Click Below for Additional Meeting Resources
Substance Abuse Night Planning (Link: 00:00:00 – 00:05:00)
The Marblehead Board of Health meeting commenced with Chair Helaine Hazlett addressing the delay of the planned Substance Abuse Night. Initially scheduled for a month from the meeting date, the event was postponed to align with the end of the school year. This decision was influenced by the potential for increased engagement from eighth graders transitioning to high school. Board member Tom McMahon suggested coordinating the new date with him to avoid scheduling conflicts. The meeting also touched on the involvement of the new acting superintendent in planning a related play, with discussions on potential collaboration with Swampscott’s Drug Story Theater initiative.
Budget and Event Planning Concerns (Link: 00:05:00 – 00:08:00)
The board discussed budgetary considerations for upcoming events. Andrew Petty, Director of Public Health, highlighted the need for board approval and coordination for events like the Drug Story Theater, which was not budgeted. Hazlett emphasized the importance of board consensus and resource allocation, given the office’s limited capacity. The conversation also covered the creative titling of the Substance Abuse Night, with board member Tom Massaro praising its catchy nature.
Community Health Update and Fundraising (Link: 00:08:00 – 00:11:00)
Massaro provided an update on the Community Health initiative, noting that several boards were considering their support. He expressed optimism about making concrete decisions at the March meeting and acknowledged the support from local articles. The discussion shifted to fundraising, with Massaro humorously preferring to be a “fund spender” rather than a fundraiser. He reported positive responses from the community regarding the initiative’s intent to understand local health status.
Transfer Station Update (Link: 00:11:00 – 00:17:00)
Petty provided an update on the transfer station project, detailing the schedule for SL Chase Steel’s work on the tipping floor, expected to take four weeks. The installation of the compactor and chute was rescheduled to March 24 due to unknowns regarding the tipping floor. Petty emphasized the importance of open communication among all parties involved. Additional updates included the arrival of a new control building and plans for electrical installations and fiber optics for license plate reader cameras.
Substance Abuse Survey Discussion (Link: 00:17:00 – 00:22:00)
The board discussed a new survey initiative led by the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), involving Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, and Salem. The Positive Community Perception Survey aims to gather data on substance use perceptions among high school and middle school students. Concerns were raised about the overlap with other surveys and the potential impact on response rates. Massaro moved to delay the survey to consult with Dr. Coyle and assess the overlap with existing efforts. The motion was seconded for further discussion.
Survey Implementation and Concerns (Link: 00:22:00 – 00:31:00)
The discussion continued with concerns about the implementation of a new survey related to substance abuse. Board member Tom Massaro expressed apprehension about the redundancy of the survey, questioning its necessity given the existing data analysis from UMass Boston. Massaro sought clarification on whether the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) was a government agency and if there were any associated fees. Andrew Petty, Director of Public Health, clarified that the BSAS grant had been in place for three years and was instrumental in implementing various substance abuse programs in schools. The conversation highlighted a disconnect between the board and the high school’s involvement in these initiatives. Massaro emphasized the need for more comprehensive communication and coordination with the board, particularly concerning the survey’s scope and timing.
Communication and Coordination Challenges (Link: 00:31:00 – 00:36:00)
The meeting revealed ongoing challenges in communication and coordination between the Board of Health and other stakeholders. Massaro, serving as Vice Chair of Community Health, expressed frustration over not being informed about the survey earlier, despite his role. Petty explained that the survey was a recent development from the BSAS group, based on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The board discussed the importance of aligning survey efforts to avoid overwhelming the community and ensure effective data collection. The conversation underscored the need for clear communication channels and the involvement of key stakeholders in planning and decision-making processes.
Funding and Survey Design Considerations (Link: 00:36:00 – 00:43:00)
The board deliberated on the funding and design of the survey, with Petty explaining that the BSAS grant provided $10,000 annually to support the YRBS survey and related programs. The discussion focused on maintaining this funding to continue addressing substance abuse and mental health issues in the community. Massaro and other board members expressed a desire for more involvement in the survey design process, suggesting the inclusion of targeted questions for different age groups. Petty emphasized the operational nature of his role and the need to balance day-to-day responsibilities with board oversight. The meeting included a call for improved collaboration and communication between the board and the public health department to ensure the successful implementation of health initiatives.
Survey and Board Communication (Link: 00:43:00 – 00:45:00)
The meeting continued with a discussion on the communication and strategic planning surrounding the survey initiative. A board member expressed concerns about the lack of board involvement in the survey process, emphasizing the strategic nature of sending out a community survey. Andrew Petty, Director of Public Health, clarified that the board had been informed about the survey, although it had not been a topic of recent discussion. The board agreed to withdraw the motion to delay the survey, opting instead to allocate more time for discussion in future meetings.
Grant Opportunities and Tobacco Control Regulations (Link: 00:45:00 – 00:46:00)
The conversation shifted to grant opportunities, with a board member mentioning a recent meeting with a grant person in town to explore funding possibilities. Petty then introduced the topic of updating tobacco control regulations, distributing the most recent regulations to the board for review. He highlighted areas concerning menthol and flavors, urging board members to read through the document and prepare for a public hearing.
