MHOA Executive Board & Business Meeting Minutes From October 1998 to December 1999

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The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 9:45 AM at Newton Town Hall.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice-President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer John Canning, Executive Director Susan Major, Phyllis Boucher, Johanna Prindiville, Paul McNulty, Joel Hollis, Greg Erickson, Linda Shea, , John Higgins, John Malone, David Naparstek, Richard Waskiewicz, Howard Wensley, Joan Barry, Stetson Hall. Mike Moore, Patricia Conway (MRHA/LBA0 and Skip Schloming (Small Property Owners Assoc.).

Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept the minutes of the September 17, 1998 executive board meeting with changes.  Greg Erickson seconded.  Vote- Unanimous.

President’s Report-Kathleen felt that the refresher course for soil evaluators was too expensive ($175).  She will write to Comm. Struhs because this is a burden for Boards of Health to pay this type of expense. It would be in the State’s best interest to subsidize this cost.  If this action doesn’t help then we will look into running the course ourselves.  Chet Kennedy will not be here.  Kathleen has two awards to give him.  Motion made by Ruth Clay to spend up to $350 to buy a video/tv for the Public Health museum with a plaque in honor of Chet.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher.  Vote-Unanimous.  We will try to give him his awards at the museum when we donate the tv/video in his honor.  Joan Barry sent a memo on unfunded mandates.  Montague does not have a lead determinator.  State says they have to.  The state auditor says it is not a 2 1/2 mandate.  Susan will copy Joan’s letter to the executive board and we will put it on our next agenda.  We are hoping to finish the roster for December.  It might not happen.  Howard Wensley has agreed to check all the DPH numbers and get back to Ruth Ellen Sandler with any corrections.  Greg Erickson is working on the ads for the roster.  The OCCS listing should be in the roster.  Robin Chapell will check the back minutes to make sure we have listed all of our emeritus members.  Susan Majors will check the list of members.  Kent Murphy, Jay Walsh and John Canning need to be added as emeritus.

Treasurer’s Report-  John Canning received a thank you from Melanie Chapell for receiving the scholarship.  Motion  made by Greg Erickson to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by David Naparstek.  Vote-Unanimous.  As of today we have a $27, 219.64 balance in the Conference budget.

Exec. Director’s Report- The physical transition is almost complete.  We now have a phone line for MHOA.  It will appear in the phone book under associations.  Susan is working on a database for members.  She has explored the tax status for MHOA.  We now have a secretary on board.  Her name is Norma Pizzo (on a as needed basis).  Susan has created a procedure for logging in memberships.  Motion  made by Paul McNulty to charge new members $40 from January through August expiring for renewal at the end of December and their privileges begin as soon as they pay and to charge new members $40 from September through December expiring for renewal at the end of the following year and their privileges begin as soon as they pay.  Seconded by John Canning. Vote-Unanimous.  Susan has contacted Judith Foreman, writer for health and sciences for The Boston Globe.  Susan will try to write articles for the association and see if it gets into the paper.  Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept Laurie Robertson as a new regular member and Laura Schofield as a new associate member of MHOA.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher.  Vote-Unanimous.

By Law Committee-Phyllis Boucher presented the proposed changes to the by-laws.  Motion made by Greg Erickson to support the changes of the by-laws as presented.  Dave Naparstek seconded the motion.  Greg Erickson withdrew his motion and made a new Motion to include the rest of today’s discussion. Seconded by Paul McNulty.  Vote-Unanimous.

Proposed Rent Withholding Law- Pat Conley of the Franklin Landlord Association and the Executive Board of the Mass Housing Rental Association presented proposed legislation.  The Executive Board will discuss this again at the December meeting.  Pat Conley will keep us informed of any legislative changes.  Kathleen MacVarish felt the intention was good but the wording was very confusing.

Conference Committee-The conference is 2 1/2 weeks away.  So far the exam class has 38 paid participants.  There are 20 people signed up for the Tuesday septic installers class (the maximum allowed is 50).  198 people preregistered for the conference already.  We have 22 paid exhibitors and 12 paid advertisements.  We are still looking for silent auction items.

Education Committee- The Hoarding Conference was outstanding!  Fredric Cantor and Sandy Star are being asked to be on the committee.  The committee is planning a camp program in March.  It would be nice if the program can be done at a camp.

Nominating Committee- Donna Moultrop, David Naparstek, and Phyllis Boucher are on the nominating committee.  If you have any candidates you want MHOA to consider, please let them know.

Newsletter- Our Newsletter has the same name as MassHealth (organization).  We might need to change our name.  Can the Newsletter committee look into it?  The next newsletter will be coming out any day.  DEP and DPH contributed.  In future issues of the Newsletter there will be an Executive Director’s column.

Website- Greg Erickson looked into an alias website name and e-mail addressees for our members that would be easier to access, mhoa.com.  Motion made by Ruth Clay to get an alias website and be able to use alias e-mail addresses for our members (first name initial, last name @mhoa.com).  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher. Vote-unanimous.

Business Cards-For those members that want MHOA business cards, please let Susan Majors know and she will make them up for you.

MAHB & MHOA- had a joint meeting.  Richard Kanoff is the new president of MAHB.  MAHB wrote a questionnaire on computer technology for health departments.  Does MHOA want to cosponsor this?  We will suggest to  MAHB that the questions should not be open ended.  The executive board was in agreement to cosponsor the survey.

MassPro-Joe Tabbi worked in billing HMO’s for flu shots.  Now they are trying to bill HMO’s for pneumonia shots in 6 communities.

DPH Regional Offices- DPH will be coming up with a roster of who is in the regional offices.  Joel Hollis will be in the West Boylston office by November 1, 1998.

DEP Grease Trap Committee- Paul McNulty is on this committee.  They had their first meeting about 3 weeks ago.  They are looking into better inspections and locations of grease traps.

U Mass Partnership  (George Smith) We can borrow resources, they have a HAACP Lending Resource Guide.  Maybe we can do a program in March on this.

DPH-Richard Waskiewicz told us that the new labeling requirements and the cider requirements went on the website.  MHOA will continue to help broadcast news until DPH is better set up to do it themselves.  Ellen Gould is a new employee in the food division.  We will meet her at the conference.  She works with Priscilla.  At the conference Priscilla will talk about the Mgr Training Certification, temperatures, and new HAACP plans.   If you have any legal questions for food for the new Food & Drug atty for the conference, please forward them to Priscilla. The new food regulations will not come out until December.  Ruth Clay formerly requests that Food & Drug meet with Friendly’s mgt to talk about food regulations (it seems that it is not a single store issue but a corporate issue).  DPH will call them in.  Channel 7 is working on a program on foodbourne illnesses and school systems.  Belmont is one of the towns they want to interview but right now they cannot get into the schools.  There will be a handout on the new catering policy at the conference.  Howard Wensley is reminding us that starting January 1, 1999, the CPO will be required for all public and semi-public pools.  Howard Wensley needs to get us a list of vendors that give CPO courses.  There might be some revisions in the Beach codes. It is one or two months away.  The state is in the process of electronically surveying towns who have beaches on how often and what indices they test for.  We should expect some small amendments to the camp regulations.  This summer most of the problems with the camps centered around swimming pool issues. DPH is trying to come up with a policy (working with the Dept. of Ed.) on how to deal with schools locking bathrooms to prevent students from smoking in them.  The number of toilets is found in the plumbing code but the plumbing inspectors say once the buildings are built they do not deal with the access problem.

DEP-John Higgins reports that the Title 5 courses are going okay.  Jim Fuller recently passed away and  DEP has not replaced him yet.  DEP is working with the Coop Extension of Umass.  They are figuring out what ConCom, BOH, and Planning Boards (paid and volunteer) staff need to know and they will work on funding to help them get the appropriate training.  The new version of SepTrack on access is done.  Attys are working on changing the inspectional requirements of alternative systems through licensing requirements of grade 2 Waste Water Treatment Plant operators.  Johanna Prindiville reports that surveys for the February seminar will be put on the DEP table at the conference.

Our next meeting will be at the Conference, on  Wednesday, November 4, 1998, at 4:30 in the Hyannis 5 Room.  Meeting adjoined at 12:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Chapell, Secretary
(Draft)

The Annual business meeting of MHOA came to order at 4:45 P.M. at The Four Points Sheraton in Hyannis..  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice-President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer John Canning, Executive Director Susan Major, Phyllis Boucher, Fredric Cantor, David Naparstek, Nancy Allen, Jennifer Sullivan, Greg Erickson, Bill Pcheny, David Kaplan, Richard Day, Karen Springer, Steve Calichman, Donna Moultrop, Joe McCarthy, Joel Hollis, Richard Marino, Howard Wensley, Lois Luniewicz, Linda Shea, Tom Gecewicz, Bruce Murphy, Bob Canning, Everett Penney, Joe Godzik, Beverly Henschorn, Paul McNulty, William Ianucci, Mark Oram, Jane Gallahue, Susan Ford, Pat Maloney, Mary Thomas, Arthur Cohen, Jay Walsh, Ernest Mathieu, Lou-Ann Clement, Joe Tabbi, Joan Barry, Maxine Schmidt, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jim Nugent, John Coulon and Richard Ray.

President’s Welcome-Kathleen acknowledged the great turnout and then got right to the business at hand.

By Laws-Phyllis Boucher presented the proposed changes to the by laws.  There was a lot of discussion.  Motion made by Terry Hayes to accept the changes in the membership classes to include any person employed as a director, agent or inspector by a local or regional municipal agency for the purpose of carrying out the public health mandates of that agency or any person certified as a CHO as a regular member.  Seconded by Greg Erickson.  Bob Jacques asked to move the question.  Vote 43-1-1.  Motion made by Terry Hayes to change HSAs in Article 4 of our By-laws to 5 regions to coincide with CHNA regions.  Jennifer Sullivan seconded the motion.  Vote- Unanimous.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to approve the minor word changes in the by-laws to correspond with the new regions (instead of HSAs).  Seconded by Ruth Clay.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Terry Hayes to  have a budget committee as a standing committee in the by-laws.  Bob Jacques asked to amend the motion to call the committee a Finance Committee and change from 5 to 7 members.  Seconded by Terry Hayes.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to have the Newsletter committee a standing committee.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Donna Moultrop to have the education committee include 2 people.  Seconded by Ruth Clay.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to  have a Personnel Committee to review the employees of MHOA.  Seconded by Jean Marie Joyce Kent.  Vote-Unanimous.    Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to add a new section in the by-laws pertaining to employees.  Seconded by David Naparstek.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to have the books audited if there is a change in the position of treasurer and not less than every 3 years.  Seconded by Greg Erickson.  Vote-Unanimous.

