Awesome. All right. Well, good evening everyone. Um, tonight is Wednesday, November 19th, 2025, and this is the meeting of the East Long Meadow Board of Health. Um, the board of health is recording. Is anyone else recording? >> Okay. I'm going to call this meeting to
order with the chair announcements. um that we are hosting this meeting uh via Zoom webinar uh pursuant to executive orders signed uh in 2020 and um extended multiple times um
uh suspending certain meetings of suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law. Um and so there we are this evening. Um, our first order of business this evening is to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Um, so do
everybody have a chance to look at those minutes? Um, does anyone have any changes or edits or do we have a motion? >> A motion to approve as written. >> I second. >> All right. So, we have a motion and a
second to approve the minutes as written. Uh, roll call vote. Christine Johnston, I Dr. Katie Jobins. >> Hi. >> And Rebecca Torscha. >> Hi. >> All right. So, that motion has passed. Um, is there anyone here for public comment tonight?
>> No, there's no one here. >> All right. Thank you. So, we will move on from that. And the first thing on our list for business at hand is our retail tobacco regulation discussion. Um, so I know we have talked about this and have talked about it multiple times over many
years. Um, and Tammy, do you have any updates? Um because I know the state had some new suggestions as well. >> Um so the as the the model that was given to us
earlier in the year um no new real updates that they want us to add to it. So kind of where we were, I think what happened in after February was we were so um busy with other
hearings that we kind of tabled it and the draft that we came up with in the February meeting is kind of where we want to be or at in our discussion. Nothing new kind of has popped up. Um
no no real uh new I guess input from the state as to like enforcing additional kind regulations. Um but it's still I think the the important part of our updating was clarifying some of the language,
clarifying some of the typos of our old one and then um addressing the uh nicotine pouches. And that was that was the I think the most important decision for us to do. And I want to Okay. Um
>> Tammy, before you go on, can I can I ask a clarifying question about the documents that we had for the meeting tonight? Just >> Yes. started >> because you we have one from February and then we al that's a draft and then we have one that's draft tobacco sales 2025. Which one is the most up to date
that we should be using? >> Okay. the um the one that says February was the draft with our regula with our it was the draft with the recommendations from our meeting and the one that has no date I'm sorry to be
confusing is the one that Lisa Goodn Night Stevens from MAHB or Massachusetts Tobacco board um cleaned up for us to um >> so that one that says 2025 is the one we should be going off of because That's the one that came after the 20. The one
that says February. >> Yes, it does. >> I wish she had put an actual date date on that one. Um I I guess I could have, but yes, it's just >> But that's I was like I I'm trying to figure out which one was which. So that makes sense. Thank you.
>> Yes. So, um I didn't know if you want to like review it over the screen, um or if you had enough time to review it the last time. There's nothing different from when we met in February. Um so, it's really
still the same thing. the language with um uh the language in it in the beginning is kind of added to add like you the justification of the new numbers and things like that for kind of where's the status of kind of tobacco
Massachusetts. There was a couple definitions especially the one that was the bonafide purch purchaser for value which is really helpful if we have anybody trying to dodge fines and whatnot. we can really um decide whether
or not a purchase is really valid. And then the part about um capping our nicotine pouches >> for six milligrams, right? >> Which Yeah, which is really that's that's the thing that everybody is starting to see all over the place. Um
in like you can see them like after like in any of like the sports fields people >> Yeah. spitting out the little paper part that they haven't used and just yeah it's it's kind of everywhere. >> So now looking I read through this
obviously and I don't have any other edits to add to it. So now my question is if we are all okay with it as it is do we vote on it tonight or do we have to go into an executive this is just we're just reviewing again we've done we haven't done this in a long time so I couldn't remember where we were in the
process. So, so from at this point, um, if this is if this is the draft that you guys like, um, then I think what would also be good is to, you know, we'll pick a date to do the public hearing. I'm going to have to post it for two weeks
in the paper and then, um, submit the draft with a letter to all of the, um, all of our retailers. Um, and it would probably also good to either have um like Lisa or Lisa Goodn Night Stevens or Chris Panthan or even like Meredith Oolir to kind of be there in case we
have questions from the general public about it. Um, I'm sure that whatever date we pick, we can get one of them to attend. Um, because they seem to be pretty flexible with what they do. Um,
yeah. And then whatever that is, that date, then vote on that draft and we're good. Okay. Rebecca, did so Katie, you have read through and no further edits or or
questions. Okay, Rebecca, any edits, questions, concerns? >> Um, no, just that clarifying question about which one of the two that we were looking at, which I appreciate bringing that up, >> but >> and the one that says
says, what is it? Hold on. I have them up on my screen. Um, draft EL tobacco sales 2025. It's also the one that has um things that are uh green and then which is I
think which is state and then yellow which is I get to be changed for local things. So that's what the difference in the colors are. >> Thank you. Um but and it I mean at this at that
point all of it is being brought into local and you know we already have like there's different options for on that first page um for tolling periods and for uh you know
for let's see suspensions and things like that. We are really kind of already at I think a good spot. It seems to be working for those. I wouldn't change those. And the way our finding structure is by we are stricter. We are we're
keeping it as there are state fines and there are local fines. So if you have a if you if you violate something that is both state and local, that's two fines, not one. I like that over I think that sends a stronger message over >> Yeah. >> unified fines.
