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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-16-BOH-min LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 6:30 pm Conducted by Remote Participation Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Ph.D., Chair, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., Jillian Tung, M.D., M.P.H., Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA. David Geller, M.D. Vice Chair 6:35 pm Board of Health Member absent: Office of Public Health Attendees: Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director, Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director Documents:  Minutes Approval  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOARD OF HEALTH! ( take 2)  Upper Crust Pizzeria - Update  229 Bedford St Unit 2 Housing Order:  New Restaurant – Karma 10 Muzzy Street Variance request: 2013 Federal Food Code Section 3-502.11 (C)(1)(2) for the acidification of sushi rice. Arnold Price and Zhen Guo  Amendment to Chapter 155 Article V, of the Code of the Town of Lexington: Use of recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Molecules and Biological Agents Sections 155-36 (e), 155-37 (B) (8), 155-37 (g), 155-38 (d)  Tobacco Controls Update  Flu and COVID-19 Update  Health Staff Reports Environmental Health Community Health Directors Report  Correspondence/information DPH Letter Regarding May 11th Rabies Vaccine Waivers: MGL Chapter 140, Section 145B, 9 d) (i) Letter of Availability of Release Abatement Measure Plan – 915 Waltham Street  New / Old Business 2 Welch Road  Adjournment Meeting Called to Order: The Board of Health meeting of May 16, 2023, was called to order by Dr. Heiger- Bernays at 6:30 pm. Minutes Approval The Board reviewed the March 21, 2023 meeting minutes and suggested several edits to the verbiage in the minutes. Revised edited minutes will be provided to the Board at a later Board meeting. After discussion, Dr. Perlmutter made a motion that the Board of Health approves the April 18, 2023, Board of Health meeting minutes as edited and amended. Dr. Tung then seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address) Kathleen Lenihan Upper Crust Pizzeria – Update Ms. Belanger gave an overview of Upper Crust’s latest inspection that revealed some critical issues in areas that needed to be corrected. The restaurant voluntarily closed its business for 4-5 days to address and correct the issues. Mr. Holstein provided the Health Office a letter informing the office how they plan to stay in good standing moving forward. The Health Office recently did an inspection and Upper Crust as able to reopen. 229 Bedford St, Unit 2 Housing Order: Ms. McCartin provided the Board with copies of inspection reports that show all safety and Health violation along with concerns regarding the safety of each resident residing at the property. The owner of 229 Bedford Street requested a Hearing before the Board of Health for an extension to the time frames ordered for repairs to be completed. The Health Director will schedule a Special Board of Health Meeting to address this matter. New Restaurant – Karma, 10 Muzzy Street: Arnold Price attended the meeting on behalf of Karma Restaurant. Mr. Price addressed the Board and explained the HACCP plan required for sushi rice. Dr. Heiger- Bernays made a motion the variance to the 2013 Federal Food Code section 3502. 11 C12 for certification of sushi rice, seconded by Dr. Perlmutter Amendment to Chapter 155 Article V, of the Code of the Town of Lexington: Use of recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Molecules and Biological Agents Sections 155-36 (e), 155-37 (B) (8), 155-37 (g), 155-38 (d) The Board discussed the topic originally in the March meeting as part of the review of the regulations. The health office would like to clarify some of the wording within the regulations. The requested amendments were “Regulations 155-36 section (e) the institution must submit a letter on company letterhead requesting the registration to be closed “. The next amended change was for the “Permit 155-37 section (B-8) “list of names & CVs of members of the IBC”. Also, the Health Office requested to amend Permit 15-37 section (G) “the institution must submit a letter on company letterhead requesting the permit to be closed” And the last edit section (D) “the Board of Health may request additional information as needed. After reviewing the requested changes, Dr. Perlmutter made a motion to accept the amendments to Chapter 155 Article V. of the code of the Town of Lexington. Seconded by Dr. Tung, the motion passed unanimously. Tobacco Control Update: The tobacco inspector’s report reviewed and discussed the violation found while inspecting. The Health Office mailed a letter to the owner of the business informing them of the violation along with a violation fine. COVID-19 Update: The Lexington Covid-19 data from the Health Office dashboard was provided to the Board. The ton of Lexington will discontinue updating weekly COVID-19 case numbers, State COVID data will be available online at Mass.gov. Health Staff Reports: Staff provided their monthly reports, also answered questions, and clarified any concerns from the Board. Directors report: Ms. Belanger provided an update about the Lexzero Waste Pilot program for reusable take-out containers. She also provided information from Mark Manassas that the program will be starting the third session and will not be adding more containers to this session they will keep with the 30 containers instead of 40. Ms. Belanger discussed the future of remote meetings, as the Board votes unanimously in favor of remaining remote. Rabies Vaccine Waivers: MGLChapter140, Section 145b, (d)(i) Ms. Belanger related to the Board that the rabies waiver letter had been sent and approved for Lucy. Letter of Availability of Release Abatement Measure Plan – 915 Waltham Street Ms. Belanger discussed with the Board the remodeling of the gas station and how the transportation of the contaminated soil will be removed from the site and properly secured. 2 Welch Rd: Ms. McCartin provided an update regarding the safety and status of the family’s acknowledgment of the current situation of the property. Adjournment: Dr. Perlmutter made a motion to adjourn at 8:21 pm. Dr. Heiger- Bernays seconded the motion. All in favor.