ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Board of Health held a brief session Monday, but lacked a quorum to conduct business.

Board members Dwight Jenewein, James King and Irene Louda were present for the meeting. Board members Joel Braido, Dr. Renato DelaCruz and Elizabeth Glick were absent.

The board heard staff reports, but couldn’t take action on any matters. Robert Sproul, deputy health commissioner, said he will contact board members to schedule a makeup meeting to vote on budgetary measures.

Rich Lucas, director of environmental health, said the Ohio Department of Health is planning a program to help Medicaid-eligible residents of pre-1970 houses obtain lead testing and abatement. For rental properties, landlords will be required to pay 50 percent of the costs, he said.

A new food service permit was approved in January for a business that produces nutritional shakes in Morristown, he said. Routine inspections of 84 food services were conducted during the month.

Lucas said staff member Deanna Dulesky has announced her retirement, effective at the end of May. A job posting for a replacement is likely, Lucas said – if not, the position could go unfilled.

Linda Mehl, director of nursing, said the health department is working with school nurses on an educational program to promote immunization against childhood diseases. The project is funded through a “Get Vaccinated” grant.

Mehl said Mary Magers has announced her retirement from the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. She said approval will be sought from the Ohio Department of Health to hire a replacement, but it’s not known if it will be a part-time or full-time position. An announcement regarding next year’s WIC funding won’t be made until April, she added.

Dr. George L. Cholak, county health commissioner, said 62 deaths, but no births, occurred in Belmont County in January.

Sproul said the department has been notified that Ohio volunteers — but none from Belmont County — are going to the Congo to help fight the latest Ebola crisis.

“Ebola is still bubbling up over there,” he said.

Upon the volunteers’ return, they are to be monitored for 21 days to ensure that they are not infected with Ebola virus, he said.

The Board of Health’s next regular meeting will be held at noon March 11 at the health department, 68501 Bannock Road, St. Clairsville.