Health District Task Force Findings and Recommendations

Click here for minutes from Nov. 4, 2004

Minutes for the meeting of 2 December 2004:

The meeting was called to order at 5:07 PM in the Norwalk Health Department meeting room.

Members Present:

Ms. Betty Karkut Ms. Cheryl Jones Mr. Ken Lalime
Mr. James Cole Dr. Edward Tracey, MD Mr. John Laird
Mr. Richard McQuaid Ms. Carol McDonald Mr. Tim Callahan, MPH
Dr. David Reed, MD, MPH

Thomas G. Berstene, Facilitator

Missing was, Ms. Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer.

Joining the team is Ms. Sue Kostin, a representative for the Town of Darien, who is considering joining the district.

Guests: Mr. Jim Rokos, Director of the Torrington Area Health District and Mr. Steve Huleatt, West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District

Action Steps from last meeting:
· Bill Gerrish is checking into the liability issue.
o Bill was unable to attend the meeting, but sent his findings by e-mail.
· Tim Callahan is preparing the missing page of member information
o Tim was collecting the information and the updated information sheets will be distributed at the next meeting.
· Tom Berstene is preparing a checklist based on the legislation supporting the formation of Health Districts. The checklist will be used by the team to ensure they have reviewed all aspects of the project.
o The checklist was forwarded to Tim for review. Copies will be distributed at the next meeting.

The meeting was opened with a short presentation by Tim Callahan on the structure and responsibilities of Public Health in CT and its local municipalities.

Jim discussed the formation and operations of the Torrington Area Health District and Steve discussed the formation and operations of the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District.

· Both presenters explained the type of liability insurances each district has and who is the carrier. Steve also explained about the State’s municipal health insurance plan for medical coverage.
· Through questions by the Task Force, both speakers explained that all full-time employees are guaranteed a position in the forming health district.
· They also explained some of the benefits and drawbacks to being a governmental body not attached to the State or the Municipality in managing its finances and in planning.
· Both health districts have saved their member communities and provided increased services. Jim recommended having the member towns contribute at least a cost of living adjustment annually. This was based on his experience where he did not request an increase for the first several years the district was in existence and the towns did a double take at the request for an increase in funding. Steve reinforced the idea, but did not encounter the same problem.
· Steve recommended reviewing the formal and informal organizational network ties to the local health departments prior to moving to the district. This action will help uncover and resolve and unforeseen support or infrastructure issues prior to moving the department into the district.

Action Steps:
· All members to review the list of 13 services a health district/department should be providing to its constituency.

Next Meeting is on 16 December 2004 and will be facilitated by Ms. Chris Parliman. The meeting will be held in the New Canaan Town Hall Board Room.