All of Marion’s emergency supplies have been put to the Police Department for emergency response and “are getting depleted pretty fast,” according to Health Nurse Kathleen Downey, addressing the Board of Health during its June 2 remote access meeting.
Downey said that she had put in an order for what the Police Department needed for COVID-19 and added for the Board of Health, but all of it was shipped to the Police Department.
The message coming from the state Department of Public Health is that Marion has received a significant amount of allowance through the CARES Act and from state-sponsored, public-health emergency money. Downey said there has been a request for a road sign that can be used for messaging regarding COVID-19.
Town Administrator Jay McGrail explained that the town has to spend and apply for reimbursement in order to receive funds from the CARES Act. “They did allocate… more than we’ll be able to spend towards it realistically,” he said. The next step is Marion putting together its list of expenses.
CARES Act funding is completely separate from the $25,000 that Marion can apply for via FEMA, which is only partially reimbursed. Thusly, McGrail is focusing on the CARES Act money, which reimburses 100 percent of coronavirus-related expenditures.
“They are pretty specific on what they’ll cover… but it covers a lot,” he said, alluding to the installation of plexiglass barriers for safety purposes at town buildings and other alterations.
Town employee Maureen Murphy explained that emergency-preparedness supplies received in September are now being completely depleted. “There’s going to be a big expense. I have a list of what we’ve used,” she said.
Vice Chairperson Dr. Ed Hoffer noted that additional money will be needed in FY21 for additional PPE for flu shots and other actions. “Last year I wouldn’t have worn a mask; this year I would,” he said.
Concerned that she might forget something of great significance, Downey sought input from the Board of Health. “I just want some support from the board. I don’t want to be the only one making a decision about what we need,” she said. Chairperson John Howard assured her that the board will review, discuss, and add or subtract items.
McGrail noted that the CARES Act spans according to fiscal years. Hoffer advised the board to make purchases in June. McGrail said he would check to see if Marion has the required funds to replenish the town’s PPE supply before June and FY20 ends.
Downey reported a $7,600 quote just received for emergency-preparedness supplies including flu shots… “Just in case there is a vaccine available, we need to be able to distribute it and offer it,” she said. Howard asked Downey to start with a list that can then be prioritized and then reviewed when the board meets in two weeks.
The board agreed to move forward with the town’s plans for a July blood drive at the Community Center.
New Health Director Dave Flaherty reported three food-service inspections in anticipation of the Phase 2 opening by the state. He was to visit Atlantic Bistro on June 3 with representatives from the Building Department and Fire Department.
Flaherty reported following up on complaints at Santoro’s Pizza and at private property at Great Hill. Flaherty said when he visited Santoro’s “Everyone had masks on.” Concern about masks not being worn by visitors to the historic estate has led to a curbing of open hours with new signage offering a friendly reminder. Flaherty reported that signage at the harbor has yielded mixed results, but people not wearing masks are for the most part out on boats and away from others.
Planning Board member Norm Hills referenced an issue with standing water leading to a concern about mosquitoes during a year that expects a EEE threat. Flaherty plans to address the matter with the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project, a state agency.
Although the state has set up towns only to follow up on how well businesses comply with state regulations in Phases 2 and 3 of the reopening, Marion is taking a proactive approach as Flaherty reaches out to work with merchants in town.
Hoffer said, “Letting 1,000 flowers bloom is not the way it works best everywhere,” as he noted Marion has learned from the boatyards. Thusly, he told Flaherty that he prefers the sterner of the two letters he offered for the board’s review. McGrail asked Flaherty to a request for businesses seeking liquor licenses to update the town.
Member Dot Brown cautioned the board that the state writes regulations and then changes them without consulting towns. “Hopefully common sense will prevail,” said Flaherty.
Flaherty was impressed with the Kittansett Club’s plans to go forward as host of the 112th Massachusetts Amateur Golf tournament on July 13-17, noting that the club had a consultant come in and do the right thing. “It looks like they’ve got a good idea that they’ve used solid science. I can tell that they’re on the right track,” he said.
Howard said he was impressed with Flaherty’s first report as the town’s new health director.
In her Public Health Nurse Report, Downey told the board that, since its last meeting, several serum positive COVID-19 tests have been reported. People were to be treated as a positive case with a required 10 days in isolation, even though it was an antibody test.
Downey reported that the state revised its policy on Monday, strongly encouraging a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test at same time as an antibody test. If anyone tests positive in the PCR test, they would not be required to go into isolation. The result would be considered a prior infection.
Marion peaked last week according to Downey, with seven people in isolation at one time. That number, she said, has since dropped off. Marion’s website lists six active cases and 11 recovered.
Tabor Academy has begun meeting anticipate challenges for the fall 2020 semester with room size, athletics, health-related issues, PPE needs, policies needed such as daily screening of where students are heading, and a contact-tracing procedure.
“Everything’s preliminary. They’re talking about not admitting foreign students, but I think they’re a bit away from a statement,” said Howard.
“They’re very committed to being open in the fall. I don’t think they see themselves being closed for another year,” said Downey.
Tabor will need to figure out a site where students can isolate, whether it be the health center, or a case of quarantine over against the dormitory structure and what would be required to transport a symptomatic student.
Downey noted that the Council on Aging will not transport sick people at this time for fear of contamination of its vehicles.
While Marion, Tabor, and Tremont camps have canceled summer recreation programs, Beverly Yacht Club would like to go forward with its summer program and was scheduled to meet with Downey on June 3.
Also of emerging concern are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile, and tick-borne illnesses. “I don’t see myself having time to do tick education,” said Downey. “Marion has videos at ORCTV, perhaps we can hook them up to the website.”
Downey also cautioned the board that hurricane season requires a plan. “We can’t run a shelter and refuse to take people in… and I don’t know how we can isolate people,” she said. Hoffer said that Sippican School’s capacity is limited by its generator. “You can’t use the whole place,” he said. “If the weather is bad, it doesn’t work. Sippican School is not going to allow any separation.” McGrail indicated having reached out to the Town of Mattapoisett regarding the potential use of ORR and plans to follow up.
On June 16, the Board of Health will hold a public hearing in advance of a vote on its proposal to reduce the amount of nitrogen compounds that are released out of new septic systems. McGrail told the board it’s important it does not close the public hearing so that members of the public without access for any technical reason would have ample time to respond.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo