HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-09-BOH-min Lexington Board of Health Meeting,
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Office Building, Room G-15,
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Board of Health Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Ph.D., Chair; Sharon MacKenzie, R.N.
CCM; Burt M. Perlmutter, M.D., David S. Geller, M.D.
Health Department Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Health Director; Ann Belliveau, Health
Clerk/Office Manager
Wendy Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Board reviewed the minutes of December 12, 2012. MacKenzie motioned to approve the
minutes with corrections. Perlmutter seconded. All approved.
Community Health Update/Report—The Board reviewed the Community Health Report for
December 2012 prepared by David Neylon, R.N., and follow-ups for the five (5) communicable
diseases had been done in a timely manner. Cody advised the Board that from October I Oh
through December 5th, 2424 individuals have been vaccinated for influenza.
CHNA Updates - Cody introduced Marie Gabour who updated the Board concerning the Tick
Talk meetings with Concord and surrounding communities. Marie stated that at the December
meeting,the group is now focusing on the best way to convey the information on how to educate
about ticks at possibly town fairs,kiosks,town newspapers and websites. Carlisle had done a
survey to see how many people knew about ticks and it indicated that most people are not
educated about ticks. Heiger-Bernays asked it there might be a way, as the group moves forward,
to develop a program in a way that allows you to determine how affective the program was
because education is great but are people using it to make choices or change behavior. Marie
mentioned the next meeting will be held in January.
Cody also mentioned the next CHNA focus group will be held on Monday, January 14th from 3-4
p.m. at Cary Hall.
Environmental Health Report/Update
Request for Septic System Pumping Variance for 360 Waltham St. —Cody introduced Frank
O'Reilly who is representing his mother who lives at 360 Waltham. Mrs. O'Reilly
had requested relief in the form of a variance from the requirement of an annual cesspool pump
out at this address. Because of the documentation submitted indicating low volume and because
the system is well maintained, Perlmutter motioned that the Lexington Board of Health grants the
variance request from the requirement of an annual cesspool pump out as required under Title V
from state law §15.351: System Pumping and Routine Maintenance and Local Regulation § 155-
91. System maintenance to the property owner of 360 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA 02421.
However, consistent with Title V requirement, pumping will occur every 3 years. The variance
applies to the current owner. In the event of a change in ownership,the variance request is null
and void.
MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
Khushboo— Cody informed the Board that Khushboo was trying to increase business by setting
up a buffet without advising the Health Department of this change. Fox conducted an inspection
at the site and advised Cody that nothing was in accordance with code. As a result, Cody
advised Fox to shut down the buffet. As a result, Cody prepared a policy to discuss with the
Board and perhaps within a year incorporate it as a regulation. The Fire Dept. recently approved
Khushboo's use of sterno for the buffet for 60 days so that they can try out this buffet and if they
wish to keep it,they will need to submit a plan review and perhaps purchase some permanent
equipment for the buffet.
Perlmutter moved to accept the self-service buffet policy as an addition to the food code.
MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
Via Lago— Cody advised the Board that as a result of an inspection in November, Fox will be
preparing an order letter to Via Lago instead of providing the establishment with verbal
instructions.
413 Bedford Street— Cody informed the Board that the tenant at this location is concerned about
heat, but when Cody was at this location,the temperature was fine. The tenants also complained
about the noise the heating system was making so Cody asked that the Building Division to get
involved so the Plumbing and Gas Inspector as well as the Building Inspector went to check out
the property and we get some feedback in a little more detail. Because of language barriers,the
tenants and landlord are unable to communicate. Cody will have more information for the
February meeting.
11 Lizbeth Street—Mass DEP issued an order to clean everything up at this location. A
consultant was hired for the cleanup. Cody sent a State Sanitary Code Consultant to check on the
property and everything had been cleaned up. Cody also checked with the asbestos abatement
company contracted for this site and he confirmed that all of the abatement had been completed.
Now we are just waiting for Mass DEP to signoff on the work.
74 Valleyfield Road—A resident complained about wood smoke in the area and is unable to
determine where the smoke is coming from. Cody has an inspector monitoring the area.
15 Oxford Street—There has been no sign of wood stove smoke in this area.
Cody advised The Board that potable water quality letters will be sent out to all domestic wells in
accordance with the well regulations requiring testing every three (3) years. There are about six
domestic wells in our records to be tested.
Emergency funding— Cody informed the Board that he is trying to get fu— Cody informed the Board that he is trying to get funding to have
another Table Top Exercise in July concerning sheltering in case of an emergency situation
involving an incident on the highway requiring evacuating the schools.
Heiger-Bernays informed the Board that the State has a huge effort towards decreasing our
energy use by 2020 as noted in the the Anerobic Digesture regulations and a program called Mass
Solarize which intends to decrease our carbon use over the next 10 years. There is a program at
Cary Hall on Sunday, January 13, 2013. Ann Kelly, who is an attorney and does work on global
climate change and clean energy is presenting this lecture. There is a push on for more to be done
locally and this also would fit into the fact that EPA can now regulate CO2 under the Clean Air
Act so it has a human health component. Heiger-Bernays said she would like to see the Board
support and be involved with some of the larger issues in the Town.
MacKenzie motioned to adjourn. Perlmutter seconded. All approved.
Documents submitted: Agenda
Community Health Report
Environmental Health Report