Members-Motion  made by Greg Erickson to have any associate member qualifying to being a regular member because of the changes in the by-laws, do so immediately.  Seconded by Terry Hayes.  Vote-Unanimous.

Kathleen MacVarish recognized the by-law and personnel committees for their hard work.

Slate of Officers-  Dave Naparstek presented the slate of officers from the nominating committee.  They are Kathleen MacVarish-President, Ruth Clay-Vice-President, Robin Chapell- Secretary, and Phyllis Boucher-Treasurer.  Motion made by Jay Walsh to close the nominations.  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan.  Motion  made by Greg Erickson to have the President cast 1 vote for the slate.  Seconded by Jay Walsh.    Kathleen MacVarish casted her vote for the slate of officers as presented.  Vote-Unanimous.

Tom Gecewicz recognized John Canning as an outstanding retiring treasurer for MHOA.  All agreed.

CHNA Slate- Each CHNA broke up into their prospective regions and voted for their region representative.  The elected officers voted in were Metro region- Pat Maloney, Northeast region-Peter Mirandi, Southeast region- Jean Marie Joyce Kent, Central region-Nancy Allen, and Western region- Joan Barry.

Members at large- The nominations from the floor for members at large were Joel Hollis, Joe McCarthy, Paul McNulty, Steve Calichman, Fredric Cantor, Linda Shea, Jim Nugent, Brian Lockard, Terry Hayes, Richard Day, John Canning and Rich Marino.  Motion made by Joe Tabbi to close the nominations.  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan.  Vote-Unanimous.
The elected members at large are John Canning, Steve Calichman, Fredric Cantor, Richard Day, Joel Hollis, Joe McCarthy, Paul McNulty, Donna Moultrop, Jim Nugent, and Linda Shea.  Motion made by Greg Erickson to destroy the ballots.  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan.  Vote-Unanimous.

New Business- Joe Tabbi informed us that there is a new section of the Winchester cemetery dedicated to Mike Saraco where he is buried.  Mike’s family thanks MHOA for all their support.  Fredric Cantor informed us that a new rabies control plan will be coming out soon.  Terry Hayes is asking for volunteers to serve on any part of the 21e program improvement committee.  Tom Gecewicz  thanked members of NAACHO and he told us he met with Sen. Kennedy and there will be money for computers for boards of health.

Meeting adjoined at 6:05 P.M.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 9:35 A.M. at Vinnie Testas, Dedham, MA.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice-President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer John Canning, Executive Director Susan Major, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Joe Tabbi, John Higgins, Jim Nugent, Paul McNulty, Joanne Prindiville, Jay Walsh, Karen Springer, Greg Erickson, Joel Hollis, Jennifer Sullivan, Peter Mirandi, Linda Shea, Donna Moultrup, Phyllis Boucher, Pat Maloney, and Steve Calichman.

Motion made by Linda Shea to accept the minutes of the October 15, 1998 executive board meeting.  Greg Erickson seconded. Vote-unanimous.
Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept the minutes of the November 4, 1998 Annual Business meeting.  Seconded by Ruth Clay. Vote-Unanimous.

President’s Report-Kathleen recognized that this is the last month that John Canning will be our treasurer.  He was thanked for his dedication and hard work.  Phyllis Boucher will be the new treasurer.  New executive board members will be Pat Maloney, Nancy Allen, and John Canning.  A special thank you to outgoing board members Karen Springer, Brian Lockhard, and Terry Hayes.  The roster is not ready yet.  DPH is holding up with the names.  It cost $1.01 to mail each roster book out.  The executive board agreed that we should mail them out to all paid members. People should give updates about boards of health to Greg Erickson and members to Susan Major.  MAHB has a new President, Richard Kanoff.  Officers from MAHB and MHOA have started to meet every other month to talk about mutual interests.  At our last meeting MAHB and MHOA cosigned  a letter to Atty Gen. Harshburger urging him not to settle in the tobacco suit.
Ruth Clay and David Naparstek are MHOA’s reps in the Coalition for Health Futures.  This coalition was spearheaded by the American Cancer Society.  MHOA was well represented at the Public Health Leadership Institute’s first meeting.  The meeting took place at the MA Medical Society in Waltham.  Kathleen is very disturbed that the subcommittee for the institute is inactive and instead it has turned into a one man show.  She will contact Commissioners Struh and Koh about the importance of an active subcommittee in planning the leadership institute.  If the subcommittee continues not to have a role, she will resign from this particular committee..  Boston University is actively seeking intern positions for its students.  U Mass Amherst and Tufts also places interns with Boards of Health.  Pat Maloney  added that interns can be extremely useful but screening is critical.  MEHA is soliciting interns. Kathleen MacVarish, Robin Chapell, and Susan Major met with Comm. Struhs.  The three items discussed were that we felt he (and DEP) was a critical part of the local health coordinating council, the need for a more reasonable cost for the soil evaluator course, and that there is a definite need to refill Jim Fuller’s position.

Treasurer’s Report-The balance in the beginning of October was $17,226.68.  The balance at the end of November was $8,533.63.  We have $18,364.91 in the money market account.  We have $1,286.30 remaining in the Toxic Use Reduction Grant.  We profited $4,498.15 with the BOH training.  MHOA has 8 money accounts.  Motion made be Jennifer Sullivan to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Ruth Clay. Vote-Unanimous.

Executive Director’s Report- John Canning and Phyllis Boucher met to pass on the torch.  John has agreed to be the assistant treasurer.  We will now have 3 signatures for checks, Phyllis’, John’s, and Kathleen’s.  For now on, when somebody request a check they will need to fill out a check request form.  A finance committee has been established with members Phyllis Boucher, John Canning, Joe Tabbi, and Joel Hollis and also Susan Major.  The executive committee agreed to charge businesses more than $5.00 for our roster book.  Motion  made by Steve Calichman to reimburse Pat Zingariello money for the Title 5 seminar that she did not attend.  (She canceled 1 month before the training).  Seconded by Greg Erickson. Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan  to accept Steve Denecher, Arlene Johnson, Matthew Pool, Marlene    , Richard Osmond, Patty Kraft, Lynmarie Rousa,     White, Phillip LaJe, Sharon White as regular members and Carol Sweet, Janet Ferguson, and Larry Davis as associate members in MHOA.  Seconded by Joel Hollis.  Vote-Unanimous.  Susan sent local newspapers a list of new appointees and award recipients.  Please let Susan know if it gets in your local newspaper.  MHOA is listed in Chronicle, a national publication.  Susan is working on the idea of getting funding for MHOA to support and screen interns for local Boards of Health.  She will be working on a salary survey that Ruth Clay will attempt the first draft.  The board will look at it during the January meeting.  An idea for a future project would be a best practices manual for health agents.

Conference Report-  Overall the conference was very good.  47 people attended the septic installers training.  58 people attended the R.S. review class.  410 people attended the conference in all. We had 33 paid exhibitors, 8 free. We had 6 tables for the silent auction. We had 12 ads in the program book.  We have outgrown the space and will be at the larger Sheraton in Hyannis next year.

Education Committee- Fredric Cantor is the new co-chair along with Sandy Starr..  The hoarding conference was great.  If anyone has a housing task force, please let Fredric know.  We are also looking for an epi task force in the northeast.

Newsletter- Karen Springer reports that the committee is not active.  Karen is looking for volunteers for the newsletter.

Web page- Greg Erickson found a hosting service that will reduce our cost from $32.50/mo to $8.95/mo.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to go with the new hosting service.  Seconded by Ruth Clay.  Vote-Unanimous.

DPH-Howard Wensley reports that the food code will be drafted by Priscilla within 2 weeks and then it goes to general counsel.  Richard Waskiewicz went to a meeting with the FDA on raw milk.  A beach survey is going out.  The Dept. of Education, the State Plumbing Board and DPH will be drafting a joint letter to schools regarding the locking of bathrooms.  The bathing beach regulations probably won’t be ready, there is still some discussion about the indicator organism and the time to get the results back.  There will be some changes to the camp regulations, particularly to do with medication.  They should be out by the end of February.  Howard Wensley said one more group will probably be certified into giving CPO courses.  Kathleen brought up a recent flyer received from a NJ pool company offering a CPO course.  The flyer stated that MHOA supports this particular course.  After discussion, it was agreed that this was very misleading and that while MHOA does support CPO courses and CPO courses geared for Health Officers, we do not endorse or support specific companies.  Kathleen will send this company a letter and copy it to other CPO course providers.

DEP- The most asked for seminars for February deal with Title 5, Private Wells, storm mgt., and the DEP website.  John Higgins reports that there is still no replacement for Jim Fuller.  He will also be talking to Peter Fletcher about the pricing of the soil evaluator refresher course.

MEHA- They will be commenting to the Atty Gen. about the tobacco settlement.  They did not want to give a position on the rent legislation.  They are interested in perhaps a dual conference with MHOA on camps, swimming pools and bathing beaches.

MAHB-They are looking forward to our joint meetings.

New Business-Jennifer Sullivan would like to know what DPH, DEP, and MEMA is doing about Y2K?  It would be a good idea to have fact sheets on emergency planning (eg. what to do when the power goes out).  DEP is ready and should not have a problem.  They are looking at what happens if there is a problem externally (eg. at the local level).MHOA decided not to take a stand on the rent issue.  For our March quarterly meeting we will have a Food question and answer.    David Naparstek reported that the cancer registry  has changed how they will report cancers.  They will not report communities with the highest cancer levels and will only be reporting on 13 cancers.

Meeting adjoined at 12:00 P.M.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 10:00 A.M. at Newton Town Hall.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Susan Major, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jim Nugent, Paul McNulty, Joanne Prindiville, Jay Walsh, Greg Erickson, Joel Hollis, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Donna Moultrup, Pat Maloney, Richard Day, Richard Waskiewicz, Howard Wensley and David Naparstek.
 

President’s Report-In an effort to complete our meetings by noon and to ensure invited guests are seen on time, we will be adhering to the agenda.  If anyone wants to be on the agenda, please call or e-mail Kathleen to let her know.  The Rosters are out!  Unfortunately Kent Murphy, Jay Walsh and John Canning were not put on the emeritus members list.  An insert will be added to each mailing of the Roster to include their names with their phone number, faxes, and e-mails so people can get in touch with them.  A letter of apology will be sent to them as well.  Great news!  David Naparstek received an honorarium for $1000 from the Boston Public Health Commission and has graciously passed it on as a contribution to the Amy Naparstek Scholarship.  Kathleen received a letter from the Public Health Museum thanking MHOA for their donation to the museum in honor of Chet Kennedy.  Robert Rosofsky of MIIS would like to come to some future meeting to discuss draft regulations for immunizations.  We will invite the new Environmental Affairs Secretary Bob Durand to our June Quarterly to let us know the future goals and vision for EOEA.  We will have a food and drug Q & A for our March quarterly.

