2009-08-12-BOH-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Board of Health Meeting, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. Cary Hall, Estabrook Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Attendees: Sharon MacKenzie, Chair; Burt Perlmutter; Deborah Thompson Health Department Attendee: Gerard F. Cody, Health Director; Ann Belliveau, Health Clerk MacKenzie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Board reviewed the minutes of May 11, 2009 and June 8, 2009. Perlmutter motioned to accept the minutes with corrections as noted. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Cody opened the Board of Health hearing to discuss Board of Health fee increases and Article IX which is a proposal for Hazardous Materials Permit Regulation. Cody compared fee schedules of surrounding towns. The fees to be increased are food, camps, pools, septic, lodging and wells. Cody recommended removing massage establishment and therapist fees since these are licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Perlmutter motioned that it appears that a permit fee increase is necessary to be consistent with the surrounding cities and towns in the area. The Board of Health votes to approve of the increased fee schedules for food, camps, pools, septic, lodging and wells. The Board also encourages the development of new programs to promote environmental and community health by adding the new Hazardous Materials or Pollution Prevention permit fees, including lead and asbestos. Massage therapy permit fees are being eliminated since these are licensed through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These fees will take place effective September 1, 2009. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Article IX Groundwater – Cody informed the Board as an existing regulation since 1998, the Groundwater and Water Supply Protection has been under review by the Board of Health in order to improve the program. Some municipalities in the area (Acton, Burlington, Watertown, Taunton) issue permits for businesses to store or use hazardous materials as a pollution prevention method. The Board of Health considered this method to be an effective mechanism to provide educational opportunities for businesses that may be unknowingly creating a risk for pollutants to enter the groundwater supply. Cody mentioned that recent comments from the DEP and Fire Department are questioning the approach that health departments have taken over the past few years to regulate hazardous materials. It appears that there may be a concern for “double” regulating since fire departments are responsible for issuing “Flammables” permits which also includes other hazardous materials. One question that comes up is “what if one department issues a permit when the other department refuses to issue a permit for the same material”. th Cody suggested that this topic be moved to after October 5 at which point comments will have been solicited from other state agencies and town departments. In addition, the added concern of H1N1 and season flu vaccine preparation should be the main concern of the Health Division rather than to dedicate limited resources to this program during a possibly busy “flu season”. Cody stated that comments from all departments should be directed to the Board of Health by Monday, October 5, 2009 for review by the Board of Health and a decision will consist of one of the following options: 1.Do not modify the regulation