helped to set up the MASSPRO workshops that have been taking place around the State.
10. Availability of flu vaccine was discussed. Robin Chapell asked Dawn to put a request on the MHOA web site for comments on Medicare payments.
11. Six new members were approved:
Regular members:
· Robert Philbrick, Health Agent, East Bridgewater
· Beth Koch, Health Inspector, Hopkinton
Associate members:
· Paul Etkind, MDPH, Jamaica Plain
· David Murphy, Global Env. Strategies, Chelmsford
· Cindy Alemian Rice, Dining in the Light, Braintree
· Margaret Smith, Food Safety/Health consultant, Hingham

MINUTES: It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of June 20, 2002.
The minutes of June 20, 2002 were approved as presented.

DPH News: Paul Etkind
· Paul is the Local Health Coordinator. He is getting to know advisory boards and local programs. He will be focusing of some global health issues.
· A local BOH member is needed for the TB elimination advisory board.
· The earth’s population is 6 billion. One billion cross international borders each year.
· There is an increase in syphilis in Massachusetts.
· Many do not take HIV seriously.
· A syphilis advisory group if being formed.

DPH: Howard Wensley
· Record retention for local BOHs is being reviewed by DPH. Discussions with the Secretary of State’s Office are focusing on how long to keep specific records. Also, DPH will look at record disposal and training for record retention and disposal. Joanne Martel is on this task force. E-mail her any specific record concerns.
· Chapter 2 of the State Sanitary code is being revised and amended. This process will take approximately two years.
· Camp and beach season ended. Please submit data. Beach closings numbered less than the previous year.
· DPH is working with DEP on a policy for residents with sharps that need disposal. It is hoped that sharps can be collected in pharmacies and municipal buildings. For now residents can put sharps in the trash if the sharps are in a hard plastic bottle, with the bottle taped up and marked “Not for recycling”. BFI and Waste Management are considering refusing to pick up household trash with sharps bottles.
· Misting spray-tanning booths do not need a BOH license because the tanning is a chemical process, not a UV process. The state regulations for tanning booths do not include this chemical process.
· Wellesley had cryptospordian outbreak in swimming pools at a large health club.
· CHO Board needs a health educator (someone with a degree in health education) member.

DEP: John Higgins
· U. Mass may do a Soil Evaluator course at a reasonable price. There have been no complaints to DEP that a certified soil evaluator cannot be found when needed.
· DEP has fewer employees than in 1989. There will be 50 more layoffs by the end of September.
· By 2004 there is projected to be 300 fewer employees than in 2002.

DEP: Lou Gitto
· Topics for the annual DEP trainings are needed. E-mail suggestions to Lou.
· Ed Kunce will not attend the MHOA Conference.

RS Board: Greg Erickson
· The board needs a non-RS consumer representative.

WEBSITE: Greg Erickson
· There will be computer training on databases at the Conference. The training also will be on the web.
· Someone on the Executive Board has a computer with a virus. Please have computers that send and receive e-mail checked for viruses.

Joanne Martel:
· Tick-borne illness surveillance advisory group meets in Barnstable in October. The group will put out a tip sheet.
· The flu campaign is still not immunizing priority groups. The flu season is November and December, not October.

Ruth Clay:
· F. Cantor will create an advisory group on legislative resources for local BOH to help with West Nile Virus.
· Bio-terrorism working groups are meeting. There will be more CDC money going to Boston. It is possible the state will receive more CDC money for bioterorism. A tentative plan was made for all members of the different working groups to meet informally at the annual conference.

Retirement Committee: Lou-Ann Clement
· Proposed retirement legislation is not out of the Rules Committee. The committee needs cost information.

Solid waste: Nancy Allen
· Existing programs funded by the Clean Environment Fund will be part of the state budget cuts.