Motion made by Phyllis Boucher to accept the December 1998 minutes (with correction of adding Fredric Cantor to the attendees).  Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-unanimous.

Treasurer’s Report-A CD is coming due on January 24th.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to add $25,000 to it (from the Conference money)  and put it in another CD for 6 months.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote-unanimous.  The last bill from Ruth Ellen Sandler was not for the DEP seminar but was for preliminary conference work.  We have $6,444.34 in our checking account as of January 1, 1999 and $18,388.66 in our money market account.  The Finance Committee has met a few weeks ago.  They are deciding whether a bookkeeper does the work and the treasurer oversees it or to have the treasurer do the work.  In the meantime all registration and money  is being sent to Susan and then processed materials are being sent to Phyllis.  The Committee has also begun discussions on policies with regards to gifts and reimbursements for meetings.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Jim Nugent.  Vote-unanimous.

Executive Director’s Report -Motion made by Greg Erickson to accept John Ciccoteli, Jacqueline Silver, and Jennifer Joyal as regular members of MHOA and Amy Fox, Jim Keane, Ralph Thompson, Gerald Filman, Glen Morteiro, Charles Gleason, Emilie Rose and Jim Keane as associate members of MHOA.  Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-unanimous.  We now have 420 members of MHOA and we so far we received 55% renewals from last year.  The letterhead has been changed, reflecting the new board members.  MHOA should think about putting out the rosters later next year so updates can be more accurate. Susan has gotten the administrative work under control and would now like to focus on grant writing for MHOA.  She will be looking at the Bioterroism funding that will be available.  Other possible funding sources include the Public Health Conference Support, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and CDC.

Pool Operation Mgt.- Kathleen received an apology for the letter Pool Operation Mgt Co sent out to prospective clients claiming MHOA endorsed their course.

Committees- We reviewed the committee lists and updated names and committees.

Tony Vento, MHOA member is sick.  We will send him something.  In the future, whenever you know of anyone that is sick please let Susan know so she can send them something.

By-law Committee will give an update on the past policies of MHOA at our next meeting.  As many of the policies are fiscally related, they will be passed to the Finance Committee for review and recommendations.

The Cancer Registry report will be coming out in a couple of months.  The report will not be broken down by community but rather statewide.  The report will also be available on the web, although it will not be publicized.

The Healthy Coalition is following where the tobacco money is going.

LHCC will be asked to create a new subcommittee to look at regional inspector services, paid for by communities but possibly started with seed money from DPH.  They would be similar to the successful tobacco collaboratives.  Franklin County was named as a model program to look at.  The next LHCC meeting is Feb 4 and this will be brought up then.

Education Committee-The camp program will probably be done in late April/early May.  There is a definite need for this training.  The training will hopefully be done on a camp site, Ashland is a good candidate.  Part of the training will include a section on injury prevention and safety issues(related to rope courses, etc.).  The MA Camping Assoc will be putting on training for their members as well.  Jane Anderson and Fredric Cantor are working  on this program.

Newsletter-It would be a good idea to have standard columns in the Newsletter.  Some ideas would be a column to welcome new members, a reminder of the scholarship fund, to profile a member each newsletter, etc. Karen Springer is having trouble getting articles right now for the Newsletter.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to have Susan Major meet with Karen Springer to strategize about  how to get articles.  No second.  Kathleen will talk to Karen about the Newsletter.  She will also talk to Richard Marino because he is an excellent writer.  Pat Maloney volunteered to help also.

Nominating Committee- Phyllis Boucher resigned from this committee; Linda Shea joined it.

Rabies-  Fredric Cantor reported that the committee discussed how do we educate veternarians as to what their obligations are in regards to rabies?  The committee decided they should give them a letter to give to their customers.  If any member is having problems with animal control officers or veterinarians please let Fredric know.  The review of the rabies manual is still in process.  The barrier effort on the Cape is still going.  DPH wrote information about class trips and rabies concerns.  Fredric passed out information on rabies.  There have been no human case of rabies associated with the raccoon outbreak.  Possibly humans may not be as susceptible to the raccoon rabies strain as to the bat strain.

Scholarship Committee- The next scholarship(s) will be awarded at the June quarterly.  The applications are due May 1st.  The policies will be presented at the next meeting.  The application deadlines should go in the next Newsletter.

Web page- Greg wants to collect regulations to put on the web page.  Please give your regulations or tell Greg what website they currently are on so he can link them to the MHOA site.  He will also have maps to locations of our conferences, seminars, etc.  The website will give direct driving instructions from your house to the event.

Epi Dept KatherineYih and Jocelyn Isodore gave us an update on what they were doing in regards to planning for a flu pandemic.  They are working a planning guides for communities and the State to use.  This would be a very good topic for a quarterly meeting or maybe for the conference in November when our nurses are present.

DPH-Richard Waskiewicz reports that there will be several satellite programs.  On March 16-18  it will be on Foodbourne Illness Investigation (and then a test).  It will be aired in Southeast  Massachusetts and maybe Berkshire Community College.  On May 12-13 there will be a satellite program on trace backs.  DPH wrote to Frozen Dessert Testing labs, we should not be accepting frozen test results (for coliform and standard plate count) from the stores but they should come directly from the lab.  FDA is  looking into how often slush machines should be broken down and cleaned.  Right now, some of them are only cleaned every 6 months (there is a University report that says this is okay) but is this sufficient?  Camps do not have to give medication but if they do they have to comply with the camp regs regarding this.  Howard Wensley reports optimistically that new housing code regulations will be completed this fiscal year.  It might include  "Healthy Homes" approach, which is a comprehensive approach including checking on immunizations and injury control.  In a couple of days the Plumbing Board, DPH and the Dept of Ed will be putting out a joint letter about keeping bathrooms in schools available and accessible at all times.  Howard Wensley has been nominated by the Dept to be on the CHO board.  Sharon Cameron has been nominated to be on the RS board.

 DEP-Commissioner Struhs has resigned.  He is leaving in February.  The Acting Commissioner has not been named yet .  The DEP winter sessions have been set for Feb 17, 1999 at the Cape Cod Regional Tech School in Bourne, Feb 18, 1999 in Wilmington, Feb 20 and Feb 27, 1999 in Western, MA and Feb 20, 1999 at the MDC in West Boylston.  Ed Kunce will be attending all of them.

Silent Auction-Donna Moultrup has found MHOA license plates and has donated them to the silent auction.

MEHA- The next MEHA quarterly meeting will be in Lantana’s in Randolph discussing the Crash Course for Compliance put on by the Office of Technical Assistance.  It will a morning workshop on February 25, 1999.  It will be repeated on March 25, 1999 in Pittsfield.  MEHA is putting out a RFP (and would like to know if MHOA will join), for a Certified Pool Operator trainer to work for our associations to train our members. Howard Wensley, representing MHOA will work with Terry Hayes (representing MEHA) on this.  The Yankee Conference planning is underway.  The conference will be held in Plymouth and a tour of Plimouth Plantation for continuing education credits will be included as well as a theme dinner.  Pat Maloney will be having an educational brown bag lunch on hoarding using some of the tape from the hoarding conference.  If other towns want to do this, the tape will be available.
 

Meeting adjoined at 12:00 P.M.  Next meeting on February 11, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. in Newton.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 9:35 A.M. at Newton Town Hall.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Susan Major, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jay Walsh, David Naparstek, Joel Hollis, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Donna Moultrup, Pat Maloney, John Canning, Peter Mirandi, John Malone, Steven Calichman, Nancy Allen, Joan Barry, John Higgins (DEP), Joe Ferson (DEP), Ed Bertorilli (MAHB) and Ann Fidler (CDC).

Minutes-Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept the January 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Donna Moultrup. Vote-unanimous.

President’s Report- Kathleen was impressed by the New Zealand  Institute of Environmental  Health’s website.  It gave a little bit of its history, a mission statement, its aims and objectives.  After discussion, the board decided that our organization could benefit from a written mission statement, objectives, and goals.  Kathleen will draft these and we’ll look at it next meeting.  Phyllis Boucher already put together MHOA objectives when looking at the reorganization of MHOA. We will need to formalize them.  There is a new director for all the Prevention Centers (a new DPH position).  Her name is Noreen Johnson.  We will invite her to an executive board meeting.  This year’s roster had 4 missing emeritus members and a few other mistakes.  From now on Susan Major will be the point person and she will give the information to Ruth Ellen.  The South Shore Health Agents met with Commissioner Koh.  Kathleen will be asking the Local Health Coordinating Council to form another subcommittee to look at regionalizing some inspectional services and maybe DPH help fund this position(s).  Kathleen wrote to Gov. Cellucci on behalf of MHOA asking the State to use some of the tobacco settlement money to adequately fund the state health department and to provide grant assistance to local health departments.  She will copy this letter to Sen. Birmingham, Rep. Finneran, Sen. Moore (Chairman of Health Care) and Sen. Chandler.  There will also be a fax alert with a copy of this letter to all of our members asking them to please write their own letter to Gov. Cellucci, and to their own senators, representativies, as well as the Health Care Committee Chairman.  Also the executive board will try and set up a meeting with Moore and Chandler.  Ruth Clay passed out an excellent recent column by Ellen Goodman on the tobacco settlement that was faxed to her by the Coalition for a Healthy Future.

Treasurer’s Report- John Canning thanked the Association for the nice dinner party and gift for his retirement.  He presented his final report as treasurer.  On December 31, 1998 our checking account closed with $6,444.34.  Our total assets (from certificate of deposits, money market, checking account, scholarship account, and conference account) totaled $132, 154.00 on December 31, 1998.  Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Donna Moultrup.  Vote-unanimous.  Our new treasurer, Phyllis Boucher, is now using Quicken.  As of January 31, 1999 we had $10,480.74 in the checking account (this increase is because the dues have been coming in).  Phyllis will be doing a quarterly comparison report against the budget.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Ruth Clay.  Vote-Unanimous.  We now have 3 certificates of deposit instead of 4 because 2 came to term and Phyllis combined them.

There was a nice article in the Journal of Env. Health about the RS training provided by NEHA at our conference.

