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<br />4 <br /> <br />The motion was seconded by Dr. Geller. The Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Health Office and Land Use, Health, and Development Re-Organization <br />The Health Department will become an independent department separated from land use, Health, <br />and Development which will be called land use Housing and Development as of July 1st, 2023. <br /> <br /> <br />Flu and COVID-19 Update <br /> <br /> The Lexington COVID data from the Health Department Dashboard was provided to the Board. <br />But the Town Health Department feels if you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high- <br />quality mask or respirator (N95 or KN95) when indoors in public. If you have household or social <br />contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection <br />before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them. Stay up to date <br />with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation <br />improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (and flu <br />and RSV, as well). COVID test kits are provided by the State and are made available at many town <br />official offices, and clinics. <br /> <br />Tobacco Control Update <br />None <br /> <br />Opioid Settlement <br />The state of Massachusetts Attorney General reached a settlement agreement with opioid industry <br />participants. Massachusetts will receive over $500 million dollars in payments from opioid <br />manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and 3 opioid distributors. The town of Lexington has already <br />received the first payment of $ 76,000. The $148,000 Payment from J&J and distributors will be <br />issued over the next 10-18 years. Under the direction of the Town Manager, Lexington’s Health <br />Office, and the Human Services Department will be working with many other departments <br />throughout the town on ways to develop plans and programs for utilizing Lexington’s Opioid <br />settlement payments. <br /> <br /> <br />Health Staff Reports <br /> <br />Ms. McCartin and Ms. Shah provided their monthly reports, and there were no questions from the <br />Board. <br /> <br />Ms. Belanger attended the annual Citizen Academy course on November 17, 2022. Ms. Belanger <br />believes it has helped the town residents and herself with a better understanding of the Town <br />Government system and how the town residents can get more involved. <br /> <br />Community Health Needs Assessment