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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-26-BOH-min Lexington Board of Health, Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, April 26, 2006 Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Judith Feldman, Burt Perlmutter, Sharon MacKenzie, and Deborah Thompson Health Dept. Attendees: Derek Fullerton, Susie Moser, and Ann Belliveau Heiger Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. There was no public participation. Heiger-Bernays asked the Board to review the minutes of the March 8, 2006 meeting. MacKenzie motioned to accept the minutes. Thompson seconded. All approved. March Data Reports – Moser provided information on the 2Group A Strep cases; one patient lives in Lexington and works in a childcare facility in Waltham & the other the individual who lives in Waltham works in a nursing home in Lexington. Follow up in Lexington and Waltham was coordinated with the DPH. The varicella cases were all breakthrough cases. Moser noted that one of the cases generated discussion about when the child could return to school. The child’s private physician indicated the child could return immediately, while DPH and school guidelines advise waiting 2-3 days after diagnosis to ensure that all lesions are encrusted. The case was resolved with coordination of DPH, the school physician and the Health Dept. Dr. Feldman recommended that between now and the fall a letter be drafted to be sent out to parents about varicella breakthrough and the school isolation guidelines. Moser will work with the school nurse with respect to this issue. There were two unrelated invasive streptococcus pneumonia adult cases and one case of invasive Strep pneumo in an 18-month old child. The child was vaccinated and because of a possible vaccine failure, DPH will be investigating and sending a report to Moser. Moser has been attending the Wellness Committee Meetings for the Lexington Schools. The BOH reviewed the March inquiries, complaints and inspections. Fullerton explained that most of the nuisance complaints were related to construction dumpsters overflowing. Most of the inquiries dealt with questions related to septic system violation notices sent out to those who have not had their system pumped in accordance with the BOH regulations. BU Intern Update – Pesticide Awareness Program Tegan Evans presented her poster on the Pesticide Education program. Evans will display the poster at the Lexington Earth Day Festival on Saturday, March 31, 2006. At Earth Day, she will survey Lexington residents for their interest in pesticide application education. The results of the survey will help determine the need to offer public programs about home, lawn & garden pesticide use. Heiger-Bernays mentioned that about five years ago, the BOH distributed a” Healthy Lawns and Landscapes” brochure. The brochure encouraged the elimination of the use of chemicals/pesticides on residents’ lawns, etc. Heiger-Bernays recommended to Fullerton that it might be worthwhile to get this material out again and to continue work on this issue. Heiger-Bernays asked the BOH and Evans what approach should be taken regarding educating individuals concerning the Pesticide Awareness Program. Evans recommended using the voluntary education approach for landlords. Evans prepared a letter that the BOH must review and distribute. Funding for a program is necessary – the timing for a TURI grant for education is six months in the future. Follow-up Senior Health Fair – Fullerton informed the Board that he, Fox and Moser participated in the Senior Health Fair. The Health Department offered the participants information on polypharmacy, smoking, household hazardous waste, stroke awareness, blood pressure, mercury exchange program, and food safety information. Fullerton engaged many of the seniors in a “glow germ” interactive demonstration. Approximately 60-75 seniors participated in the Health Department activities. Fullerton and Lauren McSweeney from the Senior Center will meet in a follow up meeting and may begin planning a larger fair for the town residents including other issues such as public safety, police, fire, etc. MacKenzie re-initiated discussion and offered to take the lead on a multi-generational health fair to be held at the High School Field House on a weekend & might include backpack safety. Request for Variance – Peacock Farm Pool Association – Fullerton informed the Board of the Peacock Farm Pool Association’s request for a variance which would allow members to swim when lifeguards are not on duty. The Association stated that no swimming would take place between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. MacKenzie moved to grant the Peacock Farm Pool Association the variance with the proper signage and inspection. Feldman seconded. All approved. Lexington Childhood Lead Data – Fullerton informed the Board that he had left several messages with Linda Dube of DPH Lead Prevention Program but he never received a call back from her. He emailed another individual at the Lead Program requesting 2000 to 2005 childhood data for Lexington children ages 0 to 72 months. DPH is currently putting the data together and will send to Fullerton. Heiger-Bernays explained that the BOH is looking to see if there are elevated blood leads in children in Lexington because currently, no information is received. Thompson said she would also try to get the data needed. Biosafety /rDNA Facility Permit Fee & Biosafety