Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-19-BOH-min Lexington Board of Health October 19, 2005 Meeting Minutes Selectmen Meeting Room, Lexington Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 Attendees: Board of Health: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair; Sharon MacKenzie, Burt Perlmutter, Deborah Thompson Health Department: Derek Fullerton, Ann Belliveau Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. There was no public participation. Heiger-Bernays asked the Board to review the minutes of September 12, 2005. MacKenzie moved to accept the minutes of September 12, 2005, as amended. Thompson seconded. All approved. Heiger-Bernays asked the Board to review the September datasheets. Fullerton informed the Board that Jane Franks had been notified about the adolescent pertussis cases. Jane actually did the follow-up on one of the cases. MacKenzie was concerned about new cases of TB not being contacted by the Health Department to make sure they have received medication as well as tracking of all cases so that we know the numbers and status. MacKenzie offered to review the files. A discussion began concerning the passing of the cesspool Title V inspection conducted at Benjamin Road. If nuisance odors are reported to the Health Department again, the Director will work with the Plumbing Inspector to measure concentrations with an appropriate gas detector. Fullerton advised the Board of a recent Massage Therapist complaint. The investigation is being handled by the Police. MacKenzie motioned to not have the massage complaint on record and all documentation copies must be shredded after the meeting. Fullerton began a discussion concerning the Animal Control Officer position, asking whether the BOH would approve a change in structure for this position. Currently, the officer is located at the Police Station, but is overseen by the Health Department. Recent discussions have taken place in the Town Manager’s office to have the Animal Control Officer come under the Police Department budget; however. The BOH requires that protocols for health issues would be established and reported to the Health Department. Heiger-Bernays asked about reporting procedures from veterinarians to the Health Department. Fullerton informed the Board that veterinarians currently notify the Health Department of any dog bites or possible rabies exposure and that would remain the same even when the animal control officer becomes part of the police department. MacKenzie motioned to approve. Perlmutter seconded. All approved. A discussion began concerning the needs based budget request. Heiger-Bernays stated that the Public Health Nurse must be full time and re-write request that is submitted to the Town Manager and Selectmen justifying the need for a full time nurse because of the obligations mandated by State law for disease surveillance, prevention and control.. Fullerton informed the Board of the proposal to use the grass area behind the Boston Edison for Town Hall over flow parking. The Board did not have any concerns regarding this proposal. Fullerton began a discussion concerning the Hep A case at a local nursery school. The MA Department of Public Health provided staff for the two clinics at the nursery school where IgG was administered to all of the children except two who were going to receive the IgG from their own physicians. All staff but one were given the IgG. The Arlington Public Health Nurse also helped at the clinics because the student’s mother and father were diagnosed with Hep A and they reside in Arlington. MacKenzie stated that although there was a positive outcome, we were reactive instead of proactive in this situation. Fullerton updated the Board concerning the upcoming Flu Clinic scheduled for November 17, 2005 at St. Brigid’s Kennedy School. Fullerton will ask Dr. Andrew Nichols if he will sign the standing order. MacKenzie mentioned that Lexington Health Care would like to help with the Clinic. The Board began a discussion concerning the sampling results from 425 Woburn St. submitted By Touchstone Environmental Consultants, Inc. on October 9, 2005. Heiger-Bernays requested that a copy of these results be sent to Dr. Donna Vorhees at Menzie-Cura & Associates. Perlmutter motioned that if our consultant, Dr. Vorhees, who set these standards, concurs with the findings of Touchstone, then no other testing will be required at 425 Woburn St. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. If Dr. Vorhees has no additional concerns, then a letter will be sent by Fullerton to the owner stating that the residents can move back in. If issues are raised, then the letter will state these and ask for resolution on the issues raised. Heiger-Bernays began a discussion concerning the historical chlordane use at 1947 Mass Avenue. A letter was received from the owner stating that the apartment is unoccupied and will remain unoccupied. Heiger-Bernays recommended sending a copy of the letter to Representative Jay Kaufmann. MacKenzie raised the issue of sale of the property. Fullerton will look into placing a restriction on the deed or speak with the appropriate authorities about making certain that no one resides in the structure until the BOH determines that the structure is safely habitable. Heiger-Bernays led the discussion concerning the soil sampling at 21 Fletcher Avenue (Jefferson Union Building). Six samples were collected at 0-3 feet bgs around the perimeter of the property. The results of the testing demonstrated that all of the measured metal levels were below the DEP residential standards. As a result, the Board agreed they could go forth. Tom Mitchell of 25 Fletcher Avenue addressed the Board. He asked if the Board of Health granted permission to the owner. The Board had granted permission to the owner to go forth with the excavation. Tom Mitchell, an abutter to the property was present at the meeting and asked about excavation, whether asbestos was present in the buildings and whether the BOH knew about the hazardous waste designations at the property. Fullerton explained that that two environmental site assessments were conducted on the property, one in 2001 and the second in 2004. The report identified areas where soil contamination was identified and reported to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in which proper removal and cleanup is required under the DEP response action plan. Perlmutter began a discussion concerning the proposed Ready Mix plant in Burlington. Perlmutter explained at a Burlington Planning meeting that the Perkins attorney gave a presentation concerning the process they were going to use. They said nothing about the chemical processing. They said the sand and cement were being added directly into the trucks with very little exposure to the air. Only the chutes would be washed down and the water could be caught into a basin and recycled back into the process again. Present at the Burlington Planning Board meeting were Lexington residents as well as Mary Ann McCall-Taylor and Karen Mullins. Perlmutter explained that the Lexington residents were expressing their health concerns mostly pertaining to the cement dust. Perlmutter said the dust health concerns had already been addressed by the Burlington Board of Health. Perlmutter recommended taking our health concerns and communicating them to the Burlington Health Department because we have residents closer to the site. Karen Mullins had invited Perkins to the meeting this evening. Heiger-Bernays recommended bring our concerns to the Burlington Board of Health. She stressed that there is a difference between cement and concrete. She recommended gathering data for health risks associated with concrete plants. Heiger-Bernays said the concerns fall into two categories: 1. Chronic Dust (particulate matter) Other emissions that are going to be emitted from this facility – chemicals, exhaust from trucks, etc. noise 2. Acute Accidental release or emergency Perlmutter said the cement comes out of a chute and go into a truck and that is the only cement dust exposure to the outside air. He said they said nothing about what they are doing to contain that dust especially on a windy day. They said nothing about an accidental release or what happens if a truck over fills. Dr. Mehta, an abutter to the Perkins property, addressed the Board. He is concerned about the 129 lbs. of dust being released daily which contains silica. He is also concerned about the 2-1/2 story mound of sand. Ms. Patricia Long of 149 Adams Street stated it is a 9 acre parcel owned by Perkins. Glen Kesner of 127 North Street also addressed the Board about his concerns. Heiger-Bernays asked the abutters to compile a list of their concerns and with the Lexington Board of Health concerns, she will go forth and address these issues with the Chair of the Burlington BOH. Heiger-Bernays also recommended that the abutters contact Representative Jay Kaufman. MacKenzie motioned to adjourn. Thompson seconded. All approved.