>> And everything else, you know, the reducing cap I think is really good. I wouldn't want want us to change that. No, not that we've already take like we already have that reducing cap. I wouldn't want to walk back on that, but that's my opinion. So, I wouldn't
suggest we walk back on that. >> I wouldn't either. And then like I know we had talked about nicotine regeneration. Um there's still not a lot of support at the state for helping with enforcement. And I mean at this point there are 17 communities and I think
that at some point the state will have to step in and that's I think when we should entertain it when there really is some backup through the state but >> I'm sure I don't know if you guys get emails all the time.
>> I get both for and against them >> constantly. Um, but I feel like without without really having that that sort of, you know, the state kind of having your back on that, it's it's very hard to enforce such a thing. I mean, it already
had been kind of uh tricky in the beginning when the state went to 21 and the federal government didn't. And so those were in the beginning that was really hard with enforcement. But I think we're all at a good we're at a good place. But capping the nicotine
pouches um like two weeks ago, Mass Health Officers Association um annual seminar seminar was in Springfield and just hearing about how much nicotine somebody can actually get in the pouches and like there are some there are some
pouches that are as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes and people are putting multiple in their mouths like that. That's a little scary. And there's also um like I guess a kind of standard deviation. So even if it
says so many milligrams, it it can be within I guess a portion of air. I I if we have questions about that, I think we'll let Chris or Lisa Good night Stevens answer those. But just to kind of hear about those sort of things. Very interesting.
But um let's see anything else. Yeah, it's like like I said, most of it is just like clearing up some of it was so weird. I don't know how none of us noticed that like the um there was a whole section that was doubled
when we when we approved that last one. It was just like doubled again. So that'd be nice to kind of clean that one up, too. But >> yeah, so I think it sounds like we're all in agreement then, which is great. So we can then I think Do we have to vote? Um I no I mean this is if you like
this draft then this will be the draft that um unless you want to just for I guess official sake saying that approving this draft. No that would be a vote to approve something. I feel like that's just >> that'd be a vote. I think if if you if
the >> that we will keep this as the draft right because we will we will move it forward to public hearing. Um, I think with the understanding that like any grammatical or spacing or you know like
formatting issues are totally on board with like either any of us finding them and sending them your way or if you or your staff looks at them again and says like, "Oh, this should be a, you know,
whatever the instead of a, you know, so I think any of that stuff is we can move it forward with any minor tweaks without content changes >> if we're all in agreement that that would be the next plan.