Executive Director’s Report -Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept Paul Mascatueli and David Schofield as regular members of MHOA and Doug Grover as an associate member of MHOA.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher. Vote-unanimous.  Susan will be sending out a reminder to members who haven’t renewed their membership yet to do so with the quarterly meeting notices.  March will be the cutoff for mailings from MHOA for those who do not renew.  Susan will write a nice letter to that effect.  It will also be posted on the website.  Newsletters will no longer be mailed to members who have not renewed by March. The letterhead has been changed, reflecting the new board members.  Motion made by Jay Walsh to leave off all initials for credentials on the MHOA letterhead.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote-unanimous.  Susan will make two sets of letterhead, one with all the names of the board members and one without.  The stationary is on recycled stock. Susan is still looking for funding sources for us.  MPHA just received a grant to do public relations.  Laurie Stillman, MPHA Executive Director,  will work with local boards on this grant also.  The Local Health Coordinating Council and DPH will be submitting a CDC bioterroism grant.  If the State gets this money, they will be able to help local boards get computers, training, and hooked up to the internet.  We think NACCHO membership counts BIG on awarding this grant, so PLEASE if you are not already a member of NACCHO please consider joining.

Conference Committee-We need to sign another 3 year contract.  Ruth Clay received a new contract, and several members of the executive board reviewed the contract and made necessary changes.  We are waiting for a new corrected contract to sign.  The first Conference Committee meeting will be at the end of March.  Donna Moultrup had agreed to chair the exhibitor subcommittee  with Steve Calichman’s help.  Mike Moore will be our registrar again.  The conference will be a week later this year, the  second week in November.

Education Committee-The Camp Training Workshop has a target date of April 28th at Holy Cross.  The rough agenda is that Rep. Cahill and the Camping Association will give intro, the State will review the code and inspectional process, there will be a segment on injury prevention, someone from the criminal board will speak on SORI/CORI, medical requirements, and a panel discussion.  Attendance will be by pre-registration only.

Public Health Leadership Institute- the next meeting is scheduled for April 29, 1999 from 2-8 P.M.

Newsletter- We still need an editor.  We will ask for a volunteer to be an editor on the Website.  Donna Moultrup will write a letter explaining the duties and it will go out to the entire membership with the notice for the quarterly meeting.  We might need a new name for the Newsletter because it is the same name a s medicaid’s new name: MassHealth.

By-law Committee The By-Law review committee summarized previous MHOA policies that the Board was requested to discuss and officially adopt.  Motion made by Steven Calichman to change the weather policy so that members can check the website or call the MHOA phone line answering machine advising of the cancellation.  This policy will go on every winter program..  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Ruth Clay that the newsletter policy be changed to 3 newsletters a year and the profit for MEHA/MHOA joint meetings help defray the cost of the Newsletter.  Seconded by Jay Walsh.  Vote-Unanimous. Motion  made by Ruth Clay that the 1995 Food Manual be sold for $35 to members and $45 to non members plus shipping and handling.  Seconded by Jay Walsh.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Ruth Clay  that MHOA make every effort to have all meetings in smoke free restaurants or meeting places.  Seconded by Nancy Allen.  Vote-Unanimous.  Nancy Allen and Paul McNulty will look for a smoke free restaurant for our quarterly meetings.  A notice will be posted on the Web asking members to let Nancy or Paul know if there are any nice smoke free restaurants in their town for our meetings.  We will call our video lending library the MHOA Resource Center which will also include books.  We need a person or people to form another committee to inventorize our videos, set policy on lending fees, and recommend new videos and books each year for MHOA to purchase.  Kathleen will ask Dan Tremblay.  We also need to include a list of the books and videos in our roster and on the website so our members know what we have.  New videos and books should be featured in our Newsletter.  The policy on all day workshops will be moved to the finance committee but the policy should be consistent with MEHA’s.  The executive board policies should be given to all new executive board members after elections.  Susan Major will draft a pledge for next meeting.  The Scholarship Committee has been reviewing their policies.  The committee should be 3 members and MHOA will give out at least one $1,000 scholarship or two $500 scholarships.  MHOA needs to remember to continually put money into this account.  The applications are due by May 1st and awarded at the June quarterly meeting to be used for the next school year.  The applicants need to fill out a form plus provide the committee with either a curriculum of study or a transcript.  MHOA needs a list of award recipients.  The Scholarship Committee will report further at the next meeting.  Policies that the finance committee will look at include policy for retirement and functions, bereavement and sick policy, and bounced checks.

DPH Household Hazardous Waste Study Committee-Kathleen will ask Joe Tabbi and Greg Erickson if they would like to be appointed to this committee.

Cancer Conference Committee Martha Wood would like MHOA involvement.  Kathleen will ask Paul McNulty and Jim Nugent to represent MHOA on this project.

UMass Support Training- This deals with local capacity building.  Jennifer Sullivan will be our liaison to this.

Intern Opportunities Ann Fidler, an epidemiologist from CDC has been assigned to BU and spoke at our meeting.  Her mission is to help integrate the science of public health and the actual practice of local public health.  One way she is accomplishing this is to link students with opportunities to work in the field from 5 to 40 hours per week.  Students can get paid or not (can get credit).  If you need an intern at your local Board of Health, please contact Terry Sass at 617-638-4656.

Local Health Coordinating Council-Ruth Clay passed out a product from the pr subcommittee of Did you knows...April 5-11 is Public Health Week and each health department can use all or some of these did you knows to let the public know what local boards of health do.  DPH will be mailing the packet along with a brochure on how to deal with the press.  It should arrive by next week.  Plans are underway for PH Week 2000.

IAQ Subcommittee Robin Chapell met with the State’s Healthy School Networks.  They are working  on a mission statement to try to attract more membership.  Presently they will be working on a resource center (maybe through the net) on information from the various players involved, DPH, EPA DLI, etc.  She also passed out a bill that the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association has filed  to create a healthy school task force.

Joan Barry, with the help of DPH, facilitated a  meeting with court officials, who were reluctant (or didn't) prosecute Board of Health cases in the western part of the State.  Now thanks to Joan, Thursdays in her court are dedicated to public health cases!

DEP- On June 14th and June 16th there will be one day workshops at URI and Westford on wastewater management for small sewer plants.  There isn’t a new commissioner yet but Ed Kunce has been appointed acting commissioner.  John Higgins will now be the DEP lead for the Local Health Coordinating Council.  He has already spoken to Paul Jacobsen about sending agendas in advance of the meeting, having DEP and DPH representatives on all subcommittees, and setting dates for meetings a whole year in advance.  There is now a DEP/DPH workgroup to put together a budget item for local health capacity building and a workgroup with both DPH and DEP lawyers to publish a new statute book.  DEP is getting ready for its 4 DEP/MHOA meetings on February 17, 18, 20, and 27, 1999 at Cape Cod, Wilmington, Western part of the state, and West Boylston.  The new soil refresher courses are slightly cheaper but not cheap enough.  Kathleen will write another letter  to Ed Kunce explaining that  $90 is still prohibitive and most Health Officers cannot afford that rate for a one day seminar.

MEHA- The next MEHA quarterly meeting will be in Lantana’s in Randolph discussing the Crash Course for Compliance put on by the Office of Technical Assistance.  It will a morning workshop on February 25, 1999.  It will be repeated on March 25, 1999 in Pittsfield.  Joan Barry offered to help out in Pittsfield.  MEHA’s RFP for a Certified Pool Operator trainer to work for our associations to train our members is not ready yet.

MAHB thanks us for providing responses to what training services we provide our members and for distirbuting and compiling their computer survey.  March 11, 1999 is BOH Recognition Day.  This year there will be a Public Health Nurse and a Public Health Officer that will be recognized.  Gov.  Cellucci will be there.  MHOA will have a table that day.

Member Tony Vento has passed away.  His funeral is tomorrow.  Also Brad Leach had an auto accident.  Cards are welcomed!

Meeting adjoined at 12:15 P.M.  Next meeting on March 18, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. at Vinnie Testa’s.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 9:30 A.M. at Vinnie Testa’s  in Dedham.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Susan Major, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jay Walsh, David Naparstek, Joel Hollis, Jennifer Sullivan, Linda Shea, Donna Moultrup, John Canning, Peter Mirandi, Nancy Allen, John Higgins (DEP), Greg Erickson, Johanna Prindiville (DEP), Paul McNulty, Pat Zingarello, and Jim Nugent.

Minutes-Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept the February 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Greg Erickson.  Vote-unanimous.

President’s Report- Kathleen met with Commissioner Koh and Deputy Commissioner Jacobson to talk about funding from the tobacco settlement monies.  She also reported to us that DPH and DEP are planning to budget $50,000 each for funding for the new Public Health Leadership Institute..  The next Institute meeting will not be April 29th as original planned.  The subcommittee is targeting May 20th but Kathleen feels that is also too soon, as the subcommittee still needs to develop and adopt a mission statement, and to establish the structure, roles and responsibilities of the Institute.  Some disturbing news was that Shep Cohen, Institute Director, wanted to plan the next Institute meeting during the MAHB awards dinner.  Motion made by Ruth Clay that the Institute should be separate from any organization’s dinner or any formal  function.  A letter should be forwarded to Commissioners Kunce and Koh expressing this.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote-Unanimous.  Kathleen, Ruth and Robin met with Sen. Moore to discuss the tobacco settlement monies. Sen. Moore is all in favor that the monies go to new health programs and tobacco control activities.  Congratulations are in order to Peter Mirandi who now serves on the RS Board!  Kathleen met with Toby Quinto, an aide for Sen. Jacques.  She would like to discuss bottled water issues with a health officer.  Donna Moultrup will speak with her.  Ruth Clay drafted a salary survey.  If anyone has any comments or suggestions please contact Ruth Clay.  Greg Erickson agreed to be on the local health coordinating council’s information technology subcommittee.  John Coulon and Richard Day are both interested in helping MHOA with our resource center.  Bill number S 933 is a bill which would make all Board of Health regulations be printed in full and would require public hearings.  Greg Erickson will go to the hearing opposing this.  Kathleen will send a letter opposing this and Susan will send a fax/email alert requesting members call their own legislators and the Chairman of local affairs committee opposing this bill.  Kathleen drafted a history of MHOA, Mission Statement, goals, and statement.  Motion made by Phyllis Boucher to approve these.  Seconded by Donna Moultrup.  Vote-Unanimous.  These will go on the website, in the roster and on our application flyer.

Treasurer’s Report-MHOA made money from the Northeast region DEP seminar and lost a little money from the other regions.  In February we started out with $10,480.74 and ended up with $6,159.21.  Motion  made by Nancy Allen to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Donna Moultrup.  Vote-Unanimous.