Annual conference: Donna Moultrop
· There is no pressure from members to move the conference to the western part of the state.
· There is a new contract for the conference for 2003 and 2004 at the Sheraton Hyannis.
· U. Mass. Amherst and Sturbridge are interested in the conference
· In the future there will be no clambake at the conference. There will be a buffet lunch and plated dinner.
· The 2002 program has been published.
· A speaker on swimming pools is need for a 50-minute program.
· There are fewer sponsors.
· The silent auction needs items.

President’s Report: Robin Chappell
Strategic Plan
· The Strategic Planning Committee has met for two days.
· The next committee meeting is October 2, 2002 in Newton.
· The goals for MHOA have been established.
· There are long-term and short-term goals.
· The plan needs comments.
· The Executive Board must approve the document.
· There will be a final presentation of the plan at the December quarterly meeting.

NACCHO
· MHOA has the opportunity to affiliate with NACCHO.
· NACCHO is a good voice on the national lever and a good representative of MHOA.
· NACCHO has a speakers bureau and good resources to help MHOA with the annual conference.
· The 2005 NACCHO meeting will be in Boston.
· Robin recommends that MHOA affiliate with NACCHO.
· There is no cost to MHOA to do this.
· MHOA will be in partnership with NACCHO to promote individual community memberships.
· There was a discussion of fee structure as it applies to smaller communities.
· It was moved and seconded that MHOA become an affiliate with NACCHO. The motion was approved.

The next Meeting is on October 10 in Newton,

The meeting adjourned at 11:45.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Secretary

President Robin Chapell called the MHOA Executive Board meeting to order at 9:50 am, at Newton City Hall, Room 222, Thursday, October 24, 2002.

PRESENT: Donna Moultrup, Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Joel M. Hollis, Joanne Martel, Ruth Clay, Lou-Ann Clement, Gregory Erickson, P. Robert McNulty, John M. Canning, Louis F. Gitto, Steven Calichman, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Phyllis Boucher, Robin Chapell, Dawn Sibor, Jim Nugent, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Richard J. Day, Paul Tierney, Jane Gallahue, John Malone, Holly Detroy, Tom Carbone, Jane M. Fiore, Jana Ferguson, Jennifer Murphy, David Naparstek

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of September 19, 2002 were approved as amended by Donna Moultrup.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Phyllis Boucher submitted the Treasurer’s Report.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
1. The fourth Infectious Disease Surveillance training will take place next week. The trainings have been well-attended and successful, with170 attending the four sessions.
2. The Skin Cancer Mini-Grant pre-application forms will be at a table at the conference.
3. Two HACCP trainings are planned for January and April.
4. Two housing trainings are planned for January.
5. The TURN Grant is underway.
6. There are many trainings and meetings scheduled. Dawn will keep a calendar to avoid conflicts, especially with MEHA.
7. Eighteen new members were approved:
Regular members:
· Ann McCobb, Health Director, Holliston
· Mark Carleo, Public Health Inspector, Danvers
· William Pasquale, Code Enforcement, Peabody
· Frank Branciforte, Inspector, Peabody
· Karl Jansons, Inspector, Peabody
· Bernard Horowitz, Health Director, Peabody
· Armand Porruzzo, Health Officer, Weston
· Richard Hoyer, Retired, Harwich
· Deborah Revelle, Part-time Agent, Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator, Plainville
· Frank Wojciechowski, Health Agent, Plainville
· Gerard Cody, Sanitarian, Watertown
· Roland Dupuis
· Vince Ventresca
· Matthew Zacarian

Associate members:
· Linda Coburn, Public Health Nurse, Needham
· Fred Brocker, Sr. Medical Analyst, Dept. of Defense
· Steve Erickson, President, Norse Environmental, Tyngsboro
· Laura Schofield, President, Schofield Brothers, Orleans

Joanne Martel discussed what constitutes a regular versus an associate member with respect to public health nurses. Robin Chapell asked Dawn to check on past rules changes concerning this topic. For the present the members presented today were approved as presented.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Robin Chapell reported on the NACCHO/MHOA Memorandum of Understanding. After presenting the document, Robin asked the Executive Board for approval. It was moved and seconded and approved for Robin to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with NACCHO. The NACCHO Annual Conference is in Boston in 2005. The Memorandum of Understanding links MHOA and NACCHO until the Conference. At that time the relationship between the two organizations will be re-evaluated.

