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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-7-20-BOH-min RECEIVED 2021 21 SII , S'Sd Ruin LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES TOWN C.LERK Tuesday, July 20, 2021 6:30 pm LEXINGTON Conducted by Remote Participation Approved October 27, 2021 Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., John "Jay"Flynn, J.D., Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA Board of Health Member Absent: David Geller, M.D Office of Public Health Attendees Casey Mellin, Assistant Health Director Board of Select(Liaison) Doug Lucente Meeting Called to Order Board of Health meeting of October 27,2021 was called to order by Chair Wendy Heiger-Bernays at 6:32pm. Minutes approval from May 2021 -Roll Call Vote Board of Health made a motion made to approve the minutes on May 2021 as edited. Roll Call Vote: Flynn- Yes, Perlmutter—Yes, Wolf-Fordham—Yes, Heiger-Bernays —Yes. Motion carried 4 to 0. All in favor. Minutes are accepted as revised. Environmental Health A. Lab Animal Regulations—Casey Mellin,Assistant health Director 1 Casey Mellin proposed no updates on lab animal regulations. B. Pool Variance Application: PO-21-27 Quality Inn & Suites Casey Mellin explained the proposed pool variance application and stated he did an inspection of the pool this morning. The pool was in good shape, but needs a new rope. The Board of Health clarified the pool variance details. Board of Health made a motion made to approve the pool variance application on the condition that there is signage, complete with the variance language, noting there is no lifeguard on duty at this pool. Roll Call Vote: Flynn - YES, Perlmutter — Yes, Wolf-Fordham —Yes, Heiger-Bernays — Yes. Motion carried 4 to 0. All in favor. C. Status of air quality measures in all Lexington buildings Casey Mellin forwarded that David J. Pinsonneault, DPW Director, stated CO2 is still being tested on Wednesdays. They kept all filters open 100% in Town buildings. The Board of Health needs to make sure the air quality and ventilation is as good as it can be and needs documentation. D. Tobacco Compliance Status Casey Mellin proposed tobacco regulations changes. The Board of Health stated they will keep an eye on the tobacco compliance checks which are the fundamental way to know whether establishments sell tobacco to minors. Inspections should ensure signage "restrict to 21" is posted appropriately and the compliance check was done at the point of sale. 2 Community Health A. COVID-19 Re-opening processes of Town Buildings and Schools Casey Mellin updated on the reopening conditions of town buildings and schools. The Board of Health stated they will keep watching the school conditions and all latest statements by the American Academy of pediatrics with children back in school with masks, vaccinated and unvaccinated. They will keep in touch with school superintendent. Doug Lucente discussed that monitoring the schools is a topic of concern in Town. Special meeting on August is necessary. B. Non-COVID Reportable Disease Update The Board the Health reviewed the Covid report provided by David Neylon. There were public school on-site vaccination clinics where 1820 student were vaccinated from May 20'h to June 11''. These clinics included grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Fully vaccinated rates in June is 70% in schools. C. Status pf EDS Plan Casey Mellin described the updates on EDS plan. Doug Lucente will send it to Town Manager for sign. The final signed EDS plan should be delivered to Board of Health. D. Cooling Station Status Casey proposed the updates on cooling station status and asking for advice from Board of Health. 3 The Board of Health urged making a plan to check the building(s)that will open to residents who do not have air conditioning. Some students may also need air conditioning for their health. Building generators may be needed to provide air conditioning for who do not have AC and for elderly resident who may have health problems. Even if libraries serve with that function, people need charging stations as a steady source of power to charge medical and communication devices. The Board of Health stated health and wellbeing issues are programmatic issues and are basic public health components. People do not come forward unless it is absolutely the last resort. Library would be a fantastic option because everybody goes to library. Public libraries provide charging stations, ongoing electricity and books. Health Office A.Administrative Operations Report; corrective action plan for meeting scheduling and minutes, staffing status and plans (Health Director, administrative assistant) B. Specific individual status of all actions taken under the BOH authority; permits, inspections, approvals, and public health issues. Casey Mellin stated that the job description has been posted for the position of the Assistant to the Health Office. Board of Health stated they need to know the details of complaint. They suggested to get a public complaint spreadsheet. Board of Health required the notes of complaints and successive actions: i. What level of violation they had? ii. What corrective action was done? iii. Whether there has been a repeated offense? They can than have a discussion on whether an establishment needs to come before the Board for further action. Board of Health stated this will be an ongoing activity. 4 Board of Health also discussed its role of as a policy making body and its relationship to the position of Health Director. Mr. Flynn expressed concern that the Board of Health Role and Responsibilities have been diminished. Is the Board of Heath role is being reduced to reviewing Health Office decisions? This approach also compromises the role of the Health Director by precluding HD involvement in town wide Public health initiatives. BOH members are requesting a dialogue with Town Manager and staff to discuss these issues. This is important topic to understand prior to hiring a new Health Director. Adiournment Wendy Heiger-Bernays made a motion and John Flynn seconded for the motion to adjourn.Motion carried 4 to 0. All in favor to schedule the next Board of Health meeting on August 171h. 5