Board of Health — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-12-10
Time: 17:30

Burlington Board of Health
 Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 5:30 PM,
 645 Pine Street Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
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1. Agenda
 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Approval of November draft minutes

3. Public Forum
 Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
 Meeting December 10, 2025 - Board of Health - Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 5:30 PM,
 Burlington Board of Health
 645 Pine Street Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
 Category 3. Public Forum
 Department Council and Board


 Type

4. Health Equity

5. Housing inspection and problem property update from Bill Ward

6. Chair Report

7. Substance Abuse and Safe Syringe Disposal

8. Emerging Issues and Public Communications

9. Adjournment

December 2025 BOH draft minutes
Board members participating: Chair Celia Bird, Jenny Tomczak, Bianka Cimrin and Health
Officer Bill Ward

Board Chair Celia Bird called the meeting to order at 5:49 pm.

Agenda
Jenny made a motion to amend the agenda to table the November minutes because there were
not enough members from that meeting present. 2nd by Bianka. Unanimous in favor.
Jenny made a motion to approve the amended agenda. 2nd by Bianka.
Vote was unanimous in favor.

Draft minutes
Tabled

Public Forum
There were no members of the public present.

Health Equity
The board discussed health equity initiatives, emphasizing the importance of warming and
cooling stations as temperatures change. They also considered integrating health equity into
future projects, such as the Overdose Prevention Center, and improving communication to
make public health information more accessible to marginalized groups.

Housing Inspection Progress and Challenges
Bill discussed the housing inspection and problem property updates, highlighting both positive
and challenging aspects. He mentioned that the inspection process is generally progressing
well, with a staffing change expected to increase the number of inspections. Bill acknowledged
several property managers who have been doing an excellent job, including Nicole Mitchem in
the maintenance team at Bissonette Property Management, Matt Handy from Handy Property
Management, Ali Desautels from Five Seasons Property Management, and Alexis Eaton from
Apple Tree Bay Property Management. He also provided updates on two specific problem
properties: 29-33 South Willard Street and 52- 54 Spruce Street. Both properties have been
before the Housing Board of Review on appeals related to deficiencies. Bill will provide
updates when the issues are resolved.
Bill gave an update on 3 other vacant buildings which were 64 Pearl Street, 281 Pearl Street and
115 Pine Street.
Chair Report
Celia discussed the applicants for the vacant position on the Board of Health. She reviewed
some questions that she was going to use in evaluating the applicants in order for the Board
members to make a recommendation. Celia asked members to review applications and
respond to Celia's questions directly to her before City Council meeting on December 15th.

Substance Abuse and Safe Syringe Disposal
Bianca presented a comprehensive spreadsheet on the impacts of syringe litter, which the
board found valuable for both advisory roles and public education. They also discussed the
need to update their website and potentially create more public communications about the
Overdose Prevention Center survey.

Emerging Issues
No new emerging issues.

Adjournment
The board discussed possible meeting dates in January. Their next meeting was tentatively set
for January 14th, with January 12th as a backup option in January. Jenny made a motion to
adjourn the meeting. 2nd by Bianca.
Unanimous in favor. Celia noted the meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.