I call to order the February 2nd, 2026 meeting of the Armouth Board of Health and attendance time. Charlie doesn't seem to be there. Larry, are you here? >> Here. >> I'm Hillary, I'm here. Mary >> here. >> Eric >> here.
>> Okay. So, quum has met. Okay. First item is the public comment. That's number three on the agenda. And we had a new development the last two meetings where we had people calling in from all over the country. I've been on the board for a long time and that has never occurred.
Um, you can go on AI and you can find out every single board of health in the country. Do they have a particular subject on their agenda? So, it's infinite the number of people who could call.
Our town meetings only allow people in town. And so, we're going to do the same thing. you need to be a resident part-time or full-time here in town or you certainly if you work in town. Um otherwise
we're not going to take those calls. So when someone speaks when they're calling in or they're here in the room, introduce yourself and you can tell us if it's a store that's fine or what voting, you know, district you're in.
That's all. All right, everyone. Okay, let's get started. It's public comment. So, it's open to anyone here. Um, you know, if anyone probably are some people here
interested in talking about a couple items on the agenda further down and perhaps we'll address those when we get to those as opposed to just doing it now. It usually it's more meaningful and more accomplished that way. So, anyone calling in, zooming in, anything? I
don't see any hands, Mr. Chair. >> Zero hands. I don't see anyone moving in the audience either. So, >> we have someone Great. Always like to have people. >> Hi. Sorry. I um I just wanted to
clarify. So, I'm actually I'm your neighbor in New Hampshire and we had just had some email conversations back and forth. I was just here um in place of Laura Romney in case you >> I do know Excuse me. Did you hear Did you hear what I >> Yeah. No, I was just clarifying. I wanted to make sure that like if you
don't want to hear you're you're only you're only taking from people that are in your specific town. Correct. >> That's correct. Um please feel everyone's obviously welcome to listen and if there are things you want to send in to us, just send it to the health department. Um we welcome it to get
educated and what you know opinions people have. >> Perfect. All right. Yep. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's it. >> Peter Brennan. >> Okay. If someone's there, just introduce
yourself and where do you live? Thank you. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Very well, sir. >> Oh, great. Uh, Peter Brennan. Um, I'm up in Milton. I'm the executive director of the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association. >> Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir. Did you
hear my introduction tonight? Uh I think I was connecting. So you said you just wanted to hear from local uh residents, >> people who live here in Yarmouth or certainly have businesses here. Uh the problem is we're getting people calling in from all over the country and this is
a new phenomenon. So certainly anyone's welcome to you know listen in. Um that's fine. Zoom or just listen by phone. I mean, we do we have uh several members of our association are in Yarmouth. >> Well, then they probably should should
come in if it's relevant to some item on the agenda. >> There are plenty of people. >> All right. Well, I've already submitted uh written, you know, we're opposed to the NFG policy and I'd just like to extend an invitation. I'm happy to come in or testify remotely and, you know, give a presentation as to why it's a bad
policy since I know you've had >> Okay. Well, >> a couple presentations on why it's a good idea. So, you know, I'm just happy to help and educate if possible. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We did receive your email late this afternoon and I did uh we did get it printed out and each board member does
have a copy of your email you sent this afternoon. >> All right. Great. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Great. Okay. Anybody else up there? >> Any hands? I don't see any. Nope. Okay, we're done. Let's go to number four and that's the hazard mitigation plan uh
review. So Barry, what's >> So the town has put together a hazard mitigation plan. It's not really much for us to talk about. It's going in front of the board tomorrow to um be approved. I can I just did a brief summary. My takeaway um I can just read
this real quickly for the town. It's a hazard mitigation plan. And the plan describes how the town will reduce risk from flooding, storms, extreme heat, and other natural disasters such as this current last few storms we had. These hazards can affect public health through heat illness, poor air quality, quality
contamination, sewage backups, mold, and power outages. Uh the plan identifies vulnerable populations, including uh older adults and residents with health or mobility challenges. The health department is included as a participant and may assist with public education,
emergency communication and preparedness efforts. Overall, the plan supports public health goals and by focuses seen on prevention, preparedness, and long-term community resilience, which is all we were working for. Um, I it was
all emailed to the board. It's 190 something pages. That's why we didn't print it out for you. But if you would like to read it line by line, it's been emailed to you. So, >> Larry, did you did you read all 190 pages of this in preparation? You did not.
>> I did. >> I' I'd like to comment on it. >> Yeah, I certainly didn't get through it all. Yeah. What's up? >> But I I did I did review it. Um I was very happy to see that there is a whole section on climate change because that
um there was a plan done in 2017 apparently and this is an update. It's very professionally done. I'm sure they must have had some outside consultants working with them, >> I think. So, I'm not for sure. It'll all be uh all covered tomorrow night in the uh town meeting. So,
>> and they also had some um guidelines and some framework from um the state and federal government in terms of what they wanted to see. Um I didn't see a whole lot um from from health perspective. Um
emergency, yes. Um but it'll be interesting to see, you know, if there's any further discussion on what public health's involvement um they expect to have. I couldn't find it again when I looked at it the report
again today that they did have a recommendation that there be a whole separate committee on climate change. >> Okay. >> And I'd be interested to hear what they have to say about that um at the meeting. I know Chip Riley from the county is
working with um each town Yarmouth is also on uh updating their um emergency dispensing center updates and everything like that. I have been going through that with uh Carl and there's
some old names on there. We we we're getting it updated and up to par for everybody. So, and the county's working with us greatly on that too. which is helping. So, >> Mary, have you seen it before? I I really had not >> the plan before or before. No.
>> And they had they have had public comment and all. So, it was kind of disappointing to just see it now. >> Yeah. Larry Eric. Yeah. We haven't seen it before at all for all these years. So, it's great taking place. Uh obviously important for
us as well, the whole community. Um, yeah, whoever decided to update it was we're on target. Okay. Anything else? >> I'm good on that one. >> Okay. So, I know on the agenda there's something there was one change it looks
like for number six now or you have it at six. Okay. Five then is the review of the 2017 synthetic marijuana regulation. Mary, you discovered something, right? The
regulation was written in 2017, I think, >> right? Um Barry did when when um I had mentioned at a meeting that we already had a regulation regarding canabonoids and synthetic um
um psychoactive substances. So Barry went looking for it and or Sarah did and found it. However, it had not gone through the official process to be promulgated. >> Can I um It did go through a public
hearing and >> Right. Right. I know that. Yeah. >> But it just didn't get signed. So, I do have an email out to the clerk's office. I'm still waiting to hear back from her. I think she's talking to council. Excuse me. Um whether or not we can just have this signed or if we have to go through
the whole process of a public hearing again. So this would be what we would have signed if you guys don't have any changes. Obviously if you have changes then you definitely have to go through the whole process again. >> Even if it's just a word or anything we
would have to go through the whole process again. >> Well Barry, thanks for picking up on it. Needless to say, um so hopefully everyone read it pack it and see if anyone has something they want to change. And if that's the case, then we
can start over as though this is a draft if indeed we're going to make any changes. If not, I would hope this can just get passed through and with new signatures. Uh since this board will have read it and reviewed it, >> right? >> I can tell you a lot of effort went into
this. This was carefully uh constructed took us a long time. >> When we saw this last last meeting, it was in our packet. So, we have had a chance to look at it and now we're looking at it again. So, just wait to hear from the clerk then. >> Yeah. I mean, I think we could probably
sign it tonight so that if it is um if nothing pending. So, if before you all leave tonight, I'll have you sign this copy. >> You want that copy or >> either or. >> Great. >> Sounds good.
>> Yeah. sign. >> No, you gave me one copy. Previous one or the most recent one. >> This one. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. Because last meeting the copy we got had the old coordinator,
>> right? >> You don't need it, right? You gave me >> nothing has been changed. Sorry to slow the meeting up, but let's not miss this. >> Yes. To get something in place that we
thought had been in place. Okay. So, the new item here number six is the disposal uh plastic food wear decision form. Barry, just introduces. >> So, um the disposable plastic ban is in
full effect and lots of questions on this. We've gotten our first um request for a waiver. It's um it's from Dunkin Donuts. So I speaking with I think on like such such a large one I'm going to
bring them in front of the board let you guys talk about this but we came up with a a waiver that's kind of similar to what the ZBA uses and stuff like this whether it's been approved denied the reason why um why I have will deny it on
my end and then have it come in front of the board. I mean it's that's that's the reason for this. Just wanted you guys to review this if you think it's good if there's any changes you'd like to make on that. But it's pretty much straightforward. It's very simple. It's very to the point. It doesn't it gives
us the opportunity. >> I have one question about it. Um the duration of the variance if approved. It says one year from date of issuance. Why is that? Why is that already filled in? >> Because we only we will approve them for one year at a time. They have to they
only good for one. >> This is saying that they get it the variance for a whole year. That's what that's saying. >> Okay. Uh we could probably change that to maximum one year or until a product is a suitable product is found.
>> That's kind of loosey goosey. I mean that >> how would you like it? What would you suggest it states then? because we're only we're only because I would like people I don't want to give a variance for life. >> No,
>> no, no. Like we discussed in our meetings and that at least if it's a year then they had they they know they have to come back in front of us to ask for a variance again. We'll ask why what >> they what steps they have taken to find alternative products. I mean it could be easily solved
sometimes that a owner store owner doesn't know the person next door has already solved it. So I don't think it should go for a whole year. It's not fair to other store owners businesses. Um I don't have a copy it in front of me. I'm not sure what does anyone have
an extra one. Do you or not? >> No. >> I don't think we have copy. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So I have a problem with that as well. Okay. >> Um, anyone have Oh, great. Thank you.
