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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-10-06149 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING OCTOBER 6, 1967 The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Friday, October 6, 1967 at 7:00 P.M. in the Selectmen's Room of the Town Office Building. Members present were R.L. McQuillan, Chairman, Dr. William Cosgrove, Dr. Charles Colburn and Director of Public Health, Robert C. Heustis. The minutes of the September 8, 1967 meeting were approved as read. Dr. Howard Smith, Town Veterinarian, came before the Board DR. HOWARD to discuss the possibility of conducting a mid winter Rabies SMITH Clinic. Dr. Smith explained that after talking to Dr. Gerard at the State Diagnostic Laboratory, he was concerned about the rabies potential in this area. He explained that a rabid bat had been found in Bedford this year and there were a great many bats in the area. Dr. Smith felt a clinic in December would pick-up any dogs that missed the annual May clinic. The Board asked if the rabies innoculation was mandatory when a dog was licensed. The clerk explained that the rabies innoculation was not mandatory for a dog license but a dog in order to receive the innoculation must be licensed. Mr. Heustis asked Dr. Smith if there had ever been any discussion on making it mandatory that all dogs be innoculated against Rabies. Dr. Smith said a bill had been presented to the State Leg- islature by the Veterinary Society but to date they are not too anxious to act upon it. His reason for discussing this additional clinic with the Board was because of the increase in rabies reported on the eastern sea board and as Animal Inspector he felt it his responsibility to advise the Town of the potential dangers. The clerk explained that an additional clinic, even a one day clinic, would cost approximately $300.00 dollars and at the present time the Rabies Clinic had only 67.00 dollars left in the Budget. Additional money would have to be requested. She also pointed out that the annual May Clinic has had a steady increase in the past few years due to the education of the people. A great deal of publicity would have to be done for a December Clinic and with the cold weather people would be inclined to still wait for the May Clinic. The Board asked if Rabies had been found in dogs in Massachusetts. Dr. Smith said"No, not yet" but there had been cases in up -state New York. The incidence in bats found in Massachusetts has been high about 30-40 per cent according to Dr. Gerard, State Health Department. Dr. Colburn asked how long it took for the vaccine to give protection after the innoculation. Dr. Smith explained on the live virus vaccine it took between ten to fourteen days and was good for about two years. Dr. Colburn said he felt a winter clinic would be poorly attended and as the bat was an insect feeding animal it hibernated in the winter. The Clerk suggested the possibility of moving the May Clinic to April instead of running the clinic four week -days as in the past have one of the days a Saturday for people who needed a man to handle the dogs. She reported quite often she had calls from people asking about a Saturday clinic for just that reason. The Board and Dr. Smith thought that a good idea and Dr. Smith said he would give the suggestion further consideration. Dr. Smith said Dr. Gerard had suggested spot-checking some of the animals killed by cars or shot by the police if they could be picked -up within 12 hours or less. The Board said that was a good idea but for this year such a program would have to be kept at a minimum because of the limited funds in the budget and suggested that when Dr. Smith made out his budget for the coming year he include this program in the budget and ask for an increase. After further discussion, Dr. Smith thanked the Board and retired. The letters to and from the Appropriation Committee regard - BUDGET ing the deficit in the Health Department Budget due to the pay- ments of bills for a premature infant and two tuberculosis patients was presented to the Board. The Appropriation Committee had requested an itemized account of all anticipated expenses for the remainder of the year, the clerk had this additional inform- ation prepared and the Board approved it. The clerk also reported that the Engineering Account was running short and a request had also been included for $200. dollars additional to be added to this account. LABORATORY The Board voted to pay Mr. John Condon, Laboratory Man, an SERVICES increase from $1.00 per sample to $2.00 dollars per sample for milk and $1.00 per sample to $1.50 per sample for swab analysis. This increase will start right away. Mr. Heustis was instructed to contact other laboratories in the area for a price list before the Budgets were made up for the coming year. BURIEL OF The request of Reginald Perry for an increase in the fees ANIMALS for the buriel of animals was discussed by the Board. It was decided that because of the limited budget this request would be discussed at the time of the 1968 Budgets. 1 1 1 Mr. McQuillan reported that at the Air Pollution Committee Meeting it was decided that leaf -burning was the major cause of Air Pollution in Lexington, and this only when atmospheric condi- tions were unfavorable. Mr. McQuillan pointed out that anyone burning leaves or household rubbish had to have a permit from the Fire Department according to law, therefore, the Air Pollution - Committee felt that if the State reported that atmospheric condi- tions were unfavorable for outside burning the Health Department could call the Fire Department and no permits would be given out for that day. He also reported that the committee was going to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the Public Works Depart- ment study the feasibility of a leaf -collection program in the near future. 