Recording in progress. >> Hi everybody. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Hey Joan, Sophie, Haley, >> everybody. >> Hi Kevin. >> Good evening Kevin.
Looks like we have a quick one in front of us. >> Uh, I think so. >> That's nice for a change. Yeah. S is not going to be here tonight. S is not. No, that's right. Give it a minute and then we'll get
started. We'll let Carrie will join us. And is Moren um >> she's scheduled to be here. >> Okay. >> Haley is upset tonight as well. Hello. Sorry to be late. Not at all.
>> How is everybody? >> Good. >> Very well. How about yourself? >> Really glad it's February. >> I I don't know. This This January didn't bother me so much as far as a time standpoint. >> Other reasons, but it
>> it was the longest month in the world. >> It's the strangest thing for me. It wasn't this year. It usually is the worst month of the year and drags on and on and on >> and all of a sudden I'm like, "Wait, it's February?" >> The first time it's happened in a long time. So, I I didn't mind it this year.
>> I'm glad for you. I'm envious because it was Yeah. >> And Cole, >> Kevin, you got to give us some tips. This month would not end. >> This month would not end. >> Yeah. It wouldn't It wouldn't end. It just wouldn't end. You
>> That's usually the case. Lucky man. >> Yeah. Usually I'm with you, >> right? Exactly. It's always right. I always halfway through I'm like, "Oh, that's right. It's always like the longest month of the year." And >> and we didn't even do a lot of like ski vacations, which sometimes we'll do in January, take advantage of some, you
know, inservice days and and and holidays and what have you. We didn't even do that. So, that usually would speed it along. So, >> one of those just weird months for me. >> I'll take it. >> That's right. That's right. All right. So, let's um let's call the
meeting to order. I'll take a roll call. Um >> Addie, >> Carrie, >> I am here. Hello. >> We're here. Sophie, >> here. >> Kevin
>> here. >> Joan >> here. and Rick here. So, uh, we have a relatively short agenda tonight. Um, depending on how loquacious all of our members are. Um,
>> why do you why do you suddenly feel guilty? >> I Because >> pointing at you, pointing at you, >> but you guys told me that I have good things to say. >> That I'm useful. >> We're welcome. >> We welcome them. public health. Yes.
>> Yeah. Sort of. Thank you. >> We're going to review our minutes from last month. Uh public comment and as of now we have no residents online. And then um we're going to have an
administrative hearing just on uh uh tobacco violation and hopefully Marine Busby will join us uh in a few minutes. Okay. and then just um wrap up with our usual updated reports, nursing updates
with Liv and then um and that's it. So So with that in mind, we'll just go directly to the minutes from January 8th. Were there any updates
or changes or suggestions on the minutes that >> looked pretty good to me? >> Okay, >> thanks Haley. Oh, there's Moren. >> So, uh, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. Do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Very second. Uh, vote. Carrie, >> yes. >> Kevin, >> yes. >> Joan, >> yes. >> And Rick, yes. Um, not seeing anybody uh any residents
for public comment. We'll move on to the West Street Mobile Mart uh tobacco violation administrative hearing. Um so I'm going to call to order uh the administrative
uh meeting. Do I I'll make a motion for that. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Um >> we'll vote on this. Carrie, >> yes. >> Kevin, >> yes. Joan, >> yes.
>> And Rick, yes. Um, so, uh, in terms of this hearing, um, basically this is an opportunity for, um, us to hear what happened with the
tobacco violation and, um, and then to hear from, uh, the mobile station. And I see Mr. Sordella is here. uh as to what exactly transpired, the reasons, and
what kind of action steps to prevent this from happening. Um the this is the first violation. The $1,000 fine has already been paid and there's a mandatory 3-day license suspension uh
for the sale of tobacco products. Uh and so with that background, um I'll turn it over to Adday. We'll hear from day if you can introduce uh folks
relative to this hearing. Um and we'll hear from I guess probably Moren and from Mr. Sordillo. We'll have any opportunity for discussion um or questions and then we'll wrap up.
