Eastern Highlands Health District
Board of Directors Special Meeting
Coventry Town Hall – Annex
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Chairman E. Paterson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present: R. Fletcher (Alternate Seated), E. Paterson, J. Stille, D. Cameron, P. Schur, M. Kurland, S. Werbner, R. Skinner, M. Hart
Absent: C. Anderson (Alternate), S. Chace (Alternate), L. Eldridge (Alternate), C. Johnson, A. Teveris, T. Tully, J. Elsesser, Andover Rep. (Vacant), Coventry Rep. (Vacant)
Election of Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Assistant Treasurer): A MOTION was made by D. Cameron, seconded by S. Werbner to elect B. Paterson as Chair, J. Elsesser as Vice Chair and J. Stille as Assistant Treasurer. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
Approval of October 18, 2007 Minutes: A MOTION was made by J. Stille, seconded by S. Werbner, to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2007 meeting as presented. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
Public Comments: None
R. Miller reported the Finance Committee recommends moving the proposed FY08/09 budget forward as presented. Budget highlights include 6% increase in total spending for a total budget of $791,310 to be funded by a 26.1% increase in the State Per Capita Grant and a 5.1% increase in the Member Town Contribution rate. Major factors impacting the FY08/09 proposed budget include increases in salary and benefit costs of 4.4% and 9.4% respectively; 11.6% increase in operational costs; and, 4% decrease in service fee revenues.
S. Werbner expressed concern regarding the disparity in benefits between health district staff and Town of Tolland staff. A discussion ensued regarding the proposed increase in employee health insurance premium cost share. By consensus , the Director working with the Personnel Committee is to task a personnel consultant with surveying member towns and other health districts for comparison data.
A MOTION was made by M. Hart, seconded by J. Stille to set a public hearing date of Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 4:30 p.m., Coventry Town Hall Annex, to hear the public’s comments regarding the Proposed Fiscal Year 2008/2009 EHHD operating budget and associated service fee schedule. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
Lucinda Hogarty, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, for EHHD was introduced by R. Miller to field any questions.
EHHD received additional funding the last two years to focus on Pandemic Influenza Planning and Response. EHHD conducted a drill last April in which we operationalized an alternate care facility and have been actively engaged in a community wide campaign. EHHD has been training staff in various issues so the health district can be properly prepared.
A discussion ensued regarding 1.) Authority to enforce controls to prevent disease spread, and 2.) Response Plan content to be posted to the website.
A MOTION was made by R. Skinner, seconded by M. Kurland to adopt the EHHD Pandemic Influenza Response Plan as an attachment to the EHHD Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan, dated November 2007, subject to updates. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
R. Miller reported the contract has been signed and submitted for execution.
A MOTION was made by J. Stille, seconded by R. Skinner to ratify the Public Health Preparedness Grant, Contract #2008-1073, as signed and submitted by the Director of Health to the CT Dept. of Public Health. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
R. Miller reported we are still waiting to hear on the award. The funding will improve our existing collation of partners in the community to promote healthy behaviors in the community.
A MOTION was made by M. Hart, seconded by J. Stille to ratify the Healthy Eating Active Living Grant Application – DPH RFP# 2008-0912, as signed and submitted by the Director of Health to the CT Dept. of Public Health. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
(E. Paterson left meeting at 5:25 p.m. J. Stille acted as Chair in her absence)
R. Miller reported EHHD was awarded this grant ($89,000) and it will allow EHHD to target women 55 and older in the early detection of cardiovascular disease. Funding will allow purchasing exercise equipment for senior centers in the district (regional resources), creating campaign for cardiovascular disease and provide additional health screenings at senior centers.
A MOTION was made by M. Hart, seconded by R. Skinner to ratify the Women’s Healthy Heart Program Grant Application – DPH RFT# 2008-0914, as signed and submitted by the Director of Health by the CT Dept. of Public Health. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
R. Miller reported EHHD will provide a limited scope of services for a short period of time as a starting point for expanding our program into the Town of Coventry.
A MOTION was made by R. Fletcher, seconded by D. Cameron to authorize the Director to execute the agreement titled, “Town of Coventry/EHHD Employee Wellness Service Agreement” as presented to the Board of Directors on December 13, 2007. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.
Town Reports: None
Directors Report: No Discussion
Communications:
Coventry Middle School re: Chickenpox Outbreak: R. Miller reported no further case/s reported since 11/30/07 breakout.
Adjournment: A MOTION was made by D. Cameron, seconded by R. Skinner, to adjourn the Board of Director’s Meeting at 6 p.m. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Miller
Secretary