HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-14-BOH-min
Lexington Board of Health Meeting, May 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building, Room 111
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair; Burt Perlmutter; Judith Feldman;
Sharon MacKenzie; Deborah Thompson
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 April 19, 2008. Perlmutter motioned to accept the
minutes of April 19, 2008 as amended. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
The Board reviewed the Public Health Nurse report.
Food Code Compliance Program Update
The Board reviewed the April 2008 Food Inspection Report.
Pool Permit Variance Requests
Five Fields Pool, Pool and Spa at Quality Inn Suites, Paint Rock Pool and Moon Hill
Community Pool submitted letters to the Board requesting variances. Perlmutter
motioned to grant the appropriate variances requested by these pools, pending proper
signage. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
Cody recommended creating a single program for granting variances at one time.
Community Health Update/Reports
The Board reviewed the Community Health Reports. Cody mentioned the VMBIP will
begin on June 23, 2008, and the Health Department will no longer be distributing vaccine
for children and it will all be handled by McKesson which is a nation-wide vaccine
distributor.
Cody advised the Board that the Town of Belmont made a few administrative changes to
the Public Health Nurse Agreement. The agreement will need to be reviewed by
Lexington’s Town Counsel, and then the position will be advertised.
Cody informed the Board that since the first medical waste day was so successful with
approximately 80 participants, a second collection is scheduled to take place on
Wednesday evening in June at the same location behind the Town Office Building.
Environmental Health Report
Housing Code Compliance Program Update
9 Stimson Avenue – Cody opened the hearing concerning housing issues at 9 Stimson
Avenue. Cody introduced the owner and resident of the property, Leslie Bonini to the
Board. The Animal Control Officer notified Cody of a call received from the moving
company doing work at 9 Stimson Avenue because they wanted to bring to the attention
of the ACO because a dead cat was in the refrigerator. Ms. Bonini let the Health Director
and Environmental Agent into her home to perform a State Sanitary Code Inspection.
Cody advised Ms. Bonini that any violations would be put in writing with a timeframe to
be corrected. Several violations of the State Housing Code would make the house
uninhabitable.
Ms. Bonini advised Cody the house is now sold. Cody said Ms. Bonini is before the
Board to set up some next steps whether the house will be condemned, uninhabitable or
future goals of what we can achieve here. Cody did return to the residence on May 13,
2008 and some of the violations had been corrected such as: the toilet flushed, hot water
was restored at the sinks and the deceased cat was no longer on the premises. Cody said
other items such as egress issues still needed to be addressed.
Ms. Bonini informed the Board that the residence has been sold and scheduled for
demolition next week.
Cody recommended that since the Health Department does not have any record that the
house has not been sold, he would like to recommend continuing the hearing until next
month. Perlmutter motioned to continue the hearing until next month’s meeting.
MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
413 Bedford Street – Cody informed the Board of recent Police reports concerning an
elderly woman who has dementia walking out into Bedford Street nude. The woman
resides at 413 Bedford Street. Cody went to the residence with Charlotte Rogers, Acting
Senior Services Director, and the Electrical Inspector because it appeared there was a
small fire in the kitchen a while back and the resident is unable to cook.
The house was not cluttered and it appears someone was looking after her even though
she has no relatives. Cody will send a letter to the resident recommending a carbon
monoxide detector be installed and include outreach programs available to the resident
through the Senior Services Department.
Old Reservoir, Recreational Beach Update - Cody reviewed the 2008 Old Reservoir
Beach Closure Policy with the Board. As part of this policy, G & L Lab will be taking
the samples after a rain event to document the rationale for closing the beach, in addition
to the regular weekly Tuesday sampling. Feldman asked if the policy could be posted at
the Old Res for residents to review. Heiger-Bernays would like to see the policy as part
of the Recreation Dept. Bulletin.
PIC Training – Cody informed the Board of an upcoming PIC training on June 23, 2008.
Cody is working with a consultant who will be able to present in Portugese for all the
Brazilian workers in Town.
EDS Planning – Cody explained that 29 volunteers have signed up for the November 1,
2008, drill and 7 volunteers have committed for the November 22, 2008, drill. The plan
is to roll out a few more introductory trainings on EDS as fall approaches.
MRC Badging – Cody advised the Board of the recent MRC badging night with was a
combination of MRC/EDS. Approximately 38 people were registered and badged at the
session.
Tobacco Update – Because the Town is part of the tobacco compliance program we have
a consultant who has made checks at 98% of the retail tobacco establishments within
Lexington and they all were in compliance.
Mosquito Control – Cody attended a recent mosquito control meeting and as a result,
Cody stated he needed to be appointed as Commissioner of Mosquito Control for the
Town to attend these meetings in the future. Perlmutter motioned to appoint Gerard F.
Cody as Commissioner of Mosquito Control for the Town of Lexington. MacKenzie
seconded. All approved.
Perlmutter motioned to adjourn. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.