>> Um, let's see. >> Do you guys feel like this is a December thing or a January thing? Because I think the last time we did something it was in January. >> Let's do January. >> January. Okay. >> December it's too hectic. Well, that gives you time to do the full two weeks to post it and then the commentary and
all that. >> Yeah, >> it'll be good. >> I think we'll have better luck getting like Lisa Goodn Night Stevens or one of the other folks in January. And if we do have folks in our community who want to be present for that public hearing, I think it's much easier for members of
our community, business owners to make that commitment then as well. And I also want to get get the draft up on the website really quickly so that we don't have to keep feel we don't have to feel phone calls. There must be an algorithm or something
that um that lobbyists have that the moment a set of minutes is posted and the words like tobacco tobacco regulations are put on it, it immediately alerts people because we I will get a phone call the moment I like
within minutes of me putting the um the the posting up. So to have the draft up and to be like, "Okay, this is what it is. Are you interested in that or not? And I think what most people are interested in is nicoteneration and whether or not a town's gonna be putting that
um up to vote. Yay. So, I will um also like uh clean up the like take the the little edit comments and stuff like that out um of the final one.
I think she also didn't like get rid of Oh no, that's the wrong one. Never mind. >> There's like some random like where something is c like where it's like strike through, right? I think we remove that. >> Yeah, >> those kinds of things, right? That's not in the final language.
>> Yeah, because there's um the ones where the um how we vi how we do the violations, there's because it's the model, it has every version of it. That's what all the strike through language is. So to get rid of all that and that's where I think last time it got copied twice by then.
>> So I want to make sure that whatever document it is we don't have that on. Okay. Yay. But if there are comments that you have before I we post that draft for um and post that we're going to have a meeting,
just let me know so that I can make sure that we have that all up and ready to go. >> Okay. All right. Is everybody good with that plan? >> All right, then Tammy, moving on to the public health excellence grant update.
Um, so everything was so slow and it just seemed like nothing was ever going to happen and now the ball is rolling and it's it's rolling fast. Um, let's see, two Mondays ago that we
received our engagement contract um for shared services through the public health excellence grant. Um and the next steps are we're working on two things kind of simultaneously. Um we're
are working on what's called letters of commitment and that is like the commitment between our town and the other three communities in our shared services. Um which once they are signed by the other three towns um Christine you will get the um pleasure of uh
signing the document as the chair of the board of health. Um, and that's basically like just to say that, you know, we're committed to the program and we're and they are um also committed to the contract that we have um to the
engagement contract and like the requirements in there um which I will uh get you a copy of that as well just so that you can kind of see what our town is beholden to now that we are um going to be part of this shared service
arrangement. Um, one of the things that we were having a really hard time with, and it's seems silly, but it's very important to this program is actually having a name for our shared service arrangement. Everybody just kept asking us, "What's the name of your shared
service arrangement?" And I'm like, like, who cares? Can we just call it the I don't know, the Awam Eastong Meadow Westfield, West Springfield shared? And they were like, no, you can't call it that. Um, so we did what any Oh, and then this is funny. Everything is
usually geograph ge like geographical. I guess that word. Um, so people are like the, you know, the western Essex County and or the greater this or the Connecticut River Valley. And we were like, oh, we're East
Long Meadow's not on the same side of the river as the other three towns. Um, Westfield's not on the Connecticut River, so we can't use that. We were just kind of like, what are we what are we going to call it? And so we did what any smart group of people would do is we
went to chat GBT and then came up with a name for us. Um, and the name will be the Common Ground Health Collaborative. um because we share a lot of things which we were kind of laughing at is
that um that for most of us um we work in one community in this shared service arrangement but we'll live in another one. So we have like one health director actually lives she lives in East Long Meadow and then one health director works in one town and lives in another. So we were kind of laughing like there's
a lot of common ground. We have we all have a lot of we care a lot about the communities besides the ones that we actually work for. So, it's kind of a nice little way of doing that. And then the other thing that is happening at the same time is actually forming the
intermunicipal agreements with those towns. And um we're working with an attorney from MAHB. Um if there's any um uh if you see any kind of
uh I guess things here MHB does a lot of legal work for the state like the tobacco programs um this uh shared service program. So they uh they are definitely very ingrained in local uh public health and what a lot of us do.