Executive Director’s Report -Motion made by Linda Shea to accept Laurel Thorne, Terry Gilchrist, Bernard Clancy, Ernest Ciccotelli, Dianne Pantermoller, and Jeannine PaFume as regular members of MHOA and Dennis Kwider, Heather Marceau, and Shawn McAuliffe as associate members of MHOA.  Seconded by Donna Moultrup. Vote-Unanimous.  MPHA will let MHOA use their tax status for certain grants. Susan applied for a $7,000 NACCHO grant for hepatitis C.  She also applied for a CDC conference support grant.  Susan is starting pre-registration for the camp seminar that will be on April 26, 1999.  There is no editor for the newsletter as of now.  Donna Moultrup and Ruth Clay have agreed to co-edit the next 2 issues. If they call you and need help, please say yes!  We are still waiting for a bill from NEHA from the conference.

Conference Committee-The first meeting of the conference committee will be on April 22, 1999 in room 222 at Newton Town Hall.  Remember the dates for this year’s conference will be on November 8, 9, and 10, which is a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Fiscal Policies-The Financial Committee recommends the following policies. MHOA should send a card to all members that are hospitalized or with serious illness and can spend up to $60 on flowers or fruit to a member of the executive board that is hospitalized or with serious illness.    MHOA should send a card to the family of members that have died.  If a member’s child has died, then $50 in their memory is donated to the Amy Naparstek Scholarship fund.  In the case of bereavement of an executive board member, flowers are at the discretion of the President of MHOA.  When a member retires, up to 4 representatives can go to the dinner at MHOA’s expense.  The orders of preference of MHOA's representatives are: officer, executive board member, and then member.  MHOA will not automatically pay for the President to go to the Yankee Conference.  If a bounced check occurs then that person must pay the amount of the check plus any fees MHOA has had to pay.  If a person bounces more than 1 check, for all future purchases they must pay in cash or by money order.  Non-members must pay an extra $10 to attend quarterly meetings.  Even if an attendee does not eat, they must pay the cost of the meeting.  (MHOA will discuss prepayment at the next meeting).  At the MEHA/MHOA joint meetings, attendees must prepay or give a purchase order.  No walk ins will be allowed.  Non-members will pay an extra $10.  Full refunds will only be given up to 5 business days before the meeting (otherwise no refund will be given).

Executive Board Policy-Linda Shea will have a draft policy at the next meeting.

MPHA-Laurie Stillman felt that the Local Health Coordinating Council is positive because it has provided a way for each of the organizations to get to know one another.  It does have constraints on an advocacy level.   Clarification of the role of the Institute is in order.  The subcommittee needs a facilitator to do group process.  Ms. Stillman feels there is a need for the presidents and directors of MEHA, MAHB, MHOA, and MPHA to get together and talk.  She will arrange for this to happen.  MPHA was awarded a grant to work on advocacy for all the groups of local public health. Ms. Stillman feels that if just 5 people from every district make a call to their legislator they will listen.  $200 million a year will be coming to Massachusetts from the tobacco settlement monies.  MHOA, MEHA, MPHA, MAHB, Nurses Assoc. and MMA are supporting legislation that 30% of the monies go expanding tobacco control programs, 30% of the monies should help the under insured, and 40% of the monies should go to health block grants to support local health and prevention efforts.  This Tuesday Kathleen MacVarish will attend Statehouse Health Care Committee Hearings as  part of the Coalition for Local Public Health.  One person will be selected to make the Local Health presentation.   On June 2, 1999 MPHA, with the Healthy School Teams and the Mass Medical Society, are sponsoring a conference at Clark University on Renovating and Building Schools.  On April 5, 199, during Public Health Week MPHA will be debuting their web site mphaweb.org.  MHOA’s site will link to this site.

DPH-Richard Waskiewicz informed us that DPH hired  a new veterinarian to work with foodborne illnesses, Dr. Erica Berl.  There is a satellite program on food-borne illness  investigations this week. There are 8 pieces of DPH legislation on the DPH website: if MHOA should endorse any of these please let Kathleen know.  Kathleen will invite Paul Jacobsen to our next Executive Board meeting to discuss legislation.  We should discuss rabies legislation (reimbursement for rabies prophylaxis) at a future meeting.

DEP-John Higgins informed us that there is a conference scheduled on wastewater mgt on June 14, 1999 in the western part of the state and on June 16, 1999 at URI.  Ed Kunce is still the Acting Commissioner.  A study came out that the 3 most popular additives for septic systems,  Drano, liquid plumber, and ridex do not help.  DEP has conceptually approved a replacement for Mr. Fuller but it has not happened yet.  Some towns are testing the access program to see if it is debugged.  Most of the telephone numbers listed in the MHOA roster for the DEP western region have changed.  The sieve test policy has been approved in draft form for non-compacted tills.  The Consumer Confidence Report on Water Federal Regulations are out.  Massachusetts will not have their guidelines ready by October.  The DEP seminar evaluations were handed out by Johanna Prindiville.

Web Page-Greg Erickson has added new search engines.  There is a counter on the main page that tells you where the hits come from.

Meeting adjoined at 11:55 P.M.  Next meeting on April 15, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. at Newton Town Hall.

The Executive Board meeting of the MHOA came to order at 9:35 A.M. in Room 222 of Newton City Hall, Newton. Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice President Ruth Clay, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Susan Major, Linda Shea, Donna Moultrup, Peter Mirandi, John Canning, Joel Hollis (DPH), Jennifer Sullivan, Johanna Prindiville (DEP), Jana Ferguson (DPH), John Higgins (DEP), Jim Nugent, Jay Walsh, Greg Erickson, David Naparstek, Richard Waskiewicz (DPH), Fredric Cantor, and Pat Maloney.  Minutes: Motion made by Peter Mirandi to accept the March 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher. Vote-Unanimous.

President's Report: President Kathleen MacVarish reported on the following: Robin Chapell had surgery and is recuperating well. Ernie Ciccotelli passed away. Tobacco Settlement: Marc Bouton and the Coalition for a Health Future have organized a "Coalition of Coalitions" which consists of 100 health-related organizations. This coalition has signed onto a Statement of Principal. A "Coalition of Local Public Health" organizations has been formed. MHOA as well as MEHA, MAHB, MPHA and the MNA are also represented. Gail Douglas spoke at the Health Care Committee. The goal of the Coalition is to ensure tobacco settlement monies go toward new health and tobacco programs and endorses the creation of  a trust for settlement dollars. It is critical that if a Commission is formed that MHOA be represented on said commission. Public Health Leadership Institute: Kathleen explained  MHOA's concerns with holding the next Institute meeting at the MAHB's annual awards dinner. MAHB informed Kathleen that it was not their idea. The Institute has agreed to hold the next sub-committee on May 13, 1999. John Higgins added that at the next meeting, the group will be working on defining goals, and a mission statement. Local Health Coordinating Council: Next meeting is scheduled for May 6, 1999.  Richard Marino and Joe Godzik have agreed to be co-editors of the newsletter. MWRA: The MWRA will be direct mailing the water quality report to the municipalities receiving MWRA water. They are looking for a person from MHOA to serve on a committee and Beverly Anderson, Lexington has agreed to represent MHOA. Phyllis Boucher noted that the anti-corrosion controls installed on the MWRA water supply equipment have changed the pH of the water. This has affected the readings on the sanitizer strips used at Food Establishments. Richard Waskiewicz will check into this. Fredric Cantor agreed to serve on the planning committee for the Annual Conference of the American Public Health Association. Susan Major will write letter of inquiry on how to set up an affiliate of NACCHO in order to take advantage of grant opportunities. Kathleen appointed David Naparstek, Pat Maloney and Linda Shea to the Nominating Committee.  Paul Jacobsen, Deputy Commissioner of Public Health, reported on the following: Personnel changes are being made at the Department. Bobby Mathews has been appointed as the new legislative person for the Dept. The Department testified against the Inspector General's Bill on 30B. The public hearing on Senate Bill 933 is scheduled for April 27, 1999. The non-criminal disposition bill hearing was continued to April 15, 1999.  The regional offices are being restructured so that the person that answers the phone can answer the question to avoid being shuffled from person to person. There is a plan to expand on the good CHNA's and help the less productive ones. Howard Wensley was appointed to the CHO Board, Sharon Cameron was appointed to the RS Board. Paul has been receiving many calls to serve on the Local Coordinating Council. This is a problem because not everyone can be appointed. Kathleen suggested rotating the meetings because of parking expenses and setting the future meeting dates in advance. The Bioterrorism Grant will be awarded at the end of April. Paul is confident that MA will receive one. If so, computers for all local Boards of Health. Paul reported that 4 new interns, for a total of 6 will be inspecting the summer camps this year. 20% of the camps were inspected by DPH last year.

Executive Director's Report: Motion made by Phyllis Boucher to accept George Norris as a regular member and Michele Crawford as an associate member of MHOA. Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan. Vote-Unanimous. There are 363 regular members of MHOA to date. 68 non-renewals after the 2nd notice to renew membership. 100 people have pre-registered so far for the Camp Program. Susan reported that she applied to NACCHO for Hepatitis C training grant. She also wrote a letter of intent for conference support. Bob Durand has not confirmed that he will speak at the June Quarterly Meeting. Ideas? Based on the fact that for the March quarterly meeting, 120 people registered, but 20 did not show, Pat Maloney made a motion that pre-registration and pre-payment at the Quarterly MHOA meetings is required. Walk-ins will be allowed if space is available, but seating will not be guaranteed. There will be a $10.00 surcharge if you walk-in. This will be put on all registration flyers. Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan. Vote-Unanimous.  Noreen Johnson, DPH, is the new Director of the Massachusetts Prevention Centers. She reported the strategic plan has been completed and now the budget is being looked at. She gave an overview of the strategic plan, which includes many ways that the Prevention Centers can interact more efficiently with local Boards of Health. She also highlighted the products and services offered by the Prevention Centers.   Treasurer's Report: Phyllis Boucher reported that we made a profit of $1359.34 at the March Quarterly Meeting but we lost $277.00 at the Southeast Region DEP seminar. February ending balance was $6159.21, the March ending balance was $5936.22. There was a monthly loss of $222.99. Quarterly Report-Phyllis prepared a report of the last three months. The report shows a loss of $508.50. Phyllis noted that the conference account has always been kept separate. MHOA needs to consider using some of the conference money for the operating budget.  Jennifer Sullivan made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report.  Seconded by Donna Moultrup. Vote-Unanimous.  Conference Committee Report: Ruth reported that we still do not have a signed contract with the Sheraton. John, Ruth and Kathleen will be looking at the facility within the next month. Last year's RS review has been settled with NEHA. Ruth has drafted a response to Nelson.  MHOA has agreed to split the profit after MHOA and NEHA expenses have been totaled. First Conference Committee meeting will be held next Thursday, April 22, 1999 at the Newton City Hall.  Executive Board Policy: Linda Shea passed out copies of the draft policy. Linda will incorporate pledge into the policy.  Web Page: Fredric Cantor would like people who send email to "everyone @ MHOA" to identify themselves with a name and phone number so that we know who we are responding to. Greg Erickson will put the MA Prevention Center link on the Web Page. DPH: Richard reported that the food code draft is with FEAC now. The Legal department is also working on it. Hopefully it will be ready by the end of the year. Jana Ferguson reported that the Amendments on the Camp Regulations have been sent to the local Boards of Health. The packet also contains the new inspection report and information of the storage and administration of medications.  DEP: John Higgins reported that a Title 5 roundtable will be held on April 29, 1999 to review proposals and revisions to the code. Local Capacity Building-first meeting will be held with most groups. UMass is working on a web-based calendar. Reminder-the On-Site Wastewater Conference will be held in Weston on June 14th and in Rhode Island on June 16th. The alternative perc test policy is on hold for now. No word on the appointment of the Commissioner.  Kathleen noted that Joe Tabbi's brother passed away. Motion made by Jim Nugent to make a $50.00 donation to the scholarship fund. Seconded by Peter Mirandi. Vote-Unanimous.  Meeting adjourned at 12:40 P.M. Next meeting on May 20, 1999 at Newton City Hall.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Shea, Acting Secretary

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 10:00 A.M. at Norwood Civic Center. Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Susan Major, Linda Shea, Jennifer Sullivan, Jim Nugent, Johanna Prindiville, Greg Erickson, Joel Hollis, Joan Barry, Steve Calichman, John Higgins, and Richard Day.

