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MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Executive Committee Minutes
January 21, 2010
Newton City Hall

Word Document

Members Present:  Richard Day, Brent Reagor, Thomas Carbone, Steven Baccari, Sandy Collins, Greg Erickson, Terry Hayes, Julia Junghanns, Stacey Lane, Richard Ray, Sigalle Reiss, Jack Vondras, Justin Snair, Kevin Sweet, David Naparstek, Doug Halley, Joanne Martel.

Staff Present: Mary-Isabel Luddy, Sarah McColgan

Visitors Present: Jen Viveiros (MDEP), Dave Ferris  (MDEP), Mike Moore (DPH)

T. Carbone called the meeting to order at 10:07 AM.

Introductions were made

DPH Report
Food Protection Program – Mike Moore gave the report for the Food Protection Program.  FEAC will compare the 1999 Food Code to the 2005 and 2009 versions.  Four subcommittees have been established to help with the review.  Shaw’s and Stop and Shop have signed up to participate on the review committees.  B. Reagor cautioned that the Food Protection Program will be expected to conduct two full sessions at the annual conference to begin the education on the 2009 Food Code.  MHOA will issue an invitation to volunteer for the review committee on the listserve.

Community Sanitation – P. Halfmann submitted an email report which is attached.

DEP Report
Title V changes are continuing to be evaluated.  Training sessions for Boards of Health will be conducted if the changes go into effect.  Soil Evaluator classes will be offered annually.  The format will be changed.  Classroom sessions will be in the Millbury area, four different areas of the state will be used for the field portion.  Fee for Soil Evaluator and Title V System Inspector licenses will be reduced for municipal employees.  Training regarding the Title V inspection form will be conducted in two one-hour sessions. R. Ray suggested that towns should be checking that both Title V inspectors and Soil Evaluators hold current licenses.  T. Hayes asked about the options for discipline when a Title V inspector is not complying with the regulations.
 J. Viveiros discussed the five regional DEP seminars that are scheduled.  The Green Communities coordinator will be at each of the seminars.  J. Vivieros will be in touch with R. Sandler regarding how registrations are going.

Approval of Minutes
T. Hayes moved to approve the minutes, seconded by B. Reagor, unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report
The report was distributed.  Currently there is a positive cash flow, mainly due to the addition of the conference profit to operating funds.  D. Halley and T. Carbone will be meeting to discuss the budget and to look at the cash flow.

Member Services Report
Report is attached.

Executive Administrator Report
See written report.

Tobacco Control
See written report.

DJ Wilson from MMA wanted to be sure that MHOA members are aware of the ethics training requirement.  The training is offered on-line and the deadline for completion has been extended to April 2, 2010.  This training is required for most municipal employees including contractors.

S. McColgan will be conducting a tobacco training needs survey with the Executive Committee.  The survey will be conducted over the phone and will take approximately five minutes.  This will be done in an effort to develop a state-wide training plan.  It was suggested that several health departments outside of the Executive Committee be added to the survey list to insure that there is a representative sample.  Two letters to Boards of Health and store owners were distributed which notify them that a compliance check has been conducted by MTCP and that a sale was made.  Boards of Health will be informed that they should not conduct enforcement as the check was not done by a Board of Health agent.  However the town may then want to conduct their own compliance check at these retailers.

SACCHO Report
NAACHO will begin the profile program again to gather staffing and budgeting information from across the state.  The roster has some information on existing health districts.  The profiles are an excellent sales tool, when discussing budgets with management.  This might be a good topic for the management track of the annual conference.  J. Vondras noted that he received confirmation that Emergency Preparedness funding (PHEP) can be used for NAACHO membership fees.   At the national level there is a great deal of discussion about accreditation of health department staff.  This is also being discussed in the context of the Regionalization Working Group.

President’s Report
An email from Geoff Wilkinson regarding the County Health Rankings report was discussed.  A report on health indicators by county for the entire country will be distributed in February.  DPH will be the point of contact for press inquiries, but they wanted local health departments to be aware of the possibility of being contacted by the press regarding this data.

After further research it was decided that MHOA will not pursue a CDC field placement as the application process is very involved and the chances of being awarded a placement are low.

The Local/State Advisory Committee will be meeting on Monday, January 25th.  There will be a discussion of the PHER grant funding.    Region 4A will be funding a report regarding H1N1 best practices.  T. Hayes is the MHOA representative on the NIMS Working Group and he is also receiving information about the PHER grants.

