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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-10-BOH-min 1 Lexington Board of Health, May 10, 2006 Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Judith Feldman, Burt Perlmutter, Sharon MacKenzie Health Dept. Attendees: Derek Fullerton, Kathy Fox, Ann Belliveau Heiger Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. There was no public participation. Heiger-Bernays asked the Board to review the minutes of April 26, 2006. MacKenzie motioned to accept the minutes as amended. Feldman seconded. All approved except Perlmutter abstained from the vote as he was not present for the majority of the previous meeting. Heiger-Bernays asked the Board to review the April Data Reports – discussion focused on a complaint about Yangtze River. As a result of the complaint, Fox discovered Yangtze was selling a cooked variety of sushi. Fox asked them to remove this item from the buffet immediately. She also advised them that they would need to submit a HCAPP Plan before they would sell this item. Fox said the sushi was removed from the buffet. MacKenzie requested a copy of the School Wellness Policy. Heiger- Bernays asked if Moser had sent a letter to the schools concerning when a child could return to School. Fullerton responded that Moser had not prepared the letter as yet and the letter would be prepared. Request for Variance – The following pools requested variances which would allow swimming when lifeguards are not on duty: Quality Inn & Suites, Five Fields Pool and Drummer Boy. Perlmutter motioned to grant these pools variances with the proper signage and inspections. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Septic Violations - Fullerton informed the Board that septic violations were sent to approximately 60 homes in Lexington for failure to comply with annual septic pumping requirements, Some residents have brought pumping records for the past year to the Health Department and the violations has been revoked. Complaint Cotting School Mold – Fox went to investigate an anonymous complaint concerning a mold complaint in the lower level and the illnesses of 4 staff members. Fox met with the facilities manager and his superior. They advised Fox they are in the process of getting indoor air quality bids. They said they are aware of the mold and have had remediation done with bleach and removing carpets as well as using dehumidifiers. Fox was denied access to the area in question because the manager felt it would cause a panic in the school. Fox will follow up and asked for the name of the company they selected to conduct the indoor air quality. Heiger-Bernays asked Fox to obtain from the school the ages of the staff whom have been diagnosed with cancer, how long they have be working 2 there and where they live. MacKenzie stated that Fox cannot be denied access for investigation of this complaint or any other. 81 Westview Street – Fullerton stated a fence would be placed around this property on May 19. A letter was sent to the owner’s attorney advising them of the cost for the fence. If a check to pay for the fence is not forthcoming, the Town of Lexington will pay the fence company and place a lien on the property. 31 Allen Street – Fullerton spoke with LSP for the site and he should have the results for the groundwater migration assessment soon. From the preliminary assessments, it is estimated that the migration due to soil characteristics that it is moving at .01 foot per day which equals 36 feet per year. The septic system on the Carroll property is about 400 feet from the adjacent properties. The LSP is waiting for the contaminant levels before filing with DEP. Fullerton had already sent a letter and brochure to the abutter with the domestic well. The resident was very happy that the Health Department is keeping him informed. The LSP had just completed routing, jetting and capping all the floor drains at 31 Allen Street. Biosafety Inspections Update – Fullerton got approval from the Town Manager that all the rDNA permit fees that had deposited in the general fund could be transferred and into a special account to pay for the yearly biosafety inspections. For next year, we can take $400 of the $500 fee and place the $400 into the special account. The Board agreed with this process. Fullerton had sent an email to Janice Pero asking if she knew of anyone wishing to be on the Biosafety Committee. Willards Woods Discussion – Heiger-Bernays would like the answers to the following two questions: 1. Do the organisms found in fecal matter enter the groundwater and at what rate and at what distance to ground water and under what conditions? 2. What are the diseases we need to be concerned about as a result of direct contact with dog fecal matter. Heiger-Bernays stated this information will be useful for the Old Res for a monitoring program or a five year plan. This information should be available for the June meeting. Food Inspectional Review Process Discussion – Fullerton explained the evaluation of the food inspection process in Lexington and other communities. Fox compiled a survey for food establishment inspection process for Lexington, Burlington, Bedford, Belmont, Arlington, Saugus, Brookline and Wellesley. Fox explained that continued non- compliance means that after a regular routine inspection probably one-half the establishments have enough violations to warrant going back for reinspection. Fox said it is rare that she needs to go back for a second inspection but if the violations are not corrected at that time then they would be fined $30.00 for each uncorrected violation. After that violation, if it was not corrected Fox said we would have them appear for an administrative hearing as opposed to going before the Board at that point. 3 Fox feels the schools are usually in compliance with _________critical violations in _______ categories. Both Diamond and Bridge do not have three bay sinks and Heiger- Bernays would like them corrected by September 2006 or they will need to go before the Board. The Board would like to see classification of violations, red and blue, and Fox should prepare a quarterly summary. Perlmutter mentioned that it sounds as if we are getting a great response from the food establishments and asked Fox for a list of critical violations for each meeting. The Board can track trends from this list. Feldman stated that perhaps the violations should be made public perhaps in the Lexington Minuteman. Perlmutter asked Fullerton to find out from the Town Manager about local authorization For implementation of the emergency plan. Fullerton will discuss with Carl Valente and report back to the Board of Health. Fullerton mentioned the information session for the medical volunteers in June. Doris Moore, Medical Reserve Coordinator will be doing the presentations to the volunteers. MacKenzie motioned to adjourn. Feldman seconded. All Approved.