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1 1 1 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MARCH 16, 1987 The monthly meeting of the Board of Health was held Monday, March 16, 1987 at 7:15 p.m. in Room 111 of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Dr. Howard B. Asarkof, Chairman, Do Donald Goldmann, Dr. Stanley Finkelstein, Mr. George Smith, Jr., Director of Public Health and Jacqueline Selway, Sanitarian. It was noted that the meeting schedule for February, 1987 had been cancelled due to s snow storm. The minutes of the January 12, 1987 meeting were read and accepted. Dr. Asarkof called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Smith gave a brief report on the agenda, specifically an appointment with representatives from the Genetic Institute on their application to conduct rDNA Moleducle Technology in Lexington (BL1-LS). At 7:30 p.m. Mr.Smith introduced three gentlemen from Genetics Institute, Cambridge, MA: Mr. Brett Schmedli, Senior V.P. of Production Development; Mr. Gary Spies, Coordinator Environmental Health and Safety; Dr. William A. Strycharz, Laboratory Facilities Manager. The purpose of this meeting was to review the recommendation of the Biosafety Committee to approve a permit/ application for Genetics Institute to conduct rDNA Molecule Technology experi- ments at the B11 -LS level. Dr. William Strycharz spoke first indicating Genetic Institute's desire to temporarily relocate from Cambridge to the Ledgemont facilities on Spring Street prior to permanently relocating in Andover for large scale production. Mr. Brett Schmedle described the layout of the labs and how they would use the space which would be leased for about 12-15 months. Mr. Gary Spies explained the different types of experiments (BL1 & LS) of rDNA research as well as the facilities proposed for Lexington. These pro- jects, he said, would be projects and/or elements of projects now underway in Cambridge. Mr. Smith states that he would review the lab plans with Dr. Strycharz to ensure they met with our requirements. Sewage discharge, air exhaust systems and drains were of particular concern. Dr. Strycharz indicated that formal invitations would be extended to various town officials and committees to visit and tour both their Cambridge and Lex- ington facilities. Dr. Goldmann ran through a scenario relating to the use of certain organisms in Lexington and asked Genetics Institute representatives how they would re- spond in a worse case situation or accident. GI explained how their preventive health and safety mechanisms and their medical program would operate in such a condition. 533