So, uh, a day, you want to take it from here? >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Lopez. On January 12, 2026, at approximately 10:47 a.m. during a supervised compliance check, a nicotine product was
sold to a minor at the West Street Mobile. The violation comes with a $1,000 fine and a mandatory 3-day suspension of the store's uh tobacco license. Mr. Sadilo is here on behalf of the establishment.
If you have any uh comments regarding this violation, >> can you hear me? >> Do Yes, we we >> I didn't know there was a three-day suspension. I didn't see that in the letter. I see just a fine of $1,000 and then if
you get another violation in three years was going to t is a $2,000 fine and then the suspension. I'm I'm reading the letter again. >> So >> So that's that's the purpose of the
>> that's the purpose of the hearing. So if if let's say um you know the violation was false, inaccurate um this would be the time for you to tell the board why. And um
you know if the suspension is not valid, then it's not valid. If it is, it is. Well, we didn't even know we had a violation until we got the letter and we didn't know who if anybody sold to the
minor and we had to go and I had asked all my employees were working that day and there I swore they were checking IDs. They all said I have a sign up saying if you violate your you have to pay the $1,000 fine. I know I can't do that but I figured it might make them a
little more cautious. So anyway, we we had to search the video to see what happened. Um, I guess no one came in and told us that. I thought you you came in and would say, "Hey, you were, you know, tell us that we were in violation right after the incident." But anyway, we
searched the video and we did see the video and was one of our employees and the uh person he saw to definitely look like a young kid. So, I mean, I don't know what else I can say.
Did he check um in the video? Did you see your employee check um an ID to to check on his >> No, he didn't know. Watch the video. He the the person who did it uh when I talked to him, he said he checked all the all the IDs. I had to show him the
video and he just doesn't remember doing it. And >> you know, I mean, it's, you know, we don't we don't want to sell the miners and uh, you know, we've been there 20 something years. I don't know. I think we one time we did get another
violation a few years ago. Um, but you know, all they can do is counsel the employees and train them and we keep reminding them. We actually had had a little discussion cuz we had a uh a check at one of my other stations and when we do that, we just make sure the
managers say, "Hey, you know that we just had an a check, so make sure you're checking everything." >> And apparently he he has no reason. He was surprised he did it. He said doesn't remember doing it. Didn't remember when I showed him the video. I mean, there's
not much they can say. When you do it, you do it. Uh, Maren, do you want to com make any comment about um that day and what happened or um >> Sure. Um, just to flesh it out a little
bit for anybody who might be wondering. Um, I did a complete round of checks that day in Reading with a 19-year-old trained um, we call them youth buyers, trained youth buyer. Um, they have very specific instructions about what to ask for. um they don't have an ID with them.
In case they're asked for an ID, they can say truthfully, no, they don't have one. Um in in this case, the youth went into the store, bought the Zen pouches, came out. We always tagged them and bagged them and put them away as evidence. Um but I do want to address
the comment about no one came into the store to tell us. And I understand um why um Mr. Sadilla made that comment. We used to, I'd say maybe three, four years ago and and before that, um after a
compliance check, if there was a sale, I would go immediately into the store and address the situation and say, "We're doing compliance checks in Reading today and the young person you just sold to is underage. That's a violation." And you'll hear from the board of health.
But um the state program doesn't allow us to do that anymore. So we stopped doing that one for the safety of the of the youth so that that person isn't identified readily identified by um people in the store. And there have been situations, not in any of my towns, but
there have been situations where a clerk or an own owner came out and accosted the youth or the adult supervisor. So to protect us from that happening, uh we're just not allowed to address it immediately. I go back to the office, I
write up the um violation, send it to the health director, and then the health director sends out the order. So, I I sympathize with, you know, that change. Um uh my my preference would be to go into a store immediately and tell the
clerk that was there that there was a violation, give the clerk a chance to call the manager or owner and tell the manager or owner that that happened. But we're just not allowed to do that anymore. >> Yeah. Yeah, I didn't know that. I mean, it really it makes it a lot tough when
you don't do that because we don't even know what happened until we get the letter and then we're we have to then talk to the employees and I think in all honesty they he didn't think he did it. So then we have to go through the video and it takes a while to go through the video. Uh but you know I understand your
position just to be uh I thought you always did that because the last time it happened they did come in and like do you still come in when we're inspected and we and we don't sell. >> I don't after a compliance check whether you sell or not. I don't go into the store.
