RAMSEY BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD October 8th, 2020 1. President’s Announcement
Tami Azouri called the meeting of the Ramsey Board of Health to order at 8:04 P.M. In accordance with requirement of N.J.S. 10:4-6, Tami Azouri made the following announcement:
THE NEW JERSEY OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS LAW WAS ENACTED TO ENSURE THE RIGHT OF ALL CITIZENS TO HAVE ADVANCE PUBLIC NOTICEOF AND TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF PUBLIC BODIES AT WHICH BUSINESS AFFECTING THE PUBLIC IS DISCUSSED OR ACTED UPON. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, NOTICE OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LEGAL AD SECTIONS OF THE BERGEN RECORD AND RIDGEWOOD NEWS ON DECEMBER 27, 2019. NOTICE OF THIS MEETING BEING HELD VIA CONFERENCE CALL WAS GIVEN TO THE BERGEN RECORD, POSTED ON THE BROUGH WEBSITE, AND POSTED ON THE DOORS OF THE BOROUGH HALL.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 13 of P.L. 1975, Chapter 231of the laws of the State of New Jersey, the regular meetings of the Ramsey Board of Health of the Borough of Ramsey for the year 2020 are held on the second Thursday of each month at 8:00 P.M. and shall be held in the upstairs Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 33 North Central Avenue, Ramsey, NJ as follows:
3. Call to order, attendance, minutes:
MEMBERS PRESENT ABSENT
Mrs. Tami Azouri X Mrs. Joan Waring X Mr. Jeffery Nemeth X Dr. Albert Tartini X Mr. William Lara X Ms. Heidi Martin X Dr. Angela D’Alessandro X Ms. Sara Poppe X
Dr. Carla Souza Iudica X
IN ATTENDANCE PRESENT ABSENT
Mr. Jane Woods, Council Liaison X
Mr. Sam Yanovich, Health Officer X
Mrs. Martha Sobanko, R.E.H.S. X
Ms. Danielle Monaghan, Board Secretary X
Pete Scandanario, Borough Attorney X
The roll was called by Danielle Monaghan. Motion was made by Joan Waring to approve the minutes from the September meeting as corrected and seconded by Heidi Martin.
4. Announcements:
Tami asked the Board if anyone has an interest in becoming the Board of Health President next year. The county flu vaccine/COVID-19 testing was postponed due to weather until 10/28. Sara mentioned the position of Board of Health President and asked if Tami was going to step down in January. Tami said she has had a great experience but will step down for 2021.
5. Codes, Ordinances & Legislation:
Joan said there are no updates on mandatory vaccinations. There is a referendum on the election ballots about legalizing marijuana. Al thinks it looks favorable that NJ voters will pass it. Tami stated she doesn’t understand why making it legal to smoke marijuana would be voted in when there has been so much progress on vaping. Al said it is what it is and the people of NJ want that. On one hand we are dealing with COVID-19 respiratory issues, pneumonia and heroin substance abuse issues and the other hand legalizing marijuana. Joan and Al said they voted no. Bill said all we can do is not lose hope. Tami asked if that passes does it go further or is it legal after that? Joan and Al were unsure where it goes from there. Joan was surprised there were not many anti-marijuana groups fighting it. Anne said maybe we could post something on the Ramsey website/Facebook that the BOH does not advocate the legalization of marijuana and we can substantiate it with evidence-based studies. Joan thinks a lot of people already voted.