151 AIR POLLU- TION It was suggested that a letter be written to the Air Pollution Committee suggesting they notify the Fire Department not to issue burning permits when the atmospheric conditions were detrimental to health. Dr. Colburn said he felt as an Air Pollution Committee they should have the responsibility of notifying the Fire Department. Mr. Heustis reported that there had been nothing done by 69 SPRING Mrs. Johnson, 69 Spring Street, regarding connecting the house to STREET public sewer. Mrs. Johnson had written a letter requesting per- mission to continue to pump the cesspools and wait until next spring before connecting to public sewer. She stated this work would cost about a $1000. dollars and at this time she could not afford it. Mr. Heustis said he had written Mrs. Johnson that pumping the cesspool would not correct the condition and at least it would give only a few days relief to her problem and therefore approval to wait until spring could not be recommended to the Board. He did tell the Board he was trying to meet with Mrs. Johnson and make a physical examination of the condition before any further action was taken. The subdivision plan entitled "Plan of Centre Estates", Section I" was approved by the Board subject to the Whitman Howard Report. This subdivision will be public sewered. The letter from the School Health Council was read by the SCHOOL Board, it was requested that a representative of the Board of Health serve on a Health Council to study the adoption of a program to be presented in the schools on Sex and Family Living Education. The Board appointed Mr. Heustis to serve on this committee. CENTRE ESTATES I The letter from the Mystic Valley Mental Health Association stating that a reduction was made from 28 per capita to 25per capita in the proposed budget for 1968 was read by the Board and placed on file. MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET A report of inspections of Farm Labor Camps in Lexington and FARM the surrounding area from the State Health Department was read LABOR CAMPS 152 by the Beard. Mr. McQuillan asked whose responsibility it was to see that the necessary corrections were made. Mr. Heustis said that at the present time all these places were under the State Health Department and therefore it was up to the State. The local boards could put something in their regulations to cover these places, but at the present time the local agency can inspect them but the final licensing and handling is done by the State. Dr. Colburn said most of the violations listed were not health violations but more a safety violation, but some of these places could be spot-checked for the boards information. trA 1 Mr. McQuillan asked Mr. Heustis if he would spot-check these places and possible we could look into these camps more effectively in the future. MASSAGE Mr. Heustis explained that Mr. Aldrich of the Lexington LICENSE Tennis Club had been in touch with him about the requirements of a Massage License. The facilities at the tennis club are being expanded to include a swimming pool and more tennis couts and they wanted to hire a masseur; There are no definite require- ments listed in the Public Health Laws otherthan at least three letters of recommendation for the masseur be presented to the Board and that the police will have access to the establishment at all times. The maseur Mr. Aldrich had in mind has twenty years experience in the recreation department of the Armed Forces and had done a lot of massage work in that capacity. The Board agreed that a license would be issued if the letters of recommend4tion were received and placed a fee of $5.00 on the license. 1 MARYVALE The application for approval for the Maryvale Rest Home REST HOME was signed by the Board. Approval for Mr. Heustis as Slaughtering Inspector was signed by the Board. The renewal license for the Lexington Nursery & Kindergarten was signed and also the renewal of the Food Establishment Permit for Bellino's Donut Shop. The new license for removal of sewage and Installer's Permit for Alan J. O'Neil, Burlington was discussed by the Board. Mr. Heustis explained that Mr. O'Neil had worked for Mr. Koch, Sub- urbanite Cesspool Service, and was now starting his own business. The Board voted to sign these permits subject to the condition that if Mr. O'Neil's work was not satisfactory the permits would be revoked. 1 1 The Health Officer's report was checked and the Board noted anover-all improvement in the milk counts and restaurant inspec- tion. The Board felt the counts for Blue Ribbon Farm were still high and suggested that Mr. Heuz*is contact the Bedford Board of Health and see if the possible source of high counts could be located. Mr. Heustis said he would talk to Mr. Rimback who does the laboratory work for the Bedford Health Department. He also reported that Mr. O'Conner from Ware Dairy had called him and stated that he was working on corrections for the high counts his Dairy had received. The Board discussed the milk count problem and felt that where Blue Ribbon Dairy has had such high counts lately that if they continued so they would be asked to come in for a hearing. Mr. Heustis said the manager of the Sheraton Hitlon Motor Inn was in and reported he had met with the architect to go over the preliminary plans for a new kitchen, however, this would not solve their immediate problem. The main problem they have right now is not enough hot water, a booster heater will have to be installed and a new thermostate installed on the present system. After some discussion by the Board it was agreed that the Sheraton people were fully aware of this problem and would make the necessary corrections to carry over until the new kitchen was installed. Mr. Heustis reported that the owner of the Bamboo Hut had called and stated that a new floor was going to be installed as soon as possible, and they have made a little improvement. He said he would check this establishment out in another week or so and if there was not much improvement did the Board want to have ahearing or would he use the authority in the State San- itary Code which states an establishment could be closed and a hearing held within five days. The Board discussed this and said they felt they would rather call a proprietor in for a hearing before closing him up. However, if corrections were not made in a reasonable time after the hearing then they would order the establishment closed. 153 HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT The suspected food poisoning case of the Leelman family was FOOD discussed. Mr. Heustis explained that a sample of shrimp -dip had POISONING been sent to the State Laboratory for analysis but it would be a few days before any results were received. The Lexington Visiting Nurse has also been in to see the family and cultures were sent to the laboratory. 4s the food purchased was in Arlington the Arlington Health Department will be notified as soon as the results of the tests on the food are received. Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M.