>> But you used to I come and go and hopefully you don't see me. Um but I you know frankly I I I wish I could go into the store immediately after sale. I'd rather address it right then and there. But I also understand >> Yeah, I understand the state's position
about safety of our youth buyers. >> Yeah, I do also. >> Yeah. And just to chime in on that real quickly, I I agree with the state marine completely on that, but I also take it another step further and and uh Mr. Sadilla, don't don't take this to
offense. I don't want other o owners alerting other owners that we're doing compliance checks in the same day as well. So I I prefer >> it wasn't one own it was I own I own both the stations and uh well that's the other thing I mean how would we even
know if they're not coming how do we know we got a compliance test I was pretty sure about I don't know a few weeks ago one of my employees said that we were testing they came in and congratulated us we did the right thing
it was in 250 Main Street in Stoneham >> different town that's why >> I could be mistaken And I don't know, maybe they were talking about >> it's it's not actually a bad it's um it's not a bad policy to think about to send out letters after the fact after it's all been said and done. Um that's
something we can certainly think about to you know send something out saying hey we were in on such and such a date and you know your your employee did a great job and congratulations that they were you met the compliance. It's it's really not a bad thing to think about that that we could adopt. I think it's
just a it's a town by town thing. That's that's the big difference between it. >> That's correct. >> I would make just two comments about the letter. One is that um it's it is dated January 12th um which is the day of the
violation. So the turnaround time to get the letter out um if if that is in fact when it was generated um was fairly quick. although you know US mail it's like 2 days later uh so it isn't on the
spot but it's it's not at a distance and then the second thing um Mr. Sidillo is correct that the letter does not refer to um the mandatory 3-day suspension. It
it goes on to talk about the seven and 30-day suspensions for second and third violations, but doesn't mention um that you know that in the uh for the first violation. So, that's
something we could probably uh edit that letter so it's complete in the future. Um Mr. So Dela, do you have any uh do you rely on your employee to check
the ID or do you have any scanning software that you know scans ID and can you know identify someone who's under underage? Do how does that work in your system?
Will you ask me a question because if the screen froze up for about five or six seconds, I didn't >> Oh, okay. I can ask it again. Um, does do you have any systems in place like scanning machines or software or
something? >> And they they scan the license. You got employee that >> they do. >> He said he said he scanned all the licenses. >> Okay. So you have a system that scans the license and then it it pops up if it's if the person is underage.
>> Well, the way it works, I believe, is uh whenever we um we scan tobacco, then the screen will pop up and ask you to to detect the age. If you scan the license, then that screen just goes away. So, it's like
saying, "Yeah, he's okay." >> Okay. I understand my I was talking about with my employees and my manager at uh West Street and he's from New Hampshire and you know it's it's I know I know you're trying to do the right thing and I agree with I don't
smoke but it's really hard for the employees to uh check everybody's license when they're like you know they look like me I'm like 78 years old in New Hampshire they you can't scan you can't scan
cigarettes until you scan a license. So, they can't sell cigarettes, you know, and that would make it easier for us because we do have some issues. We had an issue just about two weeks ago where a a kid came in. He was 21, but he
didn't the January the 2004 thing. >> Yes. >> And he was some he didn't believe us and he was pretty pretty uh upset. And one of the customers said, "Well, you can go next door because they're in Wubman and they don't they don't have that rule." >> And he actually came back and
apologized. >> But just like your your uh people who do the the uh check, they have to be careful. You know, our employees that sometimes they're by themselves at night, they're sometimes they're elderly. So, I know there has to be a system in place, but there is a little
issue with that their safety, too. We get some belligerent people sometimes, >> but you know what can you do? You have to work with the system, >> right? >> And so you're aware of the January 1st, 2004
uh date in terms of having um you know having a birthday. Uh >> yeah, if you were born after January 2004, no matter how old you are, well you know 21 so many month you can't buy cigarettes, >> right? city >> and that you know and that's city by
