12/17/2020 BOARD OF HEALTH Minutes

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There being no further comments or revisions,Veronica Warden moved to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2020 public session meeting. Motion seconded by Ernest Virgilio. Roll call vote: Ernest Virgilio (yes); Veronica Warden (yes); Brian Baumgaertel (abstain). VOTE: Unanimous(2-0-1). 2. Sign expense warrants. It was understood that expense warrants would have to be signed outside of the meeting, due to there being no Board members physically present. 3. Discussion of proposed Return to School Travel Order Regulation. Mr. Harrington commented that a request had been made by the School Nurse Coordinator, Stacy Schakel, relative to the testing required by the State Travel Order and for return to school. She asked if, rather than testing three days prior to return to the state,the testing protocol could be "upon arrival back in the state". There were a couple of instances where people had been sick after obtaining a negative test out-of-state;however,there was not a trend to this occurrence and the request was subsequently rescinded. 4. Discussion of School Winter Sports Program. Mr. Harrington commented that, on Friday, December 111h, there was an inquiry from the Town Manager's office regarding winter sports at the high school. The question was whether high risk sports should be permitted this winter,rather than under what conditions the guidance allowed for sports to be played. Mr. Harrington advised the Town Manager that he would need to conduct some research, as the Board had not yet discussed the matter. Health Agents spoke briefly with Nurse Schakel, and a conference call was set-up with the Superintendent for Monday, December 14th. Mr. Harrington's research included an internet search of the Hull, MA school decision to cancel winter sports, along with comments from schools in Westford, MA and other towns. The Board was given copies of a student petition to reverse the decision to cancel winter sports in the Town of Hull, as well as one newspaper article concerning Westford, MA. In a conference call with Patty DeBoer, School Superintendent, Hope Hanscom,School Assistant Superintendent, and Stacey Schakel, Nurse Coordinator about the winter sports program and COVID-19 situations which may impact the sports program, Nurse Schakel presented a real concern about the rising community spread and positive COVID-19 cases that are affecting the school students. A significant number of kids are home quarantining or Isolating due to exposures. There has been no confirmed In-school spread between students. The students have been exposed by parents,siblings,or friends out in public. Superintendent DeBoer indicated that she would rather have the DPH or state School Board make a statewide decision for winter sports. The reason being that,once the school cancelled its winter sports program,the kids would likely go to the private hockey and basketball leagues where there could be less strict COVI D-19 controls in place. Different levels of participation within the guidance were discussed. Other schools that have canceled winter sports have done so across the board. There was no mention of allowing participation in practices. On December 161h, Health Agents listened to the School Committee meeting where the winter sports program was discussed. Matt Triveri,Athletic Director, made a presentation that outlined some of the safety guidance that has been implemented for winter sports. Mr. Harrington provided the following pros and cons for canceling winter sports program: 4