HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-27-BOH-min RECEIVED
2021 21 SII , S Sq Ipim
LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES TOWN C.LERK
Wednesday, October 27, 20216:30 pm LEXINGTON MA
Conducted by Remote Participation
Approved November 16, 2021
Board of Health Members in Attendance:
Wendy Heiger-Bernays Chair, PhD,
Burt Perlmutter, M.D.,
John "Jay"Flynn, J.D.,
David Geller, M.D,
Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA (Left meeting 7:45pm)
Board of Health Member Absent:
Select Board(Liaison):
Douglas Lucente
Office of Public Health Attendees:
Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director
Lorraine Welch, Office Manager
Siqing Pan, Department Assistant
Meeting Called to Order
Board of Health meeting of October 27, 2021 was called to order by Chair Heiger- Bernays at
6:31pm.
Minutes Approval (July, 2021) -Roll Call Vote
Board of Health made a motion made to approve the minutes on July 2021 as edited. Roll Call
Vote: Geller—Yes, Perlmutter—Yes, Wolf-Fordham —Yes, Flynn —Yes, Heiger-Bernays —Yes.
Motion carried 5 to 0. All in favor. Minutes are accepted with revision.
Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address)
None
Board of Health
1
Presentation by Noise Committee
Daniel Koretz, Chair of Lexington Noise Advisory Committee, made a presentation on warrant
Article 10, regulating landscape maintenance equipment to seek support from Board of Health.
Mr. Flynn asked what will be proposed in the bylaw changes and how it could be supportive by
the Board. Dr. Geller commented that was an excellent presentation and extremely informative.
He agreed that there are negative health impacts created by noise. Dr. Perlmutter stated there have
been studies about noise effects on health,specifically about adverse effects due to excessive noise.
Ms. Wolf-Fordham questioned the targeted population who will be affected by using these gas
power leaf blowers. Mr. Koretz stated that the Town has stopped using all gas-powered lawn
blowing equipment. He reported David Pinsonneault,DPW Director, said he is comfortable to end
the use of large gas-powered leaf blowers on all town properties. Dr. Heiger-Bernays stated there
will be two pieces needed to be considered: (1) Is there evidence that the noise of this type
associated with these conditions adversely affect health and can we state that? (2) There should be
a vote on that. She stated Board members need to stick to the noise issue. This is what the article
is focused on. Ms. Belanger suggested the Board could also focus on health issues in their motion.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays proposed the Board support the Article, stating that the scientific evidence
supports the negative impacts of noise at these frequencies and duration, on the health of people
working with leaf blowers or these types of equipment. She stated the proposal will support the
health risk, which is well documented by authoritative bodies, mainly NIOSH, for noise of these
types. Mr. Lucente asked what claims would be supported by Board of health. He suggested the
Board should clarify the supported claims. Mr. Koretz stated that what was requested was a
statement from Board of Health to support that noise at these levels and substantial exposures to
emissions pose a health risk to workers.
The Board voted to support the article stating that Board of Health concurs with authoritative
bodies, the mainly NIOSH,that noise at these levels and substantial exposure to particulate matter
and chemical emissions (VOCs) causes a health risk to workers.
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair of Board of Health, asked for a Roll Call Vote to support the
proposal from Noise Advisory Committee as stated.Roll Call Vote: Perlmutter—Yes,Wolf-
Board of Health
2
Fordham—Yes, Geller —Yes, Flynn—Yes, Heiger-Bernays —Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. All
in favor.
Lexington Mask Mandate status
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair of Board of Health, asked for a Roll Call Vote to review
Lexington Mask Mandate order on August 12, 2021. Roll Call Vote: Wolf-Fordham —Yes,
Perlmutter—Yes, Geller—Yes, Flynn—Yes,Heiger-Bernays—Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0.All
in favor.
The Board of Health, with support from the Select Board, in August 2021, voted to establish the
Lexington Mask Mandate in response to Covid-19 and written as part of that mandate was the fact
that the Board would review the status of that mandate by November 5 I 2021.
Ms. Belanger, Health Director provided the Covid-19 report from Health Agent Alicia McCartin.