Regionalization Work Group
D. Moultrup submitted a report via email.  There are three groups in the western part of the state that have received a small grant to investigate regionalization of public health services.  The Regionalization Workgroup has hired a communications specialist to help them communication issues around regionalization.  Their next meeting is February 12, 2010.

Wayland staff was interviewed recently by a group that is working on a potential regionalization effort among 8 towns in their area.  The group will be presenting a report on their findings in the next month and the health department staff and town manager in Wayland have been invited to attend.
 

Discussions
Committee assignments were discussed and a sign-up sheet was circulated for volunteers.  Every Executive Committee member should serve on at least one additional committee.

J. Martel recently attended a MASSPRO meeting where she posed several questions to Donna Lazorik from DPH.  J. Martel asked that DPH clearly notify BOH staff when reporting requirements or other vital information changes.  There was discussion of the Emergency Preparedness bill (House bill 4275).  An addendum has been attached which would ban thimerisol for pregnant women and children three years of age and younger.  This legislation contains the liability protection for MRC volunteers.  This issue should be brought to the attention of the CLPH lobbyist (specifically Section 4 of the legislation).  A letter from T. Carbone will go out to the legislators on the committee outlining our opposition to the thimerisol ban for these population groups.  The MASSPRO Conference is scheduled for May 11, 2010 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Mill River has made an offer to sponsor the MHOA web page.  G. Erikson felt that if a company were to sponsor the web site the fee should be significant.  B. Reagor stated that the advertising income should support the website costs.  This should be an issue that will be considered.  A technology committee will be created (interested parties should contact T. Carbone), and that would be the proper venue for a discussion of this issue.

Dion Irish, Director of Housing Inspections and Assistant Commissioner for the city of Boston, has expressed an interest in serving on the Executive Committee.  Motion to appoint Mr. Irish as the Region 4C representative made by S. Collins, seconded by R. Ray, vote unanimous.

An email was read regarding the fee reductions for Soil Evaluator and Title V Inspector licenses for Board of Health employees.  The discount is not allowed for Board of Health members.

Massage Update:  The Mass.gov/dpl website gives information on individuals and establishments that are licensed. There are approximately 6,000 individuals that are licensed at this point in time.  If a city/town has an establishment that is not licensed contact the state regarding enforcement.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:58 on the motion by R. Ray, seconded by T. Hayes.  Next meeting Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 10:00 am in Acton Town Hall.
 

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary-Isabel Luddy for John Coulon, Secretary

HANDOUTS

• Agenda
• Attendance
• Executive Administrator’s Report
• Tobacco Control Director’s Report
• Tobacco Control documents
• Cash Flow report
• Executive Committee Meeting Schedule
• Minutes
• MDEP Updates
• DPH/CSP Update

No meeting in February due to a snowstorm

MHOA QUARTERLY MEETING
Vinny T’s, Dedham, MA
March 18, 2010

Word Document
Attendance:

John Coulon  Topsfield
Beverly Hirschhorn Longmeadow
Sara McColgan MHOA Tobacco
Frank Giacalone Saugus
Paul Holfmann MDPH
Phyllis Baucher MHOA
Ruth-Ellen  Sandler MHOA
Stacey Lane  Norwood
David Naparster Retired
Tara Tradd  Cohasset
Greg Erickson  MHOA (ret)
Kevin Sweet  Maynard
Thomas McKean Barnstable
Ed Kunce  Mass. DEP
Steven Baccari Westboro/Region II
Mary-Isabel Luddy MHOA
Terry Hayes  Dennis
Rachel J. Day  Chelmsford
Joanne Martel  Andover
Sandy Calling  Westford
Dion Irish  Boston
Sigalle Reiss  Norwood
Brent Reagor  Concord
Ruth Clay  Melrose-Wakefield
Julia Junghanns Wayland
Doug Halley  Acton

12:53 PM Introduction

DPH  Paul Hoffman, Community Sanitation
 Upcoming spring seminars
 Housing Inspection Trainings 2 X Year
 Field inspections will occur convenient to each (trainers & trainees)
 Ruth Ellen will send another group email.

