The Amherst Board of Health will hold a public hearing on Thursday May 13, 2021 at 5:00 pm to review and hear comments relative to a proposed Board of Health Regulation entitled “Prohibiting Smoking in Workplace and Public Places”. Please note, this meeting will be conducted virtually and will accommodate public comment to the extent practical. A hyperlink to the hearing will be posted on the Town’s online calendar.
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/84738589352
For dial-in participation: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 with Webinar ID: 847 3858 9352
Proposed policies in the draft regulation include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Protect the health of employees in their workplaces from exposure to secondhand smoke
- protect the health of the general public from extended exposure to secondhand smoke in places where they congregate
- It shall be the responsibility of the employer to provide a smoke and vape free environment for all employees working in an enclosed workplace as well as those workplaces
- The use of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems is prohibited wherever smoking is prohibited per M.G.L. Ch. 270, §22
A draft of the regulation is available for review by clicking here or the Amherst Public Health Department located at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst.
Full Meeting Agenda: Click here for calendar posting of this meeting
Meeting Opens
5:02 Public Hearing 1. Review and hear comments relative to a proposed Board of Health Regulation entitled "Prohibiting Smoking in Workplace and Public Places." 2. Public Comment 3. Closing Remarks from the Board of Health
5:20 Review & Receive 1. Meeting Minutes from April 8th, 2021– DRAFT
5:25 Old Business 1. Board vote on “Prohibiting Smoking in Workplace and Public Places” 2. Review the August 3, 2020 "Emergency Order of the Board of Health for the Mandatory Wearing of Masks or Face Coverings in Part of the Town of Amherst." 3. Community Health Needs Assessment
5:40 New Business 1. Board of Health member appointments 2. Mosquito Control 2. Review "Emergency Order of the Board of Health for the Mandatory Wearing of Masks or Face Coverings in Part of the Town of Amherst" discussion
6:00 Directors Reports: 1. Covid – 19 Update 2. Clinics, outreach for equity, homebound immunizations, adverse reactions to vaccine, etc.
6:20 Topics not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to the meeting
6:25 Adjourn.
For more information, contact Health Director Emma Dragon at 413-259-3077.
PLEASE NOTE: The Amherst Board of Health Public Hearing and Meeting held on April 8th at 5pm via zoom experienced an unanticipated technical glitch. Due to this and the efforts for utmost transparency and compliance with Massachusetts open meeting law the following steps have been taken. No vote was taken during the hearing. Written testimony will be accepted until April 30th and can be emailed to dragone@amherstma.gov or mailed to Emma Dragon, Health Department, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA, 01002. The recording will be posted on the town website for all to review. The board is going to hear brief public comment, and then discuss and vote at the next board of health meeting on May 13th at 5pm
