1983-07-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 SPECIAL BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING JULY 22, 1983 A special meeting of the Board of Health was held July 22, 1983 in Room G-25 of the Town Office Building to discuss the mosquito problem in the Town of Lexington. Members present were: Mr. James W. Lambie, Chairman; Linda Roemer, Ph.D., Mr. David Henley, Superintendent of East Middlesex Mosquito Control, Mr. Fred Friedman and Mr. Nicolero (residents of the Town and Mary Smith, clerk of the Board of Health. The basic information discussed at this meeting was that Highland J is on the rise in Southeastern Massachusetts. EEE isolates likely to be in one or two weeks. There has been no solid data on bird virus levels, though Mr. Henley has been informed that there have been several birds found dead in streets. There is no data yet on tests conducted in Lexington or on species other than culeseta melanura. Specimens have been collected from 12 traps (Lexington and environs) since early July. Number of culeseta melanura has been lower than in other areas. Access problems make truck spraying in remote areas as unfeasible. Mr. Henley could not say anything in time lag between the last EEE isolate and a possible outbreadk of a human EEE case. After further discussion, it was decided to plan on truck mounted spraying in high population areas after EEE virus is isolated in State. The likely areas are: a) east of Grant St. and north of Mass. Ave. b) Bedford St. and 128 area in vicinity of the Tophet Swamp. c) Lincoln St. - east of and north of Marrett Rd. d) Bacon Street area in Southeast Lexington The strategy is to hit residential neighborhoods adjacent to swamps with high mosquito populations. 385 If it comes to the time that spraying is necessary, it could be done anytime after 6:00 p.m. in the evening until 6:00 a.m. in the morning. The best time is after midnight to avoid traffic and pedestrian problems. Mr. Henley said he is available at his office before 7:30 a.m. He is also avail- able at home. Meeting adjourned.