8.31.2026 Board of Health

Meeting summary The Fall River Board of Health met virtually on August 31, 2026, and approved previous meeting minutes as well as multiple licensing applications. The Board approved a tattoo establishment application for Christina Fazzina Aesthetics at Biomed Spa located at 400 Rhode Island Avenue, along with tattoo practitioner licenses for Christina Fazzina and Andrea. Additionally, the Board voted to approve a local upgrade request for 115 Newhall Street upon the recommendation of City Engineer Daniel Aguiar. The Board considered an appeal from Isaac Silva regarding a July 24, 2026 housing inspection report for his apartment at Cardinal Medeiros Towers (1197 Robeson Street). Silva requested that the inspection report finding no code violations regarding roaches be struck or amended due to alleged inaccuracies and structural pest breaches. After hearing testimony from the inspector and housing authority management, the Board explained that ongoing professional extermination meets code compliance requirements and voted unanimously (3-0) to deny the request to strike or alter the public report. During the Director's Report, Director of Health and Human Services Tess Curran updated the Board on the state's recent designation of kratom as a Schedule I substance effective August 28, noting that local health inspectors are preparing guidance and compliance memos for local retailers. Curran also announced an upcoming Massachusetts Department of Public Health statewide community health survey to be promoted locally through Mass in Motion. Topics discussed Approval of Meeting MinutesThe Board voted to approve minutes from May 18, 2026, June 29, 2026, and July 27, 2026. Approval of meeting minutes from May 18, 2026 and June 29, 2026 — approvedApproval of meeting minutes from May 18, 2026 and June 29, 2026 Approval of meeting minutes from July 27, 2026 — approvedApproval of meeting minutes from July 27, 2026 Tattoo Establishment Application - 400 Rhode Island AvenueBoard considered and approved a tattoo establishment application for Christina Fazzina Aesthetics at Biomed Spa. Approval of tattoo establishment license for Christina Fazzina Aesthetics at Biomed Spa at 400 Rhode Island Avenue — approvedApproval of tattoo establishment license for Christina Fazzina Aesthetics at Biomed Spa at 400 Rhode Island Avenue Tattoo Practitioner LicensesBoard approved tattoo practitioner licenses for Christina Fazzina and Andrea. Approval of tattoo practitioner license for Christina Fazzina — approvedApproval of tattoo practitioner license for Christina Fazzina Approval of tattoo practitioner license for Andrea — approvedApproval of tattoo practitioner license for Andrea Housing Inspection Appeal - 1197 Robeson StreetIsaac Silva requested to strike a housing inspection report from the public record concerning roach issues at Cardinal Medeiros Towers, which the Board denied. Denial of Isaac Silva's request to strike or amend the housing inspection report of July 24, 2026 — deniedDenial of Isaac Silva's request to strike or amend the housing inspection report of July 24, 2026 Local Upgrade Request - 115 Newhall StreetBoard approved a local upgrade request for 115 Newhall Street recommended by City Engineer Daniel Aguiar. Approval of local upgrade request for 115 Newhall Street — approvedApproval of local upgrade request for 115 Newhall Street Kratom Regulation and DPH Community SurveyDirector Tess Curran discussed local enforcement of the state's Schedule I classification of kratom and promotion of a statewide health survey. Motion to adjourn meeting — passedMotion to adjourn meeting Links Read the meeting summary Watch the full meeting