>> So, anyone have any suggestions about what to do about that or have they feel >> I haven't seen it either. >> Yeah. >> Should be in your packet. >> Yeah. Should have been in your packet. No. >> No, I didn't. Maybe we both >> Oh, I see right here. Yeah. Okay. I've got I've got that. I thought there was a
specific >> um variance we were looking at, but Okay. >> No, there will be one coming in, but >> No. just to look at the form itself. >> I think it's a great idea and I think that the um restaurant tours or the
retailers will be happy to have something like this that they could maybe post so that if you have somebody coming in and criticizing because they're using a certain item, they could say, "We've gone through the process and we've >> What would you suggest that duration of
variance be?" I vote >> in the can I just say in the regulations it does say um the variance is for one year from the date of issuance >> does say that >> yes >> okay >> I think that's a reasonable time period
>> maybe we could say one year from the date of issuance um or sooner if a suitable project product is >> okay and just not just automatically give them a year but Eric, what do you think?
>> Um, I mean, do do we need to list it or can it be handled on a case by case basis? >> Sometimes these could be easily solved. Others, if it's an unusual business or what they their product is, maybe it's more complicated.
I mean, I would think if someone appears before before the board, they would have, you know, done done some homework to determine what the alternatives may be. >> And they're always coming out with new products. That's why we give them the
year >> between the new products coming out and diminishing their inventory >> was if it's in the regulation, then I think that's what we have to have on this. >> Yeah. I don't think there's any discussion. If it says that in the
regulation, then that's what the should be on here and I didn't go back to the regulation to see if it was >> So, you're saying if if the health department or the border of health knows an alternative product that that would be turned down? >> No. Um, yeah. Yeah. It would be turned
down as a as a waiver even. It might get to the variant stage, which is when we look at it. So, and and the inspectors are going to be going around and saying, "Well, so and so has found this, you know, so look into this because that may not be
>> and they we've already started. We have an intern that's already started going out and talking to people already for us." So, >> nice. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And I'm fine with it. All right. >> That was my only question.
>> No changes. Thanks for pointing that out. Okay. Uh cratom discussion is next up here number seven. So um Mary just wonder maybe I wasn't there at
the last meeting just anything where we're at just briefly just next step or whatever. we we have um I think kind of two sides of the issue that have been brought out. One is the the whole more regulatory
aspect of it um that it that there are a lot of things we still don't know about crayon. Um it's not been regulated. It hasn't been researched a whole lot and if it's made a a a you know a category one substance then there won't be a lot
of research. Um and so you know I think the thinking is to regulate it that maybe the local bodies need to regulate it. The other side of it is the people that we have heard from who are using it and finding it very helpful for a
variety of conditions PTSD um depression um and and are talking about the pure form versus the synthetic form. um and that that that should be
allowed. So, we had a a uh that whole span of um input at the last meeting. And one of the things that I had asked Barry to do was to to look into Rhode Island because Rhode Island had been one of the states that had banned it
completely several years ago. >> Yep. >> Before I even had heard of it, certainly. And um but recently they have rescended that ban and they have um put put into effect instead um some guard
rails for the use of it. Um though did you >> I had Riley do that research. I know she emailed you all the um regulations and update. I I apologize. I'm not 100% so I don't want to say anything that's not
true on that. I'm not 100% with that. I apologize. >> Um, so at the meeting, um, um, Larry, if I can speak for you, was ready to, um, I think go ahead and regulate it. He was, he felt pretty strongly about it. Um,
but I felt like we'd wait until you were present also, Hillard, because I'm sure you have some opinions as a medical person. Um, can I say about it? One of the things about Rhode Island I came across was that
um I made a copy of this just public health and harm-red reduction arguments that were made in Rhode Island and I'll just read it really very short. Lawmakers cited the opioid crisis and the belief thatratom could be one tool
among many to help people manage pain, ease o opioid withdrawal symptoms, or reduce reliance on stronger opioids. Proponents argued that keeping it illegal forces users into unregulated uh channels.
So um that was >> that was their reasoning. >> One of them. Um yeah. >> Yeah. I didn't mention the opioid substitute aspect of the craton that was very much emphasized in the comments
that we heard and that and and then of course on the other side the crattom itself can become addictive possibly. So, have any other towns come?
>> No. Mash P was the last one that put a full ban on it. >> And I when I reached out to them, they said I asked them why they did a full ban and not just a ban of the synthetic version. They said because it's too hard to regulate. And most of their research, they said that all the products that are
on the shelves >> are synthetic >> are or had some kind of synthetic in it. I went around to a couple establishments that had it. I looked. I didn't find any pure leaf >> around. It all had some form of the synthetic in it. So, and the label front
would say pure. Then once you start reading it, it had >> the additives >> had the additives in it. So, >> plus the the pure I mean you get into dosages and people are using it to medicate themselves without any
>> even just the little ones right now the little vials. It looks like a a oneshot deal. That's three servings. So I mean self treatment is of concern to
just to me at least. Um that could get dangerous for all of us. If you have certain diseases or certain problems, you start to self treat. It's hard to be objective. Uh-huh.
>> People do it enough with things that are legal >> and have been researched and have been. >> There there was gentleman who called in the meeting before last was referencing a study was done in the University of
Florida and it's very well stated. He's given description of it. Well, I read the study and it was actually done on mice. Uh, it wasn't done by clinicians. It was done by pharmacists and studying the effects of the product,
but it wasn't a study on on people, which is something that's hasn't been really done. um very good um design studies that are reviewed by objective clinicians on people. Um it
just hasn't been done yet. I know last meeting that I was at, people were talking about regulations um that the companies that are making the products are getting getting reviewed. They're hiring people
to look at what they have for review, I guess, for studying. And it's um something to think about for all of us about it's essentially self-regulating. If you're hiring, you know, a company to do the work, could be
a conflict of interest, um, obviously people who do the regulations may be it's in their best interest to pass something. And, you know, in town, for instance, you go and check out the kitchens, the health department, right? >> Yep.
Um, we don't have um businesses calling their own companies to have their kitchens checked, right? There must be a reason for that because it's the town pays for your department to go
in and check the kitchens and do inspections. >> It's No, it's that way. We're not objective. Fine. We're we're doing the same inspection for each establishment >> where if you hire your own person,
>> you can hire them to inspect the way you want them to inspect, >> right? You know, there's standards that you're holding people to. You're being objective about it, right? The only exception to that rule, I'd say the big corporations have their own health
safety officers like the stop shops and the but their inspections are different. They're more auditory than >> like ours. So, I called a couple pain specialists and no one's using the product. Um, and you
know, with all the problems with opioids that we've run into in this country, um, clinicians are looking for alternatives to opiates and yet they're still not using this product, which indeed may, you know, provide pain relief.
Um >> yeah, they may at some point, but certainly not at at this time because of just not enough >> regulation or you know, you said qualified >> regulation on it. I we went through the
same thing. I I think even on the human side in veterary medicine, we went through the same thing when CBD oil came out. CBD CBD oil is a much more innocuous product, but there was such a variation in the um active ingredients
and all those products that uh uh it just there was no consistency whatsoever. And it's that kind of a product where it's not really regulated by um you know an official organization and that's what makes it so difficult. My other concern is it's basically
available to anyone at any retail uh inst uh uh um outlet to any age and and that just makes it uh hard to to to
feel like it shouldn't be regulated. I mean, at this point, anybody can get it anywhere at any age, and that's a concern to me. >> Yeah, definitely a concern that young
people can buy it. >> Like Barry said that those it said for three servings. Well, who's who's regulating three three servings? You know, if if somebody purchases it and wants to uh ingest the whole product,
there's c certainly no reason they couldn't. >> Yeah. I mean, the rate of metabolism for people very different or body weight could be very different. a lot of things um could influence >> and and also the quality control issue
is a real concern because we we just don't know how much of that product is actually in that uh or how much of the metroine is in the product that they're purchasing. Well, we've certainly discussed it for
at least three sessions, right, Mary? How many? I mean, >> more than that. >> More. >> Yeah, three. Okay. >> So, it's up to us. What do you want to do? Just table it. You want to move forward with it? Um, so I think we ought to make a decision. I'm not sure there's
anything else to discuss. So it would be either just dropping the issue and not going where or it would have um I guess uh possibly uh voting in the next meeting for a
regulation and certainly you need a public hearing. I mean you need the public for sure. We want the public coming in. Um it's an important issue. So >> you did put a together a very nice regulation the combine a lot of the a couple of the towns. So
>> yeah, sure. Um but doesn't mean we need to do anything with it. It's really up to the board if you want to use it, you know, to move forward and at the meeting if it moves forward. We can also decide not to, you know, not to take the
regulation on and just, you know, decide we don't want it or shouldn't have it or >> So the board needs to make a decision if they want to move it to open meeting. Correct. >> Yes. Yep. Which would be our next meeting. Um
>> yeah, I I move that we move forward on this issue to a open meeting to um take in some more input and then um move forward with possibly regulating the substance.
>> Okay, thank you for making the motion. >> Second it. >> Okay, so any further discussion? Just because you made the motion or you second doesn't mean you have to vote for it. But um any anything else discussion wise? >> I I just think it would be helpful to hear hear from the local public. You
know what any consumers that we may not have heard from >> for sure >> in town. >> Hopefully people come in, you know, it'll be posted and so on. It's relevant to a lot of people. >> Um okay.
>> All right. >> Let's vote on the motion then. Uh all in favor motion say I. >> Okay. So that passes. So next meeting we'll have a public hearing >> and um >> two weeks. So
>> two weeks. Yeah. >> So when's our our next meeting is not until March, >> right? But um so just let me just make sure. If not, it will be one of the meetings in March. It may not be the first meeting March. >> Okay, fine. >> I'll let you know. >> That's fine.
