HEALTH COMMITTEE

APRIL 10, 2001

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened @ 5:10 P.M.

Recessed @ 5:25 P.M.

Reconvened @ 6:05 P.M.

Adjourned @

 

Present were:         Chairman Councillor Dennis L. Irish

                             Councillor Juan A. Gomez

                                                Councillor Michael C. Perotto

 

Also:                     Director of Public Health John Gagliastro

                                                Public Health Staffperson Frank Birch

                             Public Health Staffperson Richard Wiberg

                                                Police Chief James M. Gallagher

                             City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

                                               

Communications of the City Manager - 5:00 P.M.

 

1.                 Relative to Mercury Fever Thermometers.

                   #16A CM March 20, 2001

Recommend Adopt proposed Ordinance as submitted

2.                 Relative to proposed regulation of Mercury Thermometers.

#21D CM March 20, 2001

Recommend File

3.                 Request adoption of a resolution relative to Mercury Emission Standards.

#24E CM February 29, 2000

          In Committee May 10, 2000 - Held

Recommend File

4.                 Relative to Health effects of Mercury and sources of Mercury.

#21B CM June 20, 2000

Recommend File

Two citizens from the Regional Environmental Council testified in favor of adoption of the proposed ordinance regulating mercury thermometers. A letter in support of the proposed ordinance was also received from Brooks Pharmacy.

 

Chairman’s Orders request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health  report to the City Council concerning the new mercury thermometer swap program.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health report to the City Council concerning the new program whereby mercury products will be accepted at the City’s existing drop-off sites, and further request that the government access channel include information about this service and that the Department of Public Health continue to work with the Regional Environmental Council on this topic.

 

Communications of the City Manager - 6:00 P.M.

 

5.                 Relative to an Ordinance that penalizes Underage Purchasers of Tobacco.

#16A CM March 13, 2001

Recommend File

6.                 Relative to Compliance Check, per quarter of tobacco sale to minors.

#21I CM March 20, 2001

Recommend File

7.                 Relative to Minors successful in purchasing tobacco via Sting Operations in their Communities.

#21H CM March 20, 2001

Recommend File

8.                 Relative to Enforcement of laws prohibiting sale of tobacco products to minors.

#20D CM October 17, 2000

          In Committee January 29, 2001 – Held

Recommend File

Speakers:

1.     Lyanne Cochi, New England Convenience Store Association

2.     Jeffrey Horner, Great Brook Valley resident

3.     Cindy Vo, South High Community School student

4.     Paul Hernandez, Shrewsbury Street area resident

5.     Laurie Ross, Hope Coalition

6.     Kathy Recht, Hope Coalition

 

Chairman’s Order request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health notify by mail the more than 200 licensed sellers of tobacco in the City of their more rigorous policy concerning the sale of tobacco to minors.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration consider the preparation of an administrative ordinance that would permit the confiscation of tobacco products by Police and School officials that would not include any financial penalties, and would mandate community service and education programs, in an effort to work to discourage minors from using tobacco.