Donna Moultrup and Robin Chapel will attend a DEP meeting to detail DEP cuts in staff and budget and the impact on local Boards of health. This topic was suggested to be addressed at the conference.

DPH News: Paul Etkind in absentia writes to the Executive Board
“I regret that I won't be able to attend the Board Meeting this morning. Had I been at the meeting, I would have reported on the following:
· A job description has been developed for the Public Health Nurse Advisor position and has gone through several levels of review. It ought to be posted soon.
· 2) The same is true for a job description for the Smallpox Nurse position.
· 3) A set of principles for funding (one-time only) contract proposals prior to the completion of the Needs Assessment has been drafted and is being reviewed by Dr. DeMaria. We are trying to fast track this due to the demands for being able to initiate projects at the regional and local levels.
· 4) (This is not for me to report on, but I'm sure that Howard Wensley will speak about the meeting held between local and state stakeholders with a representative of the Secretary of State's Office to begin the process of reviewing the archiving laws and regs so that, ultimately, we can reduce or amend the duration of time that different documents need to be maintained in the files. He ran a very good and productive meeting to get this process underway.)”

DPH News: Paul Tierney
· Food-borne Illness trainings are scheduled for December 10, 11 in Waltham, January 29,30 in Springfield, February 25, 26, and March 25,26 in Winchester
· HACCPP trainings are scheduled for January 8,9 in Waltham and April 8,9 in Springfield
· The Public Health Council and the Secretary of State are approving bottled water regs. They will be published soon.
· Frozen dessert regs are being reviewed with a public healing at the State Lab coming up.
· New poultry regs are being reviewed. This is the beginning of the process of review.
· DPH is looking at wholesalers of seafood, dairies and food processors and distributors. There is a DPH survey and educational effort aimed at these types of food suppliers with respect to food security and bioterrorism. Retail suppliers will be studied at a later date.
·
STRATEGIC PLAN: Robin Chapel and Phyllis Boucher
The Strategic Planning Committee met several times in recent months. The result of the meetings is a Strategic Plan for MHOA’s next five years. Robin thanked all committee members for their work. Phyllis presented a summary of the plan to the board. Dawn Sibor will e-mail a summary of the plan plus the past strategic plan for Executive Board members to review before a vote in December.

DPH News: Jana Ferguson
Emergency preparedness groups are meeting on a regular basis. They are working on CDC requirements and deadlines for specific plans, such as a smallpox outbreak. They are also establishing benchmarks, training plans and job descriptions for regional coordinators. Region 4B is the most organized and developed. Region 3 will meet soon. The other regions are just starting to meet.

Ruth Clay:
· Ruth discussed DPH history of grant programs in light of CDC mandates for bioterrorism preparedness. There has traditionally been tight control from DPH. The issue with respect to regional groups and coordinators is will DPH allow the regional coordinators to be independent?
· Ruth asked for postage money to mail announcements to Region 3 members. The board approved the expenditure.
· After the annual conference Wednesday lunch all bioterrorism working groups members will be invited to meet informally.

DEP News: Lou Gitto
Lou circulated a questionnaire on proposed topics for DEP trainings. He requested comments on the topics at the meeting or comments to be e-mailed to him. John Higgins is on the Cape with a soil evaluator course.