Um certainly if anyone has any additional information certainly forward it to health department u for the board to to to read. Um if there are some studies that on it on on on people that were you know well-designed studies and
reviewed the board would would love to be able to see it and read it. And >> every time we do get an email or an update we do add it to that file and we >> Yeah. We get and how often do you want us to update the board? Do you want us
daily, weekly, bi-weekly and we can just a click of button. So I don't want to over >> up to the board. Not up to me. People have a strong feeling. I'm fine with whatever people would like to do. >> We can update you probably if we get a
lot we'll do it midweek. If not, we'll do we can update you at the Thursdays, Fridays. That's all right with the board. >> Sure. >> That's fine. >> That's fine. >> Okay, we're up to number eight there on
the nicotine free generation or NFG. And that's discussion here on the agenda. I >> think we do have some people in the audience that are here for this agenda item. >> Oh, great.
>> We have a hand up. Okay. So, why don't we go to the magic board first? Um, please state your name and your business in town here or
uh where you vote in town here. So, we just need to know you're a resident here. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. My name is Mr. Patel and uh I'm a resident in Yarmouthport. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We can hear you. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. I just want to speak on behalf of the, you know, myself and just I think this is a bad idea where you're doing a generational tobacco ban. Um, you know, not only does this violate civil li uh liberties, uh, permanently discriminates adults based solely on birth year, uh,
it contradicts adult rights that's already been established for alcohol, marijuana, and other adult products that are already regulated. And this is seems highly unconstitutional. I mean, if you're old enough to vote, serve in the military, but uh, you should be able to decide once you're an adult at the age
of 21 whether you want to consume a legal product that's sold all over the country. Uh first of all in Cape Cod this is a tourist market. We depend on residents coming from out of the state and uh they come here and when they see
that you have enacted these uh crazy policies that have not gone statewide. This is a town by town uh meeting that you guys are doing and you know I just find that it's not a great idea and it just leads to a bad road where you're picking on certain
industries and leaving out others. I mean, if you guys are worried about the health, you would go after everything equally. I mean, or uh try to regulate everything equally. I mean, I would think alcohol hurts and harms more people than somebody smoking a cigar or
cigarette or consuming vape. Uh yeah, not only the economic harm that it will do to the businesses, the tax revenue that the state gets is also taking a hit. All you're doing is driving residents to go to out of state to consume these same products. These are products that are for adults, consumed
by adults. Uh I don't see how you guys have any right to go ahead and uh make a decision for everybody in the town without even asking the town residents or taking a vote with the town residents. I'm pretty sure about 85% of the town still doesn't know what you guys are uh trying to enact.
And uh yeah, other than that, other countries have tried to do this prohibition style ban and it's backfired heavily where black markets have propped up and uh that's all it's going to happen is going to do. is going to send business and revenue out of state and businesses and other uh ways of black
markets are just going to pop up and continue selling the product. It's going to be highly hard for you to regulate and control it. And yeah, I would wait for the state to enact on this before going ahead and setting up a, you know, a local policy before anyone just to be the first just to say, "Yeah, we're the first." And yeah, that's all I want to
say. >> Okay. Some some good good points. Uh thank you for calling in. I don't see any other hands up. >> No. >> Yep. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Yeah, sure. Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you for taking the time, mate.
>> People here. It's great. Just come up and introduce yourself. >> Good afternoon. >> My name is David Lawler. I'm an attorney in Hyannis and I represent um Yarmouth Mobile and Shell. Um and I've been
involved um you know in Barnstable and Yarmouth Dennis for uh some odd 30 years of doing a lot of board work and other representations of businesses. Um and I've been contacted by numerous businesses. I'm here on behalf of two of
them today, but I've been contacted and have have spoken with numerous individuals about this not only in the town of Yamouth, but also in the town of Barnstable. Now, one of the things I want to talk about and I listened to Mr. Patel and he's and he's right in a lot
and has stolen some of my thunder on some of his research, but is the unintended consequences of this from a health standpoint. I'm let somebody else talk about the taxes and all the revenue and all those other matters which are real. But this is as indicated is a town
initiative by the Barnstable um by the county uh based upon some funding to create this nicotinefree situation and there have been numerous examples through history. I mean I can give you the most obvious one which is prohibition with alcohol and that was a
complete and utter failure which resulted in the 21st amendment appealing that and some of the same and and I was also listening previously about the state of Rhode Island and they had a ban and then they and then they appe they repealed that total bans generally just
don't work that old expression people that don't uh learn from history are doomed to repeat it so what do we have here are the unintended consequences some of them are very scary and the scariest one is that if you do put a ban
in place that it is nicotine you know we all know is addictive people want it. But that that's the reality. I'm not surprising anybody here, but as you know, alcohol, um, caffeine, sugar, all things that we consume that people
crave, um, there's going to be a need for it. And studies have shown whether it's a tobacco ban or a flavored ban that you have crossborder purchases, you have people traveling that shouldn't be, young folks, and you're creating, you know, deviency in people who otherwise
might not have been deviant. I mean, that was clearly through prohibition. You had law-abiding citizens who felt it okay to break the law and put themselves in a bad position. But the one that's the scariest to me, um, and it might involve the Rhode Island matter. I
didn't research that. But what's scariest to me is the unintended consequences of regulation. Right now, you have very regulated products. Okay? They go into a store, they're taxed. anything taxed is regulated because the Commonwealth wants its money and that's
what pays for the roads and they should devote a little bit more to potholes. Um the but the but the issue here is on an unregulated situation and me personally I initially was
opposed to um you know the legalization of marijuana. I just was you know that generation I just didn't think it was necessary. But then you saw all these um fentanyl deaths and opioid addictions from people where things were tainted on
an unregulated product. And I changed my mind after, you know, some experiences of individuals that I knew of or knew secondhand. And here you have a situation where you're going to open up potentially a product market that's going to be unregulated. So, so people
may just not go across borders to get it, but they might now people are going to be, you know, providing product that, you know, might have, you know, how easy is it today with AI or whatever to produce a package that says whatever
brand name you want on it. And it's not that brand name. It's something that's been created in in in a back alley, you know, manufacturing area where they're selling it because people are buying it in the black market. And now God knows
what's in it. I'm not going to suggest the fentanyl's in it, but who knows what chemicals, who knows what carcinogens, who knows what's in that product. You don't because it's unregulated. >> Excuse me. Are we talking about nicotine free generation or are you talking
>> about all of it? Yeah, absolutely. You you talk about I mean the there is an extremely regulated product. It's taxed, it's regulated, it's monitored all these the nicotine products, whether they're pouches or vapes or whatever. Um the
there are more laws protecting tobacco nicotine products than there are virtually anything. Um there were stings going on and that's another area that I want to address later on. But the unintended the consequence here is you
know if this ban becomes you know multi- townwide if it's just Barnstable and Yarmouth Barnstable and Yarmouth it's it's not going to have any effect at all on the youth. They're just going to go to Mashby. They're going to go to Dennis. They're going to go to Bourne. They're going to go to Plymouth. You know you're having kids drive. You're
having people going all over the place to get things that they otherwise wouldn't be on the roads. that creates no minimal an additional danger. Um, but that's not going to change. If Barnstable and Yarmath are the only two places that do this, it's going to have no impact and no result I suggest to you
whatsoever other than hurting the businesses and the towns that you live in. Okay? But if it gets larger, people are going to travel to different states. But if or they're going to bring in product on the black I from my understanding it's not right but there
are you know people that bring in flavored products you meant whether it's menthol or whatever. Now that's unregulated. How do we know that that is a a vape that's produced by you know a company that makes them that guarantees the warranty. You don't because it's not regulated. It's not taxed and it's being
done behind closed doors and it's dangerous you know. And then, you know, these are just businesses that are, as as Mr. Patel indicated, that are trying to deal with adults with adult issues. I think that the the the big gulp ban in New York didn't work when they were
trying to regulate sugar. I mean, all these things that have happened, all these, you know, when you when you implement laws that are in place today, you have very sound, reasonable regulations and very stringent. I mean,
some of the penalties if you're caught selling to a minor or things like that, thousand mandatory this that and the other thing. And I've been involved in and and there's and there's issues there, too. I was involved in the town of Barnstill about a year ago and it wasn't Mr. I want to be very clear. It
wasn't Mr. Kleti. It was not him. Um, it was one of his sting operatives had actually done a bait and switch and took a bar. It was a smoking bar and you had to have a product that was actually smoked on on premises and he was caught on camera taking out a pre-opened one,
smoking it and then leaving with the box and giving that to Mr. Kleti. Mr. Kleti didn't know, but he brought violations against my client and the video proved that it was a scam and it was, you know, it was the operative. It wasn't Mr. Kleti. So, you have, you know, and you have people that, you know, a little bit
zealous about these things. you get into enforcement issues and you have people's entire livelihood involved in this. You have businesses um whether right or wrong um sin taxes drive the commonwealth whether it's alcohol, tobacco, all these other
matters of very important and I suggest to you that the regulations that are in place today are are sufficient. I mean that's what the Commonwealth has. The Commonwealth has very very of all the, you know, of all the places for this to happen. If
you go through the 50 states, you know, we are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, we are the most strict in areas of regulation, whether it's tobacco, whether it's firearms. And I'm not suggesting that's a bad thing. In a large degree, it's a very good thing.
