Eastern Highlands Health District

Board of Directors Meeting

Coventry Town Hall – Annex

 

Thursday, April 16, 2009

 

 

Chair Elizabeth Paterson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.   

 

Present:  E. Paterson, D. Walsh, D. Cameron, J. Luiz, M. Kurland, R. Fletcher, S. Werbner, T. Tully

 

Staff Present:  R. Miller, Dr. Dardick, M. Remy, A. Bloom, J. Smith

 

Absent:  F. Daniels,  P. Schur, D. Cianci (Alternate),  C. Anderson (Alternate), L. Eldridge (Alternate), M. Hart,  S. Chace (Alternate),  Andover Appointee (Vacant), J. Elsesser, J. Stille

 

Approval of January 15, 2009 Minutes:  A MOTION was made by S. Werbner, seconded by D. Cameron, to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2009 meeting as presented.  R. Fletcher and D. Walsh abstained.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously. 

 

Pubic Comment:  None

 

Old Business:  None

 

New Business:

 

 

  1. ACHIEVE Grant:

 

A. Bloom, Health Education Program Coordinator, did Power Point presentation on the ACHIEVE grant.    It is a community based collaborative effort funded by CDC, which  tries to  bring basic level policy changes in community to promote healthy behaviors.  The grant award is $75,000 over three years.

 

R. Fletcher made a MOTION to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and the EHHD to implement the program titled, “Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and Environmental Change Initiative” as executed March 10, 2009.  M. Kurland seconded the MOTION. The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.

 

  1. Authorization Signature Resolution:

 

D. Walsh made a MOTION, seconded by D. Cameron to adopt the “Resolution Signature Authorization” for fiscal year 2009/2010 contracts with the CT Dept of Public Health, as presented on April 16, 2009.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.  (Copy of resolution attached)

 

  1. University of CT Emergency Public Health Agreement:

 

D. Walsh made a MOTION, seconded by M. Kurland to adopt the Resolution for Signature Authorization for the purpose of executing an agreement with the University of Connecticut as presented on April 16, 2009.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.  (Copy of resolution attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Fiscal Year 2010 Projected Budget Deficit - Set FY 2010 Fee Schedule Public Hearing Date: 

 

R. Miller reported that currently the appropriations committee proposed a 13.1% reduction in state aide.  Currently fee revenues are projected at 15% below adopted figures.  The health district is potentially looking at a revenue deficit of $50,800 for fiscal year 2010.  Actual deficit difficult to project because many variables in flux.

 

R. Miller presented three possible scenarios to offset projected fiscal year 2010 revenue deficit.  Scenario A included increasing fee rates 10%, charging schools for food service license, and freezing staff wages and suspending longevity pay.  Scenario B included increasing fee rates 15% and reducing staff by .25 FTE.  Scenario C included adopting a waste water management ordinance.

 

R. Miler noted that BT Grant funding, which is not budgeted, is forth coming.  Actual amount unknown at this time.

 

D. Cameron made a suggestion of using funds from the surplus to offset deficit.  S. Werbner noted this is not a one year problem and perhaps a couple years and recommended wage freezes at this point.  D. Walsh suggests not cutting a sanitarian’s hours.

 

A MOTION was made by S. Werbner, seconded by D. Walsh  to freeze all EHHD staff wages at FY09 levels and suspend longevity pay for FY2010, with regrets to the staff.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.

 

A discussion ensued regarding wastewater management ordinance and implementation.  By consensus of the Board, the Director will report back with additional information on this subject for further consideration. 

 

R. Miller discussed the proposed Fee Schedule with 5% Incremental Increase Comparisons Worksheet.  He noted two new fee categories on the worksheet. Famers at Market and Pool/Bathing Area Inspections  were not on original FY2010 fee schedule.  A discussion ensued regarding farmers at market, promotion of farmer’s market, preparation of food for consumption at site, accommodation of permits for farmers, contact with farmer market managers.  R. Miller stated that much effort has been expended to educate vendors on the public health code.  Some markets have been operating out of compliance and there is a public health need to bring them into compliance.  R. Miller to invite all market masters to public hearing at next board meeting.

 

A MOTION was made my S. Werbner, seconded by M. Kurland to set a public hearing date  of June 18, 2009, at 4:30 p.m. in the Coventry Town Hall Annex to hear public comments regarding the proposal to increase FY 2010 fees not less than 10% and not more than 20% as detailed in the schedule presented on April 16, 2009.  D. Cameron opposed.  The remaining board members approved.  The MOTION PASSED.

 

  1. Quarterly Financial Report:  tabled until next meeting

 

  1. FY 07/08 Audit Report:

 

A MOTION was made by D. Walsh, seconded by D. Cameron to accept the Annual FY07/08 Audit Report of the Eastern Highlands Health District as presented.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously. 

 

  1. Quarterly Activity Reports – 2nd Quarter:

 

R. Miller reported complaints are up 22% compared to this time last year. 

 

 

 

 

Town Reports:  none

 

Communications:

 

  1. Matt Hart Regarding Mansfield Strategic Planning: 

 

R. Miller reported that he completed feedback request on behalf of the Board. 

 

Chairs Report:  none

 

 

A MOTION was made by D. Cameron to adjourn the meeting at 6 p.m.  Seconded by D. Walsh.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

  

 

Robert Miller

Secretary