Joanne Martel:
· The Epidemiology and Surveillance Group and the Epidemiology and Response Subgroup will focus on bioterrorism and preparing for major public health events in a community.
· The record retention advisory group meeting studied a schedule of times to hold records. Some schedules are mandated by state statute. There is some conflicting information on record retention. The goal of this review is DPH publishing guidelines for record retention

ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Donna Moultrup
· There are 38 exhibitors with some new sponsorships. MHOA members are encouraged to support them.
· The portfolios are ready. Donna needs help taking them to the conference.
· The twelve-page conference program is set with the evaluation being in the back.
· The networking/entertainment schedule is ready. It will be e-mailed to attendees.
· Registration details are being worked out.
· Most invited guests from DPH have confirmed for the Wednesday and Thursday luncheon. Three invited guests have yet to confirm.
· All conference volunteers at the Executive Board meeting should stay for ten minutes after adjournment for a short meeting.
· Donna circulated a written report.

Linda Shea:
Silent auction items are still needed for the conference.

NEW BUSINESS: Dawn Sibor
· Dawn received information that the State Plumbing Code will be changed to exclude local BOHs signing for plumbing variances. At present individuals can ask the local BOH for approval to go to the State Plumbing Board to ask for a variance from the State Plumbing Code. After discussion it was decided the MHOA would ask the chair of the State Plumbing Board to come to the next MHOA meeting to discuss local BOH signatures on variance requests.
· Dawn also discussed the RS prep course. After discussion it was decided that MHOA would ask Peter Mirandi how a RS prep course would work and if MHOA could direct people to him for the course.

The next Meeting is on December 19, 2002 in Newton,

The meeting adjourned at 11:50.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Secretary

The Annual Meeting of MHOA was held in Ballroom II of the Sheraton Hyannis, Hyannis, on Wednesday, November 6, 2002.

THOSE PRESENT: Joe Godzik, Richard Ray, Donna Moultrup, Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Joel M. Hollis, Joanne Martel, Lou-Ann Clement, Gregory Erickson, John M. Canning, Steven Calichman, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Phyllis Boucher, Robin Chapell, Dawn Sibor, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Richard J. Day, Jane Gallahue, David Naparstek, Richard Marino, Barbara Qulig, Kevin O’Brien, Julia Junghanns, Bob Jacques, Nancy Allen, Steven Slatis, Charles Kanecki, Beverly Hirschhorn, Elizabeth Canning, Everett Penny, Sandy Collins, Brent Reagor, Armond Purrozzo, Ruth-Ellen Sandler, Beverly Anderson.
 

President Robin Chapell called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. She asked MHOA members to recognize Donna Moultrup for her hard and excellent work organizing the Annual Conference.

Greg Erickson of the Nominating Committee presented the slate of candidates.

For Executive Board the nominations were the following:

· President  Robin Chapell
· Vice President  Donna Moultrup
· Treasurer  Phyllis Boucher
· Secretary  Sharon Walker Mastenbrook

It was moved and seconded and voted to close nominations for Executive Board.

John Canning moved and Joe Godzick seconded approval of the Executive Board nominations. The membership so voted. Greg Erickson instructed the Secretary cast one vote representing the MHOA membership for the Executive Board nominations. The membership so voted. The Secretary cast one vote for the Executive Board nominations.

Therefore, the new 2002-2003 Executive Board was approved by vote:

· President  Robin Chapell
· Vice President  Donna Moultrup
· Treasurer  Phyllis Boucher
· Secretary  Sharon Walker Mastenbrook
 

Greg Erickson asked members to meet with fellow members from their EOHHS region for the purpose of electing a representative from that region. The following nominations were presented to the membership:

· Region 1 Western Region Beverly Hirschhorn
· Region 2 Central Region Nancy Allen
· Region 3 Northeast Region Richard Day
· Region 4/6 Metro Region Linda Shea
· Region 5 Southeast Region Jeanmarie Kent Joyce

David Naparstek moved and Richard Marino seconded the Nominations. The membership voted to accept the nominations.