But those regulations are sufficient. and for the town of Yarmouth now to come in and say, "Well, we're going to do, you know, because because Barnstable County has this grant and wants this, you know, pie in the sky." Um, you know,
ideal, but it's but the unintended consequences are in history are some of the the worst consequences that people suffer and and a lot of the times they're in, you know, they start off as a, you know, some noble idea or whatever. But in this
situation, I suggest to you that this nicotine free number one, it's not going to happen. You know, you're going to have whether people drive to Connecticut or or they're having it, you know, shipped in UPS from, you know, you're never going to get North Carolina and
Virginia doing this. That's for sure. Um, and it's just not feasible and it won't work. I suggest to you if you look at history and I suggest to you that this is something that
should be rejected by the time Yarmath in its entirety and and move forward with the regulations that are in place. Again, probably I I don't have an actual statistic with me,
but my guess is that um Massachusetts is probably in the top five states in the country as far as regulation is concerned. We, you know, we're also top five in education. We're top five in this. We some wonderful things. And I'm not suggesting that regulation isn't one
of those, but I think it's sufficient. and the powers that be in the Commonwealth, the governor, the legislature have sat down and come up with a comprehensive set of laws to protect minors to and then to go forward. And as Mr. Patel indicated, you
know, we have whether it's alcohol, whether it's, you know, you know, I mean, caffeine is not regulated at all, but you know, but alcohol, marijuana, there's different types of, you know, you go in Boston, people can get um all
kinds of um you know, you know, they're not methadone, things like that that are, you know, some of it's regulated, some of it's not because they're trying to create, you you know, and to avoid a problem because of the opioid ep
epidemic, which I believe is the largest scourge this country has faced in, I don't know, since, you know, 50 years, maybe longer. Um, but that's what's going to happen here. You're going to have unregulated products entering the
market. You're going to have kids traveling. You're going to have people who otherwise would not be involved in illegal activity. I mean here you have what the birth date you know all of a sudden you have you know two kids in the same high school class one can one can buy it and the other one can't I mean it
makes no sense this cut off it just it it makes no sense what you know 21 makes a lot of sense a lot of sense because brain development and all but that's in place you know 21 for alcohol makes sense the
OUI's laws make sense all these things that are already in case makes sense and I suggest to you that the governor and the legislature and all the resources they have are sufficient to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which obviously include
the citizens of Yarmouth. Thank you. >> Thank you. you know the you know the people who I don't know if you listened to a previous >> I had meeting yeah they made their presentation to us and uh we didn't really know very much about
it at least I can speak for myself >> um let me ask you a question what do you think the goal of this nicotine-free generation is >> well it's in the name but I mean there are so many >> people listening you're a lot
I mean it's in the name of I mean you know the chances of you know are we going to be a caffeine-free generation a nicotine alcohol free generation where do we stop the regulation it doesn't work >> when you if someone is especially this issue with the age or the regula it just
it it's a it's a goal that yeah yeah and you know it's like a utopia name me one utopia that's ever made it a wonderful concept it's a wonderful concept They don't make it because it's not realistic. It doesn't happen. Human
nature gets in the way. And the, you know, again, I'm a I'm a history buff, but I mean, if you look at the, you know, the initial concepts of communism was a utopia. Well, it didn't work out that way. Um, you had a, you know, it turned into,
you know, not a society I'd want to live in. And if you look at what their aspirations are, it's easy to sit there and say, "Yeah, this is what we want. Pie in the sky and, you know, everybody, you know, singing and holding hands and singing kumbaya." It's not going to
happen. What's going to happen is human nature is going to take place and people are going to come in and they're going to try to take advantage of it and some bad things are going to happen and it's going to the town's going to be worse off or the actually the young people are going to be worse off from a health standpoint and every other standpoint
from an economic standpoint the town's going to be worse off. It's not realistic. It has no again again look at history I mean you know name you know bans don't work absolute bans don't work the um and
you know we have bans for you know certain things that you know we try to adapt for but again we know here we are we're telling people you know okay you can go at 21 and buy I don't know how many ounces of pot but you can't go buy
a vape now which you know and especially you know and now the studies since marijuana has become legal you know some of the issues that are having on this high potency marijuana on younger people again an unintended consequence of legalizing marijuana now is it still I
think appropriate yeah because marijuana has been sold illegal and is and people certain people have um you know horrific people have you know laced it with fentanyl and people have become and people have died from it so I still think it's it's a it's an appropriate situation, but the unintended
consequences of legalizing marijuana has had some of these uh hospitalizations in the emergency rooms of young people. And again, and that's the unintended consequences here. We don't know yet what's going to happen. I don't know yet, but I suggest to you if you look at history, if you look at how things are
handled, that this will fail and may create substantial damage. And again, look where we are today. We have all these rules in place to protect young people from whether it's alcohol or
tobacco or vaping where you know all these other products you know flavored products and and the flavored products if you look at the studies people are going to New Hampshire they're going to wherever they're getting they're bringing them in in in boatloads but you
know but with respect to the absolute and that's just a a portion that you know that's just a a portion of the market. But to, you know, to try to ban all nicotine and again and this age cut off when you have, you know, someone who's born a week earlier, you know, can
do what they wish the rest of their lives and someone who's born a week later cannot, you know, and these people are in the same groups. It's just not realistic. And I think that the harm that you will do and I'm not gonna you know I know I know you know doctor you're here and the
whole board are here because you want to you want to help and you know but you know first do no harm um obviously that's you know every physician's mantra and uh you and oath but sometimes it
happens with with an unintended reasons they don't realize it and I think that that's could happen here. I really do. Right. >> Oh, absolutely. Just introduce yourself, that's all. >> My name is Alum. I'm a resident here in Yamis and I own a business in Yamis,
too. Uh I don't know why everything has to start in Yamis. I don't know. Uh Mento started in Yam went all over the state. That's fine. But it's still all around us. New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York. Everybody's selling it. Everybody goes there and get it. We lost a business, but they still getting in it. I can tell you about the store. I don't know if you guys familiar with a town called Tverton, Rhode Island. Right on the board, there is a gas station
cost the guy maybe my my guess three to4 million to build. That's in Massachusetts. You go 100 ft, there is a small store worth maybe 50,000 the whole store but he can sell the mental. That guy can't
even afford to pay his mortgage and the other guy selling thousand cartonist a week of cigarette the mental he took all the business because if I'm going to buy a pack mental and marbor I'm not going to make to stop. So everybody going to
the other stores. So we lo he lost the business and this is what's going to happen here. you guys put in regulation and people's going to go to other town and you know how it is in Yamos in in the whole cape we have season
we can make a little bit of money like now we have the road it's been for couple years and it's going to go for another two years we're not making money we're losing money every single year and then to put on the top of that pressure and all that regulation on us I don't
know Hi. You did the mental, you did the plastic bottle which is we are the only two towns around here. Everybody in Hyannis they sell sin it we lost the business it
moved to there and I don't understand I was here in one of the meeting one of the board board guys he's having a plastic bottle front of him. What that will tell you
why we going to do that to us? Why you guys going to do toads to us? We lose business. Real estate tax goes up every year or every other year. Insurance goes up. Salaries goes up. Business is down. I just built the gas station 300 three
and a half million dollar. My mortgage is $18,000 a month. How I'm going to survive? Every year there is something new in Yamis. I'm not saying don't do it but wait for other town. Wait for the state
when they come out with something. We can go with it. That's fine if it's all over the place. But why we always have to start in here in Yamus. Second thing those are two my two boys. One of them smoked the other one he doesn't. Why I want to make a decision
for him? Why they are old enough they can make their decision either they want to do something or not please reject it don't go through at least for now
wait for other town for other state see what the uh effect on it how it's going to affect the businesses businesses on on 28 it's going out of business because of that look at the restaurant from South Y from Bass River
Bridge all the way to the line on Hyanes with Dion. And now the construction every year there is something every single year with there is something. Please guys study it
look around. See what there is in other places. see what the effect on different state state and then if you want to make a decision make a decision. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. No, thanks for the comments. We're certainly trying to do our homework. As
I said, I certainly didn't know anything about this nicotine free generation a month ago. I had never even heard of it. Um, one of the biggest conflicts of doing something like that is the businesses. you know, every time someone comes in
because they were selling to a minor, there we are, you know, and store owner has to pay a lot of money. And I keep saying, I don't want to see you again. Please, this is the regulation. >> You know, it's a lot of money. Um, the conflict of course is
health versus local businesses. >> Can I say something, sir? >> Anytime. Yeah, sure. >> Sorry to interrupt you. We can do we can force the regulation like at the mobile station you go there there is no way you can buy a pack cigarette or liquor without your ID we have to scan the ID
force that's on the stores make every store sell cigarette or uh liquor you have to scan the the we can't they're not going to sell it to a minor but I'm an as as an adult I have the
right I have my decision ision. I can make my own decision. I don't want someone to make my own decision my decision decision on me. I came to the United States in 1989. I work hard since then. I built what I built. Working hard. I'm
I'm I'm half disabled now because of that. I want to rest. I want to retire. I want to have enough salary. I can make survive until I die. Me and my wife. But they taken it from us every single year.
