HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-09-BOH-min
Lexington Board of Health Meeting, January 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Cary Hall, Ellen Stone Room
1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair; Judith Feldman; Sharon MacKenzie;
Burt Perlmutter; Deborah Thompson
Health Department Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Kathy Fox, and Ann Belliveau
Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. There was no public
participation.
The Board reviewed the minutes of December 12, 2007. Perlmutter motioned to accept
the minutes of December 12, 2007 with corrections. MacKenzie seconded. All
approved.
The Board reviewed the data reports and the Public Health Nurse report. Cody informed
the Board that the State will be tracking the Hep C cases as well as Lyme Disease so the
Health Department will not be involved other than notification that there are cases in the
Town.
The Board introduced themselves to the new Health Director, Gerard F. Cody.
Cody updated the Board on the Public Health Nurse status. Susan Moser is working
through mid-May, which should give us enough time to hire a nurse. Cody will be
recruiting for the Public Health nurse using MHOA and networking through MEHA.
The Board requested the advertising for this position as a high priority.
Cody informed the Board regarding the changes forthcoming for the State vaccine
distribution on or about June 27, 2008. McKesson will be shipping the vaccines directly
to the providers within the Town.
Cody explained the environmental health report to the Board concerning plan review
updates, food code compliance program update, open housing cases, nuisance open cases,
well and septic open cases, and massage regulations update. Cody also informed the
Board of Shire Pharmaceutical’s application requesting a variance from the Board to
store more than 500 liters of material. A Biosafety Committee meeting will be setup to
review the Shire application. While reviewing the open housing cases, Heiger-Bernays
asked to add the open case at 1947 Massachusetts Avenue, where chlordane had been
applied by the landlord at the carriage house apartment. Heiger-Bernays reminded the
Health staff that no one should be living there.
Heiger-Bernays updated the Board on her conversation with Town Counsel concerning
the Board’s decision on the wood smoke complaint from 58 Bridge Street. Town
Counsel advises that not only did the Board not do anything wrong, but the Board did not
interpret any regulations inappropriately or incorrectly. It was recommended by Heiger-
Bernays that Fox work with the Building Commissioner to make sure that the new
woodstove for the addition at 54 Bridge Street is a new EPA approved stove and not the
old stove.
The Board reviewed a letter sent to Fox dated December 17, 2007 from Norman Gaut
concerning the water supply at 25 Marrett Street. The Board would like to have a letter
sent to Mr. Gaut recommending that he should not drink the well water without having it
tested. Cody will include a list of State certified testing labs. MacKenzie would like to
mention in the letter that two of the five drinking wells in Lexington are contaminated.
Heiger-Bernays would like to focus on the food establishments who do catering such as
Via Lago and have them come before the Board. Fox mentioned that Joe Tabbi had been
working with Via Lago during recent inspections.
Fox informed the Board that the State will be taking over massage therapist permitting
and the Town will no longer be overseeing the permitting process.
Cody presented an emergency preparedness update to the Board. Cody will be
representing Lexington in Region 4A. Heiger-Bernays asked Cody to revisit the existing
EDS Plan prepared by Sarah White and get all the parties together for discussion.
MacKenzie inquired about a shed located at the new Harrington School to store products
containing mercury. Cody observed the shed and due to the winter, Robert Beaudoin of
DPW cannot move the shed now. Cody recommended calling for a pickup and have the
products containing mercury removed and take the sign down and the shed will remain
empty. Wheelabrator who is the mercury-recycling vendor owns the shed.
Heiger-Bernays informed Cody about the anti-idling bylaw. The Board supported the
passing of the bylaw because it is a documented Health issue.
MacKenzie mentioned that the cesspool/septic reminder letters had not been mailed this
past fall. Fox stated she was not aware the letters had to be sent every year and that
originally it was done as an update. Fox said only 10 septic/cesspools have not been
pumped.
Perlmutter motioned to adjourn. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.