Therefore, the 2002-2003 Regional Representatives are the following:

· Region 1 Western Region Beverly Hirschhorn
· Region 2 Central Region Nancy Allen
· Region 3 Northeast Region Richard Day
· Region 4/6 Metro Region Linda Shea
· Region 5 Southeast Region Jeanmarie Kent Joyce

Greg Erickson asked members to nominate candidates for ten at-large representatives to the Executive Board. The following candidates were nominated:

1. Joel Hollis
2. Holly Detroy
3. Joanne Martel
4. Beverly Anderson
5. Richard Ray
6. Jane Gallahue
7. Lou-Ann Clement
8. Bruce Capman
9. Jane Fiore

Greg Erickson asked for nominations from the floor for the tenth at-large representative. There were three nominations:

· Sandy Collins
· Gail Nixon
· Russ Henderson

Joanne Martel moved to close the nominations. It was moved and seconded and voted to accept all nominations. An election for ten (10) at-large representatives was held by paper ballot. All Regular members were asked to vote. The ballots were counted by the Nomination Committee, consisting of Greg Erickson and Jennifer Sullivan.

The following were elected at-large representatives to the MHOA Executive Board. Their terms begin January 1, 2003.

1. Joel Hollis
2. Holly Detroy
3. Joanne Martel
4. Beverly Anderson
5. Richard Ray
6. Jane Gallahue
7. Lou-Ann Clement
8. Bruce Capman
9. Jane Fiore
10. Gail Nixon

It was moved and seconded and voted to destroy the paper ballots. Jennifer Sullivan destroyed the ballots.

Robin Chapell adjourned the meeting at 6:10 pm.

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MHOA Executive Board Minutes     December 19, 2002

President Robin Chapell called the MHOA Executive Board meeting to order at 9:30 am, at Newton City Hall, Room 222, Thursday, December 19, 2002

PRESENT: Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Gregory Erickson, Rich Ray, Jennifer Sullivan,
Donna Moultrup, Joel M. Hollis, Dawn Sibor, Joanne Martel, Linda Shea, Jane Gallahue, Jane M. Fiore, John McNally, Kurt Enders, Charles Kanecki, Paul Etkind, Louis Gitto, John Higgins, Nancy Allen, Richard L. Ray, Richard J. Day, Howard Wensley, Karen L. Springer, Kathleen MacVarish, Phyllis Boucher, Robin Chapell, Holly Detroy, Steve Calichman, Louis Visco, Joseph Peluso.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of November 6, 2002 were approved by vote.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Phyllis Boucher submitted the Treasurer’s Report. It was approved by vote.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Dawn Sibor
1. The proposed master calendar for 2003 was distributed. The calendar may be adjusted. Send Dawn any input for trainings and other meetings.
2. Seventy-five people expressed interest in skin cancer mini grants. A total of $28,200 will be given out. DPH will make the final decision.
3. The Conference Committee will meet today after the Executive Board meeting.
4. Several new members were approved:
Regular members
· Denise Hunt Boucher, Health Compliance Officer, Arlington BOH
· Sylvia Yeomans, Health Inspector/Administrator, Chillmark BOH
· John P. Zuppe, Chief Public Health Inspector, Waltham
· Catherine Hassett, Health Inspector, Middleboro BOH
· Robert Ashton, Health Agent, Town of Rehobeth
· Thomas E. Fantozzi, Health Agent, Town of Acushnet
Associate members
· John M. Deline, Jr., Owner, Deline Engineering, Winchendon
· Susan Lightfoot, Administrative Assistant, Townsend BOH
· Chris Majewski, Food and Drug Inspector, DPH, Food and Drugs
· John G. Schnaible, Project Manager, Coastal Engineering, Orleans
· Lawrence Perry, Sanitarian/Engineer, BSS Design, Falmouth
· Carolyn S. Stahl, Assistant Officer, Biosafety Program, MIT, Cambridge
· Dan Merrigan, Associate Dean, BU School of Public Health, Boston
· J. Mustain, President, J. Mustain Land Consultants, E. Otis
· Jamie L. Clement, Community Health Educator, NE PET Imaging System, Methuen
· Donald Smeriglio, Owner, Borelli’s Italian Deli, Methuen