DEP Ed Kunce CSOs & SSOs
 Storm water Follow-up
 21Es storm-caused oil releases; contact regional DEP
 Homes: oil & gas: 10 gallons is release threshold

 Private wells link
 Mold
 MEMA
 5 regional seminars: attendance overall is up
 Boil water orders 2009
 Lessons Learned:
  Possible causes: budget shortfalls, O & M, Global Temperature
 Guidance coming re:BWOs
 Possible Conference Topic
  Board of Health & Recycling
Jan:  Minutes approved unanimously as submitted
 Treasurer’s Report next month
 Member Services  585 Total
  New members unanimously accepted
 Executive Administrator Report
  Grant Thorton Webinar
  Re: Non-Profit Organizations Guidelines
  H1N1 AAR- Justeen Hyde meetings with groups & munis
  CLPH Lobbyist Chris contract exp. 3/31
  CLPH: split on available funds to renew contract: MHOA, MEHA,    MAHPN, MAHB & MPHA do not have available funds.
 Motion Authorize T. Carbone to commit MHOA funds up to 2K through
   3/31/2011. T Hayes; S Collins second, approved unanimously pending
  further discussion at CLPH.
Farm To Table
 Next MHOA Q FPP  Q &A
 T Carbone requests report from Dept. of Agriculture re: Farmer’s Markets
Tobacco
 MTCP no longer
 MA Tobacco Control Program now MA Tobacco Cessation & Prevention
 Program. Will send out “How to End Tobacco Use in MA” to MHOA group
 list.
 RFR  Q & A  DPH Bidders Conference
 Next Tuesday MHOA to become MA approved vendor
President’s Report
 LPHI: Sandy Collins reported with T. Carbone
 Reconciling differing needs and logistics, Western MA compared to Eastern MA
 Motion: Approve T. Carbone to prepare application to MA as State Approved  Vendor: Phyllis Boucher; David Nap, second, approved unanimously
 Internships Interest
 TC & M-IL, Boston University Career Fair
 SACCHO: Regionalization is increasingly improving
 FinCom Doug Halley
 Personnel  Committee T. Carbone

 Personnel Committee, continued:
 Treasurer Job Description, Tobacco Control Job Description
 Terry, Brent second, unanimous approval x 3
T. Carbone
 PHER
 $1500 to MAHB for CLPH for AAR
 T. Hayes, G. Erickson second, approved unanimously
 Authorize TC to spend less than or equal to $6,000 for 2010 MHOA
 T. Hayes, S. Collins second, approved unanimously
 Regionalization
 Julia Junghanns (Wayland)
 Metrowest Communities hired consultant to research for 8 (?) munis
 Lengthy discussion
 Conference Committee; no report
 Ruth CC needs help with CEVs (D. Nap)
 Posting Job Vacancy for Treasurer; resignation letter has been received from
 P. Boucher
 Procurement Policy included in handbook. Motion T. Hayes; second Brent
 New Ex Boston Board Member (Boston) Dionne was introduced.
Technology Committee
 B. Reagor; no report
 3/25; 12-1 pm  5 spots (4 left) MHOA teleseminars
By-Law Committee
 G. Erickson review and suggest changes (RES) consider eliminating December
 Quarterly Meeting. TC refers to Education Committee
Strategic Planning Committee
 M-I Luddy presented review
 How to have more involvement of regional reps
 Form revenue development committee
 Membership development
 PDF Version of MHOA Annual Roster
 Closer ties to MMA in a presence at next MMA Annual Conference
 T. Carbone: Strategic Plan will be on April agenda

14:53 motion to adjourn
 T. Hayes; B Reagor second

Respectfully Submitted.

John Coulon

MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Executive Committee Minutes
April 15, 2010
Acton Town Hall

Word Document

Members Present:  Tom Carbone, Doug Halley, Phyllis Boucher, Dion Irish, Brent Reagor, Steven Baccari, Derek Fullerton, Jack Vondras, Julia Junghanns, Richard Ray, Justin Snair, John Coulon, Sandy Collins, Stacey Lane, Kathleen MacVarish, Sigalle Reiss, David Naparstek, Greg Erickson, Ruth Clay, Terry Hayes

Staff Present:  Sarah McColgan, Ruth-Ellen Sandler, Mary-Isabel Luddy

Visitors Present:  Paul Halfmann (DPH), Ed Kunce (DEP), Geoff Wilkinson (DPH), Mike Moore (DPH)

T. Carbone called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.

Introductions were made

DPH Report
Food Protection Program – Mike Moore gave the report for the Food Protection Program.  FPP will be taking part in the June QM.  Food Code work books were mailed out this week to approximately 30 individuals mostly local health agents.  Workgroups will be meeting but they are not subcommittees of FEAC.  They will provide feedback to the FPP.