Sorry to interrupt. >> No, not at all. >> But this is something good. If you force those scan, force it. Why not? >> Um, more and more stores law
>> to Mr. Mr. Nel's point the again because of the travel because of all the this really should be something that the Commonwealth does and not the towns. I don't I I don't understand why it's coming at a town level and I
understand the county got a grant. Well, that's not a reason. I mean, it it is a reason, but it's certainly not a good one. Um this is something that because of the as indicated previously the just going over to if Barnstable doesn't approve it and you do or vice versa or
Dennis or whatever we're you know or certain and it and the grant has nothing to do with Plymouth you know you know um people drive you know it's it's only 25 minutes you know it's faster I get to Plymouth than it is Felmouth uh the uh
you know it's it's not realistic and the problems and the unintended consequences. And I keep going back to that term because I thought about this quite a bit and that was the one thing that ke coming back to me doing research, you know, like I know that they instituted a tobacco ban in South Africa and they repealed it. they they
you know it just it creates havoc and I think that if this is is such a large decision with all due respect to this board because I you have you know you're here I I think it's I think that I think that this is something that is such you
know should be a decision made by the governor and the legislature and not a local board. They're there I mean they're this is Massachusetts. They're very concerned about the health and well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth. just look at the laws and you know I think again that is really
where this ball should be in their court and not yours and I mean that with all respect I know I don't it's a hard thing to say to somebody that but I you know and it's being and this is being you know it's being driven because somebody got a grant that's you asked why we you hadn't seen it before well that's the
reason why >> I I have a question about Barnstable I I thought it was just Barnstable Town that has been looking at this >> yes just Barnstable Not bar. >> I haven't heard of any grants or anything. >> Well, it's being it's being driven by Mr. Kleti. He's paid for by the county. >> Actually,
>> that's that's where it came from. >> That's true, but it's not being driven by Mr. Kleti. >> That's where it came from with Barnstable. He made the presentation in Barnstable. >> I was at a conference with Tom, the director in Barnesville. We went to the same seminar and we talked together about that. We'd like to do it together.
So, I'm mistaken. >> It's not a It's not a grant. It's not Mr. Clay. It's >> okay. Then I'm mistaken then if I I apologize. county because if it were the county then we wouldn't be even looking at it separately because it would include all of >> okay then if I'm I'm mistaken if I that's an infant piece of information I
have well that's even makes it more then so then you don't have to go to Barn you can go to Dennis you know people are going to travel over to Dennis to get it and in Barnstable they're going to go to Mashbby they're going to go to Fmouth they're going to go to Sandwich it's it's not something that should be I
think in your strike zone this is a commonwealth of mass Massachusetts issue and not a town of Yammer, respectfully. And again, just look at look at history, get online, do research. It's just bans don't work. The biggest example is prohibition.
Well, um, that was handled differently than, you know, if this were to take place that happened one day. You can't, there's no alcohol. It's not really the way this is apparently designed. It's year by year. It's a gradual thing. The idea is for people not to develop an
addiction to nicotine. I mean, smoking, it's the greatest uh preventable cause of death we have. More people die from that than car accident shootings. You know, it's just all those >> I think that's statistics from 30 years
ago. I think probably more people die from alcohol. >> I I disagree. >> Yeah. Um, I haven't talked to anybody older person that smoked that wish they hadn't started. >> I understand that. >> Now, you you made really compelling arguments,
>> but the fact is it's medically factual that 50% of chronic smokers are going to die from smoking. And if we could try to educate young people not to start, we owe it to ourselves. I understand the
compelling part of the freedom of choice or um the economic impact of it, but the fact is the public looks to us for guidance and we have available to us
medical knowledge that they're not privy to. And we know that there's a good chance if you're a smoker that you're going to die from your smoking. Not only that, it's a tremendous impact on the health care profession. I mean, just as
an example, when you go for a physical, the third or fourth question your doctor asks, are you a smoker? Now, there's a reason for that. So, I understand all your compelling arguments, but the facts remain is a it's very likely you're
going to die from smoking. So if we can help some young people from that fate, it's up to us to do that. And the other thing is if it doesn't start somewhere, it's not going to go ever go anywhere.
If the Yarmouth can make a a maybe start something that other towns feel compelled to look at, I think we've done a service to the health area. >> With all respect, Dr. Venzia the
um you said education I I agree there's the education component of it if you look at any product there's a giant warning on it there's te television commercials there's education in school there's education in the hospital as you go if you say you smoke they give you a
pamphlet again that's there but with respect to the this isn't education this is a ban it's not the same thing this where and there is and it's an absolute ban at a certain age. I I the what is it 2000 if
you're born on a certain day 2020 or something to that effect. >> Well, the way it will will go is if if once we if we did institute it, it would start at a certain time. If you're not 21 by that date, then
>> you're banned for life. >> No matter how old you are. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's a ban. So, but it's going to be a gradual impact by doing that on the uh >> but I'm suggesting you if you look if I'm suggesting you if look at history it's not going to be a ban because you have people their friends who are a week
older or a year older and that's it's just going to create the unintended consequences of um you know you know as I explained and if you want to be the and if and you said you're going to make a stand well you're making a stand at the livelihood of your own citizens
>> but but the with the health implications of it. Is that a reason to try to >> expand your business? >> The not expandain to to maintain their business. But what what I'm getting at is >> it's you're making a statement that has
no realistic chance of working, especially if you're talking about just two towns. Does 300 and something 360. It should start >> where it's supposed to start in the Commonwealth with the governor and the legislature. let them start it. I s I
respectfully think it's their job to start it and if they haven't done it yet, maybe there's a reason. They did institute the the flavor ban. They are more proactive than virtually any other um legislative institution in than the
50 states. And the but this is a it's not this is an education. This is a ban. And this ban again the unintended consequences of this ban might be more severe than what you're trying to help. you might do more injury than help. That's what I'm getting at.
>> Why Why we don't educate people with like meeting and tell those 20, 18, 19 years old guys and girls. We can show them that they're not supposed to smoke, what the the problem, what the health uh you know
chance they taking and all that stuff. We can do start it with there. Why you going to start with bandon on one town in in Yarmouth while everywhere else like what happened? You said like has to start somewhere. Why it has to start in
in Yamis? Look at it started in Massachusetts. All the state around it they still have it. It been how many years? I'm not sure exactly. Four, five years now. They did not even make a move. Nobody make a move and we still paying the price for it.
Um >> Barry, how many towns in Massachusetts have passed this now? >> When we started this, it was 19. As of ye today, there's 20 towns that have banned it so far. >> Okay. The the other point I wanted to make that the the ne nicotine free
generation does not criminalize the possession or use of tobacco by people under that age limit. It does ban and criminalize the retail sales of it. And again >> that mean they can get it from somewhere else.
>> It's just again I mean >> that's what we are that's what we >> here like they can go to Rhode Island and get it. They can go online and get whatever they want. You can go online now and you can buy your cigarette either if you are 15 or 20 or 21 or 30
and imagine like 30 years from now we don't want to go that far but you know I want to give an example 30 years from now someone who's already you know like in 10 years so he's going to be around 40 45 years old walk into the store and
the store see his ID you know oh I I'm going to sell him the cigarette and we're going to have other problem too with what you saying like, you know, they selling it to minor. He's going to be a minor. 40 years old, he's going to be a minor now.
I don't think so. >> It's going to be >> How are you going to know which one is which? >> Be a healthy minor. >> Healthy minor. >> I I I with you on smoking. But the only thing I'm worried about like why every time it
has to happen in Yamis. That's the only my issue. why we have to pay the price all the time. Let's let's Mr. Laur said let's just >> I'll end it with this. He's not going to be a healthy minor. If he wants nicotine, he's going to get it >> and he's going to get it illegally or he's going to travel to get it and you
know the and again or he's going to buy a product that's not regulated and that could be far more unhealthy. It could be actually deadly because you don't know what people put you know some of these people that deal in the black market will put anything in a product. Maybe they will put fentanyl in it. Maybe you
have this again. Maybe you're creating something that is so far worse. And again, if it's you have 360 some odd towns in the Commonwealth, um this is something that should be initiated by the legislature. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> You know, my first impression when I heard about this was it was a pretty innovative approach. That's all. Um to trying to prevent people from getting addicted. It was an interesting concept, the idea
of a year at a time that maybe we can get people off of nicotine um and really cut down on, you know, hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
Sounds like a very positive thing. Obviously, um, you know, it's stopping. Well, you know, just think of Rhode Island versus Massachusetts. You drive, you know, I drive through Rhode
Island, what do I see? What do I notice on motorcycles? >> No helmets, >> right? So, if someone breaks their neck in the ICU, it's going to cost $20,000 a day. And it's really a bad neck injury. That person's going to be paying millions of dollars, not that person.
Society will. It's going to cost a fortune. Yes. If they survive. Yes. >> If they don't, it's less expensive obviously to the state. Um but >> yeah, >> Massachusetts, you don't have to wear a helmet, but you'll get arrested probably for it. I don't know the violation for
it. Um and it's pretty drastic. You're just trying to think of the the cost savings or loss by a simple rule like that. Um I just think of it when I'm driving
through there. Um >> seat belts. >> Yeah, you don't have to put it on, but I don't know what the penalty is if you get pulled over and it's not on. Um I don't know. But yeah, there's a law that you
have to have a seatelt. Um I'm old enough that when we first started out, there weren't cars didn't have seat belts. >> But you're assuming, you know, when you put a seat belt on the it dings, there's a penalty. People and people still don't wear them, which is crazy. Helmets, you
do have to wear them in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You don't have to wear them in New Hampshire. You have to wear sunglasses. Um and the and you will get pulled over. and that will be enforced. But you you're assuming this is going to
work and I'm suggesting you it's not going to work. And so you have the >> assuming it won't work. >> Well, it's but if you look at the past, look at history, vans don't work, especially if it's so localized and you're going to have people driving, you know, you're going to have someone driving a motorcycle to Rhode Island and
he might get killed in the car driving there and that might be one of the unintended con consequences as well. I don't know. God knows. I hope I hope not. But that is again what you're doing by having this, you know, essentially a
aspirational thing that you're passing with two towns on Cape Cod out of out of 13 towns on Cape Cod. You're creating damage to the businesses in your own community and you're potentially causing people
now to travel and get it illicitly. So, if the ban is going to work, it's going to be hardressed to work even if it's 365 towns of the Commonwealth. But to do it one town at a time, you're guaranteed for failure and you're creating problems. Because if you don't
think some kid's going to drive to Dennis, which is about from here about two minutes, okay? Or if some kids living in Hyannis is going to jump, you know, jump and, you know, go to Dennis or or go to Sandwich or or even worse,
someone's going to go buy a ton of it in Dennis and drive it in and sell it to them for a higher price. And then again, you're getting into illicit behavior. You're doing all of this just because it's an aspirational thing with the town of Yarmouth that's going to have no impact other than a negative impact. And
if if if if I'm not sure it would work if the Commonwealth did it, but certainly not this town by town approach. 20 towns out of 365 is indicated 20. >> I don't know over what period of time. I I I don't >> I'm just saying 20. That's where but
it's 20. But all you need but even even if you pass 200 that means there's 150 that don't have it and your neighbors don't have it and they travel or they go to New Hampshire. I I just again I I I just think it's a very bad idea for numerous reasons,
whether it's economics or whatever. I mean, you look at cigarettes, what I don't even know what they are. They're like 15 bucks a pack. Eight or nine of that's taxes. I'm not saying I'm not saying you should make rules for tech, but if if someone's going to pay that kind of money to have a pack of cigarettes, you don't think they're
going to drive to Dennis? >> Why are they doing that? the educa because they because they want cigarettes because they they're going to have them. >> Why are they doing that? >> Because they're addicted to nicotine, right? I understand. I'm not suggest I'm not I'm not getting on my high and mighty horse. >> The people listening, I know you know
that. But >> but the but the but the or cigar smokers, they're not addicted to nicotine. I smoke maybe one one a year, but I mean, who knows? Um from at someone's wedding or something, but
maybe more than that. Um but if if you have um you know it's it's just it's not going to work and you're going to and you're going to hurt people here and that's not what this board I know this board is very well intended
and you know you know and the businesses the people they employ. Um now Al talked about you know the 21 I mean the 21 year old issue and and Dr. Vincy talked about education. There's
one thing in you know I was born in ' 65 and I remember the initial cigarette commercials probably in the early 70s. The amount of education for tobacco abuse and use is larger than any other
product out there. There is people know it. Kids are taught it from grammar school. They're taught it in high school. Like you said, doctor, the first question they ask you is if you take do take tobacco and if you do, they have a tobacco specialist that comes and meet with meets with you. They'll literally
come to your room and try to have set up something to deal with it. So the education component, everybody knows you're not supposed to smoke. People still choose to do so. People choose because this is, you know, we still have, you know, the freedom of
will and you have the right to do a lot of things, including, hey, you know, God knows I eat too much. Um, should I be 50 pounds lighter? Absolutely. Do I blame anything else other than my own self-control? No. That's my decision. I
you know um people drink too much um people do a lot of things that are unhealthy and for whatever reason and I you know and you know and you and you and you talked about it doctor but there are you know people you know you
know alcohol whether it's direct alcohol cerosis or all this other that kills people or auto accidents or all these other things that result from depression that you know can be and you know I I suggest you that the deaths of alcohol are much higher than statistics will
show because of the other consequences associated with alcohol. Um again and and that was tried to be regulated on a didn't work on a countrywide level. But again, I keep I keep going back to the same point. I I
don't want to I'm just going to go over and over the same points. This is something that if it's going to be regulated successfully, it doesn't have a chance at the town level. All you're going to do is damage. If the Commonwealth wants to tackle it, let
them tackle it. But the um it's just it's just I I strongly suggest on behalf of my clients, on behalf of a lot of people who, you know, have more, you know, libertarian views that this is
something that should be left alone. It's already extremely regulated. It's education um is you know is not over the top but it is ex substantially significant whether it's
on the package itself or on television or in the hospitals or in the schools and again I you know as a doctor you know first do no harm and I think this will this will do harm. I really do that. Mean I mean that. Thank you. >> I'm here to answer questions, but I I
don't want to keep going over and over the same. >> This is what we're here for. Okay. This is what we >> appreciate and they tell you guys are volunteers. I'm getting paid. >> I was just going to say I was just saying that we're here as volunteers. Um and trying and trying to do the right thing. And the first thing especially in
this kind of issue is trying to get educated about it. >> Um you know, one of the first things we react to always are business owners here. Okay. There's a balance between that sometimes and the health of people living here. It's tough. It's very
tough. Um, you know, this I is I thought was kind of unique in trying to prevent people from having an addiction. you know, something that nicotine that increases your your blood
pressure, you know, um that it constricts your blood vessels to a degree that's dangerous. The heart rate just can gets faster. Young people affects brain development. So, it's it's something to think about. You know,
if that could be prevented because people growing up here, they're less likely to develop a nicotine addiction. So, that's rather enticing. Um, and that's why we've, you know, we had this discussion and we've had at previous meetings also trying to figure
out is is that conceivable? I mean, is that something that should be pursued or or not? >> And there's also no factual basis before you how a town-to- ban will have any impact. There's no studies. There's no there's no data. This is just pure
speculation on behalf. And again, I'm not suggesting it's by any means intended um you know with any you know negative intent, but there's no data, there's none, zero, that this will work on a townto town basis. If you want to send it out and get some study that on a
townto basis when you're three miles away from the town of a mile from the town of Dennis where we sit, we're surrounded by all these other towns. If you want to get some data to suggest that this will work, then maybe you have something to base your opinion on. But you don't have it. There's nothing here. There's no data with the study. Zero.
We're on a on this level on this such a a microcosm. This isn't a macro. This is such a microcosm of how this could actually work. There's none. And again, and and as a man of science, I mean, you you rely on data, not hopes and wishes. You
rely on data. And there is no data. None. >> Very true. >> I I can't thank you enough for the time you've given me. Thank you. >> No, don't be silly. No, this this is a big issue. >> Yeah, it is. >> Is there any um indication that Brooklyn
has had any real studies done? I know we had a person call in at the last meeting who seemed to feel like, you know, they've been >> I can reach back out to Meen. She was the original um petitioner on this who put on the seminar I attended to see
what data they have from the and this is only started less than four years ago. Right. Right. They were the first though. Brooklyn. >> Yeah. Brooklyn was the first. So I could reach out to Marie and see what she has. >> I grew up from a half mile from the Brooklyn border. I could sit there in in Jamaica plane. I could sit there and
name the stores that are within, you know, you know, a quarter of a mile of the of the border. You know, whether it's Jamaica Plane, which is part of the city of Boston, whether it's Newton, whether it's West Roxbury, you know, there's all various points of areas that border these towns that are not subject
to this. And, you know, you know, and again, you know, the data it just isn't there, but again, I you know, most boards would have shut me up a long time ago. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate that. >> That's why we that's why we have it on
the agenda. That's why we put out to the public and we're very transparent with this. >> Certainly >> trying to hide anything. Um, Mr. Lewis, I apologize. I I truly believe that this was a county effort and I apologize. >> It's not. >> Yeah. Um, that's why we're we post it. I know you've asked if we could
individually reach out to the owner, the the business owners, and we post it publicly. We post it on all of our social medias. It's on multiple websites in the town. Um, that's how we get the
information out there to people. So I believe it or not, I've been on this for three years and there's more people in this room tonight than there have been combined. So >> people didn't know about it. Last night they didn't know about it about the
meeting. You know, I now I'm I have some time, but I always work 18 hours a day >> and I don't have time unless I receive a letter. I'm an oldfashioned person. If I don't receive a letter or something saying, "Hey, there is something I know. because I'm working all the time. My
boys, they work 18 hours a day. >> I'm sure >> they're not on social media. And that's that's why I I ask if we can receive a letter, you know, please or email. They have our email at the health department. Carl have it. Uh Phil have it. All of
them have it. So if they can email the because health department, they have contact with everybody. >> You have the advantage. You have two sons. They can look on the town website. Okay. All right. So I'm not going to buy this your argument. dump it on them. >> No, what I what I meant >> I just want to show you that
>> now they got >> county why I was under that belief. >> Okay. >> So you see that the um county pushes town. >> Yeah. We we had never heard of that. Yeah. Okay. Okay. >> I know the town in fact how are you >> principal has it on their agenda actually. You know the board of health
does >> for the town 24th I think. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you so much. I don't know if you met with >> and and we did have a group of convenience store owners at our last meeting. So the word did get out somehow anyway, but
>> maybe maybe not as much as it should. >> Mr. Chair, we do have one hand up. I don't know if they're local or not on the >> Sure. >> Liam, if you want to let them call a coat in if she's local. >> Uh yeah. Well, I live in the town of
Bourne, but I work with se couple businesses in the town of Yamath, then also a consumer and buy lots of things in that town. Um, I just, um, I did speak last time as well. I just wanted to point out and I'm kind of going to
reiterate a little bit what the, um, the last few gentlemen said. >> Okay. Even though you, excuse me, you work for businesses in this town or not? I got to stick with this. I do. I work with I work with a couple businesses in this town. One being
station. >> In what capacity? >> I'm an accounts manager. I I do book work, finance, and stuff with the companies. >> Okay. Why don't you go ahead? >> Okay. Like I said, um all about, you
know, public health and public safety and um it just to me there's there's no rational reason why, for example, on January 1st, two say 2030, a 30-year-old person can buy cigarettes, but a 29year-old person perhaps born only an
hour earlier cannot. Both are otherwise competent adults, but only one is legally allowed to buy tobacco. The legal distinction has no public health basis and is solely concerned with their age. The ban infantiles one
cohort of adults discriminates on the basis of age and raises issue of intergenerational unfairness. Even people who have no intention of ever buying tobacco may feel discriminated against if someone a few years older than them has a right that has been
withdrawn from them. Um granted I think you know smoking. I've smoked. It's horrible. I I think that what the town should do it is put it back more into education.
