The Board of Health on Monday discussed changes to the Health Department’s open-door policy and other updates relating to a First Amendment audit that occurred last month.

In his report to the board, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe clarified that the public nursing office at Town Hall remains open, despite the perception that the door is closed and locked. He also affirmed that the town’s public health nurses “remain dedicated to providing consistent and accessible care.”

During a follow-up interview with the Independent, McAuliffe discussed the events of the First Amendment audit last month that led to public health nurse Simone Carter pulling a fire alarm. He explained that Carter had been on a medical call in her office and had medical records out on her desk. McAuliffe claimed that no one is permitted to record during such calls without prior consent, in order to protect patient privacy.

After the auditors refused to identify themselves to Carter, McAuliffe said she realized there was a classroom with children next door. This “significantly altered her threat perception, transforming it into a perceived imminent threat,” McAuliffe stated in his report. “Activating [emergency services] was the only method available to her in these critical seconds to quickly and efficiently evacuate Town Hall.”

Added McAuliffe: “She did what she was trained to do.”

The town opened a personnel matter following last month’s incident. Whether Carter would lose her job if she is found to have pulled the fire alarm without justification is unclear. Anyone who makes or circulates a false fire alarm without reasonable cause could be assessed a $500 fine or face a year in prison. 

Inquiries from the Independent about the status of the personnel matter and any investigation by the Hopkinton Police have gone unanswered. McAuliffe claimed he had not been briefed on any updates regarding the personnel matter.

McAuliffe informed the board that both he and Carter continue to be the target of online attacks following the incident.

“They’ve been trying to get into my personal phone and personal email,” McAuliffe said. “They got into Simone’s. … They’ve been harassing [her] and her family.”

He also expressed frustration about the time and energy being extended in responding to the aftermath of the audit. “[The auditors] purport to be doing this to help make municipal government more efficient, where all they’ve done is cost maybe about 2 1/2 weeks of work just trying to clean up all of the messes they’ve been causing,” McAuliffe said.

The board discussed an updated media policy for vaccination clinics and efforts the Health Department is making to curtail future issues with auditors. McAuliffe noted his staff recently completed training with a First Amendment consultant.

New hires to be sworn in this week

The Board of Health received an update on the status of two new hires who were set to be sworn in by the Select Board on Tuesday night.

Yamilet Marroquin, an emergency room nurse at Emerson Health, has been hired to fill the second of two per diem nursing positions. Cheuk-Lam “Cheucky” Lo, the other per diem nurse, was hired in June. McAuliffe said Marroquin came to Hopkinton through a connection with Carter.

McAuliffe praised his current nursing staff, commending the nurses for the work they have been doing regarding insurance coverage for Hopkinton residents. In addition, he noted their work in getting individuals dealing with illness to the proper level of care has helped avoid more serious medical incidents.

“I’m comfortable saying that Simone and Cheucky have saved at least three peoples’ lives,” said McAuliffe. “They do incredible work.”

Replacing former health services agent Kelechi Obika will be Thomas McGrail. Obika moved on to become the health director for Newburyport back in July. McGrail will take over inspections and complaints, in addition to well and septic work.

“His job is to learn my job, so he can take my job at some point,” McAuliffe mused.