city I you know which I find unusual and that causes an issue also. >> Yes. >> Well you know there's an effort to you know to engage more and more cities and towns and hopefully at some point in the future it will be a statewide
um law but not now and that makes it complicated. I agree. >> And I mean you I hope you understand that we don't want to sell cigarettes to miners. I have three stores. I probably have 30 employees and we have pretty
good turnover. Um and we just do our best and we figure, you know, we have to trust the employee that he's going to do. I mean, I get a sign posted right on the register uh saying that, you know, explaining the rules and saying that if you do get a a fine, you have to pay the
fine. I I would never make them do that anyway, but and it's right next to the register and we and we go over quite a bit, you know, because we don't want to lose our license. If we can't sell cigarettes, uh it's a big deal. >> I wouldn't mind not selling cigarettes
if no one else did. But, you know, you they don't come and buy cigarettes. Well, most people bought gas and the other stuff. When I first bought the stations, I wasn't going to sell cigarettes, I thought, until I started running the station and talked to some people who were in the business
before me. >> And we we sell I can't believe how many how many cigarettes we sell. Uh I would think I understand it's supposed to be going down, but it doesn't seem like it to me. >> And you're talking 15 something a pack
now. But people who still dying like crazy, >> right? That's unfortunate. Um, so any other comments or questions for Mr. Sordillo or Mr. Sidilla? Do you
want to make any more comments before we wrap this up? >> No, I mean just that we, you know, we try harder, but uh, you know, we we did make the violation and we have to be responsible for it. >> Yeah. Um, so
>> I do have one comment. >> Yes, >> excuse me. Um, I believe um that there's signage available uh that could be posted inside the store about the tobaccof free generation date and um that may help Mr. Sillo with
people who are not aware of it to um >> No, we have those signs posted right on the count. >> Oh, you do? >> And it really I thought it was going to be a lot worse than it is. It really hasn't been that big of an issue. Um, >> okay, that's great.
>> Yeah, good. >> We posted the sign before you guys sent them out because I thought it was going to, you know, be a big problem for my, >> you know, I have to worry about you worry about your your uh people doing the inspection. I have to worry about my employees also. I've had to go into the
station a couple times, not because of cigarettes, because there was a a person causing a problem and wouldn't leave. M >> but you know you have to deal what you have to deal with. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So um we're going to adjourn the
administrative hearing. Um Health Director Solarin will be in touch with you to follow up. Um, there is a mandatory three-day suspension for tobacco sales, but you can work with um
a day to uh figure out a time to do that. Um, and uh and if you want to, you know, the tobacco regulations for the town of Reading are on the town of Reading website and you can always
review them there if you, you know, have any questions. and we will fix that letter so that people are aware of the consequences. >> Thank you for your time tonight. >> We don't do the suspension till we hear from you from you.
>> Yes. Uh we'll be in contact with you. >> All right. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Good night. >> Good night. >> Okay. A day. I had to sign off. >> You can stay if you'd like, Mr.
>> Yeah, you can stay. It's all right. I wasn't too happy being here in the first place. >> Thank you. Anyway, >> thank you. >> All right. >> All right. >> Today, updates, reports.
>> Yes. Thank you, Dr. Lopez. Uh, it was a busy January for us. We had, you know, this snowstorm. We had a lot of, you know, pipe leaks and pipe bursts everywhere. Um, restaurant closures and things like that. >> Fires,
>> fires, you know, I was very busy. Um, there was one point, uh, I felt like I was working like four days without sleep. >> That was how bad it got, >> right? >> Not to interrupt you a day, but I'm going to. Sorry. We should just make
note that because it was on the agenda that that the um the Baptist church has uh rescended their want for the um the outdoor um um refrigerator and that's why we're not discussing it. That's all I wanted to say. >> Good point. >> Thanks, Kevin.
>> Thank you. So, in January, we had six housing complaints uh inspections. We had one um condemnation. Um the house was unfit for human habitation. Um we had four solid waste inspections,
15 food establishment inspections, two food establishment reinspections. We investigated one footborn illness. Um we had a huge fire at one of the dwellings on um James Street.
