BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES

North Haven, CT

June 24, 2010

4:30 PM

In attendance: A. McClure; J. Donaldson; B. Scott-Moore; L. DeNegre; A. Sofair; V. Masi;

D. Cofrancesco, A. Levison; M. Rochow; L. Balch, ex officio; D. Culligan, staff. Guest: Carolyn Wysocki

Not in attendance: S. Faris, J. Sabshin; T. Gersdorf; L. Haddad; C. Goldberg; P. Marone   

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: President McClure called the meeting to order at 4:35p.m. A quorum was declared. She noted that no response had been received from T. Gersdorf or J. Sabshin regarding their desire to continue on the QVHD Board. President McClure introduced Carolyn Wysocki from the CT State Association of  Local Boards of Health (SALBOH.)

President McClure introduced Carolyn Wysocki, a guest speaker. Ms. Wysocki presented information on SALBOH, its relationship to the National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH) and its future in CT. Currently, CT SALBOH is in the process of organizing for formation and hopes to organize as a section of CPHA (CT Public Health Association). Its mission is for a stronger voice for local public health through education, collaboration and partnering. President McClure asked what action SALBOH wants from the QVHD Board. At this time Ms. Wysocki is promoting the organization, disseminating information, answering questions and surveying CT Board of Health interest in becoming members of the CT SALBOH when it is organized for membership in October 2010. Membership dues have not yet been established, but the QVHD Board will be kept updated.

MINUTES: The minutes from the May meeting were accepted unanimously, motion by D. Cofrancesco, seconded by A. Levison.  

FINANCIAL REPORT:

L. Balch reported:

·         Target is 91.67%; Revenue is 93.4% collected; Expenditures are at 84%.

·         It is expected that the reserve funds put into the 2010 budget will not be used as anticipated, due mostly to the increased funds received because of H1N1.   

·         This report does not reflect the $14,400 returned to the state and the outstanding bills to Maxim. That will be reflected in the next report.

A motion to place the financial report on file was made by J. Donaldson, seconded by M. Rochow, and accepted unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER (SBHC)

A. Levison reported that a SBHC Advisory Committee meeting was held in June. She reported:

• There appears to be an APRN lined up for the fall.
• The LCSW continues to be very busy and still has a waiting list.
• The LCSW held a group for college bound students that have been in her caseload.
• Plans for groups in the fall include on-going support for the smoking cessation program and a weight management group.
• No cuts were incurred to the budget.
• A three year contract is in process.  

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

HEALTH ED REPORT:  D. Culligan reported:

·         The annual review of our emergency preparedness plans will occur on July 29. D. Culligan has been working on plans in preparation for this review.   

·         QVHD is participating in an emergency preparedness exercise on June 29, which involves faith-based organizations as dispensing sites for medications. A few churches from our district are participating with other area churches. L. Balch and D. Culligan will attend.

In follow-up to J. Donaldson’s question last month about the status of the electronic Qvhd-TIPS newsletter, D. Culligan stated that Bethany sent it out by email; Hamden has it on their district website under “Parent resources”, Woodbridge has it on their district website on their health page and North Haven is still working on it.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

L. Balch reported:

·         After an investigation by the insurance company, QVHD will receive $6,000.00 to repair the roof damage. This will cover the replacement cost, minus QVHD’s $500.00 deductible.

·         L. Balch was asked to do two programs on very short notice; one for Hamden camp counselors (blood borne pathogens) and one for North Haven career day. She noted that it is good to know that towns can count on us and do seek out our assistance as a resource.  

·         Financial:

o        QHVD did receive HERR funds in the amount of $13,700+. These funds will be used for a Healthy Homes program which is a DPH pilot program. It goes beyond just lead investigation. Particpants will be told that if violations are found, they will be subject to legal action. This may deter some people from participation.

o        Public Health preparedness funds were granted to QVHD in the amount of approximately $65,000.

o        With the receipt of these funds and if the Union agrees to the proposed changes to the health insurance, QVHD will be able to save one of the two proposed layoffs.

·         In response to a question by A. Sofair, L. Balch presented some of the differences between the current and proposed health insurance plans:

o        Co-pays are higher: $5 vs $30 for an office visit; $10 vs $45. for a specialist visit; 0 vs $500 per day up to $2,000 for a hospital stay; 0 vs $500 for outpatient surgery; $50 vs $150 for an ER visit; $25 vs $75 for an urgent care visit.

o        She noted QVHD can offer up to 5 different policies, so employees could purchase a more expensive plan if they wanted to.

o        Switching to the proposed plan would save about $96,000 which is a staff position.

o        Because of some delays in union negotiations, the changes probably not occur until September.

·         L. Balch requested that the two employees slated for layoff be offered an extra 2 weeks (to July 15^th.) A motion to offer slated layoff personnel a two week extension until July 15, 2010 was made by M. Rochow, seconded by D. Cofrancesco and passed unanimously.

·         L. Balch is going to look at a couple of rural health grants. One is to assess health needs. Bethany is the only town that could meet the criteria for rural.

Other:

President McClure asked Board members how they wish to proceed with regards to SALBOH. After discussion, it was decided that a decision would be made after the dues are established. Further discussion will occur at the September 2010 QVHD Board meeting. When asked by Board member L. DeNegre if it would be beneficial to QVHD, L. Balch responded that her personal feeling was yes, but she did not want to influence their decision, adding that there would need to be at least one board member who was interested and committed to the work of SALBOH.   

At 6:00 p.m., a motion to adjourn was made by L. DeNegre, seconded by J. Donaldson and voted unanimously.

The next QVHD Board meeting will be held on September 23, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. at the District office.

Minutes prepared by: D. Culligan, QVHD staff