Um I think in other words, the proposal would involve the unequal treatment of people who are primarily situated in every respect morally uh I'm sorry, the moral fact of their date of birth. Um, some rights and
liberties are age differentiated such as the right to drive. Some depend on choices or behaviors like the right to vote may be withdrawn if some competent adults if they have been convicted of a crime might get that taken away. You might get um pulled over and charged
with a OUI because you're over the limits for alcohol. Like I said, driving is is a privilege that can be taken away. But a generational ban on the other hand appears harder to justify. Um withholding liberties from some people
based merely on when they were born uh can discriminate, stigmatize or otherwise, you know, disrespect them. Um I I think that they the town should put
more into education. um maybe young children, maybe bring them on a field trip and to people you know who have gotten sick from cancer see, hey, this is what could happen to you. Show them what it's like. Just like if you know bad kids, let's bring to
them to a jail. Let's stick them in let's stick them in jail for a couple days with with with with convicts and stuff like that and say, "Hey, is this is is this where you want to end up?" >> Okay. I'm going to interrupt you. If there's some additional things you'd like to to say, I I'd prefer that you
write it and send it into us. We'd be happy to read it. We get plenty of emails. Um, send it to us. Okay. I'd appreciate that. >> Okay. Okay. I will. >> Thanks for calling in. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Great. Thank you. Anyone else here on this subject here? I don't want to cut anyone off. We we have people who have not >> I sir once again we no one's going to hear you if you're not at the mic. I'm not telling you you have to come to the mic
but that's up to you. >> Hello. My name is Harry Patel. I live in Bourne. I also work in Station Avenue in Yarmmat. I just wanted to say that I agree with Mr. L and Mr. Patel was speaking. That's all I got to say. >> Okay. All right. Thanks for coming up.
This will not help businesses. >> Okay. Okay. Thanks for coming in. Anyone else? If not, we're going to move on the agenda. Anyone else with a hand up there or not? >> No. >> Barry, anyone up there? No. >> Okay.
>> Next up, number nine is the Yarmouth Substance Abuse Committee. >> I'm just curious, does this get moved to a public hearing or what? >> No one's going to hear you. You're welcome to come to Why don't you come so everyone otherwise people will watch you and don't know what you're saying.
Um, so I'm just curious, what's the next step with this with the town? Are you have another hearing coming up or >> No, I'm Well, it's up to the whole board, not just me, that's for sure. But I I would just put on for continued discussion. I don't think we're in a
position right now or a time we're going to move forward to a public hearing. It may not ever reach that point. It might. I don't know. But that would be premature. That's just my opinion. How do people feel? want to continue discussions or >> Yeah, I'm I'm fine continuing and and we
will not be promagating any regul any regulation without a uh public hearing. >> No, I just was curious because I just wanted to know what the if this was going to be put on the next agenda or moved around or >> for discussion only. >> Okay, great. Thank you so much. Yeah, >> I'll probably see you then. >> We got a lot to learn. Sure.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. Thanks for coming in. >> Good night. >> Okay, this was the Armored Substance Abuse Committee. Um, I went to the last meeting. Um, Charlie was representing us and um, I filled in
for him at the last meeting. I been there since it started. When we first started, I'm was part of the group that called it. We came up with a name for uh, for Weissac actually. And it was a pretty back then we were just trying to figure out who we were. Uh, now I went I
zoomed in and it's very organized, very structured. Uh people gave nice presentations I thought uh at the meeting. Um if anyone's interested in taking that over um it's once a month you you can
go. It's over the police uh station. You can zoom in. You can call in as well. I had zoomed in. Um if no one volunteers, I'll do it. It's once a once a month, but I'm going to ask that someone else takes it over in a year.
That's all maybe, you know, starting 2027. So, it's not a lot of time. You don't need to make formal presentations or anything. It's usually not that. I know at the last meeting um some of the things fire department gave
some um statistics of overdoses, right? Um there's discussion about some of the behavioral uh issues where talking about uh when there has been an overdose of talking with family dealing with kids associated
with that person. Um so a lot about community engagement. There's a lot of education that's being done here. Something I don't think any of us were aware of. Uh what what else besides standard things
like approval of minutes and >> um Duffy Healthcare presents a lot? Um the Bronx County they they have people update from the Bronx County um like you said community engagements. They have
some spring events coming up. Um and um they're just very active and and different, you know, trying to bring awareness to opioid. So, um, Daniel Rodriguez used to be the, um, head of that, kind of run those meetings, but he's no longer with Duffy
Healthcare. So, Annie's taken that over and I think >> looking to get somebody else there, um, and some other positions filled for the that, >> right, you've been going, which I thank you. I know Charlie has not been able to go. Um, so thank you. doesn't mean you
need to stop going, but um so there's an opening and once again um if anyone would take it over that's fine. If not, I'll volunteer to do that. >> Excuse me. >> What's the input from the board of health in that organization?
>> Um it would be anything about uh substance abuse. In other words, some hopefully some wisdom we have uh some opinions, some of the suggestions. Um it's about people who are uh using substances. It would be nice if
they didn't. Um or certainly a lot of it is unfortunately about overdoses of too much sub substance. So we're trying to support the town trying to find out who the people who are struggling with this and see if getting them some help
whether it's Duffy or whatever. Uh these people could be um addicted to a substance. They could also be severely depressed and actually are trying to commit suicide or make suicidal gestures with drugs. So obviously it's a you know
it's a health issue in in in town. >> What when uh what was Charlie's function when he went >> he was going to represent this board. >> Uhhuh. >> Um and Weissac the Yarmouth committee would like somebody from the board of health present which is a very
reasonable thing for sure. Uh >> when are the meetings? >> Um they're once a month. The next meeting is February 11th. So it's the first t Wednesday first Wednesday. >> Right. >> Right. >> Or the second Wednesday of every month. >> What time? >> 5:00. And they are going to move from um
calling in. They're going to have in-person only meetings >> in person only. Okay. >> The police station. >> Okay. Um >> she's looking to do that. Annie is looking to do that. >> Okay. Yeah. because um the what I was doing in the beginning though it was crowded in that room. I remember that.
Um so it thinned out. Yes, there there weren't very many people at the table. I noticed that during the meeting call in >> most of it's resumed >> and or work at the or Duffy or the VNA and yeah some people are in province town so it's kind of a hike for them to
to get here but I know Annie is looking to try to move it to an in-person meeting >> and I just want to throw that out there but I I know I'm not on the board I have been attending I have spoken to both Mark and Barry and I intend to continue
to go to the meetings only because I handle their grant money. Um I pay their invoices and work in a that capacity. So I'm happy to continue to go if someone from the board isn't able to attend.
>> Yeah. It it's just something we can offer just our expertise and in health. That's all. That's what it's u a different one than other people on the committee. So it's there's not a big packet to read. Uh people may have some questions. They may not. Um, so this
it's not all that formal. So >> what what were the reports from the um the police and fire department? I mean, how are we doing with overdoses in town? >> Did it show? >> If anything, it's down a little bit. >> Yeah, it is.
>> I don't have the numbers in my head. >> Yeah, I I can I'm happy to share the the report. I'll ask um Annie to send me the handouts from the last meeting and share that with all of you. Um but it's very you know it's just strict numbers. It's not any you know there's not a lot of detail other than
just numbers obviously because they don't >> they'll give age uh ranges for the uh people of overdose that they did have at the beating. >> Sarah um along that line did you ever hear back from the fire or police
department about Tom? Whether they had any you did. Um they don't have any records of it. >> Okay. >> Um not saying that it wasn't, but there records that say that was a specific cause. If if it was, it was in in
conjunction with >> Okay. >> But they didn't have specific numbers for me. >> Okay. So, it isn't something that that you know that that has been causing them alarm because suddenly they know about it and it's okay. And the superintendent
when he answered just answered about vaping, he didn't even address. >> Correct. >> Which was kind of disappointing that he said vaping is still very much a problem. >> Yeah, they have the he has in place the system that can
>> detect them now. Yeah. >> Lots of schools are going with that. >> Yeah. >> Is your school doing that too? Yeah, we have vape detectors in all the >> most of the restrooms. >> How do they what percentage are
>> do they work is what I'm asking. >> Um they work but the students have >> figured out >> figured out. >> Is it but is it a deterrent at least? Do you think >> I would say so? Yeah. >> For for a lot of kids I would say
>> like if I if I do this here I could get in trouble. It's a deterrent. Yeah, >> they were having problems with the uh adult ed the night classes after hours. >> Yeah. >> So, not going out to the parking lot.
>> No, now it's cold. >> Okay. >> Move on. >> So, for so the I think she is looking for a vote for that at the next meeting. Just so you're aware. um they're looking to get fill those vacancies.
