HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-21-BOH-min
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LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 21st 2023, 6:30 pm
Conducted by Remote Participation
Board of Health Members in Attendance:
Wendy Heiger-Bernays Ph.D. Chair, Jillian Tung, M.D., M.P.H., David Geller, M.D., Vice-Chair
Board of Health Members Absent:
Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA.
Health Department Staff Attendees:
Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director, Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director
Select Board Liaison: Mark Sandeen
Documents:
Minutes Approval
Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address)
High-Performance Building Policy
Review of 2015 Board of Health Memo
Maggie Peard – Sustainability & Resilience Officer, Town Lexington
Lab Animal Regulations – Update
Emergency Assistance Shelters – Update
Measuring Air Pollution Exposure in the Hanscom Field area towns
Information for the Board – Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD.
Flu Clinic/ COVID vaccine update
Tobacco Control Update
Health Staff Reports
Environmental Health
Community Health
Directors Report
Correspondence/Information
New/Old Business
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Meeting Called to Order:
The meeting began at 6:32 P.M.
Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address)
None
Minutes Approval:
The Board suggested reviewing the October 2023 minutes at the next meeting in December 21st,
2023.
High-Performance Building Policy
Review of 2015 Board of Health Memo - Maggie Peard – Sustainability & Resilience
Officer, Town of Lexington
At the Board of Health meeting on October 17th, Ms. Peard presented the High Performance
Building Policy to the Board. At that meeting a Board of Health memo from 2015 was mentioned
regarding CO2 guidelines for buildings, especially schools. Ms. Peard asked for input from the
current Board regarding the recommendation of 600 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 as stated in
the 2015 memo.
The Board was provided a copy of the 2015 memo in their November meeting packet. After review
and discussion, the Board agreed to continue supporting the recommended guideline of 600 ppm
or less as the preferred level of CO2 in a building.
Lab Animal Regulations Update –
Ms. Belanger updated the Board on the draft proposed Lab Animal Regulations stating that all
potentially impacted businesses were sent a copy of the draft new regulations and requested
feedback, comments, and questions. Notices were sent to 5 labs in town. Ms. Belanger and Ms.
McCartin both mentioned that there has yet to be any official comments, concerns, or questions
from the labs.
Emergency Assistance Shelters - Update
Ms. Belanger gave an update to the Board on the Emergency Shelters in Lexington. She has
been asked by the Town Manager to take the coordination lead for the Town. Ms. Belanger has
had multiple meetings and discussions with many participants who are involved with the
shelters. She stated she has met with the personnel who performed vaccination record reviews
and assessments, The Regional Coordinator, staff of the Office of Preparedness and Emergency
Management (OPEM), the National Guard, other State stakeholders, and local Lexington
volunteers. Ms. Belanger explained the procedures for families to obtain their DAT, Mass
Health, worker authorization, and that any immigration and legal matters are all processed
through the Welcome Center. Ms. Belanger also informed the board of the upcoming plans to
provide families with immunizations, and education enrollment. Volunteer groups have stepped
up and become directly involved in the support of the families in areas involving clothing
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donations, transportation, ESL classes and other day to day needs. Ms. Belanger answers all the
board's questions and concerns regarding the situation.
Measuring Air Pollution Exposure in the Hanscom Field Area Towns
Information for the Board – Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Ph.D.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays provided information to the Board on the topic of the study being proposed
regarding air pollution in the Hanscom Field area towns. The Select Board is being asked to
approve the proposal and to allocate ARPA money to fund Lexington’s portion of the study. The
researchers will identify whether the pollution is from vehicles, airplanes, or the industry. It will
be discussed in the next Select Board meeting on November 27th, 2023. The Board agreed to
support the study and for Dr. Heiger-Bernays to act as a representative from the Board of Health.
Flu Clinic/ COVID vaccine update
Ms. Belanger informed the Board that the Health Department has completed the scheduled
clinics, which totaled 14, and had over 950 attendees. The clinics included both flu and COVID-
19 vaccines. Ms. McCartin provided the Board with data comparing last year to this year
highlighting the increase in immunization rates.
Ms. Belanger also informed the Board that the Health Dept. has received a shipment of COVID
test kits, wipes, and gloves.
Tobacco Control Update
Ms. Belanger informed the Board that Brenda Makumbi is still in training and may provide the
Board with reports for the next Board of Health meeting.
Health Staff Reports
Staff provided their monthly reports.
Directors Report provided.
Correspondence/Information
Adjournment
Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion to adjourn at 7:54 p.m.
Dr. Tung seconded the motion.
Approved unanimously