HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-09-BOH-min
Lexington Board of Health Meeting, April 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building, Room 111
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair; Burt Perlmutter and Judith Feldman
Health Department Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Ann Belliveau
Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
The Board reviewed the minutes of March 12, 2008. Feldman motioned to accept the
minutes of March 12, 2008. Heiger-Bernays second. All approved.
The Board reviewed the Public Health Nurse report.
Cody presented to the Board the latest version of the Public Health Nurse Agreement
between Lexington and Belmont. A copy was sent to the Belmont Health Department
for their approval. Cody is eager to move forward with this position since Susan Moser
has resigned as the Public Health Nurse effective April 28, 2008. In the interim, Cody
will oversee the responsibilities of the PHN.
Cody informed the Board that 80 residents participated in the Medical Waste Collection
Day on Saturday. April 5, 2008. Approximately 480 lbs. of medical waste was collected.
Heiger-Bernays received a call from S. MacKenzie who attended the collection and
reported that the residents who attended were so thankful that they now had a place to
dispose of sharps, old medicines, etc. Cody is planning another medical waste collection
event in the fall. J.R.M. provided $3,000.00 for these collections.
Food Code Compliance Program Update
Cody presented graphs depicting Teppanyaki’s downward trend in critical & non-critical
violations. After their next re-inspection, Cody will determine whether this trend
continues which will demonstrate that the interventions and fines have been successful. If
after the next inspection, the situation has worsened, then Cody will set up criteria with
goals to be achieved with hiring a food inspector to include 6-8 food inspections and
creating HCAAP Plans for the potentially hazardous foods. According to Cody the food
handlers speak Portuguese while the chef speaks Chinese and this alone can make for a
complicated situation with the language barrier. Cody informed the Board that
Teppanyaki voluntarily hired Pilgrim Consultants to work with them.
Pool Permit Variance Requests
Pleasant Brook Pool, Peacock Farm Pool and Drummer Boy submitted letters to the
Board requesting variances. Perlmutter motioned to grant the appropriate variances
requested by these pools, pending proper signage. Feldman seconded. All approved.
Old Reservoir Update
Cody had met with Chris Husky who is the State Bathing Beach Coordinator. Husky will
be sending out an inspector to do a site walk and to review the program that is now in
place, to review what to do for beach closures and rain events. In July, Cody is expecting
changes to the State Beach regulations and there is a possibility that the Health
Department will need to permit the beach. Cody mentioned he had attended a meeting
regarding Old Res funding for dredging of existing basin and there was talk of creating
another basin with matching funds from DEP. Cody plans to have a policy for Old Res
closure criteria at the next BOH meeting.
Open Cases
Cody received two sandblasting complaints. Cody would like to see a local sandblasting
regulation adopted for the Town of Lexington.
12 Calvin Street – Cody mentioned he would like to hold off at this time and see if this
could be handled through the housing court to address the issues. The Health Department
will continue to monitor.
Emergency Preparedness Update
Cody informed the Board of the proposed plan on how to work with Burlington and
Winchester collaboratively for regional EDS sharing resources. Lexington residents will
have an option to go to Burlington or to Cary Hall for the flu vaccine clinic. The EDS
will allow for an opportunity to test some of the emergency dispensing site plans locally
and sub-regionally.
Perlmutter motioned to adjourn. Feldman seconded. All approved.