So um something that can be discussed at the next meeting. >> No, we're making a decision right now. So we got um so I assume uh without any hands up, I assume it's me. Okay. We don't need a vote on it. So uh just make
sure I'm getting uh the notices. >> Oh, are you okay with me sharing your email to Annie? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. and the the link so I can in case I needed to whatever if I'm off cape if that happens. So otherwise I'll >> I'm sure they're looking for probably
consistent representation but I'm happy to sub in. >> Yeah, great. Thank you. Okay, >> fine. >> All right. Appreciate that. Um review and approved minutes. That's the January 5th meeting. Uh that was in your
packet for review. Anyone have any edits to make? Anything? >> I did not. >> Looks like Riley did a good job on those through it and I didn't find any issues. >> I move that we approve the minutes of
the um January 15th meeting was it? >> Yeah. Second. >> Fifth meeting. Fifth meeting. >> Okay. All in favor just passing this. I I Okay, that's done. Next. Okay. What do we got? new and old business. Once
again, uh just for public information, basically the first thing was about Riley leaving. Okay. Uh she took a job in Dennis and I can just say it was a lot of fun working with her. Um really productive. She certainly was
very helpful with IT issues. Um feel badly she's leaving, but she's got a nice position in dentist. So I wish her a whole lot of luck. It's great. >> Definitely. of >> what what is this in our packet for? Are we having to look over our regulations
again and make sure that they're up to date or what's >> No, this is in reference to nicotine products, right? This is the town of Barnstall. >> This is for the nicotine free generation, I believe. Um, but this is on their agenda for I
think >> February 24th. >> Yeah. for um public hearing actually already on some kind of nicotine regulation restricting the sale of tobacco products. What it says up there,
but a lot of it um I certainly haven't read it yet. I just got this. So, um, >> it's what we already did a couple of years ago with, um, Bob Colette and I'm sorry, I don't remember her name, but the woman that came in as place attorney
>> to make sure we were up to date with the state regulations. So, I didn't know if that's what this was all about, but it's not. >> Right. >> So, this has nothing to do with nicotine. That was my understanding that you said that that was on coming up. So,
I just got the the email or a text this morning that that the nicotine free generation is going to be on there and you asked for the the proposal and this is what they sent us. I didn't realize I can get the other actual what their proposal for the nicotine free generation will be for us. This is just
their >> Yeah. >> sample, >> right? Well, this >> I think they sent us the wrong thing. >> I think they sent you the wrong thing. >> This is their general regulation about smoking. what needs to be in it and all. Okay. >> Okay. So, just see if you get it and just
>> uh don't wait for the packet. Just send it to us. All right. We get a chance to look at it. I appreciate that. >> Um Mary, you want to bring up vaccines? I think was that article I I have your original article. Was that in the packet just about? >> Yes, it was in the packet, right? that
the governor has issued um a child vaccine schedule um which um is not in line with what RFK um the head of the HHS federally has come out with. Um, and
I think the important thing is that um, insurance will continue to cover all vaccinations for children. And unlike the federal government, Massachusetts continues to recommend that every child receive inoculations for hepatitis B, roto virus, flu, COVID, and RSV
following guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Um so certainly still speak with your physician, your pediatrician about this um which is called shared decisionmaking. However, these
vaccinations um are being recommended by the state um and they should be covered by by insurance policies because these are recommendations that have stood the test of scientific
evidence. I say this each time it's getting more and more confusing. Um, and I just encourage people to speak to their health providers about vaccines. The recent change was a change in
recommendations. Um, they're not recommending certain things, but certainly people can speak to their health provider. I mean, I can give you an example. One of them is not suggesting the vaccine for men for
menitis which is a frightening disease to get. It's infection of your brain. This is and the vaccine helps prevent that. I can tell you if someone comes in you know with a high fever in emergency department with a headache or they can't b you know
bend their neck and you think they have an infection in their brain you immediately treat them. um you may and then you probably check their spinal fluid to see if there's an infection in it, but you just assume they do. You know, if you think they could have
it, then you act on it. That's how dangerous this is. Um and within hours, the person could be dead if they have a bacterial infection in their brain. So, speak to your health provider uh about yourself, loved ones, including your
children for sure. What else do we have on old and new business? >> Um, you guys all received the email on the MHABA training SAP PHA 2. Law. So, that will be in
March in Plymouth. So, that is sponsor that is sponsored by the county. The public health excellency grant is paying for that for us. So, >> which is good. >> Thank them. Yep.
Um, we did just complete uh Sarah and Deb just to finish up their blood drive that we had for the town of Yarmouth and they had an excellent turnout. Sarah, would you like to talk about your results for that?
>> Um, yeah. I just received an email this morning from Vivian, who is the person I was working with at Red Cross, and she said that we had 36 units, which is um considered a huge success. and there was a shortage in January. So, the timing
was perfect. And um obviously we're going to try to do this each year in January because January is National Blood Donor Month. So, >> very good. >> Yeah, it was it was nice. Um in the lodge, a lot of people didn't know where the Flax Lodge was. So, it was they were surprised that building was there. So,
it was actually nice to see people walk in and say, "What is this place?" So, um so it was good and looking forward to having it again next year. I was >> I I didn't schedule myself, but I went to go check on everybody, see how they're doing, and I end up donating
myself. >> Um I guess one unit is enough to uh help six six individuals. So that's a that's a good thing. >> Good return on investment. >> What else do we have on the board there?
Um, our rental registrations, uh, to date we are 63% complete on those, which is a huge number. We weren't 63% a few years ago at the end of the year, let alone being February 2nd. So, we are
losing a a big part of that push, but we'll take it over and we'll continue to strive with that. a Riley was a huge component of that number right there. Um, but we'll continue to get that number up as high as we can this year.
So, and with our again with our open gov system, we are able to reach out to people a lot easier on this. So, >> are you going to be able to replace Riley? >> Uh, in theory, no. But in reality, yes. Well, we have
it. It's been posted. So, >> okay. Um, it has do you jobs open? If you'd like to apply, you're more than welcome. We would love to have you. >> I'll look at it. >> We just need your SAT scores, Mary. Um, okay. Um, >> let's commit to more than a year,
though, please. >> Okay. The board of health town report that was put together by you guys. Thank you. Um, and that was to go to the select board to see what we did last year. Oh, and that's the another thing.
We still haven't gotten the goals that you have set for this year, a copy of them. >> So, what we're thinking about doing is um reviewing all of the health regulations. >> Um there's a few that are out there that
haven't been looked at for 20 plus years. >> Oh. >> Um we're going to go we're getting actually another intern from the county. um they're coming in Wednesday to see if that's something they can do. We're
gonna go through each regulation to make sure that they are up to up to code with the state standards to the county bylaw, our town bylaws, stuff like that. So, we will be getting those to you soon. So, we're not going to give them all to you all one night. We'll be here for
>> a while, but we'll we'll go through each each regulation we have for the board of health. So, >> it'd be nice to um have a a list of them. No, >> I have a list. Do you? Yeah, >> sir. >> They were the horserawn carriage, I
think, will be the first one, right? >> Oh, I uh you know, and pigs pigs have come up. >> Yeah, >> it's And they need to be looked at. So, it's definitely we um they need to be looked at and updated. So,
>> the only one we don't would be green burials, I figured. >> Yeah, it's not time to look at that again. Please, we don't have to look at that again. >> On the good news, we haven't had any applications for that yet. >> Good. That is good. I'm glad we he survived our
>> um >> efforts. >> Thank you for picking up something that I thought would be a great idea. That's fall uh risk assessments. It's a big thing that I believe in our demise is often after taking a fall. Okay. Um
especially with this population in town. So, you want to tell us a little bit about this? Sure. >> Um, they're going to be coming in on the 6th of February. Um, there are, I think, four spots left at this point still. Um, but they're, um, you know, they've had a
good response to it and, um, they'll be doing it right in this room here. And so, if people want to, um, register or call, they just contact them directly and they'll register them. And um and then depending on how well we'll do it
again, you know, we can work with them. Um the county and DNA have been great with you know trying to provide these type of events and these fulfill these initiatives that people you know have a need for. We have March we're having the
cholesterol testing done with um collaboration with Brunst County. So that will be in March. So but this one here will be right in this room and they'll set everything up. So, >> and that's on Friday, February 6 from 1 to 3:00 p.m. at Yarmouth Town Hall.
That's right here. And the phone number that's listed on here is 508 9577423. And people learn about some of the things they can do at home to prevent them from falling. >> Absolutely. >> I I can't believe there hasn't been a
more people signing up for it. I'm I'm wondering why. I mean, are people embarrassed about admitting that they may be prone to falling or that they have fallen or I mean what it's it's >> it might be the time of year I mean I don't know you know time of year people don't want to walk outside and slip on
the ice and fall or um but um I think they had four people on weight list which is was good so they good so >> I think it it just needs to get out there and I think each of these initiatives have people realize them if there is a um more of a desire to have
these We we'll have them more frequently rather than just once a month. But with these awareness events, we're just trying to get as much out there and advertise in the COA newsletter and post them. And so it's just getting people aware that there are events here at town
hall, you know, because a lot of things are at the senior centers, right? You know, but people are like, "Oh, it's here. Okay. Well, you know, so I think it's just continuing to educate people that we are trying to have these events >> here at town hall to make that, but it
could be the time of year. I don't know. But you know, people have the snow especially. But >> um but well, hopefully we'll get all the everything filled up in the next couple days or >> but if I can just make a public service
announcement for the people here, people online. It's sunny during the day, things are melting. When you go out in the evening in the shade, it's slick. Um please be extremely careful. uh wear proper boots, shoes just to help you
fall. Uh personal incident just happened the other day. My cousin's mother-in-law fell and she was outside for they think four to five hours. Um so it's it's it's
that's how quick it can happen. So >> so please be careful out there. Go salt. Do what you got to do. If you see your neighbor's driveway and they can't do it, be a good neighbor. You can help them, too. So, >> uh, one other public announcement, it's not too late to get a flu shot if you
haven't had one. Also, the updated COVID. Um, both of those are recommended. >> I know a lot of people with both who've gotten the flu as well as COVID recently. >> Uh, March 2nd, is that the next meeting?
Do I have it right? Yeah, I have it right. Okay, there it is. Riley, >> someone's all over this. >> Riley had it up on the for the last slide. >> Give you credit or Riley. >> She started it and I finished it. >> All right. >> We're a good team. Well, we were a good team.
>> Yeah, that's over. >> Okay. Anything else? Anyone? We're under seven here. That's not bad. Three minutes before. >> Larry, do you think you want to leave right now? >> Sure. Make a motion to adjourn. All right. Second. >> Okay. All in favor say I. I.
>> I.