Calorie posting regulations are being reviewed by DPH in reference to the new healthcare regulation which also contains a calorie posting provision.

All of the comments received regarding the proposed allergen regulations are being reviewed by DPH legal counsel.

FPP staff will be attending the LPH Institute’s May meeting regarding the development of a food protection training program that will be designed along the lines of the comprehensive housing inspector training program.

Ruth Clay mentioned her appreciation for the staff at the Food Protection Program regarding a foodborne illness outbreak that has been ongoing in Melrose/Wakefield.  Their assistance has been invaluable in dealing with the situation.

Community Sanitation – P. Halfmann stated that DPH is halfway through the MHOA seminars.  Housing inspector certification begins in May and is sold out.  A model inspection form has been posted on the MHOA website.  Implementation of the medical waste and sharps collection regulations may be postponed.  A public hearing must be held per the Public Health Commission.  This hearing will take place on Friday, May 14th at 2:00 pm.

DEP Report
Ed Kunce distributed a white paper regarding water boiling orders.

Farm Technology Commission:  There is a bill, H3477, in the legislature now that, if passed, will limit the power of municipalities to regulate agricultural operations.   There is a meeting of the Commission in June and representatives of local public health are encouraged to attend.  CLPH has had some discussions regarding this issue.  The Commission appears concerned that there are no checks and balances for Board of Health rules and regulations.  The only appeal to BOH regulations is Superior Court.  DPH is opposed to H3477 and has communicated this to legislators.

An internal after action report is being completed pertaining to the recent storms and flooding.  If there are local issues that should be included in the report please let E. Kunce know.  It may be nice to have a written protocol regarding how to deal with land contaminated by flood waters (sewage).

DEP has the issue of blue-green algae on their inter-agency agenda with DPH for some time.  E. Kunce will be meeting with DEP staff on the Cape regarding initiatives that may work to determine the level of toxicity in ponds.  Sampling would be helpful for towns that cannot afford to complete their own testing.

Regionalization Update – Geoff Wilkinson
The 2010 Regional Health Dialogues with Commissioner Auerbach begin tomorrow.  Each dialogue will have its own topic.  The discussion after the presentations is open to any topic.

On May 10, 2010 from 3:00-4:30 there will be a state-wide conference call/webinar to provide an update on Regionalization.  A comprehensive update was published last fall.  A Powerpoint presentation will be sent in advance.  The webinar application will allow participants to answer survey questions and view data.

Two conferences have been scheduled for communities that are considering, or have recently been through, the process of forming a public health district.  They will be held in the evening to maximize participation among municipal staff and officials including board of health members.  In western MA the meeting will be by open invitation.  In eastern MA the conference may be by invitation but will not be exclusive.  There are communities in eastern MA that are seriously considering forming a district.  Most communities are not taking advantage of the laws that were passed last year.  This will be an opportunity for the parties to come together and share experiences.  DPH has identified clusters of communities that are considering forming districts but it is not clear where they are in the process.  For example Lexington, Arlington and Belmont have been working on this, but it is unclear how they intend to proceed.

Lieutenant Governor Murphy is chairing a committee looking at regionalization of municipal services (not just public health).  G. Wilkinson is representing Sec. Bigby on the public health subcommittee.  Most of their recommendations have been taken from the work of the Regionalization Working Group.  It has been recommended that the regulation for forming a public health district should be amended to remove the provision that Town Meeting approval is required.  It is also recommended that the state should be moving toward providing operational support of districts and expanding funding over time.  There is also a recommendation that standards for workforce qualifications for public health staff be developed and adopted.   A report will be issued soon from this committee and hopefully the release will receive some press.

There is a general feeling that the way that municipal services are provided will be changing.  Even as the economy recovers, communities that are working to collaborate will be in a better to position to move forward.  The situation in Amesbury is a good example of the how the process can fail.  Some very qualified Board of Health staff were eliminated and the changes were implemented without the input of the Board of Health.  There seems to be an expectation among non-public health leaders that staff can be reduced and money saved without reducing services.  This approach is not viable.  J. Junghanns had concerns regarding how the process is working in some towns.  Town administrators are certainly looking at this as a way to save funds.