Al said we can put out a statement that even if it is passed by voters it is negative. We should put the message out there it is not a good thing and these are the reasons why. Joan mentioned putting out a statement that you are having the opportunity to vote on this but please consider this as a message from the BOH why it is not a good idea. Anne said we can post a link to the negatives. Joan said we should put a brief message before the post. Carla said she will write something. Al read a statement that he wrote up. Sara said she does not see a problem with the Board of Health giving information and recommends 2 to 3 bullets and a hyper link but not taking a position. Sara can post it to Ramsey Alliance and share it to the BOH. Tami said we can say to please remember to make an informed decision. Tami said ordinances and legislation at a local level is what is going to make a difference. Anne and Al believe it is about income and taxes. Sara said Northern Highlands will not put any of the tax dollars collected from that into drug rehabilitation programing. Sara said the Ramsey Alliance funds were reduced by more than 50%. When COVID-19 hit it created a drug and mental health crisis and then took the funding right out of it. Carla will send something to Sarah to post. Joan also stated that mandatory vaccinations might be a good project to focus on for next year before the 2021 school year. 6. Special Matters:
COVID-19:
Tami said that the New Jersey numbers were concerning with over 1300 new cases today and 96 in Bergen County. Joan said Ramsey is up to 210. Al said it is going up all across the state, but there is political pressure to reopen restaurants. Al has observed that numbers are going up and will continue to go up now that the weather is starting to get cool again and less people are wearing masks. Valley hospital has been pretty steady with 2-3 daily admissions but no truly alarming spikes. There have been
a lot of positive cases but not as many hospitalizations. Jane asked if it is true that there is a difference now that therapeutics are better and are being given earlier. Al said yes and that Remdesivir has been given early to patients with O2 stats less than 94. Al said the drug that President Trump received is not yet FDA approved. Al went over some of the other medical treatments that are being seen now
compared to the decision to use ventilators earlier on. He also spoke about the outcomes they are seeing in the hospitals. Al also said the Monderna vaccine looks very promising because it produces a large number of antibodies in all age groups according to the New England Journal of Medicine article from two weeks ago. Sara asked if they were testing it in people who are older? Al said yes, it is in phase 3 trials now and they are seeing the same results in younger and older age groups and the next step would be FDA approval. Sara heard of people having an overreaction to the vaccine. Al said it was the same as having a possible reaction to the flu vaccine. Joan asked how to know which vaccine to choose? Al said it is too early to tell. Jeff said they will have a difficulty with storing the vaccines. Tami believes there are sites that are prepared for it and we are not sure who will be dispensing it yet. Tami also brought up the COVID-19 NJ App that helps with contact tracing. The app uses Bluetooth to track who you may have been in contact with and who has been exposed since there is a bit of a delay in contact tracing. The app will only let you know if the person who you have been in contact with has the app and you do as well.
October 22nd is the Ramsey flu clinic from 9:30 to 12:30 and will have regular and high dose flu shots available. Details are a work in progress. The Ramsey PD will have the drug take back box available and the ShopRite dietitian will be there as well. Chris said that ambulance would be able to help out. Tami said flu vaccines are available at other locations you do not have to wait for the flu clinic. A week later the county will have the flu shot and COVID-19 testing.
The rabies clinic is planned for January as usual. Currently, we are considering doing a drive through or appointment only. Bill stated concerns about the weather. Space heaters could be provided or if the rescue building could accommodate a drive through set up. Details will continue to be worked out. 7. Site Plans:
None.
8. Public Water Supply:
The tropical storm caused a slight issue with the Martis Avenue generator. It was sent out, repaired and serviced. Last month the water department had their fire hydrant flushing program on September 23, 24, and 25 from 11 PM to 7 AM. Some residents may have experienced a reduction in water presser. Water remains safe to drink.
9. Public Health:
Sam said the state has sent out guidance on trick or treating. Sara said it was posted to Facebook and Danielle said it was posted to the Health and Board of Health page.
10. Health Education; Communication; Outreach:
Tami said we are always posting information on our website and Facebook page. Danielle will post rabies information on the website. Joan said they are still having Healthy Bones on zoom once a week and getting 24 or 25 people attending. Sara said maybe for the next meeting maybe we can think about
having an exercise zoom session offered in participation with smaller gyms such as Club Pilates or things we can offer for the community. Joan said there are many programs offered by the senior center. If you go to the website the links are available. Sara said maybe we can open something up to the whole community that is not specifically for the seniors.
11. Inspection Reports:
Martha read her inspections report to the Board 12. Abatement Orders:
Martha read her abatement report to the Board. 13. Vital Statistics:
Danielle read her Vital Statistics report. 14. Financial Report:
Mr. Nemeth read off what income came through Board of Health Licenses and Vital Statistics. 15. Ambulance; Ramsey Municipal Alliance; other organizations:
Sara said last night the alliance had the “Hidden in Plain Sight” virtual event by the Bergen County Prevention Coalition free of charge. There were 45 people registered and 30 people who actually attended. The survey at the end showed that 79% of participants preferred the virtual even for next year. Chris said ambulance call have picked up to 100 calls per month. Chris also stated that the BBQ
fundraiser was a success. 16. Conferences and Training:
Tami and Sarah attended a webinar on vaping local ordinances. 17. Council Report:
Jane said the meeting held on 9/23 was a very exciting meeting because it was live streamed on YouTube for the first time. If you would like to listen there was a great report on water and tax breakdown. Jane also thanked council president Bill Jones and Mayor Dillon for getting the YouTube up and running and getting resident more engaged. Lastly, the 2020 Census has been extended and compliance has been really great.
18. Correspondence None.
19. New Business: None.
20. Review of Assignments:
Tami said Jeff and Al will continue to update us on vaccine information. Tami and Danielle will work on the final details of the flu clinic.
21. Public Comment: None.
The Board moved to adjourn at approximately 9:20 PM. Motion was made by Joan Waring, seconded by Al Tartini, and carried by all.
