HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-14-BOH-min
Lexington Board of Health, December 14, 2006
Police Guard Room, 1575 Massachusetts Avenue
Attendees: Burt Perlmutter, Chair; Judith Feldman; Sharon MacKenzie; Deborah
Thompson
Health Dept. Attendees: Kathy Fox, Derek Fullerton, Ann Belliveau
Perlmutter called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. There was no public participation.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the October 4, 2006 meeting. MacKenzie motioned
to accept the minutes as written. Feldman seconded. All approved.
The Board reviewed the November data reports including the food inspection report.
Pesticide Awareness: Tegan Evans informed the Board of the grant awarded in the
amount of $11,900 for a pesticide awareness campaign. The grant was applied for by the
Boston Public Housing Authority, Lexington Health Dept., Pest Management Contractor,
Don Rivard and the Boston University School of Public Health. Evans proposed having
two courses during the first two weeks of February 2007. The initial course to be
instructed by Don Rivard will focus on the State laws concerning indoor pesticide use
including topics such as; who should apply pesticides, the correct application of the
pesticides, and integrated pest management. The second session will focus on how to set
up a contract with the pest management company concerning annual inspections, etc.
Evans explained that the letter would be going out to landlords explaining why this
course is being offered along with a descriptive brochure.
George Fortunato of 11 Bowman Street: Request for a variance from the yearly cesspool
pumping requirement – Mr. Fortunato requested a variance from the yearly pumping
requirement. Mr. Fortunato indicated that his system is hardly used since he spends most
of his entire day at his wife’s nursing home. He supported the minimal use with his water
use records. Fullerton informed the Board that Mr. Fortunato had the system pumped in
August 2005. The Board unanimously voted to not grant a variance from the annual
pumping requirement.
Food Code Violations Hearing – Lexington Shell at 915 Waltham Street – Fox informed
the Board of the following violations related to the coffee machine, hot dog machine, sale
of ice which is bagged on site.
1. Access to the 3-bay sink was blocked during the last two inspections, which
means that food contact equipment and utensils are not being cleaned and
sanitized. The 3-bay sink was dirty and is clearly not being utilized for sanitizing
of the coffee and ice making equipment
2. The ice scoop is not being stored in the holder. The ice machine is not being
internally sanitized as required.
3. There are no utensils provided for dispensing the hot dog rolls.
Fox recommended to the Board that Lexington Shell stop selling hot dogs, remove the ice
machine, and replace the current coffee equipment with a self-contained system.
Mr. Saab addressed the Board informing them that he was unaware of these violations
even though Fox had left a copy of the inspection report and violation ticket.
The Board unanimously agreed that Lexington Shell will immediately suspend the
bagging and sale of ice, immediately suspend the sale of unpackaged hot dogs, and
immediately suspend the sale of coffee unless a self-contained unit is in place. Mr. Saab
will be required to decommission his ice-making machine immediately and should Mr.
Saab later sell ice, he will be required to show a contract with an ice provider to the
Health Department.
Emergency Planning Update (MRC, Pandemic Flu, COOP) - Fullerton briefed the Board
of the recent Medical Reserve Corp Steering Committee meeting. Five volunteers within
the community volunteered to initiate steering the MRC planning. A medical reserve
coordinator from the public health region was present to outline what the committee
would need to do. Fullerton said there are currently 379 members in the reserve corp. It
was recommended to change the name of the MRC because there are non-medical
members. Lexington is the largest MRC within Region 4a. Lexington’s Medical
Reserve Corp Planner, who was hired with grant money, just completed professional
licensure checks for the health professional volunteers. The planner will be working on
gathering information from volunteers to commence criminal offender record information
(CORI) checks.
Article 40 Update – Fullerton said the Engine Idling Committee will be proposing a
bylaw for Town Meeting, Currently there is a State Law which makes it a criminal
offense and the Town Bylaw would make the offense a civil infraction. Fullerton will
forward the proposed bylaw to the Board as soon as it becomes available.
MacKenzie motioned to adjourn. Feldman seconded. All approved.