President’s Report-MHOA wrote a letter of support for the DPH Bioterroism grant.  Alison Hackbarth wrote a mission statement that sounded good for MHOA.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to change the MHOA mission statement to the new version.  Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-unanimous.  On the tobacco front-it is still unclear if a special commission will be formed to decide how the tobacco litigation will be spent.  MHOA is a member of the Coalition of Local Public Health.  If a special commission is formed at least 3 representatives from this coalition might be on it, MAHB, MPHA, and the Mass Nurses Association.  If this happens we will meet more frequently as a coalition.  Joe Tabbi’s niece sent a thank you for the contribution to the Amy Naparstek Scholarship in honor of her father.  Susanne Condon, DPH is applying for an IAQ grant that will help all of us in training.  Joe Tabbi resigned from the HHW Collection task force.  Kathleen will ask Todd Dresser to replace him.

Minutes-Linda Shea did a great job with the minutes!  Motion made by Jim Nugent to accept the April 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan.  Vote-unanimous.

Treasurer’s Report-.  In April we started out with $5936.22 and ended up with $8,692.75.  Motion  made by Ruth Clay to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Steve Calichman.  Vote-Unanimous.

Executive Director’s Report -Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept Richard Gobi, Bruce Murphy, and Tom McInerney as regular members of MHOA.  Seconded by Greg Erickson. Vote-Unanimous.  Bob Durand will not be coming to the June training course MHOA meeting with Fire Depts. and Boards of Health (overlap in jobs).  The program will be 2 hours on June 17th at Vinnie Testa’s.  We were turned down for the Hep C grant from NACCHO.

Conference Committee-Kathleen MacVarish and Ruth Clay visited the Sheraton.  It is a GREAT FACILITY.  MHOA will sign a 4 year contract with them.  MHOA will secure reduced rates for a few days before and after the conference.  The next conference subcommittee meeting will be on May 27th at 1 P.M. at a place to be determined.  Motion made by Jen Sullivan to accept the policies relating to the annual educational conference.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher.  The committee will be looking for sponsors so we can be able to afford a better giveaway.  We will also be looking for sponsors for the coffee breaks.  A letter will be sent to all of our long time exhibitors to see if they would like to be a sponsor.  Registration fees need to be set.  For the one day registration the fee will include the lunch.  The hotel is doing name tags for us (on necklaces).

All new policies should be given to Susan Major.

Executive Board Policies-Linda Shea drafted these policies. The changes that were made included a signature line on the bottom.  New Board members will receive the policies in November and sign the pledge every January.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept the executive board policies with changes as presented.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher.  Vote-unanimous.

Fiscal Policies. The policies were corrected by Phyllis Boucher.

Resource Library- John needs to do an inventory and then decide what to buy.  .

Newsletter-Richard Marino and Joe Godzik are looking for articles.  Please help.

Scholarship Committee-Susan Major received only 1 application.  The committee will see if the applicant meets the scholarship criteria.

Web Page-The MPHA web site is up and running.  It is linked to ours.  The prevention centers are also linked to the MHOA web page.

Semi-Annual Conference- Fredric came up with a list of responsibilities for MEHA and MHOA.

Nursing CEUs-We should be able to offer them because it is simple to get them through the Div. of Registration of Nursing.  We need to send them an agenda and objectives.

DPH-Richard Waskiewicz informed us that in mid September they are offering a Food Code train the trainer course in Worcester (it will be a 3 day course).  The 1st day will be how to be a trainer and the next two days it will have specific training.  The course is restricted to 40-45 people.  The Food Code is on e third of the way through legal review.  The Food Reporter is coming out in June (there will be an article on e-coli in it).

DEP-We have a new DEP Commissioner, Lauren Liss.  John Higgins informed us that there is a wastewater  mgt. conference scheduled on June 14, 1999 in the western part of the state and on June 16, 1999 at URI.  Grad students might be calling you up so they can fill out soil evaluator forms (towns are chosen by a blind statistical method).  The alternative perc policy is still on hold.  Jim Fuller’s replacement hasn’t happened yet.  U Mass has bought an internet calendar program where all training will be listed under one place for local capacity building.  Septrack FoxPro is not yet Y2K compliant.  Septrack Access is Y2K compliant, but DEP will be checking it again to make sure.  They will also help communities convert from FoxPro to Access.  There is a Perc test video in the make- volunteers are needed to review the script.  Joan Barry and Jennifer Sullivan volunteered.  Johanna Prindiville reported that DEP has a calendar of events on  their website and it is updated weekly.  DEP will have a kid’s page in September on their web page.  Johanna will write an article in the Newsletter about this.

Legislative Updates Senate Bill 933 (on writing legal notices on new legislation for Bds of Health) went into committee.

MAHB will be recognizing Sen. Moore, Leader of the Health Committee and Rachel Caprellin for their work on tobacco control.  The Local Affairs Committee gave a favorable review to the bill on non criminal disposition.  It is now in judicial committee.

New Business-John Sullivan passed away (he worked in Framingham and then in Milton).  Brad Leach is getting an award.  Ruth Clay was audited fir vaccine distribution.  If anyone wants a checklist of what is audited, please contact Ruth.  Boards of Health will be getting the rotavirus vaccine in September (it is a 3 dose vaccine).

Meeting adjoined at 11:50 P.M.  Next meeting on June 17, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. at Vinnie Testa’s in Dedham.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 9:40 A.M. at Vinnie Testa’s in Dedham. Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Susan Major, Linda Shea, Jennifer Sullivan, Jim Nugent, Johanna Prindiville, Joel Hollis, Joan Barry, Steve Calichman, John Higgins, Nanvy Ridley, Jana Ferguson, Donna moultrup, Peter Mirandi, Jay Walsh, Pat Maloney, Jean Marie Kent, Fredric Cantor and Richard Day.

Minutes- Motion made by Phyllis Boucher to accept the May 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-Unanimous.

President’s Report-Kathleen thought the Newsletter was great!  Joe and Richard are to be thanked at the quarterly meeting.  The Senate is planning on how to spend the Tobacco Settlement money.  MHOA needs to be heard.  We will have a fax and e-mail alert.  We need a voice on the committee.  The Public Leadership Institute is coming along great.  There is no date for the next one yet.

Food Code- Nancy Ridley explained to the Board that there will be a major way the Food Code will be revised from now on.  Massachusetts will adopt by reference the 1999 Federal Food Code.  Nancy suggested a food code hearing during the conference.  Ms. Ridley would like the Food Code done by September.  The Feds will have Train the Trainer class in September.  The training of inspectors is still an issue.  Pat Maloney suggests that DPH should look at the lead model.  John Higgins suggested that UMass could help with the training (and charge more for the private sector to subsidize the government sector.  Pat Maloney also suggested having the Leadership Institute help with our training.  Ms. Ridley will bring back this high priority to DPH training the inspectors!

Treasurer’s Report-.  We now have $4241.70 in our checking account.  Motion  made by Steve Calicman to transfer $7500 from the money market to the checking account.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote-Unanimous.  Motion made by Jim Nugent to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan. Vote-Unanimous.

Executive Director’s Report -Susan received a thank you letter from Robin Chapell for the flowers sent for her recovery.  NACCHO turned down our grant application in this round but made suggestions to the grant application for September.  MHOA received 100 salary surveys back.  It should be formatted to tell us the population, type of duties and medium income of the Town or City.
Our meetings at Vinnie Testa’s has always been free meeting spaces and $13/dinner.  We also received free coffee for our executive meetings.  Now Vinnie Testa’s wants to charge us $15.50/dinner, $2.50/coffee, and for the meeting room if we do not get a certain number to attend.

Conference Committee Next meeting will be on Thursday at 10:00 in Newton Town Hall.

Executive Board Policies Linda Shea presented changes. The Board asked for one more change and then Linda will give them to Susan Major

Pre-pay. Motion. made by Steve Calichman to let John Canning pre register and not prepay due to distance and retirement status.  Amended motion by Peter Mirandi to allow the entire executive board to pre register and not pre pay.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote.  Vote on original motion 9-4.

Household Hazardous Waste Committee- Todd Dresser agreed to represent MHOA on this committee.

Scholarship Committee Susan Major received only 1 application.  The committee is waiting for her transcript.

MEHA- Pat Maloney was also pleased with the Newsletter.  He is looking for volunteers to help with the responses for the MEHA/MHOA RFP for pool operators course.  Fredric Cantor will help.

DPH-Jana Ferguson is receiving between 50-60 calls a day on camps.  DPH hired 4 interns to do camp inspections this summer.  2 of the interns worked for them last summer.   Rep. Cahill publicly committed DPH to inspect 1/2 the camps this summer.  In November, during the conference, we should have a debriefing of the camp regulations.

Depth MHOA conference is listed in The Zabel Zone.  DEP’s alternative perc policy will probably be out next week.  Jennifer Sullivan has already reviewed it.  There will be an On Site Mgt course at the Cape on the 28th and 29th.  Y2K discs are out; priority will be given to the people using Foxpro.  In Westford, the program was great but the attendance was so-so.

New Business-Karen Springer would like to spearhead legislation for the retirement bill for health agents.