So, working with that and then we'll be working with our town council to get that together. And then once we have all that, guess who gets to sign it again? Our chair and then our town council will also have to
sign it. And then after that, like I said, there's the ball is rolling and lots of things will have to happen. And after that, our four towns will have to form a um basically a governmental structure, an advisory board. And it's
basically so that we make sure that we're always doing the things that we said we wanted to do that we agreed to do. And if things aren't working, then we can, you know, it's a way to do that. Um and at that point, you guys will
elect somebody to be part of the advisory board. Um, most towns choose their health agent. Um, which I would probably ask you guys to choose me to to um, represent the group. Um, and then I
think from there is when we really start to get the ball rolling and that advisory board will help with um, doing our first hire, which would be the shared service coordinator. Um, and that person will take all of the
all of the burden for coordinating and arranging everything that the shared services does, which will be great. Then I won't have to do it. Um, and that's kind of right. That's sort of where we are right now. And I have to say that I mean I've done this I did this in 20
2021 um with another shared service arrangement and the state was not as well organized and the program was not as well organized as they are now. Um, I sat down with them this week and kind they showed me sort of the spreadsheets that they use and the plan and
everything is really um it's very it's well organized and well like um well planned for the town. So that on our end there's a there's a lot less of kind of there's a lot less
work and burden on our time than there would have been three years ago which is really great. I mean, we will in the end this I think program will be great like it will be a great way to be able to add additional um additional services to the
town. If there's anything interesting public health that you guys see out there in town that you're like, I think it would be great if we could maybe have a programming to do this, um let us know because that will probably be the some of the first things that we'll be doing with the um shared service coordinator.
Um trying to think had so many meetings about it the last like two weeks that is there anything else fun and interesting. No I think we're good. Um, and we were kind of um we're kind of laughing about the name
when we start the common ground because it just reminds you like a like of coffee and just like the amount of coffee that we drink through all these meetings and this is like sustains our day. Um, there are no tea drinkers in that group
apparently. So, um, anyway, are there any questions or anything that you guys that stuck out to you that you're like, "Okay, this, you know, this is scary. This or this looks fun." It's a little bit of both, I guess. Um, and then so for right now, the
budgets that the the way the contract is is that we have been um we will be receiving funds for the rest of this year and for fiscal year um 27. And then uh we'll start a new contract afterwards
up till I thought I think the year is it's 12 years up to 12 year contracts. So hopefully the world will still stay the way you know we we will still p be getting the funding the state has um promised because it's part of safe 2.0
and part about part of the governor's budget um and not at the moment affected by federal um funds. So, yay. Love it. Um, so that is that on shared services. And I did see I saw they showed us a map
of shared services and it's like when you look at it, there's there's four uncolored communities in like Western M. Well, no, I take that back. There are six uncolored communities in Western Mass that aren't part of shared service
and four of them are us. One is Springfield because they're too large. And then a very tiny random town somewhere in the middle of nowhere that somehow is not part of one, but so we will finally fill in that part of the map, I guess.
Okay. Way too many way too many pieces of paper on the world's tiniest desk. One day I'll invest in a real desk in this house. Um, so any questions or
Okay, I can keep the I can keep the health of car updates pretty uh pretty concise. Um, it's been it's been a fun couple of fun couple of
weeks. We've had um let's see. We've had a well that it's up and that's vaccine. Okay. No, we'll save that. Um we just um we just received notice that
we've received this year's um recycling dividends grant and it will be uh we earned uh $18,700 which is 1,000 more than last year which is really good. And they've also sent us
the list of um extra things they'd like the town to do. I won't get uh completely into it, but um I like the I like the things that are more fun, like having a zero waste day event. Um and
let's see maybe uh there's some things on here that are just way too much for $1,000 because it's about for everything you tick off this uh thing, they give you about $1,000. Some of the things on here would cost us so much money. I
can't believe the state would only say that you only give you $1,000 if you did these things like um um like accepting um more more automobile waste at our transfer station. It's good. That's more than
$1,000 worth of um of work. Um single-use plastic bans for businesses is one thing that they put into. I feel like that's something that we really have to get the whole town council on. it would be a little bit bigger than us
municipal management plans for buildings doing renovations and dental projects. So that's the sort of thing that they want um they want to add like right like last year we were able to add some stuff on by getting signs done in other languages for the transfer station um
translating our recycling materials. Uh so that they're kind of um ways to promote recycling and waste diversion um throughout the community. Um so those are the kind of things we're
doing there. Uh we have another uh fix it clinic coming up. I think it's December 4th. It would be on our website at the COA. Um we had uh let's see this year we've
tallied up already how much um compost food waste that we've diverted which is 47,577 pounds. And this year is not even over with yet. Um, we've collected 40 pounds of lithium batteries this year and 500 mattresses.
