On June 26, the Marion Board of Health discussed a recent conference attended by Health Agent Karen Walega and Public Health Nurse Kathleen Downey.
The conference, sponsored by the Plymouth County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition, brought together communities throughout the county to discuss processes and procedures in times of emergencies that might impact entire areas.
Walega said her main take away for the Tri-Town area encompassing Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester was, “We are not all on the same page.”
When asked by Board of Health members Betsy Dunn and Dr. Jason Reynolds what she meant, she wasn’t able to clearly articulate the point. But Downey did.
Downey said that, while Marion had representation at the preparedness meeting from decision makers in the Town — Selectman Norm Hills, Walega, and herself –, Rochester and Mattapoisett’s representation wasn’t equal to the task. She said the director of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, Jackie Coucci, and Mattapoisett’s assistant Board of Health agent, Kate Tapper — people she felt do not hold decision-making roles when it came to regional disaster preparedness — had been sent to attend the preparedness meeting.
Downey said of the three towns, “We need to work together.”
“I need your help,” Downey implored Dunn and Reynolds. “We need an agreement between the three towns,” she said, referencing a Tri-Town coalition; a necessity, she added, in demonstrating to the state that Marion, Rochester, and Mattapoisett were working together, thus positioning them for regional benefits otherwise not available.
In response to Downey’s request for assistance in this matter, Reynolds said the Board of Health would have further discussion with Hills and potentially attend the next Tri-Town Selectmen’s meeting to explore this topic further.
Also during the meeting, flavored tobacco products were briefly discussed as Walega shared bylaw document edits she had gleaned from the Town of Avon for inclusion into Marion’s draft document.
Present from the Coalition for Responsible Retailors was Dennis Lane who asked where the town stood on menthol cigarettes. Reynolds responded that menthol-flavored tobacco would be excluded from flavored tobacco and nicotine restriction regulations for the time being. He was advised that the issue of tobacco products might be raised at the August 28 or September 22 meetings.
In her report, Downey said that she had received requests for immunizations for shingles, but that the town does not stock the vaccine. She said she would seek grant options for the community.
On the subject of suicide support groups, Downey said that both Plymouth and Bristol Counties had approached her regarding setting up support groups. She confessed to not feeling qualified to handle such groups and believed it necessary that someone trained in the discipline take on that role.
“I have no clear roadmap on suicide,” she said while asking for guidance.
This discussion melded into a larger conversation Downey had recently had with the Southcoast Hospital Group to, which the town had sought a $10,000 a grant for the education of elementary teachers on the issue, but only received $2,500.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for July 10 at 4:30 pm in the Marion Town House meeting room.
Marion Board of Health
By Marilou Newell