G. Wilkinson stated that DPH has a relationship with the Massachusetts Municipal Association ant they are working to educate their members regarding Regionalization.  DPH has no control over the crafting of municipal budgets, but they have been working to educate communities on how to implement Regionalization appropriately.  DPH would like guidance from local health departments regarding ways that they can be helpful with the limited legal tools they have available.

It would be helpful to reframe the discussion to emphasize that Regionalization can mean many different things not just consolidating health departments.  The concept can be expanded to include services like mental health counseling that individual towns can’t afford on their own.  MMA is looking at the entire idea of shared services across departments.  There is no standard for how many inspectors are required to provide a given level of service.  This question may need to be investigated in order to implement Regionalization on a wide scale.  Regarding the situation in Wayland and the surrounding communities, the health department staff feels left out of the process.  They are not being given information regarding how this effort may go forward.  It was noted that a part of health department work must include promoting what Board of Health responsibilities are in an effort to protect the department’s viability.

EC members should take this information back to their regions of the state.  EC members should be encouraging people to bring information to them that can then be brought back to DPH.  Any suggestions should be forwarded to DPH.  Their goal is to strengthen and support local public health.

Approval of Minutes
Tabled.

Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer’s report was presented.  Motion to accept -- R. Ray, second B. Reagor.  Unanimously approved.

Member Services Report
Report is attached.  Motion to accept -- G. Erickson, second P. Boucher.   Unanimously approved.

Executive Administrator Report
See written report.

Tobacco Control
See written report.

S. McColgan recently distributed an internet survey which received a good response from individuals looking for training and support (approximately 26 responses).

There has been an amendment to the Tobacco Contract with increased funding for RDMS and an increase in the admin. line item.
 

President’s Report
See written report.

The Public Health Hero award that was received by MHOA was displayed.

SACCHO Report
J. Vondras attended the NACCHO annual meeting last month.  NACCHO will be looking at how Emergency Preparedness is funded federally and how the funding mechanism may be improved.  NACCHO is also looking at health department budget reductions.  They are assessing the outcome of health department budget reductions, but this is a very difficult task to complete nationwide.  Health outcomes of reduced public health services can take ten years to manifest.  It appears that in MA stimulus money for public health was used at the state level and did not come to local health departments.

Healthcare Reform:  There will be funding that will come to local health departments (through school and health departments) through the healthcare reform legislation.

Membership services:  In light of declining membership NACCHO is exploring ways of providing more services to members.  They may be able to negotiate a contract with vaccine providers that could be accessed by local public health departments.  This would give local health departments an additional discount when they purchase vaccine.

Committee Reports
By-law Committee:  The By-Law Committee met via email.   Article 6 section 5 needs to be amended to reflect that the Personnel Committee is a five member committee.  The job description of the President also needs to be amended to state that the President serves for one year after the end of their term on the Finance and Personnel Committees.  It was noted that the preference would be to have the immediate past president serve, but if that individual cannot, an ex-officio member would be appointed to serve.  Also in need of amendment is “Any current member of the EC that does not meet the requirements will be grandfathered.”  This provision needs to be removed as there will not be a member of the EC that would need the grandfathering provision.

Technology Committee
The Committee needs approval to replace a laptop using the FY10 PHEP grant funding.  One MHOA projector also needs to be replaced but the priority is for the laptop to be replaced first.  Motion to appropriate $2,000 to replace a laptop made by S. Collins and seconded by J. Snair.  Unanimously approved.  There will be a conference call this week regarding interns and hopefully there will be one individual available to evaluate the website.

Personnel Committee
There are two applicants for the Treasurer’s position.  A subcommittee has been formed to conduct the interviews and a recommendation will be made in May.  The COOP has been reviewed and no changes were made.  The Personnel Handbook has been reviewed.  Motion made to accept the revised handbook, R. Ray.  Seconded by S. Collins.  Unanimously approved.

Discussions

DPH RFR
The RFR is complete and will be submitted to DPH today.  If accepted, MHOA will be eligible to act as a vendor for DPH and they may purchase our services across a range of activities, not just tobacco control.