Body Art Regulations and Public Hearing Preparation (Link: 00:46:00 – 00:48:00)
Petty also addressed the need to update body art regulations, which were last revised by the North Shore Public Health Shared Coalition. The current regulations, which do not include provisions for permanent makeup, require updates. Petty requested that board members review the proposed changes and prepare questions for future discussions. He noted that the regulations would need to be formatted by town council before proceeding to a public hearing.
Avian Influenza Notification and Response (Link: 00:48:00 – 00:51:00)
The board discussed the recent notification regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza in Massachusetts. Petty informed the board that notifications had been sent to fowl permit holders, advising them of the potential risk to domestic poultry. He reported no incidents of dead birds in Marblehead but emphasized the importance of public vigilance and reporting. The board discussed the genetic differences between this strain of avian flu and others, noting its historical presence.
Finalization of Town Report and Meeting Minutes (Link: 00:51:00 – 01:00:00)
The board reviewed the town report and meeting minutes. Petty and the board discussed the importance of working from the most current document versions to avoid duplication of efforts. The board reviewed and suggested edits to the October meeting minutes, with a focus on clarifying discussions and ensuring accurate representation of board actions. The board agreed to make specific changes to the minutes, including simplifying certain sections and correcting financial figures.
Approval of Meeting Minutes (Link: 01:00:00 – 01:03:00)
The Marblehead Board of Health meeting continued with the approval of previous meeting minutes. The board discussed corrections to the minutes from October 22, noting discrepancies in the number of questions listed. A motion was made to amend the minutes to reflect four questions instead of three, and the board agreed to the changes. The minutes for November 12 were also reviewed and approved following a motion and second. The board emphasized the importance of accuracy in the meeting records and agreed to adopt a bullet-point format for clarity in future reports.
SAPHE 2.0 and Training Initiatives (Link: 01:03:00 – 01:06:00)
The board discussed the SAPHE 2.0 initiative, a component of the governor’s state development program aimed at encouraging training for health department staff. The discussion focused on ensuring the correct representation of SAPHE 2.0 in the meeting minutes, with board members agreeing to amend the language to accurately reflect the initiative’s purpose. The board emphasized the importance of upgrading training requirements for health department positions to enhance staff capabilities.
Scheduling Future Meetings (Link: 01:06:00 – 01:11:00)
The board addressed the scheduling of future meetings, confirming dates for February 18, March 4, and March 24. The March 4 meeting was noted as a deviation from the regular schedule, having been set months in advance. The board discussed the importance of accommodating key speakers, such as Dr. LeBlanc, who could only attend on specific dates. The meeting schedule was adjusted to ensure maximum attendance and participation from board members.
Budget and Revolving Accounts Discussion (Link: 01:11:00 – 01:19:00)
The meeting included a detailed discussion on budgetary matters and revolving accounts. A proposed budget for FY26 was distributed to board members, with an emphasis on maintaining level funding. The board reviewed the vaccine revolving account, which supports the purchase and administration of flu vaccines, primarily for seniors and town employees. The waste revolving account was also discussed, covering expenses related to waste disposal and equipment leasing. The board discussed plans for future budget allocations and the need for transparency in financial management.
Waste Management Contract and Budget Discussion (Link: 01:19:00 – 01:25:00)
The Marblehead Board of Health meeting continued with a discussion led by an unidentified speaker regarding the town’s waste management contract and its financial implications. The speaker highlighted a preliminary meeting with the select board to discuss the contract’s future and the anticipated changes once the current contract ends. The speaker provided a comparative analysis of waste collection costs across various communities, noting that Marblehead currently pays $127 per household annually, significantly lower than the average of $203 in other communities. The speaker emphasized the need to prepare for a substantial increase in costs for fiscal year 2027, estimated at around $600,000, due to rising collection costs and potential changes in recycling fees. The discussion also touched on the impact of Massachusetts’ scheduled landfill closures in 2030, which could further increase waste disposal costs as waste may need to be transported out of state.
Recycling Market and Future Planning (Link: 01:25:00 – 01:30:00)
The conversation shifted to the recycling market, described as a commodity-based market with fluctuating costs. The speaker noted that while Marblehead currently incurs no cost for curbside recycling, future costs could rise to match waste disposal expenses, potentially reaching $119 per ton. The board discussed the importance of maintaining transparency with the public about these impending changes, emphasizing the need for ongoing communication to prevent any surprises. The speaker also mentioned plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to major waste management companies to negotiate future contracts. The board acknowledged the challenge of managing public expectations and the potential for “sticker shock” as costs increase.
Public Comments and Tobacco Regulations (Link: 01:30:00 – 01:35:00)
The meeting opened the floor to public comments, with a participant inquiring about the town’s stance on tobacco regulations. The participant referenced Brookline’s ban on cigarette sales to individuals born after a certain year and asked if Marblehead had considered similar measures. The board indicated that they would review tobacco regulations and consider public input during their next meeting. Additionally, the discussion touched on the financial impact of the transfer station’s compactor being down, resulting in a loss of $4,500 per day in commercial fees. The speaker clarified that while this revenue loss was not budgeted, it would affect the town’s waste revolving account, which covers certain town expenses. The board discussed the need to address these financial challenges without cutting services.
All About Town provides all information in a good faith effort to improve community engagement and awareness. However, text is generated by artificial intelligence, and we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information provided herein. Use of the site and reliance on any information on the site is solely at each individual’s own risk.