What is everyone doing to their mattresses? I don't >> Well, you need to change them out every 8 to 10 years. >> Yeah, right. That's kind of That doesn't these I feel like people are getting sick of them a little earlier. Um, let's see.
uh hazardous waste day we collected 26,000 2600 pounds of hazardous waste which is crazy but that's good. Um that's 2600 lb that didn't go in the trash. We're very happy. Um also what's
really big this year this is our last year um of our hauling contract. So, we're going to have to start working on putting together proposals for our next hauling contract. Um,
never done something this large. So, I'm excited and a little nervous. Um, so more to more to come on that. What else? It's been very busy. Our animal control program has been very
busy lately. Um I think I last time we had a meeting I'm not sure whether or not we had hired our new um acco um we were just tallying up the amount of um the amount of violations already
this year which is quite a bit. I think we've had to date 45 um 45 in town. So that's more than one a week. So, um, pushing for, making sure that you know where your dogs are. Um,
that when they're outside, they are either fenced in or they are on a leash. Um, we've had a lot of leash law violations this year. Um, and you know, just making sure the dogs are licensed at the clerk's office. Very easy. If you
don't want to go in, we have the online uh online lensure. It It's not It helps. It helps. It's not just, you know, not just for, you know, keeping tabs of your dog, but it really helps us making sure that when we send somebody to your house, if there is an issue, that that
dog is licensed, that dog had is vaccinated. Um, it really does help out. Um, let's see what else is going on. I made so many lists, but they just didn't seem as interesting once I
started making lists. Um, it is November, the end of the year. I'm trying to just think of anything that sounds interesting. Sorry, guys.
Um, let's see. Okay, well that we can move past the general health department updates and on to vaccine and respiratory season updates, which I hope I can get a little backup here. Um,
we had so far this season we've had five separate clinics in town. I don't have the finals on the last two, but if I were to guess, we probably vaccinated about 225
um people through all of those clinics, which is pretty good. Um especially for the state of things. Uh I will tell you the one thing that uh changed some um outlooks on vaccinations is that this
year um uh they were offering the um COVID uh 65 plus. So the co vaccine for people who are 65 and over and I will tell you that once you tell somebody that you have a vaccine that not everybody can get but they can a lot of
people change their minds. And so I I you know I felt a little proud that we were able to get people who came in just for a flu and left with a flu and a COVID vaccine. So that was really good. Um, another thing that came out of it is that we were probably going to um work
with Walgreens and start doing some um some vaccine clinics uh for like RSV and shingles um because uh they came for a co and flu at one of our um benefits
affairs bene benefits um benefits fairs and they were like what else do you want and we're like what what else can you bring? And they're like, "Oh, if you let us know ahead of time, we can do RSV, we can do numacco, we can do shingles." Um, so we
maybe trying to do a winter a winter uh kind of uh vaccine update sort of clinic, which would be really good. So, more to come on that. Um, as for like what we're seeing on our
end, the health department's end with the in the system, we were we saw a big spike in COVID uh the last couple weeks. This week, a little bit down from what we've had in our system, but obviously not as many
people um testing at home or no one reporting at home uh their results. Uh, I don't know what is going around town hall, but it's not co, but we're definitely no strangers to like
all the respiratory viruses that are going around, which thank you guys for being flexible, for changing the date for the last one. I feel almost like a human now. Um, but, um, that's kind of what I have on my end for that. Uh,
love to hear what Dr. Jobins is seeing. I was going to say we see a lot of like just everything right now I feel like. Um and then you know for the most part a steady like rate of like you said COVID and then thankfully those who are
vaccinated have a very mild case but obviously we are seeing some people hospitalized again who are unvaccinated. So just recognizing that the immunity part is important to kind of think about how you can help prevent that. Um and then the same with flu. um not yet,
right? Like it's just like here and there, but most of it's not like the full flu season yet, which is good. Um and um thankfully, like you mentioned, the new pneumonia vaccine is out, so if you are over the age of 65 or have any risk factors, you should get that as
well, too. Um >> do you know how how often that you get that? Is it a one time? Is it >> It's a one time, but it's the new vaccine that came out. covers more strands or different strands I should say, which is why we're recommending it.