DPH NEWS: Howard Wensley
1. Record retention issues: The present schedule may not make sense with respect to the State Sanitary Code. A second meeting is needed before any recommendations concerning changes to the record retention schedule are sent to the Secretary of State. Following approval by the Secretary of State of changes, DPH will hold trainings in record retention procedures.
2. Chapter II needs review: The review process will take 18 months to two years. There is a committee being formed. A MHOA member is needed.
3. Concerning “pay as you throw” programs:  Owners pay fees for trash for tenants. There will be a memo about this issue coming out.
4. Local BOHs need to give Police and Fire Departments emergency telephone numbers for the local BOH. DPH is getting numerous housing calls on the weekends because of a lack of reference telephone numbers in Police and Fire Departments.
5. DPH wants municipal collection of sharps because BFI is saying in future contracts trash with sharps will be excluded. There will be a DEP Guidance document coming out allowing a community to set up a program without site assignment for around $2000 per year. Sharps containers are on the state bid list. Where to dispose of the filled sharps containers is still in question. Suggestions include Stericycle and partnering with a local hospital.

DPH NEWS: Paul Etkind
1. Report on the small pox conference call for local BOHs. The state has presented a pre and post small pox case vaccine distribution plan. After January 24, 2003 liability associated with the vaccine is covered by the Homeland Defense Act. The first round of volunteer response teams will receive the vaccine. Jana Ferguson is making a list of response teams. Local BOHs should be prepared to do education of the volunteer response team members as well as local police and fire personnel. The target volunteer team population is  persons over thirty who have already been vaccinated (They should have less of a negative reaction than  unvaccinated persons). When the first case happens, life will be different forever. For a while all communities will shut down in order to immunize the population. The volunteer response teams are valid only until the first case. Then these teams become inoculation teams. In the future immunization probably will be required in childhood. The state fire and police union have liability and overtime issues that are still being worked out. There is a question of how any liability for volunteers is to be covered. The Homeland Security Act does not include volunteers in its liability coverage.
2. DPH will be sending out two letters concerning STD clinics and HIPPA.
3. DPH may not be a stand-alone department under Governor Romney. There is a proposal to combine 15 present departments into three departments.

DEP NEWS: John Higgins
1. The perc rate change is in final draft. The draft has been sent to the Secretary of State. It will be published January 1-3-03 and effective 1-1-04. This schedule may be changed if an environmental impact study is needed. Although BOHs can’t approve a system with a slower perc rate until 1-1-04, perc tests can take place before this date.

DEP NEWS: Lou Gitto
1. DEP training sessions in February will probably go forward. DEP will confirm soon.
2. Topics include nuisance issues (noise, odor, nuisances), landfills, incinerators, and transfer stations.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Joanne Martel: Epi and Response Subgroup (of Epi and Surveillance Group)
1. The topic of mutual aid with contiguous towns was discussed with respect to Hep A outbreaks. Under mutual aid agreements there are issues of workman’s comp. Charles Kanecki asked if the law that allows police and fire departments to provide mutual aid would be a good idea for local BOHs. Kathleen MacVarish reported that Region 4B is looking at a MOU on this subject. Donna Moultrup suggested that the topic would be addressed in the bioterrorism regions. One comment suggested that if there were no state law on mutual aid for local BOHs, it would take a long time to get a regional MOU for mutual aid. Jana Ferguson was asked to explore this topic. Howard Wensley stated that the state needs legislation on mutual aid. For the present communities can talk with their neighboring towns about mutual aid.
2. There was a state hearing on quarantine regs. Local BOHs have been added to access of medical records to enable local BOHs to do surveillance that is mandated by state law. Also, there are new diseases in the reportable section. There has been discussion of who is in charge of ‘white powder” instances. Present state statute does not cover the “white powder” instances adequately. Senator Moore is starting a committee to look into updating state statues. MHOA could be on this committee.
3. Record retention is confusing in its present state.
4. Veterinarians must report lyme disease in animals.

