2004-02-12-BOH-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Board of Health February 12, 2004 Meeting Minutes Police Guard Room, 1575 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts Attendees: Board of Health: James Fearnside, Chair; Burt Perlmutter; Jean Kelley; Sharon MacKenzie Health Department: Derek Fullerton The meeting began at 7:05 p.m. There was no public participation. Fearnside asked the Board to review the minutes of the January 29, 2004 meeting. To be consistent with past minutes, Perlmutter recommended using last names throughout the minutes. Perlmutter also wanted clarification of paragraph 7, line 3, “Vine responded that there is a Health budget but the process is the way it is.” Fullerton will discuss with Fox who wrote the minutes. Perlmutter asked to change paragraph 4, line 2 to read Fearnside informed the Board that the Town Manager, Richard White will meet with the Chairman of the Board after every Board of Health Meeting. The Board deferred accepting the minutes of January 29, 2004, until corrections have been made and appropriate clarification. Fearnside began a discussion concerning the Health Department survey questionnaire for surveying other Health Departments. Fearnside informed the Board that they will be working with an intern with the Town Manager’s Office and the objective will be to survey 10-17 similar towns to provide some templates as to what other Health Departments are doing. The survey will help to determine the Lexington Board of Health role. The Board when reviewed, edited, and prioritized the various survey questions. Fearnside began a discussion concerning the proposed grease trap regulation. Fullerton addressed the proposed formula for great trap sizing with and without seating. Fullerton recommended a fee of $50. Fearnside felt all establishments applying for a new permit, establishments having a change in ownership, or changes in food preparation will need to comply with the grease trap regulation. Fearnside began a discussion of his meeting with Rick White shortly after the January 29, 2004, Board of Health meeting. Fearnside indicated White’s desire for a more viable Health Department and he is interested in ways to make that happen. Fearnside found that very reassuring. The specific things that came out were White’s commitment of the Town Manager’s Intern to design the survey and have it completed by the end of March. White’s next specific item was an audit of all health related programs in he Town. Fearnside was in favor of that to see if things are being delivered in the most efficient way in the Town. MacKenzie asked if it will be a needs assessment. Fearnside explained it will not be a needs assessent but rather a what is and who is doing it. Fearnside mentioned that White is committed to look at the School Department, Fire Department, Council on Aging, etc. but this will not begin until April or May. Fearnside mentioned he is putting together what the attributes of the Health Director should be. Before the next meeting with White, Fearnside would like input from the Board. MacKenzie asked for the status of Ethan Mascoop’s assessments before the next Board of Health Meeting. Fearnside indicated that at the end of his contract, probably March, Mascoop will have a chapter on this and it will address the needs of the Health Department.