Meeting adjoined at 11:45 P.M.  Next meeting on September 16, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. at Vinnie Testa’s in Dedham.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 10:00 A.M. at Vinnie Testa’s in Dedham. Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Dawn Siber, Linda Shea, Jennifer Sullivan, Jim Nugent, Johanna Prindiville, Joel Hollis, Steve Calichman, John Higgins, Donna Moultrup, Pat Maloney, Fredric Cantor, John Coulon, Greg Erickson, Joseph McCarthy and Richard Waskiewicz.

Welcome to Dawn Sibor, our new Executive Director.  She is past director of the South Shore Tobacco Control Coalition.  Also welcome back to RuthEllen Sandler, our new administrative assistant.

Minutes- Motion made by Phyllis Boucher to accept the June 1999 minutes with corrections.  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan. Vote-Unanimous.

Camp Issue- about 60-80 people attended the DPH hearings on Recreational Camps for Children Regulations.  Some of the suggestions included increasing the exemption of a camp is it meets less than 4 hours a day.  Bible schools were not intended to be regulated but some Bible schools are camps.  There still is a CORI-SORI issue.  There were some problems with immunizations.  Donna Moultrup suggested that if teachers had the same immunization requirements as camp counselors it would help the adult immunization problem.  If camps apply for a renewal license, then perhaps they wouldn't have to be inspected before the permit was given.  Some Boards of Health had a problem obtaining copies of building permits.  Fire Departments need to be given sample forms to make it easier for them.  Motion  made by Ruth Clay to have DPH work with DOE and CSC to come up with standard camp forms.  Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan.  Vote-Unanimous.  The State audited 25% of the camps.  For the most part the inspections were good.  There were some problems in the Western part of the State, particularly with lack of interpretation of some of the regulations.  DPH also found some unlicensed camps. Umass does not want local Bd. of Health inspecting and licensing their camps.  The Atty General is reviewing this problem for all aspects of inspections and the ruling should be forthcoming.  MHOA would like more training on camp inspections and more sample plans.  The forms are not standardized.

President’s Report-Kathleen met with the Coalition for Local Public Health on the 9th of September. By different organizations coming together we have more leverage to strengthen local public health.  They are looking for a vote from memberships of the organizations to become part of this coalition.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to have MHOA become a member of the Coalition for Local Public Health.  Seconded by Jim Nugent.  Vote-Unanimous.  The Milk, Food and Environmental Inspectors Association asked MHOA to support them in asking for the State to have a single regulation for tobacco control in our restaurants.  Kathleen will respond that MHOA  doesn’t feel this is a battle worth fighting at the present time.  Joan Barry sent a letter asking MHOA to cosponsor an educational training on auditing businesses for community health, safety, and the environment.  Motion made by Greg Erickson for MHOA to cosponsor the training.  Seconded by Ruth Clay.  Vote-Unanimous.
Water Quality Committee -Beverly Anderson represents MHOA on the MGR Water Quality Committee.  There will be a report coming out shortly.

Food Code- Holly destroy, Jim White, and John McNulty will be representing MHOA on reviewing the revised food code.

MPHA Public Health Visibility Day is October 6, 1999 at the State House.  MHOA will have a table.  MPHA had their annual meeting and anniversaries celebration yesterday.  Fredric Cantor was able to go and said it was very empowering.  6 past and present DPH Commissioners were there.  Commissioner Koh sang the song You are My Hero and said we all need to sell our message better.

Salary Surveys not completed yet.  Susan Major said she will complete it for us.

Policy Boohoos been compiled.  Susan will give it to Ruth Ellen to make copies for us.

Roster Book- Please make sure that all corrections get to either Dawn or Kathleen.  Also Kathleen would like to add the President’s award recipients to the book.  A consensus was made that a few more ads can be added to the book.

Treasurer’s Report-. We started with $4242,28 on June 1, 1999 in our checking account and on August 31, 1999 we had $5386.22. Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan. Vote-Unanimous.  Phyllis will attempt to prepare a planning budget for our next meeting.

Executive Director’s Report -There were some cancellations for today’s quarterly meeting, probably due to the weather.  Dawn will get a residential phone to use for MHOA.  Her phone number is 781-740-2442 and her fax number is 781-741-5088.  Ruth Ellen's P.O. number is 1644.  Motion made by Fredric Cantor to accept Lauren McLaughlin, Sharon White, Faith Roger (associate), Lloyd (Doug) Siam, Michael McDonnell, Richard Doyen (Associate), Angel Quinines, Donna Mirandi, Geraldine Swans, Kathleen Driscoll, John Gardener, Ernest Eons, Henry Tartaglia, David Provencher, and Bruce Gaylord as new MHOA members.  Seconded by Greg Erickson.  Vote-Unanimous.  Kudos goes to the City of Taunton for bringing in 6 new members.

Conference Committee-The conference planning is moving along. The registration this year was on 2 pieces of paper.  There is 2 mistakes on the registration form, the field trip says Friday but it is on Wednesday and the program should say Housing Busters.  Next year, the conference committee should give non conference committee people the program to proofread.  Thanks to John Higgins, Infiltrator will be sponsoring the brief cases!  Tuft Tie is paying for 1 coffee break.  SO far we have 20 exhibitors and 6 paid advertisers for the program.  Next year we need to think about late fees for the exhibitors.  Everyone, please start thinking out your donations to the silent auction.  If you can bring them to the next meeting that will be helpful.

Education Committee- we need ideas for programming!  There will be a URA seminar in the western part of the state as part of the URA Grant.  If there is extra money, perhaps they can exhibit again at the conference.

Resource Library- Massachusetts Prevention Center is willing to hold and catalog our materials for us.  Members should send a description of what they have to add to the library to either Richard Day or John Coulon .  Phyllis Boucher will contact Chet to see what, if anything, he still has.

Scholarship CommitteeThe will be one $1000 scholarship that will be awarded during the luncheon today.

MEHA- Next week is the Yankee Conference.  The CPO RFP was awarded to Pool Operation Mgt.  It will cost MHOA/MEHA about $90/ person for the course alone.  We should charge around $125.  MHOA will set up the seminars and handle logistics.  Ruth Ellen will be paid for the mailing and registration  Any profits would then be split by MEHA and MHOA..  We are thinking about late winter/early spring.  Each class will be limited to 35-40 people.  Perhaps the Public Health Leadership Institute can help with costs.

DPH legislative fee for camp permits is $10/camp unless the Town goes to Town meeting they can ask for $50 if Town meeting approves.  Hill Liberty announced his retirement.  DPH will find a replacement for him.  DPH is still reviewing the testing indicator for beaches.  Jennifer Sullivan will represent MHOA on the Beach Regulation committee.  The state needs to standardize the sanitary survey.  Over 100 people registered for the food code train the trainer but it will be canceled at noon today and tomorrow due to the weather.  There is a food code fact sheet online.  We need to start looking at the USDA model food code. DPH will put the food code online and mail drafts.  There will be a satellite downlink on sausage making (sanitation issues).  DPH initiated a food safety task force which will deal with microbiological research, education, and regulatory aspects of the food code.  Brian Lockard is MHOA’s representative.

Depress Dicie was hired as Jim Fuller’s replacement.  She will start on October 4, 1999.  The Local Capacity Building Committee meets again on October 21, 1999.  They will look at what funding and training is available.

Lead-  The lead regulations are changing again.  MHOA will ask Roy Petrie to write an article for the Newsletter on the changes.

Meeting adjourned at 1150 P.M.  Next meeting on October 21, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. at Newton City Hall.

The Executive Board meeting of MHOA came to order at 10:00 A.M. at Newton City Hall.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Dawn Sibor, Linda Shea, Jennifer Sullivan, Jim Nugent, Johanna Prindiville, Joel Hollis, Steve Calichman, John Canning, Donna Moultrup, Pat Maloney, Fredric Cantor, Greg Erickson, and Peter Mirandi.

Minutes- Motion made by Ruth Clay to accept the September 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher. Vote-Unanimous.

President’s reporter were glitches in transporting membership data from Susan Major  to Dawn Sibor and ruthless Sandler.  It is all being worked on.  DPH is looking for comments for the food code.  If you have comments please give them to the Food Code Committee (Holly Destroy, John McNulty, and Jim White) or Kathleen MacVarish  so they can be incorporated in MHOA’s comments to DPH.  MAHB paid for the mailings (not DPH) of the draft food code.  Kathleen would like to see a lot of handouts for our operators as well as Food Inspector training.  Ruth mentioned that the Choke saving requirement is not clear and everybody enforces it a little differently.  During the conference Priscilla Lounge and Nancy Ridley will be going through the major changes to the food code so it might be helpful to read the materials before the conference.  MHOA should give positive feedback on the draft code but it also needs to be tweaked.  Regina McCarthy is the Asst. Comm. for Pollution Prevention at EOEA.  She has accepted our invitations to speak at the December quarterly meeting, on the status of Environmental Health in Massachusetts.  Other topics suggested included vehicle idling issues, air pollution and solid waste/recycling updates.  Kathleen is in the process of updating the roster book for 2000.  Please give web changes to Greg Erickson.  The Regional Executive Board representatives will be asked to check their regions members for correct information for the board of health listing.  Dawn will call the reps and have them get back to her before Thanksgiving.  MHOA and MEHA are requesting that the Local Public Health Institute help fund our joint CPO training programs for Health Inspectors.  These courses are planned for late winter of 2000 and will run for two days. We plan on offering two sessions, which will accommodate a maximum of 80 participants (40 per class).   Dawn Sibor is working on the logistics.

Conference Committee- So far there are 204 pre registrants.  There are also 30 paid exhibitors.  We have 12 or 13 paid ads as well.  We will be giving away briefcases with the help of Infiltrator.  We have other giveaways for the registration packets: calculators from Wheelabrator, t sticks, program schedules, conference facility layout, exhibitor and ad booklet,  evaluations, and CEU slips.  We are still soliciting items to sell at the silent auction.

Treasurer’s Report-. We started with $5,386.22 on September 1, 1999 and on September 31, 1999 we had $5,026.96 in our checking account.  The Finance Committee met but will not present a budget until March.   That will give the committee time to review actual expenditures and make more accurate predications.  Motion made by Jennifer Sullivan to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-Unanimous.

