Health District Task Force Findings and Recommendations

Click here for minutes from Nov. 4, 2004

Click here for minutes from Dec. 2, 2004

Minutes for the meeting of 16 December 2005: (not yet accepted by team)

The meeting was called to order at 5:09 PM in the New Canaan Town Hall Board Room.

Members Present:

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

Christine Hand Parliman, Facilitator

Missing were Ms. Betty Karkut, Mr. Richard McQuaid, and Ms. Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer

Guests: Ms. Sue Kostin from Darien, Ms. Barbara Alvord, Public Health Nurse from Norwalk, Mr. Tom Closter, Director of Environmental Services from Norwalk, Mr. Briggs Geddes, Chief Sanitarian from New Canaan, and Mr. Bill Gerrish, Director of Communications, CT Department of Public Health

Tim Callahan opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Chris Parliman introduced herself to the team and group members introduced themselves.

Tim distributed a handout and showed slides, which listed the local public health services that are required by CT General Statute 19a-76-2. The level and volume of services provided by the health departments of Norwalk, New Canaan and Darien were reviewed as was the current staffing of each town. David Reed clarified and added specific details for New Canaan. Tim explained how the services and staffing might be set up in the new Health District.

The Team discussed issues and identified gaps in the current services and staffing.

· Jim Cole asked for a listing of the gaps in services.
o The team discussed gaps in environmental services, including food inspections, and inspections of hair and nail salons.
o Also, gaps in Health Education were discussed. Tim mentioned that opportunities for grants for education would be available to the new Health District.
· Ken asked about the similarity in fee schedules between the towns. David mentioned that there are differences currently and changes to fees were being held off pending creation of the new District. He also suggested that some service fees should be reviewed and reset with an eye to making them more appropriate to the service level and to possibly creating profit centers.
· Gaps in Emergency Response were discussed. Tim foresees response clinics being established in each town/city of the new District. This idea needs to be expanded with organization plan, staffing and procedures.
· Ken and John raised the topic of elder care, considering the aging Baby Boomer population, asking if this shift in population focus might cause a gap in services. Discussion centered on the services currently in place, and percentages of older constituents who may choose to leave the area for reasons of economy or retirement activities.
· Jim Cole suggested that a marketing plan be put together as soon as possible to enable each town to market the new District plan to constituents. This plan should include a Vision for the new District and service coverage, and should address the gaps and proposed solutions.

Chris distributed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Tim briefly reviewed the budgeting agenda for the next meeting, which will be held on January 13th at the Norwalk Town Hall.

Action Steps for the next meeting:

· Tim Callahan, Dr. David Reed, Tom Berstene and Chris Parliman will formalize the Services and Staffing Description for the new District, specifically noting current gaps in Environmental Services, Health Education, and Emergency Response.
· Tim, David and Tom will put together a preliminary budget for the team to review and discuss at the next meeting. Included will be a list of current service fees and recommended fee schedule.
· Chris will assist Tim and David in putting together a preliminary marketing plan for the team to discuss at a future meeting.
· At or by the January 13th meeting, the dates will be set for the two meetings with the respective town representatives.