>> Um 15 temporary food events. There were two um change of ownership for two restaurants and three body art inspections. I will now pass it over to live for nursing updates.
>> Sorry, Liv. Can I just ask one question real quick before you get into that? Dave, do we know if the firefighter is um is uh well that was taken out of that fire? >> The last time I checked, uh the firefighter was uh in the recovery stage. Um,
>> okay. All right, leave. Let's get my documents pulled up. Okay, everyone. Happy February. The year of January is over. Except for Kevin where it was a normal month. It was great. I I I don't know
what to do, you know. >> All right. >> May we all be blessed with the speed of Kevin's month. >> All right. So, for January, we had 66 flu cases and 30 COVID cases. Um, that is actually a
little bit different. I did some digging from last year's data and I looked at uh what our flu and COVID cases were for January of 2025 and we actually only had 16 COVID cases um or some we had a much lower number of COVID cases last year.
Um which begs the question, did not enough people get the COVID vaccine this past year? So, something that I plan on looking more into um as the winter continues, but I thought that would be a fun piece of tidbit for our board members who geek out on that kind of
stuff. Um anyways, so February, we have three blood pressure screenings for the month. I did our Pleasant Street Senior Center one. Last week, I have the Reading Public Library on the 23rd and then Frank Tannerville on the 19th, next
Thursday. Um, normally I would be having the public library next Monday. However, we will not be here as it is President's Day. Okay. Um, I just wanted to put out what the mass guidance put out for immunization recommendations. They are
saying to please follow the American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule for routine immunizations of infants, children, and adolescents. This is a little bit different than what we might see on um the health uh the the
CDC websites perhaps. Um but this is what the mass DPH is leading towards. And it uh February is also National Heart Month, tips to prevent heart disease, stay active, eat healthy, regular checkups, and avoid smoking.
Thank you Middle Sex Essex Public Health Collaborative for this wonderful image. And then it is also low vision awareness month in February. Um protect your vision, eat the right foods, get regular eye exams. Wear your sunglasses and
practice the 2020 2020 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break to look 20 ft away. Help your eyes. Um, we have a vision van coming up next month um for our Reading employees. Um, I just got
that situated I think like today or yesterday. So, just um didn't make it into the slideshow this time, but we do have a the 2020 vision on-site vision ban coming to do eye tests on uh in the Reading Town Hall parking lot.
>> What date? >> Oh, I'm so sorry. That will be March 9th. Monday, March 9th. February is al also Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month. Know the signs save lives. I don't know if anyone you know of anyone in your life that has Marfan
syndrome. I worked in orthopedics for a very long time. Saw it a lot. It's quite interesting. Um and yeah, bring awareness. Hands only CPR class. I have my class coming up on uh March 11th. That is next
month. I think have I still have a few slots um for that date and after that the next one will be in May. Oh, we were just um so the Middle Sex EX Public Health Collaborative MEPC uh purchased a second set of CPR dummies
and they have been kind enough to let Reading be the storage unit for that area. So, we now have some brand new CPR dummies. They said that we are the most we use them the most so we can keep them here. So I'm very excited about that.
Um all right and then just bringing attention still to our takeback supplies programs. I take diabetic equipment as well as any medical unused and unexpired medical supplies. All right. >> Thanks Lee.
>> Thank you. I'm going to unshare. >> Terry, you had a question or >> I have a comment and a question. Um, first comment, thank you um for highlighting the American Pediatric Association recommendations for the vaccine schedule. I think it's extremely
important in a time when there is a lot of information out there and it's difficult for parents to be able to um sometimes parse through, you know, the different sources and the different um recommendations. And we're fortunate to
be in Massachusetts with um the leadership of Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, Dr. Robbie Goldstein, um and the Mass Department of Public Health working with other states to help provide clear information and guidance for parents. So, thank you for
highlighting that. It's really important. And then I have a question. You mentioned the um about shared services, the shared services collaborative and the the the documents. And I'm I'm interested to know if if the shared services collaborative is um
continuing. I know in the past y'all have said that it's it is helpful and useful for department operations and I'm I'm curious if that's still the case and if you can talk about any specific benefits >> a day, do you want to speak or do you would you like me to speak?
