HEALTH COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER 24, 2001

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 5:00 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:22 p.m.

Present were: Chairman Councillor Dennis L. Irish

Councillor Juan A. Gomez

Councillor Michael C. Perotto

Councillor Janice L. Nadeau

Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes

Also: Cmsnr. of Public Health Dr. Arnold Gurwitz

Director of Public Health Francis X. Birch

Cmsnr. of Public Works Robert L. Moylan

DPW Staffperson Konstantin Eliardi

DPW Staffperson Phil Guerin

DPW Water Plant Operator Frank Hoyt

Deputy Cmsnr. Public Health Joseph G. McCarthy

City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

HEARING: REGARDING FLUORIDATION OF THE WATER SUPPLY

1. Presentation by the Health Board/Dept. of Public Health & Code Enforcement

Cmsnr. of Public Health Gurwitz and Dep. Cmsnr. of Health McCarthy spoke.

2. Testimony from the Commissioner of Department of Public Works

Cmsnr. of Public Works Moylan and Water Plant Operator Hoyt spoke.

3. Testimony from Elected and Appointed Officials.

Mary Foley, State Department of Public Health spoke.

4. Testimony from Fluoridation Opponents - testimony limited to residents of communities affected by fluoridating of the water supply. Began @5:40 p.m.

Speakers:

1. Christine Bogoian, 38 Hollywood Street, Worcester

2. Deborah Moore, 89 Tory Fort Lane, Worcester

3. Bruce Henry, 12 Berkmans Street, Worcester

4. Ellen Gillespie, 12 Berkmans Street, Worcester

5. Joyce Kaleses, 6 Hartshorn Avenue, Worcester

6. Shirley Balestrier, 81 Providence Street, Worcester

7. Matthew George, 460 Chandler Street, Worcester

8. Karen Krock, 17 Havelock Road, Worcester

9. Patricia Goldman, 34 Oak Knoll Road, Worcester

10. George Bogoian, 38 Hollywood Street, Worcester

11. Konstantina Lukes, 24 Hadwen Road, Worcester

5. Testimony from Fluoridation Proponents - testimony limited to residents of communities affected by fluoridating of the water supply. Began @6:20 p.m.

Speakers:

1. Dr. Franklin Loew, 81 William Street, Worcester

2. Rosa Fernandez, Lakeside Apartments, Worcester

3. Dr. Matt Collins, 8 Rogers Drive, Worcester

4. William Kelleher, 6 Westwood Drive, Worcester

5. Dr. James Broadhurst, 16 Lenox Street, Worcester

6. Dr. Kevin Kearney, 24 Howland Terrace, Worcester

7. Dr. Frederick Giarrusso, 1 MaryJane Circle, Worcester

8. Dr. Wayne Glazier, 15 Gaskill Road, Worcester

9. Linda Caviaoli, 22 Northridge Street, Worcester

10. Bill Densmore, 10 Algonquin Road, Worcester

11. Dr. Lemuel Higgins, 56 Berwick Street, Worcester

12. Rev. Paul Kennedy, 121 Newton Avenue North, Worcester

Chairman’s Resolution:

Motion of Gomez to endorse the vote of the Board of Health to adjust upwards the level of fluoride in the water supply of the City of Worcester and further, urge voters to vote Yes on November 6, 2001. Voted 2-1 with Gomez and Irish in favor and Perotto in opposition.

Communications:

1. Communication of the City Manger relative to the communication from Joseph G. McCarthy, Deputy Commissioner, Health and Code Enforcement relative to motions made regarding fluoride.

#21B CM September 18, 2001

In Committee for informational purposes only

Recommend Hold

2. Communication of the City Manger relative to the communication from Joseph G. McCarthy, Deputy Commissioner, Health and Code Enforcement relative to harmful effects from fluoridation.

#21C CM September 18, 2001

In Committee for informational purposes only

Recommend Hold

3. Communication of the City Manger relative to the communication from Robert L. Moylan, Jr., Commissioner of Public Works relative to motions made relative to fluoride.

#24C CM September 18, 2001

In Committee for informational purposes only

Recommend Hold

4. Communication of the City Manager relative to fluoride content of the Worcester water supply.

#21B CM September 4, 2001

Recommend Hold

5. Communication of the City Manager relative to rationale for increasing the fluoride content of Worcester's Water Supply.

#21D CM August 21, 2001

Recommend Hold

6. Communication of the City Manager relative to Nationwide Comparative Studies relative to fluoridation.

#21G CM April 24, 2001

In Committee May 10, 2001 - Held

Recommend Hold

7. Communication of the City Manager relative to fluoridation, Holden and ballot questions.

#16A CM April 3, 2001

In Committee May 10, 2001 - Held

Recommend Hold

8. Communication of Helen Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee Relative to number and location of pre-school and school based fluoride rinse and dental sealant programs currently being offered in the City estimating the percentage of City's children participating.

#47 CC March 27, 2001

In Committee May 10, 2001 - Held

Recommend Hold

9. Communication of the City Manager relative to Pre-school and School Based Fluoride Rinse and Dental Sealant Programs.

#21F CM March 20, 2001

In Committee May 10, 2001 - Held

Recommend Hold

10. Communication of the City Manager relative to issues relating to fluoridation.

#21A CM February 6, 2001

In Committee May 10, 2001 - Held

Recommend Hold

11. Communication of the City Manager relative to the Dental Problem of Worcester’s Children.

#21A CM December 5, 2000

In Committee May 10, 2001 – Held

Recommend Hold