HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-09-BOH-min
Lexington Board of Health, November 9, 2006
Police Guard Room, 1575 Massachusetts Avenue
Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Judith Feldman, Burt Perlmutter, Sharon MacKenzie
Health Dept. Attendees: Derek Fullerton, Ann Belliveau
Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. There was no public
participation.
Heiger-Bernays asked the Board to review the minutes of the October 4, 2006.
MacKenzie motioned to accept the minutes as amended. Perlmutter seconded. All
approved.
The Board reviewed the October data reports including the food inspection report.
Flu Clinic Update - Fullerton updatedthe Board that 660 doses of flu vaccine were
received from the State for the Flu Clinic to be held on November 16, 2006. Susie Moser
is doing an excellent job heading up the clinic. Moser is currently vaccinating
homebound residents with collaboration with the Senior Center Nurse. Another flu clinic
will probably be held at the Senior Center in December.
Blood Lead Level Reporting from the Department of Public Health (DPH) - Fullerton
informed the Board he had spoken with DPH concerning blood lead level reporting.
Fullerton stated that DPH would report to Lexington any levels over 10 µg/dl. DPH is
checking with their legal department concerning confidentiality. Fullerton further stated
that 52% of Lexingtonreports to DPH and 48% do not. The Board asked if it would be
worth speaking with the pediatric practices to find out how many of their patients are
tested since it is a State Law.
Board of Health Goals Update - Since it has been three months since the goal session,
Fullerton updated the Board on the status of the four goals.
1. Special Populations Planning – A sub-committee has been formed with members
consisting of the Public Health Nurse, Susie Moser; the Public Health Intern from
B.U., Rebecca Williams, R.N.; two representatives from Social Services, and a
representative from the Fire Department and Police Department. The group is
meeting once a month and currently they are reviewing each department’s
database to determine which could be the central database. They are planning to
reach out to the community to obtain additional information. They will also be
investigating all the confidentiality issues related to the information.
2. Pandemic Flu Planning – Fullerton had given a presentation to the Senior
Management Team about setting up a Pandemic Flu Planning Committee. The
Senior Management Team identified individuals to serve on the Committee along
with Bert Perlmutter, M.D. Chief Middlemiss, the Emergency Management
Director, has asked for an outline on how to plan for pandemic flu. Fullerton is
waiting for Middlemiss to review the plan and to further progress on forming the
committee. Fullerton asked the Board for recommendations of individuals from
the community who would like to serve on this committee. Heiger-Bernays stated
that Bruce Auerbach, M.D. and Jonathan Burstein, M.D. would like to be on the
planning committee. Fullerton will contact both and copy the Board.
3. Pesticide Awareness – Heiger-Bernays stated that they had applied for a grant to
Toxics Use Reduction Institute with Tegan Evans for education on pesticide
misuse in multi-family homes. The Board of Health/Health Department was
awarded the grant for contractual work from Tegan and Don Rivard to conduct
training sessions to educate multi-family landlords or rental facility managers.
Education will include information about the law on pesticide use and integrated
pest management practices. Heiger-Bernays indicated that the program would
require an assessment upon completion to comply with the grant requirements. In
addition to identifying who attended the trainings, questionnaires will be
evaluated to determine if the attendees learned from the session. Tegan has
started organizing with Mr. Rivard on what needs to be done for conducting the
trainings. The goal is to start either in late January or in early February, 2007.
4. Sanitary Sampling-Old Reservoir Sampling – Fullerton informed the Board that a
funding source is needed for the sampling program in the spring.
2008 Budget Planning – Fullerton informed the Board that the 2008 budget planning is
underway and the department’s program improvement request is for an additional full
time health agent.
The Selectmen will review it and vote whether to approve or not. Fullerton described
how he broke it down in terms of overthe last three year’s. The average increase is
estimated at an 85 additional total inspections per year as a result of increased inspections
related to camps, massage establishments, pools, and food inspections. Fullerton invited
the Board to support this program improvement request when discussions are entered
with the Selectmen
31 Allen Street Environmental Investigation Update – Fullerton stated that testing
occurred on the new identified well and he is awaiting results. The Smith residence,
which was the first house identified, is waiting to connect to Town water but a water
filter system has been installed temporarily.
Sharps Disposal – Fullerton received a questionnaire from DPH regarding the willingness
of communities to collect sharps at the local household hazardous waste collection sites.
Robert Beaudoin, Lexington’s recycling coordinator, will be checking with some other
towns, such as Franklin County who have something in place, for ideas. Fullerton will
update the Board when new information becomes available.
Willard’s Woods: Sign Placement Status – Fullerton explained to the Board that the
Conservation Commission did not like the wording on the signs. They also felt that that
the committee formed has addressed most of the issues including the issues raised by Mr.
Gunther, who also serves on the committee. They also did not want to set a precedent of
placing a sign on a stream without proper sampling to back it up, therefore leaving reason
that signs should also be placed on all streams adjacent to where there are cows, dogs,
horses, etc. The Board will send a letter or speak to the Conservation Commission
addressing public health safety related to this issue.
Biosafety Regulations: Discussion for future regulation revisions – Fullerton attended
the Massachusetts Biosafety Council meeting to hear about proposed biosafety
regulations for Boston and Cambridge. About two months ago, our consultant had
reviewed our regulations and made some recommendations. Fullerton asked the Board if
they would like the consultant to review the regulations for Boston and Cambridge to see
if anything should be included into our biosafety regulations. The Board agreed to have
the consultant review the regulations.
Recreational Camp Press Release: Draft Review – Fullerton presented a draft press to
educate the community about licensed camps and non-licensed camps. The Board
recommended stating in the press release that camps that meet less than five days are not
licensed and then go into what the requirements are for camps that meet five or more
days.
Battlegreen Inn Redevelopment Update / Kraft Cleaners Environmental Update –
Fullerton informed the Board that the issue concerning the oil coming down gradient
from Cohoes is no longer an issue. Battlegreen has submitted a report stating that there is
no oil being traced within their system. The LSP from Cohoe’s has also indicated the
same in his reports. There are traces of cleaning solvent that may be linked to spills
associated with Kraft Cleaners across Massachusetts Avenue. Kraft Cleaners is now
under a DEP order for remediation.
Fullerton read a memo to the Board in which the Planning Board has asked the Selectmen
to place an article in the warrant to see if the Town will vote to accept a new Mass
General Law, commonly known as the Mullin Rule. The Board unanimously supported
the Mullin Rule.
MacKenzie motioned to adjourn. Perlmutter seconded. All approved