Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-09-BOH-min Lexington Board of Health Meeting, July 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Cary Hall, Ellen Stone Room 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair; Sharon MacKenzie; Deborah Thompson and Judith Feldman. Health Department Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Ann Belliveau Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Cody updated the Board concerning the Public Health Nurse interviews scheduled for June 10, 2008. The Board reviewed the minutes of June 9, 2008. MacKenzie motioned to accept the minutes as corrected. Feldman seconded. All approved. Public Health Nurse Report - Cody presented a synopsis of the most recent communicable diseases reported to the BOH since the last meeting. He will continue to track & report until the public health nurse is hired. Food Code Compliance Program – Lemon Grass – Review Order Letter Cody informed the Board of a recent inspection he conducted at Lemon Grass. Cody said there were no critical violations during the inspection in February but at the recent inspection, there were a number of critical violations that need to be corrected. Cody felt this is a good time to evaluate where they are going and where we want them to go. A letter was sent to Lemon Grass indicating the repeat violations requiring correction and the appropriate fines. Cody also mentioned of an administrative meeting with the Health Department and review the first letter sent to them on June 25, 2008. At this meeting a decision was made as to pursue a food consultant. Cody felt that a food consultant would help this type of food establishment in providing the necessary training. The owner of Lemon Grass will be here tonight to give an update Cody asked the Board to review the letter and to reinforce the seriousness of these issues with the owner. Mr. Chairuch Pichetshote, owner of Lemon Grass and Maureen Lee, food consultant met with the Board. Ms. Lee of Food Service Solutions informed the board she will be working with Lemon Grass to put together some procedures to help them get back to compliance. Ms. Lee will be helping Lemon Grass develop a HACCP Plan which will be HACCP based procedures. Maureen Lee stated that she felt everything was laid out at the Administrative Hearing of what needs to be accomplished. Reports will be submitted to Gerard Cody within 48 hrs. of Maureen Lee’s inspection. Heiger-Bernays motioned to sustain the letter dated June 30, 2008. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Food Code Compliance Program – Via Lago – Review Order Letter Cody introduced Michael Rosman, Director of Corporate Catering of Via Lago to the Board. Cody explained that on June 23, 2008, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Joseph Tabbi, a food consultant for the Lexington Health Department, alerted Cody to food being moved into vehicles for delivery to catering customers in other towns. Tabbi and Cody then conducted an inspection on these products and the turkey sandwiches were at 58ºF, ham sandwiches were at 61ºF. The cooler in the vehicle was constructed of cardboard, duct tape and Styrofoam and was not a washable cleanable surface. The temperature inside the cooler was 58-61ºF. On June 26, 2008, Kathy Fox went to Via Lago at approximately 10:00 a.m. and found raw hamburger at 44ºF and sweet potato salad at 53ºF being carried out. Because of this, Cody asked Mr. Rosman to meet with him. On July 7, 2008, Cody went to Via Lago and found sliced turkey at 52ºF. Cody said some progress has been made but as a result of these violations, in addition to being fined for repeat violations, he believes it would be a good time to bring in a food consultant. As a result of these of this administrative hearing, Cody would like to see four random unannounced inspections starting on August 1, 2008 ending October 1, 2008 primarily focused on the catering and food delivery operation but will include the entire establishment. The food consultant will also create a food HACCP based plan. These plans will be submitted to the Health Department for review prior to them going into place. The HACCP would provide a plan for cold holding and transportation for the deli platters. Cody said the food consultant must be hired on or before August 1, 2008 and must submit a signed contract to the Health Department. Cody would also like to see the staff at Via Lago especially the catering and food delivery personnel attend a Person-In- Charge training by August 8, 2008. The Lexington Health Department will conduct the PIC Training. Cody also said the food consultant will also develop a cleaning schedule to be followed on a daily and weekly basis to include the vehicles. Cody would like to see Michael Rosman and the food consultant attend the Board of Health meetings in September and October to review progress being made at Via Lago. Mr. Rosman agreed they need to do a better job and during the past few weeks Via Lago has purchased insulated travel food bags, 300 ice pads to transport the platters, temperatures are being taken and recorded before leaving the establishment. Mr. Rosman advised the Board that the food consultant they wish to use is not be available until September. MacKenzie stated that since this is a critical time, she is not comfortable waiting until September for this particular food consultant. Cody recommended standing by the administrative meeting guidelines. Cody wants to receive a food temperature log fax weekly from Via Lago indicating the preparation and transport temperatures for the corporate catering. MacKenzie motioned to go forward with the outcome of the administrative meeting and the dates that were set forth with the primary focus with immediate attention to the three critical food temperature violations to be addressed immediately with weekly temperature logs faxed to the Health Department. Heiger- Bernays seconded. All approved. Heiger-Bernays mentioned to Mr. Rosman that the food consultant will be able to help in the wintertime when the vans are being warmed up for the drivers. Food Code Compliance Program – Teppanyaki Cody inspected Teppanyaki on June 10, 2008 after an anonymous compliant regarding the cleanliness of the dining room and the source of the propellant in the “Scorpion Bowl” drink and discovered some repeat violations. An order letter was sent to them including fines. They did not hire a food consultant but rather attended the PIC training. Housing Complaint – 29 Captain Parker Arms Cody advised the Board of a tenant, Geraldine Klein, who moved into 29 Captain Parker Arms in October 2007 and her lease expires in October 2008. Immediately after moving in she had some concerns about mold in the unit. Kathy Fox and the Plumbing Inspector inspected the unit and issued an order to correct. The items were corrected by the Captain Parker Arms Management Company. Cody said the next call was in late June from Geraldine Klein with a heating complaint. The heating season runs from September 15th th until June 15 when only heat is required. It doesn’t say anything about needing to provide air conditioning. Cody advised Ms. Klein that she had missed the deadline of th June 15 but he would be happy to go to her unit to see if there are any other housing code violations. Cody stated the only thing found was the doorway had a loose threshold that needs to be tightened and secured, and the laundry room had signs of some water and ordered the management company to investigate. The odor was consistent with a damp musty environment. The housing code and State Sanitary Code does not address mold but rather the source of the mold that would be chronic dampness. Cody gave the management company twenty-one days to address the water. Cody advised the Board that the management company has been very cooperative and are showing good faith. Cody will update the Board at the August meeting. Open Cases – Beaver Issue – Pine Meadow’s Golf Club Cody updated the Board regarding the 10-day trapping permit issued on June 13, 2008. Nine beavers were trapped at the Pine Meadow’s Golf Club and the State was notified it is closed out. Heiger-Bernays asked Cody if Recreation has prepared the management plan. Cody stated that he advised Recreation that next year the Board of Health and the State would not issue a permit without a management plan. Open Cases – 12 Calvin Street Dumpster Complaint Cody received a dumpster complaint at 12 Calvin Street because it was dropped off in August 2007. Cody conducted an inspection at this location on May 28, 2008 and June 19, 2008. As a result of these inspections, a 7-day order to correct letter was sent to Ms. Johnston. Within 7 days, the dumpster had been removed from the property. West Nile Update – Cody advised the Board that in a press release this week the City of Worcester is the only place experiencing any signs of West Nile. During the first week of August, the Lexington catch basins will be treated. Emergency Preparedness Update - Cody informed the Board that plans are moving forward working with Burlington and they are now putting together supply lists. It was recommended that each Town put their supplies in their boxes. Each box would have enough supplies to vaccinate 200 people. The TAR (technical assistance review) was just completed and coordinated through the northern region for the EDS Plan. Feldman motioned to adjourn. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.