>> Um >> I'm not understanding the question. What aspect of the shared services are you referring to? I don't know what I'm curious what you're I um um Liv me made mention of it um in her presentation
which led me to ask Oh yeah. So that there's something from that but I I just want to ask if either of you have comment about the value or not value of you know is it continuing to be a useful thing for us to be part of um and and
why? >> Yes, we can both uh comment on it. Um, I think it's a great um collaborative. Before I hired um Z, they helped us out with inspections
>> and after hiring Z, the inspector went out with Z and showed him, you know, how to do certain things. So, they've been really helpful uh on the environmental health aspect of things as well as the uh nursing uh part of things as well.
and I can let uh leave comment on that aspect. >> Yeah. So, I know that prior to when I started um Leanne Perau, the nurse over there was doing like some of our epi work in reading. So, I know that was really helpful. Um I meet with the
nurses monthly um for in our region and we do little meetings and collaboratives. Um we are current like we're looking at different things to do at like regionally um for
for all of our towns. Um I found it a great resource just to like get new ideas and understand how things are done. I know um the board knows this, but I was I was not a public health nurse before taking this job. So it really helped me figure out um what I
needed to do in order to be successful in this uh position. So that for me was extremely helpful. Um I also they organize an opioid work group uh every uh quarter we meet um and talk about how different towns are using their opioid funds.
Um, and that is also something that I found to be very helpful because it brings in different like um EMS services as well as um the different like um like we have the the Reading the REPC here in
Reading the >> um collaborative and so that brings the different collaboratives from the um other towns to meet as a region. Um they've also paid for a lot of training for me as well. I've gotten to do a lot of different trainings through them
>> um which has been great and I find I find them to be a very beneficial resource. >> Absolutely. So you can think of it this way. The MAPC is a health department run by you know multiple municipalities to support individual health departments.
So wherever you're logging they can you know fill in that spot. So, >> and Carrie, I just met with Jen today actually, >> right? So, and I want to say full so full disclosure, y'all know that I do work I work with a sim similar group, but every shared services collaborative
is different. Everybody because the different towns have different needs. So, I know what can be possible for, you know, and from hearing from others. But I I and I know how it works in my four towns that I manage. But I I I I'm
curious to hear how it's working up here. And um and I'm glad to hear that you guys are are continuing to have a positive experience. Um yeah, my public my regional public health nurse um and and and live um do some collaboration
and connection as well. Um I didn't I didn't realize you guys met today, but um anyways, I'm glad that it's work. I'm glad that it's working well for us and um particularly because I know a day you were short an inspector for a little bit and um it there was a resource there for
you to um to support to support the town, right? To make sure the inspections were still getting done and that's good. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Do you have any other updates?
>> Um that's about it. I know that uh let's see. >> Yeah. Hi. Um can I go back to one of the points uh about the COVID vaccines? Can you guys hear me? >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. I mean because I'm listening with my family and my wife is poking. me in
the back. I think the one thing u maybe something to consider is the eligibility and availability of covid vaccines for different age groups. I think that has changed over time. Um and it was much harder to get some of the vaccines um for for certain age groups especially
the younger ones uh around this year. So, I know it's not some groundbreaking revelation, but it's uh I've been poked by my wife to point that out, and I I thought that was a good data point to collect in the overall uh situation.