Strategic Plan
Tabled.

Permitting Legislation
Legislation was passed by the Senate and has gone to the House regarding an extension of permit expiration dates.  A letter opposing this legislation will be submitted by MHOA.  Septic system and sewer permits would be affected.  All permits would be extended by three years.  Many municipal departments are opposed to this legislation.

Motion to adjourn at 12:10 made by T. Hayes, seconded by R. Ray.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary-Isabel Luddy for John Coulon, Secretary
 

HANDOUTS
• Agenda
• Attendance
• Executive Administrator’s Report
• President’s Report
• Tobacco Control Director’s Report
• Tobacco Control documents
• Cash Flow report
• SACCHO Report/handouts
• MDEP Drinking Water Program, Boil Water Order Review

DRAFT
MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Executive Committee Minutes
May 20, 2010
Newton City Hall

Word Document

Members Present:  Tom Carbone, Doug Halley, Phyllis Boucher, Dion Irish, Brent Reagor, Steven Baccari, Derek Fullerton, Jack Vondras, Richard Ray, Justin Snair, John Coulon, Sandy Collins, Stacey Lane, Kathleen MacVarish, Sigalle Reiss, David Naparstek, Greg Erickson, Terry Hayes, Richard Day, Jennifer Sullivan, Tara Tradd, Frank Giacalone, Joanne Martel, Linda Shea

Staff Present:  Sarah McColgan, Ruth-Ellen Sandler, Mary-Isabel Luddy

Visitors Present:  Mike Moore (DPH), Dave Ferris, DEP

T. Carbone called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.

Introductions were made

DPH Report
Mike Moore was present representing DPH.  The Food Protection program will be speaking at the June Quarterly Meeting.  Food Code workgroups will be starting soon.  The State calorie posting regulations may be preempted by the federal healthcare legislation.  DPH is attempting to get clarification regarding the date that the federal law would be considered effective.  The allergen posting regulations are being modified but it is unclear what will change at this time.  The effective date is also being discussed.

DEP Report
David Ferris was present representing DEP.
Blue/Green Algae:  There will be a DPH staff person dedicated to answering questions regarding blue/green algae.  Ed Kunce will issue a letter which will outline how information is to be disseminated.
MWRA boil order:  During the recent break in the MWRA water supply pipe an emergency supply line was utilized.  E. Kunce learned there was misinformation regarding who needed to boil their water (for example bakeries didn’t need to boil).  There will be more consistent information coming out from DEP regarding boil water orders.
The Silent Spring report was issued last week.  DEP is continuing to review this report.  DPH and DEP are now working with substance control groups regarding the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals particularly narcotics.

Title 5 renewals are due at the end of June and response rates have been low.  There is no clear reason why at this time.  Twenty-five percent of licensees are being audited.  There is no established “grace” period.  Renewals are due prior to July 1, 2010.

The DEP budget is not yet set and an additional 20-30 people may be laid off.  Soils classes started this week and over 35 people have enrolled.  The classroom sessions are being held in Acton, but the fieldwork sites are distributed around the state to allow for varied soils to examine.  The exam will be offered in Bridgewater.  It was mentioned that regarding the Title 5 renewals, NEWIPCC may want to align their licensing requirements with other certification boards in the state.

In Region 5 the blue/green algae issues are posing a large problem.  More communication is needed with towns that are having a problem.  As water temperatures rise this issue will be more problematic.  There will be a DEP staff person available to do analytical work with water samples.  With staffing reductions DEP needs to be strategic about how people are assigned to deal with this issue.  DPH has a five year grant to fund the staff person who will be the contact person on blue/green algae.  All of this will be clarified in the letter to be issued by E. Kunce.

Approval of Minutes
Minutes of April 15, 2010 were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report
No report his month.

Member Services Report
Report is attached.  Motion to accept – J. Sullivan, second T. Hayes.   Unanimously approved.

R. Sandler stated that DEP has allowed MHOA to take over the joint trainings so that we can plan and implement them as we do our other trainings.  The last Community Sanitation training went very well.  The Housing Inspector’s training sold out immediately and went very well.  The next session will be run in Palmer and is almost full.  All Board of Health staff should be encouraged to attend this training.  D. Irish has been instrumental in arranging the dwelling that serves as the testing site.  The LPH Institute is planning to implement a similar program for food inspections.