Executive Director’s Report -Dawn will send a letter to the Governor from MHOA supporting the legislative tobacco settlement spending plan which includes spending 25% of the available funds to expand tobacco control initiatives.  MHOA members are encouraged to send their own letters of this support to the governor as well.  Motion made by Linda Shea to accept the new memberships of Tom Murphy (Hamilton), Kendra Motta (Taunton-Associate member), Joan Miller (Wareham), Dean Treachis (Tewksbury), Leslie Whelan (Gloucester), Wendy Kimball Murray (Amesbury), Joyce Chang (Lexington), Sharon Dixon (Westport), and Michelle Barclay (Leominster).  Seconded by Peter Mirandi.  Vote-Unanimous.  Dawn has been working on setting up a Realtor Title 5 training course at the annual conference.  John Higgins has been invaluable in assisting with this program.  The Realtors Association is charging $25 ($20 goes to MHOA).  Realtors will get CEUs for attending.  She is looking into having a banker sponsor the coffee break.  Dawn had a professional MHOA sign made.  She is looking into buying giveaways such as post its or pens ,but it was agreed to wait for the final budget in  March.  Dawn received an e-mail from Joan Barry, who couldn’t be here today, to ask MHOA to help support the rescinding of the law to cap the Recreational Camp for Children fee for local Boards of Health.  After discussion, a Motion was made by Peter Mirandi to support legislation, if Joan Barry and her board were to draft said legislation,  to have Recreational Camp for Children fees established as all other local Boards of Health fees are (by local regulation).   Seconded by Jennifer Sullivan.  Vote-Unanimous.

DEP Water Quality Conference Steve Calichman will investigate for MHOA.

Education Committee Fredric Cantor would like to see Chemical Preparedness training for next fall and dispute resolution for maybe January (only 100 people can attend this).  The conflict resolution would be a more in depth, follow-up to the program at our annual conference.

MEHA Yankee Conference went very well.  Next year’s conference might be in Portsmouth, NH.  Strawberry Bank is located there (a 17th century village).  The National conference is in Denver the last week in June.  It will be in Atlanta, GA the next year.

Nominating Committee- David Naparstek, Pat Maloney and Linda Shea will nominate a slate of 10 members at large and the 4 officers.  Each region will nominate their regional representative (5 regions) at the business meeting.

Depth will have a survey at the MHOA conference asking for suggestions for the joint February trainings.  Some topics suggested today include Title 5, Watershed Initiatives, what’s been working will in Title 5, DEP & Bioterroism, and Innovative Technologies for Stormwater Regulations.  Jude Hutchinson would like to be a speaker at next year’s conference in water quality-wellhead protection.  Greg Erickson agreed to coordinate all seminars this year.  It was agreed that we can not lose money on lunch or coffee and if pre-registration/pre-payment is necessary to ensure that, then certain regions may proceed with this requirement.

Old Business Motion made by Greg Erickson to charge $50/ad on our website, instead of $75.  We only have 1 paid web ad and reducing the price may increase interest in this service.  Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-Unanimous.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 P.M.  Next meeting at Annual Conference on Monday, November 8, 1999 at 4:30 P.M.

The Business meeting of MHOA came to order at 4:30 P.M. at Sheraton Inn, Hyannis.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Dawn Sibor, Linda Shea, Jennifer Sullivan, Leo Flormuri, John Coulon, John Malone, Steve Calichman, Kevin O’Brien, Male redound, Richard Marino, Joe Godzik, Donna Moultrup, Brian Lockard, Joseph Tabbi, LouAnn Clement, Nancy Allen, Lois Luniewicz, Joseph McCarthy, Joel Hollis, Elizabeth Canning, Beverly Henschorn, Joan Barry, John Canning, Philip Agree, Angel Jenewiew, Maxine Schmidt, Ernest Matthew, Jeanmarie Kent Joyce, Jay Walsh, Shade mocker, Peter Mirandi, Joseph Zewald, John Jacob, Greg Erickson, Karen Springer, Hoarse Baxter, Everett Penney, Richard Day, Jim Nugent and David Naparstek.

Food Code Kathleen MacVarish talked about some MHOA comments on the draft food code.  The phone calls for the once a year inspections is a bad idea.  Ruth Clay added that the choke saver requirements need clarification.  Training is a big issue.  How will the health agents be trained to use the Food Code, the revised Chapter X and the cross-reference guide?  The new inspection report form must be simple and concise.  The temporary food permits also will require a food manager, does this make sense?

Minutes- Motion made by Joe McCarthy to accept the October 1999 minutes.  Seconded by Greg Erickson. Vote-Unanimous.

Elections Each region voted for its own representatives to be on the Executive Board for the year 2000.  The results were...Northeast-Peter Mirandi, Central Nancy Allen, Metro/Boston Linda Shea, Southeast Jeanmarie Kent Joyce and West Joan Barry.  The members at large were then elected to fill the remaining seats on the executive committee.  The new representatives for the year 2000 are John Canning, Steve Calichman, Fredric Cantor, Richard Day, Joel Hollis, Paul McNulty, James Nugent, Joe Godzik, Karen Springer, and Holly destroy.  Linda Shea motioned for the Secretary to cast 1 vote for the slate of officers.  Seconded by Greg Erickson.  Robin Chapell voted for the officers for the year 2000 for Ruth Clay as President, Robin Chapell as Vice-President, Donna Moultrup as Secretary and Phyllis Boucher as Treasurer.

Meeting adjourned at 5:15 P.M.  Next meeting at Vinyl Testa’s in Dedham on Thursday, December 16, 1999.

The executive meeting of MHOA came to order at 9:45 P.M. at Vinnie Testa’s Dedham.  Present at the meeting were President Kathleen MacVarish, Vice President Ruth Clay, Secretary Robin Chapell, Treasurer Phyllis Boucher, Executive Director Dawn Sibor, Linda Shea, Peter Mirandi, Joan Barry, Donna Moultrup, Joel Hollis, Howard Wensley, Jane Gallahue, Holly destroy, Paul McNulty, Pat Maloney, Richard Day, Steven Calichman, Fredric Cantor, Johanna Prindiville, Jean Marie Kent Joyce, Nancy Allen, and Richard Waskiewicz.

Minutes- Motion made by Paul McNulty to accept the business meeting minutes of November 1999.     Seconded by Linda Shea. Vote-Unanimous.

President’s Report-Kathleen congratulated Donna Moultrup on becoming secretary and all the new officers Holly destroy, Karen Springer, and Joe Godzik.  She will miss having Pat Maloney on the executive board.  The bulk mailing notices came a few days ago.  We will not use bulk mail rates any more because they are unreliable.  The Coalition for Local Public Health came up with a mission statement.  The coalition consists of 5 organizations.  Pat Maloney came up with a proposal for an intern for the coalition and Brooklyn is willing to host this intern.  Marc Boutin is leaving MAHB to go to Easter Seals.  Cheryl Sabarra will be taking Marc’s place.  DPH hired a field person for Western, MA to work with local boards of health and determine what their training needs are.

MHOA and MEHA Merger?- Steve Calichman presented the 1998 report on the future relationship between MHOA and MEHA.  Motion made by Peter Mirandi to send a letter to MEHA to ask them to reconsider the merger idea with representatives from MHOA at their next meeting to explain this concept.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  20 in favor, 1 opposed.  Fredric Cantor and Robin Chapell will go to the next MEHA meeting.

Camps Howard Wensley reported that  there will be hearings next week on camp regulation changes.  Howard and Pat Maloney will be meeting with Massachusetts Recreation on camp issues.  The definition of camp is still unclear.  There will be 4 training sessions for Boards of Health in February on camps (Northampton area, Central, NE and SE).  Howard's office is working with the State Fire Marshall's office on camp issues.  Also DPH will be putting a pamphlet together on choosing a camp for your child.

Bathing Beaches- There will be a meeting on January 5th to discuss a draft of a draft of new beaching regulations.  Jennifer Sullivan is the MHOA representative on this committee.

Tattooing and body piercing- There is a good chance that tattooing might become legal in Massachusetts and that Boards of Health will be  regulating tattoo parlors.  Jane Gallahue talked about uniform training needs for body piercing.  In Quincy it is required that body pierces take 2 anatomy and physiology college courses.  There are over 100 different body parts that can be pierced.  There are also other “fads” coming out called body implantation and scarification that can be dangerous.  Tattoo regulations will be further discussed at the January executive board  meeting.

Food trainings- DPH will do mailings and asked MHOA to do logistics such as pick the sites and do registration for training for the new food code.  There will be 6 locations for 2 day trainings in March and April.  Richard W. asked for feedback for an implementation date of the new food code.  Right now the State is thinking about June 1, 2000.  The State is meeting with Friendly Corp on December 17, 1999.

Treasurer’s Report- In November we took in $6497.37 and spent $4119.29 and in December we took in $2,828.71 and spent $4142.57.  Motion  made by Ruth Clay to accept the treasurer’s report.  Seconded by Linda Shea.  Vote-Unanimous.

Executive Director’s ReportIn made by Ruth Clay to accept as new members Frank Boron, Sharon McCabe, Ann Cramer, Donna McCaffrey, Stephanie Havener, Jason Ellis, Jose Diaz, Janice Berns and Veronica Warden.  Also to accept as associate members Emily Harvey, Paul Farrington, Elizabeth Phalen and Frederick Watson.  Seconded by Phyllis Boucher.  Dawn Sibor gave us the year 2000 MHOA officer list.  Dawn sent press releases to local papers for the new officers and Board members.  We made $1960 in profit for the real estate seminars.  Allison Donate on the LSD board would like to do a presentation on site clean ups for the March quarterly.  Dawn has the salary survey.  It will be put on the web site.  We will be getting some money from the Institute for the CPO trainings.  They will be at the end of February/beginning of March.  The lunches at Vinnie Testa’s went up.

Water Quality Seminar Fredric Cantor has a draft.  The seminar will be on February 3rd.  It is a dual workshop with MEHA. We have the opportunity to tour the new Worcester Water treatment facility after the seminar (this will be an optional tour).

Conference- We had more and happier exhibitors this year.  Kudos to Steve Calichman and Donna Moultrup.  It was a great conference!  Maybe the Institute can pay for audio equipment for us because next year we have to pay for them at the conference.

NewsletterIt new newsletter is out!

DPH- David Naparstek and Ruth Clay met with tobacco control staff.  The FR is coming out in January with eight weeks to respond.  The FR will be for 4 years.  The awardees will be notified by the end of March.  The RFR will include core functions you have to provide.  What does MHOA want to apply for? David Naparstek, Pat Flaherty, and Dawn Sibor will apply for a grant for MHOA.

Bylaws- We need a slight change in the by-laws.  Now there are 5 regions as established by DPH.

Well Water Symposium--Steve Calichman attended this symposium for MHOA.  They want training sessions for local boards of health.
 

New Business- There should be a disclosure on the web site that group e-mail does not necessarily reflect the opinions of MHOA.  Steve Calichman wanted to say that he appreciated the hard work that Kathleen MacVarish did as president.

Meeting adjourned at 12:15 P.M.  Next meeting at Newton Town Hall on Thursday, January 20,  2000.