The introduction of Daniel Serella as the new health director for Yarmouth was a major highlight of the meeting. Serella, who has 13 years of experience in public health from roles in Taunton, Milford, and Ador, expressed his eagerness to begin his new position. The board members welcomed him warmly and assured him of their support during his transition.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the school nutrition program presented by Rooney Powers, food service director at the Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District. Powers noted that it had been a decade since the last presentation on this subject and emphasized the importance of providing nutritious meals to students. The program adheres to strict nutritional guidelines under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Powers detailed the nutritional standards, which limit calories, saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium levels. The meals include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins, with no trans fats or fried foods allowed.

Interesting strategies are employed to meet these standards, such as baking, roasting, or grilling instead of frying. Sodium levels in meals have been reduced significantly, with efforts to decrease them further. Powers highlighted the program’s success in incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables, including a popular chickpea salad. The focus on whole grains is evident, with all breads and snacks in the district being whole grain. Despite the variety of protein options like chicken, beef, pork, and fish, chicken nuggets remain a favorite among students.

Powers also addressed the implementation of a fresh fruit and vegetable bar at the high school, which has been well-received by students. This initiative has been extended to middle and elementary schools, though with fewer options. Powers praised the positive feedback from students and the efficient operation of the cafeteria staff, who manage to serve a large number of students respectfully and quickly.

In addition to school nutrition, the meeting addressed mosquito management, introduced by an entomologist and superintendent at Cape Cod Mosquito Control. The discussion covered the integrated mosquito management strategy, which focuses on preventing standing water to control mosquito populations. The program utilizes Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) to target mosquito larvae while minimizing environmental impact. The board emphasized ongoing education and public awareness to combat mosquito populations and noted the importance of disease surveillance for threats like West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.

The conversation explored the challenges of mosquito-borne diseases, with a detailed explanation of the transmission cycles of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). The board elaborated on the seriousness of EEE, highlighting its high mortality rate, while noting that WNV poses a different risk as it can be transmitted to humans more easily. Statistics from Yarmouth’s mosquito control efforts revealed that over 3,000 adult mosquitoes were collected last year, with 26 samples tested and three positive for WNV.

The meeting also addressed the variance request concerning a property on Buchanan. The property owner sought a variance to allow the home to be classified as three bedrooms under state guidelines. Despite the owner’s argument and recent septic system upgrade, the board adhered to regulations prohibiting additional bedrooms in Zone 2 to protect the aquifer. The board reaffirmed the importance of maintaining water quality and the integrity of zoning laws.

Additionally, the board discussed revisions to green burial regulations, focusing on the process for approvals involving the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The board considered amendments to clarify the sequence of approvals. They also debated language adjustments to address infectious disease considerations in green burials.