>> Thank you. That definitely 100% would skew >> um the results and data. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um that's pretty much it uh for us. the health department. I know that um there was a decision to eliminate
um the endangerment finding um earlier today. I'm not sure if the board heard about it. >> Did you say more? >> Nope. Did not hear about it. >> Okay. But so there was um
a there was an announcement um by the uh current admin Trump administration um to eliminate a 2009 um law that stated that carbon dioxide
and other um environmental gases um are a threat to public health um and and also to climate change. So combination of public health in terms of
people with asthma, COPD, um those kinds of things, but also in terms of climate change because as of these as these gases accumulate in the atmosphere, it warms the climate which results in all these adverse climate
changes. And so, uh, that was announced today. It's part of the um roll back in regulations that the administration is doing uh around the environment and um will
likely result in increased uh uses of fossil fuel uh for various processes which of course um increases carbon dioxide and other uh gases in the
environment. um today as a result Dr. Goldstein and um and I I forgot the name of person in the other person >> Bonnie Hyple. >> Okay. Um,
>> Commissioner Bonnie Hypel, >> Commissioner, they put out a statement um that uh said that, you know, that this is uh problematic and went
through all the reasonings uh for it and stated that we will continue in Massachusetts to um you know, use the science of um that's involved here to um address this issue uh regardless of
at the federal level. Of course, when it's not happening at the federal level, unfortunately, it really becomes very difficult to implement. So, um, this statement was drafted and I wanted, um, a day showed it to me late
this afternoon and I wanted the board to see as a sort of simple press release, uh, showing that, um, the reading health department, which of which the board of health is sort of part of, um, you know,
finds this problematic and, um, and that we will continue to, you know, go with the science on this going forward and support uh public health practices, clean air initiatives and so forth. Um I don't think this is particularly
controversial uh for anyone in public health. Uh, but before this goes out as a press statement, I wanted to make sure the board members saw that in case there were any questions or I don't want to
word smith it, but in case there were any concerns or questions. >> Thank you, Rick. And a day I like the um I mean the in the second paragraph I note the you know inform residents and support policies grounded in scientific evidence. you know, where we make
database decisions and I appreciate um your highlighting that and pointing that out and I am I support this. >> All right. >> All right. Are are there any um immediate impacts
at at Reading or local level that we anticipate or is this more like a policy position we want to take as the town? >> I think it's more of a policy position.
I I don't know um I don't know how this uh change at the federal level is going to impact how let's say you know mass EPA deals with you know issues or not. I
I suspect the state law will still uh be in effect. Um I I think it's going to have more of a a national u impact. >> Thank you. This is one of those longtail impacts.
So >> yeah, I would say though, Rick, to to your earlier comment, it's probably a highly controversial issue. Maybe not in the public health world, but um >> I can understand that it's coming from
our health department, which is fine >> is is perfectly normal um um to to put out there, but just don't be surprised. I'm going to I'll say it that way. Just don't be surprised. >> Yeah. >> Right.
>> Right. No, I I I I take that point and you know I think you know Rick's statement of it won't be controversial for folks in public health. I think that's you know we're that is clear but understand that >> just like with vaccines there is a variety of information out there and a
variety of perspectives and >> right >> and yeah >> well like I said the fact that it's coming from the health department I think that's that's the part to me that makes it fine. Um, you know, obviously if it was coming from us, it would have to come before us. We'd have to vote on it and all that jazz and we'd have to
hear all sides of the thing and the whole thing would be a whole night. >> Right. >> So, I think it's simpler this way. >> Yeah. >> Good point. >> Coming from the health department, it's it it's it's it's known issues that it's not saying anything that's not known and
it's non-controversial in that regard. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thanks. Good observations, Kevin. >> All right. Um, any final comments, suggestions, anything we should talk about.
Okay, 45 minutes is not bad. Not bad. >> I think we stretched it to 45. Could have got it done a little earlier, >> uh, >> boy. Huh. So, I will make a motion uh to adjourn. Um, do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Kevin second. Roll call. Carrie. >> Kevin. >> Yes. >> Joan. >> Yes. >> And Rick. Thank you all for your time, your service, and uh
>> All right. So, not to be a stickler, but I didn't hear a yes from Carrie or you, Rick. I just heard your name called. >> Oh, okay. Yes. I'll say yes again. I said yes. Great guess. >> Want to make sure it was it was okay if one of you didn't do it because we still have a three
>> person uh yes. But both of you did it. I'm like oh god. >> All right. >> Thanks Kev. Y we are we are out. >> And then that way I can vote one day guys. That way I can vote. Just saying. >> Have a good night guys. Have a good
night everyone. Take care. Bye.