Committee Members (needed) – Fullerton stated that two Biosafety members are needed for the Biosafety Committee. Fullerton said currently the Committee consists of the Chair of the Board of Health, Janice Pero and himself. Heiger-Bernays asked Fullerton to contact Pero to see if she knows of anyone who might be interested in becoming a member of the Biosafety Committee. Fullerton said that currently the rDNA permit fee is $500. Last year, the rDNA facility inspections were contracted to an outside inspector and were paid for by each facility. Fullerton told the Board after reviewing the permit fee administration costs, that the $500.00 fee could also pay for the inspection. Fullerton said currently the $500.00 is put into the general fund and he is going to find out if these fees can be placed into a special account that we could draw from to pay for the biosafety inspections. A discussion followed on the permitting and inspections. For the next meeting, Fullerton will present the administrative costs for our handling the inspections, and perhaps the Board can vote on a new permit fee at the meeting. Heiger-Bernays recapped that Fullerton will speak with the Town Manager to see how the Health Department can get the money out of the general fund to pay for the rDNA facility inspections, and revise the letter for the next round of permit renewals stating that the permit will be reissued conditional with the requirement for passing? inspection of the facility. Status Updates Willards Woods – Heiger-Bernays had requested backup data from the person who submitted data re Willard’s Woods and the data have not been received. Vinebrook Bacterial Investigation – Fullerton stated that DEP must have discussed the on-going investigation with EPA. EPA has requested information related to the town’s investigation on the Vinebrook bacterial issues. The environmental consultant working with the Engineering Departments on this project stated that the cost of the project has gone from a $38,000.00 to $190,000.00. This consultant will be getting the information to EPA. Lexington Participation in CHNA – Heiger-Bernays began a discussion about the regional CHNA and whether Lexington is participating in it. Perlmutter mentioned that the CHNA was invaluable with assistance in the preparation of the Health Assessment conducted in 2002. Fullerton informed the Board that he had attended one meeting when he took over as Health Director but has not attended any meetings recently. Fullerton mentioned that Lahey Clinic has funded many CHNA programs. Fullerton stated CHNA offers many mini-grant programs. MacKenzie asked Fullerton to email the Board members of any upcoming CHNA meetings. The BOH recommended that participation in the CHNA might be valuable and that information regarding funds for educational projects (such as the pesticide awareness program) Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) – BOH Adoption - Fullerton stated that Feldman and Thompson still need to review the Emergency Operations Plan. Perlmutter expressed concerns regarding who would be authorized to make appointments on the delegation of authority pages of 5 and 7 of the plan. Perlmutter also referred to page 17 regarding the allocation of authority and asked who is the ultimate signoff and would like it clarified through town management. Fullerton will speak with the Town Manager regarding this authority. 81 Westview St. - Fullerton spoke with the Lexington Town Manager for approval to put up a fence around the property and place a lien on the property for payment to the Town for the fence. Fullerton also spoke with the estate’s attorney and the attorney requested a letter referencing the above action. When the attorney receives the letter (from the Town) she will be able to send a check to pay for the fencing. Fullerton will send a letter to the attorney of 81 Westview St. 143 Lincoln Street – Fullerton informed the Board that the Haz Mat Team went into the property over the weekend and cleaned the biohazard material and will be submitting a report to him. The family will be entering the condemned property to remove personal items and they have informed Fullerton the property will most likely be sold to a contractor for demolition. 31 Allen Street – Fullerton spoke with the abutting property owner who has a domestic well. At the time of their discussion, the resident was not aware that there were environmental assessments being done at 31 Allen St. Fullerton also told the resident that he (the resident) could come to the Health Department to review the files concerning 31 Allen St. and that if the environmental company contacts him requesting permission to access his well, he should notify the Health Department. The resident is still drinking the water and informed Fullerton that he had it tested last year. Fullerton also informed him that if he is concerned, the Town could hookup a temporary water main for his use. MacKenzie asked Fullerton to send the resident a letter just to reiterate the conversation that he had with the resident. Heiger-Bernays stated that the letter should state that he should have the water tested for metals and VOCs according to the recommendations on the DEP well testing form that Fullerton had already given him. BOH Goal Session - The Board set the Goal Session for Wednesday, June 8, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at a location to be determined. MacKenzie motioned to adjourn. Feldman seconded. All approved.