Um, and the CDC's websites, um, you know, if you're questioning what to get, ask your doctor or nurse practitioner, PA when you see them or, you know, Walgreens and CVS or even like you said, Tammy, when you're having these, um, drop in sessions, which is great.
But again, most people have a non-COVID, non flu crud right now. >> So much crud, >> right? It is the season. So, washing your hands, >> practicing good hygiene pro like practices. If you're colds or have an illness, stay home or wear a mask. And
if you have a fever, obviously stay out of work. Um, so you don't kind of pass along when you're contagious as well, too. >> Edie, are you seeing RSV? >> I thankfully do not take care of babies. >> I didn't mean you, but like the health system in general.
>> Um not yet. So, which is good. And then I mean maybe a little bit but not you know not really rampant. Um and then um and elderly thankfully many people have gotten the R because that's the other like it's the
early and then later. Um in the elderly population I have not seen a lot of RSV either which has been good. A lot of people getting vaccinated which is great. We saw a little blip um for a bit of norovirus in the system
but the other thing was I guess we were seeing as a as a um uh symptom of COVID was nausea. I don't know if it was vomiting or versus nausea and uh upset GI but that you know making sure you
have access to know that you have one or the other is makes a big difference um in spread. I think for the most part we we've been seeing though the neurovirus in more of like medical settings not um not general in too much with um the
general public if that we at least in our database. >> Yeah. Try I feel like there's something I'm missing. Renee, am I missing something? Just like one of these >> I mean I got nothing. I'm sorry.
>> No, just it's it seems like it's been a really busy it's been a busy couple of weeks, but I can't like I know there's something Oh, well, you'll hear about it. Thank you. Um, all right. Does anybody
else have anything else they want to bring up tonight? If not, should we look at a meeting date for what will be a public hearing in January, which means Tammy's going to have to post and so we're going to have to make this one that is not movable
unless of major emergency. Just being honest, right? Because sometimes I'm I'm guilty of it, right? Where But this one's a a public hearing. So, >> I will be taking all of my vitamin C's and zinc, all the other stuff.
>> Just remote work if you can do it when you're not feeling okay is fine. Just don't go to work. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. >> So, Jamie, remind us which days is it easier for you with the other meetings in town? Um
Thursdays there's absolutely no there are no meetings on Thursdays. Um but then on Wednesdays there are every other Wednesdays are open. >> Okay. >> For that I have a class on Wednesday which I can move but
>> do you want to look like January 15th? >> Let's let me I left my phone downstairs so I can't look at my calendar. Of course, >> Rebecca, is that That works for me. >> Yeah, it works for me, too.
>> Yep, that's fine. >> January 15th. >> Looks good. >> Okay, awesome. Great. >> Let's plan on the 15th then of January. That should give everybody plenty of time to and if there's obviously if
anything comes up and we I'm assuming we're not looking at a December meeting since that's really the next thing that we have to do. Um but Tammy always give us a call if something comes up where we we need to be connected. Yeah, I think that at this point, um,
I will probably be bothering you, Christine, for signing the documents when they're ready and getting that all that together. Um, for the Common Ground Health Collaborative. >> Um, >> side note, there was a really good
coffee shop I used to go to called the Uncommon Ground. So you could have >> I mean we are a little uncommon in our group but you know no one needs to really know. Um
yeah trying to think of okay I'm just looking at pieces of paper with so much on it but nothing is I think fun or interesting. Okay. So, we will uh plan on our next meeting January 15th for that public hearing um about the tobacco
regulation. And with that, I can make a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting. >> Second that. >> All right. Thank you, Rebecca. Um and so a roll call vote. Christine Johnston, I. Dr. Katie Jins,
>> hi. >> Rebecca Torcha, >> I. >> All right. The meeting for tonight is adjourned. Thank you so much everybody. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. >> Thank you. You as well. >> Bye >> bye.