Board of Health Monthly Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2005
8:00 AM
Library

Call to order at 8:10 AM
Present: Board of Health - Ms Burke, Mr. Jimenez, Mr. Lalime, & Dr. Tracey
Staff - Mr. Callahan

Minutes of January 11, 2005 Meeting
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Lalime, seconded by Dr Tracey and was passed by a unanimous vote.

Welcome New Board Members
Roberto Jimenez was welcomed to the Board. Mr. Jimenez is a long time Norwalk resident. He is employed as a Senior Property Manager with The Property Group.

Well Child Clinic
The Norwalk Community Health Center is experiencing a significant influx of new pediatric patients as a result of Dr. Jorge Elias's retirement and the impending closure of Dr. Shah's practice. Health Department has expressed concern that the health center may need assistance in keeping well child services current. The childhood immunization rates in Norwalk are the second highest in Connecticut. With the assistance of the Health Department Maternal and Child health nurses the Health Center was recently recognized by the Connecticut Department of Public Health for having the second highest 2-year-old immunization rates among community health centers. An overload of patients at NCHC might result in the postponement of well child care, potentially compromising the immunization status of children and increasing the likelihood of the occurrence of vaccine preventable diseases. The board asked Mr. Callahan to follow up with the Administrator of NCHC and offer assistance up to and including the provision of additional well child clinic sessions at the Health Department.

Health District Task Force
The Task Force is scheduled to meet on Wednesday February 9, 2005 at the Norwalk Health Department. The Task Force will review proposed FY 06 budgets for New Canaan and Norwalk as separate departments and as a health district. The Task Force is expected to issue their findings and recommendations at this meeting.

Legislation for Full Time Health Departments

Senate Bill 978, An Act to Strengthen Local Public Health was reviewed. The legislation will require towns with Part time Health Directors to hire full time Health Directors or join or form a health district. The bill also restores per capita funding to 2000 levels. The proposed Norwalk New Canaan Health District would benefit from this legislation financially. Passage of this bill might also provide the impetus to Darien to join the health district. The Board also considered the paucity of funding for local public health in Connecticut. The state ranks 45th in per capita public health spending. A motion to support this legislation was made by Mr. Lalime, Seconded by Dr. Tracey and was passed unanimously. Mr. Callahan will write a letter of support to be sent to the Norwalk delegation of state representatives and senators.

Adjourn: 9:45 AM

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