1983-07-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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386 SPECIAL BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING JULY 22, 1983 The Lexington Board of Health held a special meeting on Friday, July 22, 1983 at 2:00 p.m. in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Mr. James W. Lambie, Chairman; Dr. Linda Roemer, Ph.D., Mr. David Henley, Superin- tendent of E.M.M.C.P. Also present were two residents, Mr. Manfred Friedman and Mr. James A. Nicoloro. This meeting was called to discuss the current status of the mosquitoes. It was stated that the Highland "J" virus is on the rise in South Eastern Massachusetts. David Henley discussed what the E.M.M.C.P. is doing with the truck trapping. He said they received results of the testing of mosquitoes from this area and the results were negative. David said he is trying to increase surveillance in areas where mosquitoes are heavily populated. Mr. Nicoloro, resident, asked how far these mosquitoes can migrate. David said ehy can go as far as a mile for a blood meal. They look for damp, shady areas to rest in the daytime. Mr. Lambie asked how long from the time you first encounter the virus in the mosquitoes that someone is bitten? David said it could be right away and it could also be possible that it would be an area that there are not many mosquitoes. David said that there never is a specific answer. He said in some of the towns that they have been doing mosquito control, it has become necessary to spray. David said they will go back into the Green & White property and make an internal pass. He also said the town could have them bring in a helicopter and spray over the land and that would reach places where their trucks could not go. This was rejected at this time. David said he suggested this because trucks work in neighborhoods not in the wooded areas. The strategy would be to hit residential areas (with swamps) with high mosquito populations. There were four steps the Board could take in regard to mosquito control: 1) Do nothing 2) Do specific areas (in wet areas) 3) Residential areas where mosquitoes are in abundance: a) east of grant Street and North of Mass. Avenue b) Bedford St. and 128 area in vicinity of Trophet Sqamp c) Lincoln St. east of and north of Marrett Road. d) Bacon St. area in S.E. Lexington Dr. Grady had said to have a plan ready and we should be ready to spray if there is any EEE in Massachusetts although at this time he would rather target specific areas than Town -wide.