STATE OF MAINE

STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE

 

Minutes of August 14, 2003 Board Meeting

 

 

Members Present:               Robert Barnes, Chair; Hervey Clay, Paul Fredette, Jennifer Minkowitz, Bethel Shields, Ernest Marriner and Normand Lambert

 

Others Present:                    Penny Vaillancourt, Administrator; Matthew Cyr, Board Inspector/Complaint Officer and Diane Bradstreet, Board Clerk

 

Members Absent:                 John Dunn  

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Robert Barnes, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

In a motion by Normand Lambert, seconded by Ernest Marriner, the minutes from the July 10, 2003 meeting were unanimously approved as written.

 

INSPECTION REPORT

 

Penny Vaillancourt reported that Board Inspector Matthew Cyr conducted six inspections during the month of July.

 

REVIEW OF INSPECTION REPORT FORM

 

The Board reviewed the inspection report form that is currently in use and made some suggested changes.  A draft incorporating these changes will be prepared for review at the September meeting.

 

ELECTION OF BOARD COMPLAINT OFFICER

 

In a motion by Robert Barnes, seconded by Jennifer Minkowitz, the Board voted unanimously to elect Hervey Clay as the Board’s Complaint Officer.

 

DISCUSSION REGARDING PUBLIC LAW 109

 

The Board discussed Public Law 109, An Act Regarding Mortuary Trusts.  A notice to be sent to licensees regarding this new law will be prepared for review by the Board at the September meeting.    

 

 

 

State Board of Funeral Service

Minutes of August 14, 2003

Page 2

 

APPLICATION REVIEW

 

Reviewed was the application of George L. Gagnon requesting a reinstatement of his license as a Funeral Practitioner.  Mr. Gagnon was licensed in this state from 1974 to 1984.

 

Normand Lambert made a motion to approve Mr. Gagnon’s application for a Funeral Practitioner’s license pending passage of both the State Law and Rule Examination and the Practical Examination. 

 

The Board then unanimously approved a motion by Hervey Clay, seconded by Normand Lambert to go into executive session. 

 

In a motion by Hervey Clay, seconded by Bethel Shields, the Board voted unanimously to come out of executive session.  Normand Lambert then withdrew his original motion.

 

In a motion by Bethel Shields, seconded by Normand Lambert, the Board voted unanimously to approve Mr. Gagnon’s application and allow him to sit for the State Law and Rule Examination and the Practical Examination upon receipt of documentation from the Maine State Apprenticeship and Training Council verifying that he has completed an apprenticeship program consisting of 2000 on-the-job training hours at a licensed funeral establishment. 

 

CONTINUING EDUCATIONAL APPROVAL

 

In a motion by Hervey Clay, seconded by Normand Lambert, the Board voted unanimously to approve the attached list of continuing education approvals as reviewed by the Continuing Education Committee on August 14, 2003. 

 

DISCUSSION REGARDING LAPSED LICENSE

 

The Board was informed that at the February 12, 2003 meeting, a 90-day extension in which to complete continuing education requirements was granted to Thomas F. Staples because due to his recent illness, he was unable to complete three of the six hours of continuing education required to renew his license.  Mr. Staples was informed that his license would be issued upon receipt and approval of this documentation.  This 90-day extension has lapsed and Mr. Staples has failed to submit his additional continuing education. 

 

In a motion by Hervey Clay, seconded by Normand Lambert, the Board voted unanimously to write to Mr. Staples and inform him that since he no longer has a valid license, he cannot practice in this state.  If Mr. Staples would like to apply for relicensure, he will need to submit a new application for Board consideration.

 

 

Board of Funeral Service

Minutes of August 14, 2003

Page 3

 

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – PENNY VAILLANCOURT

 

Ms. Vaillancourt provided a budget update and also reported that she had received the bank of questions from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards which she and Robert Barnes will be reviewing after today’s board meeting.  Ms. Vaillancourt anticipates that the examination should be ready for use by October.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business, in a motion by Normand Lambert, seconded by Jennifer Minkowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Diane J. Bradstreet

 

Diane J. Bradstreet

Board Clerk