The Marion Board of Health met on Thursday, June 4 in the Marion Police Station. There were many updates provided by town officials as well as updates to the Code of Marion discussed.
The meeting immediately began with updates from the Public Health Director, Lori A. Desmarais. The director began with a discussion on covid vaccines, to which she stated she reached out to Moderna for information on the pricing of that corporation’s version. Currently, she said the town has access to the company’s Spikevax vaccine, but the mNEXSPIKE is also produced by Moderna, which Desmarais said produced a higher immune response in older recipients. She is still awaiting a response from the corporation.
Desmarais then noted the town’s Health Department received the first notice regarding mosquito spraying. Residents who had requested sprayings received their first dosage last week.
She added the town had held a Rabies information panel the day prior, but due to little attendance, the event was unfortunately cancelled. She said they will likely try again in the spring at possibly a different time of day.
Updating the board on food/restaurant permits, Health Agent Gabriella Almeida noted the new managers of the Marion General Store, Amy and Will Felder, wish to open sometime in July, though the town has not yet received their application. The store still has a tobacco-sales permit paid through the end of the year, and though the new owners stated they will not sell tobacco products, inspections are still required. There is also the farmers’ market in Washburn Park, which she noted will require routine inspections.
The Marion Board of Health then began its Public Hearing to amend the Marion Sanitary Code, particularly Section 8: Food Service. The changes provide definitions to common terms, increased descriptions of various establishments/events that serve food to standardize who needs inspections, and information on service animals and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The hearing was closed with few public questionings, followed quickly by a vote to approve the changes.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 at 4:30 pm in the Marion Police Station conference room.