Executive Administrator Report
See written report.

Tobacco Control
See written report.

On May 12, 2010 MTCP went to the Public Health Council regarding graphic warning and cessation education signage.  They would like to develop some signage for retail stores to discourage children and adults from smoking.  There will also be cessation signage giving quit-line information.  S. McColgan would like to draft a letter of support to be signed by T. Carbone.  A motion was made by P. Boucher, seconded by D. Naparstek, and voted unanimously to send a letter of support from MHOA.

President’s Report
See written report.

CLPH met on Monday and did some strategic planning for the coming year.  There were four primary goals established.  The group would like to formalize the structure of the organization – an orientation package will be developed for new members, a more effective mechanism for lobbying will be examined including increased monitoring of emerging legislation, increasing work on credentialing of public health workforce, and strengthening of local public health including funding and support.

There have been some ongoing concerns regarding regionalization efforts are how they are going forward.  T. Carbone emailed Harold Cox and Geoff Wilkinson after the recent conference call regarding his concerns.  MHOA members (not just Executive Committee members) are concerned about what is happening in their towns.  The Lieutenant Governor’s report was somewhat encouraging in that it discusses the importance of protecting public health.  MHOA needs to be vigilant to insure that we are at the table regarding this issue.  T. Hayes discussed the need to partner with other groups to avoid appearing self-serving and only concerned with preserving our members’ jobs.

Local Public Health Institute
The Training Institute is meeting quarterly with the advisory committee.  They are in the process of completing the training gap analysis.  The Institute is also communicating with DPH and DEP regarding the training that they will continue to offer.  The Foundations course will be offered in the fall in two locations (2.5 days in the classroom and 13 webinars).  The associations will all be asked to promote the Foundations course.

Local/State Advisory Council
The job descriptions for the Health Educators were discussed.  The description will be distributed to the coalition members to insure that it meets the needs of the coalitions.  M. Clark briefly discussed grant funding.  There is currently no word on whether FY10 funds will be rolled over.  The group also did some strategic planning.  There was a discussion on whether the council’s focus should extend beyond emergency preparedness.  More strategic planning will take place at another meeting.  The PHEP funding is anticipated to be at the same level for the coming fiscal year.

SACCHO Report
J. Vondras has registered for the annual conference.  There was an email sent to the membership regarding community health centers.  NACCHO is interested in partnering with communities to open health centers.  There is funding available.  The 2010 national profile survey will be coming out in several months.

Committee Reports
Waste Site Clean Up:  Sigalle Reiss provided a report on this committee.  The Committee would like a letter in support of the DEP budget from MHOA.  All waste site clean-up information is now available electronically.  There is also information on the MHOA website regarding the oil heat insurance requirements.

Scholarship:   There are eight applicants this year.  The members of the committee have been given the materials to review.  The recipients will be announced at the June meeting.

Finance:  A working budget has been established and will be presented at the June meeting.

Technology:  J. Snair will serve as co-chair of the Technology Committee with Greg Erickson.  We have been assigned two BU interns to review the website and suggest modifications.  There is currently $3,000 set aside in the budget for website improvements.

Discussions
The roster will be published shortly.

Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan was reviewed.  T. Hayes made a motion to accept the Strategic Plan as amended.  Seconded by B. Reagor.  Unanimously approved.

Proposed By-Law Changes
The proposed by-law changes were discussed.  D. Halley made a motion to accept changes to Article 6 section 5.  Seconded by P. Boucher, unanimously approved.  T. Hayes made a motion to accept changes to Article 5, section 5.  Seconded by K. MacVarish, unanimously approved.  The revised by-laws will be sent out to the membership and voted at the June quarterly meeting.

Appointment of Treasurer
There were two applicants for this position that were interviewed by a subcommittee of the Personnel Committee.  The subcommittee recommends Doug Halley as the next Treasurer effective January 1, 2011.  This will necessitate the election of a new Comptroller for 2011.  The election of the new Comptroller will take place at the annual meeting in October.  S. Collins made a motion to appoint D. Halley as the new Comptroller.  Seconded by J. Sullivan, unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary-Isabel Luddy for John Coulon, Secretary

HANDOUTS
• Agenda
• Attendance
• Executive Administrator’s Report
• President’s Report
• Tobacco Control Director’s Report
• Tobacco Control documents