Board of Health Meeting

Minutes – September 13, 2010
 

** NOT APPROVED **

The following Board Members in attendance were:  Sherry Herdman, Doug Burdick, Dr. Cusumano, and Dr. Simons.

Others in attendance were Tom Hull and Laurie Hennessy.

 

Board Members Absent:   Tim LaFever and Dr. Gulati.

 

The meeting was called to order by Deputy Public Health Director Tom Hull at 7:03pm.  A motion by Sherry Herdman was made to approve the minutes from the July 12, 2010 as read.  A motion was seconded by Dr. Simons.  Motion carried.

 

Tom Hull reported on the results of the Administrative Hearing held on July 28, 2010.  Dan Hale, Administrative Hearing Officer presided at the hearing with Tom Hull, Deputy Public Health Director and Dean Scholes, Public Health Sanitarian and the respondent Carol Ensell present.   The Allegany County Department of Health received a complaint of sewage discharge from the residence of Paul and Carol Ensell located at 5064 Amity Lake Road in Belmont, New York.  Dean Scholes met with the respondents and a dye test was done that confirmed a discharge at their residence.  The respondents were notified that they were in violation of Article II, Section 2, Subsection 2.1 of the Allegany County Sanitary Code.  The respondents were told the system had to be repaired or replaced and the respondents understood and they would have to have the system replaced or repaired by July 15, 2010.  The expiration date passed and the septic system had not been repaired or replaced as per agreed upon.   The Board of Health agreed they have had more than enough time to correct the violation.  The Board of Health also agreed to give the respondents until October 15, 2010 to have the septic system repaired or replaced to correct this violation, or a fine of $500 will be assessed against the Respondents, with an additional $10 per diem fine from that date until the violation is abated.  Further enforcement action, up to and including the condemnation of their property, until the violation in question has been corrected, will b e considered as a means to gain compliance and eliminate the public health hazard the Respondents failed septic system has caused.

 

Tom Hull noted some personnel changes within the Health Department.  Cynthia Paxhia, Family Planning Nurse has left the Health Department to begin a teaching position in the Alfred Nursing Program.  The Family Planning Public Health Nurse position has been advertised in the newspapers and the Health Department is actively recruiting a new person.

 

Dean Scholes , Public Health Sanitarian has left the Health Department to join the staff in Department of Public Works. 

 

Tom indicated to the Board of Health he would like to create a water specialist position.  He would like to make this a contracted position through Cornell Cooperative Extension.  The water program is very labor intensive and time consuming and doesn’t leave adequate time to devote to the other programs the environmental health staff needs to work on as well.  Tom asked for approval to pursue the possibility of Cornell contracting with the Health Department for the position of Water specialist.  A motion was made by Dr. Simons to discuss the possibility of contracting with Cornell to create the position of water specialist.   This motion was seconded by Sherry Herdman.  Motion carried.

 

 Laurie Hennessy reported HIV testing must be offered each time a client comes in for a physical in the Family Planning Clinics. This law went into effect on September 1, 2010. The HIV test may be done by a finger stick or orally with a swab. 

 

Laurie asked the Board of Health to review new policy and procedures for the Use of Cholesterol Monitor, Use of a Glucometer, Use of Hemoglobin Meter, and Rapid HIV Testing-Oraquick Advance.  A motion to approve the policies and procedures for the Use of Cholesterol Monitor, Use of a Glucometer, Use of Hemoglobin Meter, and Rapid HIV Testing-Oraquick Advance was made by Dr. Cusumano and seconded by Sherry Herdman.  Motion carried.  Laurie explained the Cholesterol Monitor and the Glucometer were purchased and will be used in the new Wellness Program which is currently being developed.  This is a new program the Health Department will begin sometime in the upcoming months. 

 

The Immunization program is growing rapidly.  Allegany County Department of Health has received 4000 doses of Influenza vaccine.  The Health Department has set up various clinics with schools, industry, churches nursing homes, and senior luncheon sites to offer the residents of Allegany County immunizations which include the following:   Influenza, Gardasil, Hepatitis A , Hepatitis B,  Tdap (Tetanus Diptheria and Pertussis), Pneumovax, and HPV (Human Papillomavirus). 

 

As part of the Lead program letters are sent out to parents of children with BLL (Blood Lead Levels) between 5 and 10 educating the parents on how to help reduce the blood lead levels in their children with environmental literature and diet suggestions.  Sending out this information to the parents seems to be helping.  There are currently 8 cases of children with blood lead levels of 10 or above the Health Department staff are following. 

 

Laurie reported we currently have 6 latent Tuberculosis Infection cases. 

Norilyn Patrick, Nurse Practitioner requested to take some time off for about 2 weeks.  During that time Sherry Herdman, Nurse Practitioner agreed to cover her clinics once the proper agreements are in place.  Tom Miner’s counsel has been requested.

 

Laurie noted a person fell recently outside of the County Office Building.  The Health Department should not treat persons who fall and are injured outside or inside our building..  Everyone who works at the County Office Building has an unwritten obligation to call an ambulance if one is needed and allow them to treat the patient. 

 

Laurie reported to the Board of Health a former nurse who worked for the Health Department filed a complaint against the Allegany County Department of Health with the Labor Board.  Laurie reported the Labor Board’s findings and what the Health Department has to do to respond to the complaint. 

 

With no further business to come before the Board of Health, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Janet Norris.