She briefly described Covid-19 cases, numbers and percent positivity data to August, 2020 and
Covid-19 vaccination rates by age groups and at schools. She provided an announcement that
DESE Mask Requirement will be extended at least to January 15'', 2022. She recommended using
that date as the next milestone for the extension of the mask mandate due to the fact that we are
heading into holiday season and cold weather season, meaning people will be gathering indoors
more.
The Board discussed the topic of extending mask mandate order to January 15'', 2022. Dr. Geller
asked for information about mask mandates at schools and in other communities. Ms. Belanger
explained children in Lexington schools participate in the Test and Stay program as designed by
DESE. Mr. Lucente commented that the Board should be set a date before January 15, 2022 to
review the mask mandate. Ms. Belanger suggested a special meeting on January 11' due to the
fact that the next scheduled Board meeting is Jan 18'h which would be after the Jan 15Th date. Dr.
Heiger-Bernays recommended the Board extend the mask mandate consistent with DESE
requirements until January 15'', 2022.
Board of Health
3
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair of Board of Health, made a motion and asked for a Roll Call
Vote to extend Lexington Mask Mandate Order through January 15th 2022. Roll Call Vote:
Perlmutter — Yes, Geller —Yes, Flynn — Yes, Wolf-Fordham — Yes, Heiger-Bernays — Yes.
Motion carried 5 to 0. All in favor.
Board of Health stated they will retain the mask mandate order until January 15th 2022 and
review the mask mandate status on January 11th, 2022.
Presentation by Clean Heat Lexington Alliance
Tina McBride, member of Sustainable Lexington Committee, on behalf of Clean Heat Lexington
Alliance, made a presentation and explained proposed changes of warrant Article 17,
redevelopment on Hartwell Quarter and reduce emissions by encouraging hybrid HVAC in new
life science and lab buildings.
The proposed changes under this article would create an additional zoning incentive for new
construction in the CM district to use non-fossil-fuel-combustion-based HVAC systems.Buildings
that don't use on-site fossil-fuel-combustion-heating or have a first stage of heating that delivers a
minimum capacity of heat without on-site combustion are allowed to exceed sixty-five (65) feet
in height. The Board discussed reduction of greenhouse gas emission, industry best practices and
current design systems and support of the Town's Net Zero Emissions goals.-Ms. Belanger,Health
Director, stated climate change and decreasing CO2 emissions and fossil fuels are clear public
health issues.
The Board of Health stated they support the actions to reduce the use of fossil fuels in buildings,
consistent with the goals of warrant Article 17, recognizing that greenhouse gas emissions
resulting in climate change is a threat to public health.
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair of Board of Health, asked for a Roll Call Vote to support the
proposal on Article 17. Roll Call Vote: Perlmutter —Yes, Flynn—Yes, Geller—Yes, Heiger-
Bernays —Yes. Motion carried 4 to 0. All in favor.
Board of Health
4
Health Staff Reports
Environmental Health
Ms. Belanger briefly described that lab animals regulations are on hold, discussed inspections and
re-inspections review, especially on restaurants and pools, discussed new food establishment
permits, and gave update on public an ongoing housing order.
Community Health
Ms. Belanger provided updates on the flu clinics status, and the free COVID testing program
collaboration with Town of Belmont,which was open to residents in both towns. The testing dates
will be in alignment with upcoming holidays.
Directors Report
Ms. Belanger provided Casey Mellin's final report and his resignation letter to the Board. She
informed the Board of her attendance at the annual Mass Health Officers Association conference.
Ms. Belanger stated next Board of Health meeting is scheduled for November 16Th, 2021. The
Board of Health meeting will be still virtual until April 2022 according to current legislation.
Ms.Belanger also updated the rDNA final report and tobacco control report on regulations changes.
Ms. Belanger described a Covid-19 home test namely Flowflex, that is now on the market. The
Board and Ms.Belanger reaffirmed the Department of Public Health's recommendation that a
confirmatory PCR test should be done after a positive over-the-counter Covid test.
Joanne Belanger provided the updated Covid booster shot regulations from CDC.
Adiournment
Dr. Perlmutter made a motion to adjourn at 8:39 PM. Dr. Geller seconded. Roll Call Vote:
Flynn -Yes, Perlmutter—Yes, Geller—Yes,Heiger -Bernays-Yes. Motion carried 4 to 0.All
in favor.
Board of Health
5