Nancy Allen: Solid Waste Advisory Committee
1. DEP plans review of how it reviews and issues permits. DEP may stop reviewing some permits because of state budget cuts.
2. If the state stops review, them local BOHs must do the review. There must be a statue change before this can happen.

PRESIDENNT’S REPORT: Robin Chappell
1. Discussion of the definition of regular and associate members will take place at the March meeting.
2. Newsletter articles are needed.
3. MMA has an annual conference in January. Nancy Allen serves on a committee. She encourages others to volunteer. There is a session at the annual conference of interest to MHOA members.
4. It was voted to accept the Strategic Plan.
5. Volunteers are needed for a MHOA Personnel Bylaw Review Committee. Greg Erickson, Phyllis Boucher and Kathleen MacVarish volunteered. The committee will include a review of job descriptions and number of hours allocated for each job.
6. There was a discussion of extra hours for Dawn Sibor. She requested 120 extra hours. She would be paid for 80 hours and take the other 40 hours as comp time. The MHOA Personnel Bylaw Review Committee will address the issue of how to pay for hours outside a personnel contract. It was moved and seconded and voted to pay Dawn Sibor for 80 hours work and give her 40 hours comp time. Also, it was voted to give Ruth Ellen Sandler one month extra pay (60 hours). The Executive Board will entertain no more requests for extra time until a policy can be set. In the future there should be a system to set priorities on how to use existing time. Dawn will provide details of her time so the Executive Board will be better able to allocate funds for future work.
7. MHOA considered sending a letter about the new proposed perc rate. Since the new guidelines have already been published, MHOA decided not to send a letter.
8. MHOA/MEHA training: MHOA will host training in April. Robin Chappell proposed Bioterrorism. MHOA will ask DPH if some state bioterrorism funds can be used to support this event so that as many participants can afford to come. The proposed charge for the training will be $5.00. It was voted to ask DPH for funding for this event.
9. Robin proposed that MHOA subscribe to an Internet grant service for a one-time yearly fee of $250. After discussion, it was voted to try this grant service for one year. All MHOA members can use the service but must get permission from Dawn.
10. Discussion of the web site was raised by Dawn because several members have complained about advertising for food service trainings posted on MHOA e-mail. The Executive Board felt that advertisements for Certified Food Manager Training was a service and should be allowed.
11. MHOA support for The Public Health Museum was tabled for discussion at the next meeting.
12. The joint MEHA/MHOA newsletter was discussed. MEHA has launched a website. There is a question if the newsletter should be only on websites. MHOA will wait for MEHA to make a proposal to MHOA concerning the newsletter.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Charles Kanecki
1. There will be no larvacide training this year.
2. January 13, 2003 at 11 am in Sharon Charles Kanecki is discussing hoarding for the Sharon BOH. Call Sharon if interested in attending.
3. March 5, 2003 is the MHOB western conference.

PLUMBING INSPECTORS: Louis Visco, Joseph Peluso.
1. Discussion of plumbing code variance requests. The BOH is always involved. The Plumbing Board is not proposing to remove the BOH from the process. BOHs must petition the Plumbing Board for a variance. The Plumbing Board makes the decision.
2. There are no variances for monetary hardship (i.e. to save money). There are variances for structural hardship. A common variance is for a unisex toilet because there is no room for two toilets.
3. The Governor has created a committee to try to remove conflicts among the building codes.

ROBIN CHAPPELL: Awards
Steve Calichman, Russell Henderson, Peter Kolodziej, Paul McNulty, Jim Nugent received plaques of appreciation for their service on the Executive Board
John Canning received a gift.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Walker Mastenbrook, Secretary

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