By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Board of Health spent a few minutes at the end of their 3/16/22 meeting discussing the oddity of one board member’s ability and willingness to fill in as an inspector in a variety of areas.
BOH chairperson Mike Ristuccia used the standard item for “any other business” to praise fellow board member Peter DeTerra who is in a contested race for his seat in the April 4 election.
Mr. Ristuccia started by saying that the Fairhaven BOH is unique from a lot of other Boards of Health in “one specific way.”
He said one member is licensed to do most, if not all, the duties that the department encounters.
“And we’re fortunate in that,” said Mr. Ristuccia, adding that if something happened to the health agent, Mr. DeTerra could step in. “Mr. DeTerra is licensed in all the areas that count.”
He then turned to Mr. DeTerra and asked him to list his various licenses and certifications. He listed five or six and then added, “a whole bunch of stuff.”
Mr. Ristuccia said they have been able to “move along” because of those certifications.
“We don’t put enough emphasis on that in my opinion,” said Mr. Ristuccia, adding that he did not have any of those licenses.
He then turned to board member Kevin Gallagher, who is the fire chief in Acushnet, and said “maybe the chief does and I don’t know. But I know I do not.”
“I do not, Mr. Chairman,” said Mr. Gallagher. “I think we’re walking the line close to a campaign ad versus—”
“Oh no, no,” interrupted Mr. Ristuccia. “That’s wasn’t. I wouldn’t.”
“But just let me say,” said Mr. Gallagher.
“Please..” said Mr. Ristuccia.
“That my first meeting here, I made it very clear that I do not think an elected official in this town should be conducting any kind of inspections,” said Mr. Gallagher. “None whatsoever.”
He said he believed they should be training Jocelyn Bowers, the health department administrative assistant, to conduct septic inspections. In the event that the health agent is out, Mr. Gallagher said they should ask neighboring communities to come in to help, which they will do at no charge.
“They have that license and they don’t have the…being an elected official going out and conducting inspections on behalf of the board that you are a member of,” said Mr. Gallagher.
Mr. Ristuccia nodded his head in agreement, saying it ws a “good statement.”
Mr. Gallagher took it a step further.
“In April I will be bringing it up again and asking that it be a policy<” he said, adding that he may go a step further and ask that it become a bylaw ot make it as clear as possible that an elected official can not conduct inspections in town. “It brings us too many questions than actual benefits to the town.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that because y’know, my mind doesn’t quite go to all those different places,” said Mr. Ristuccia. “You have the training and running the fire department and being involved with municipalities.”
He added: “I just think pure an simply about the tasks at hand. And yes, that’s a good idea. And that’s probably something that we should be doing.”
“We should discuss that down the road,” said Mr. Gallagher.
“So there you go,” said Mr. Ristuccia. “There you have it.”
In other business, health agent David Flaherty told the board that all Fairhaven’s COVID numbers were down. He said more than 11,000 people had been vaccinated.
Case counts, positivity rates, etc., have been updated since the meeting. For updated numbers, visit the health department’s web page at https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/ board-health or call the department at 508-979-4023, Ext., 125 or 130.
Mr. Flaherty noted that Fairhaven and Acushnet are no longer testing weekly, but residents can get tests by mail or at local pharmacies.
The Community Nurse will vaccinate people at home. Call 833-983-0485.
Mr. Flaherty also announced that Southcoast Community Wellness will hold a vaccination clinic on 4/13 at the senior center from 2–6 p.m. for Pfizer booster shots.
Mr. Gallagher noted that more than 11,000 vaccinated in a town of just over 16,000 is a “huge task that was met.”
He thanked the 11,000 people who got vaccinated to “help get us where we are today.”
The board also announced that the health department will place 13 dispensers with sunscreen in various places in town, including beaches and parks.
Mr. Gallagher said they found the old dispensers and cleaned them up and got them ready to go, but then discovered it would cost $1,500.00 for batteries and inserts.
He said he contacted SouthCoast Health and they agreed to donate the $1,500 for the materials.
Mr. Gallagher said SCH is involved in community activities and recognizes that if they invest funds in prevention, they will not be treating patients for the damage.
He said they should consider adding the costs to their annual budget.
“It was a wonderful donation to receive,” said Mr. Gallagher, adding that he has been “carved up” several times.
“If it can be avoided, which it can be, all the better for everyone involved,” said Mr. Gallagher.
In another matter, Mr. DeTerra reminded residents of the dangers of mosquitoes and ticks and the diseases they can transmit to humans and pets.
There are educational materials, including pictures of different ticks and mosquitoes and the diseases they carry at town hall and the Millicent Library. The information is also on the website: https://www. fairhaven-ma.gov/board-health/pages/mosquito-tick-information
Mr. DeTerra said they will be putting signage on the bike path. Bristol County Mosquito Control has taken over the task of putting insecticide in the catch basins.
Mr. Flaherty said residents need to stay covered up, check themselves when they get inside, check their animals, and make sure pets are up to date on their flea and tick treatments.
It’s important to wear long sleeves and pants, he said, and although you may look like a “dweeb,” putting your socks over your pants prevents the ticks from getting to your skin.
He said home owners should drain water from toys and lawn ornaments, and change bird bath water every few days. It days six days for mosquitoes to grow, he said.
Standing water, is a “mosquito’s best friend,” said Mr. Flaherty.
There is no getting rid of ticks or mosquitoes, he said, but maintaining good practices will avoid some of the illnesses they transmit.
Mr. Gallagher suggested they should get some of the local experts in to discuss some of the programs other towns are using.
Mr. Ristuccia said he knew first hand how severe some of the diseases can be. Lyme Disease, he said, is “minor” compared to some of the others.
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