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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-20-BOH-min 1 LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 6:30 pm Conducted by Remote Participation Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger-Bernays Chair, PhD, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., Jillian Tung, M.D., M.P.H., Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA., David Geller, M.D Vice Chair joined late at 7:13pm. Select Board (Liaison): Mark Sandeen Office of Public Health Attendees: Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director, Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director Documents:  Draft BOH meeting minutes  rDNA Inspection Program Annual Report Rebecca Caruso, MPH, RBP (ABSA), CBSP (ABSA)  Plumbing Code Variance Request Dicerna Pharmaceutical - 65 Hayden Ave Equipment washing sink discharge  LexZeroWaste – Report on Phase 3 of Pilot Program for Reusable Take-out Containers – Janet Kern and Laura Swain  Variance Request – Semi-Public Pool  105 CMR 435.23 (1) Lifeguards  Code of the Town of Lexington, Chapter 155-116 - Emerson Gardens – 73B Emerson Gardens Road  229 Bedford St, Unit 2 Housing – Update - Linna Ma  Craft Food Halls - 1050 Waltham St. and 10 Maguire Rd Extension of submitting HACCP plan logs per the BOH variance approval for Sous Vide FDA Food Code 3-502.11 (Specialized Processing Method – Sous Vide)  Tobacco Control Update  Health Staff Reports Environmental Health Community Health Directors Report  Correspondence/Information  New/Old Business Lab Animal Consultant Community Naloxone Purchasing Program approval  Adjournment 2 Meeting Called to Order: The meeting began at 6:34 pm Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Minutes Approval The Board of Health reviewed the March 20th Board of Health meeting minutes. Ms. Wolf- Fordham made a motion to accept as edited and amended. Dr. Tung seconded the motion. Approved unanimously. The Board of Health reviewed the May 16th Board of Health meeting. Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion to accept as edited and amended. Dr. Perlmutter seconded the motion. Approval unanimously. Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address) None rDNA Inspection Program Annual Report, Rebecca Caruso, MPH, RBP, (ABSA), CBSP (ABSA) Ms. Caruso attended the meeting and gave the Board an overview of her work in Lexington on inspections of biotech companies conducted over the last year along with any recurring issues she encountered. Ms. Caruso provided answers and clarified concerns and questions raised by members of the Board of Health. Plumbing Code Variance Request- Dicerna Pharmaceutical- 65 Hayden Ave -Equipment washing sink discharge Ralph Mulcahy, Dennis Robarge., and Steven Lacerte of Dicerna all attended the meeting. Mr. Mulcahy explained to the Board why they requested the plumbing variance for 65 Hayden Av. The Board of Health has several questions and concerns regarding the transfer of hazardous waste within the facility with the use of a carboy that was to replace a direct plumbing connection. Mr. Lacerte explained the company’s procedures for transferring and disposing of the waste. The Board continued to question the procedures and requested that Dicerna Pharmaceutical have the Lexington Fire Department review and approve the plans. The Board of Health requested logs of volumes of waste expected per week, the final design of the carboys, and a detailed description of the process for emptying and moving the carboy including the description of the vacuum discharge into the 55-gallon drum. The Board of Health requested justification as to why there is no other way to do this besides the provided one. Who will be the company transferring the hazardous waste and what are their training and safety procedures along with specifications on what types of equipment will be used for transportation? Dr. Perlmutter made a motion to table the discussion 3 on the variance until the Board of Health receives the information that has been requested/ Dr. Tung seconded the motion. Approval unanimously. LexZeroWaste – Report on Phase 3 of Pilot Program for Reusable Take-out Containers - Janet Kern and Laura Swain Janet Kern and Laura Swain of the committee attended the meeting and gave an update on Phase 3, of the pilot Reusable Take-out container program. Ms. Kern introduced the new LexZero Waste Board President Laura Swain. They presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the significant data collected during the pilot with details, demonstrating water conversation and a decrease in emissions due to the use of less plastic. The Board asked questions on the process of the pilot program and questions and concerns were answered. Variance Request – Semi-Public Pool 105 CMR 435.23 (1) Lifeguards Codes of the Town of Lexington, Chapter 155-116: Ms. McCartin gave the Board an overview of the variance request from Emerson Gardens located at 73B Emerson Gardens Rd. Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion to grant a variance for Emerson Gardens condominium to operate their swimming Pool without lifeguards. Granted upon passage of inspection and for this season only. Dr. Perlmutter seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously. 229 Bedford St, Unit 2 Housing – Update - Linna Ma Property owner Lina Ma attended the meeting. Ms. Ma gave an update on the process of the repairs that were requested from the Board. Ms. McCartin expressed her concerns about the process of repairs. The Board asked to remain updated on the completion of the task. Craft Food Halls - 1050 Waltham St. and 10 Maguire Rd -Extension of submitting HACCP plan logs per the BOH variance approval for Sous Vide - FDA Food Code 3-502.11 (Specialized Processing Method – Sous Vide) Ms. McCartin provided the Board of Health with an explanation of the variance requested. On December 20th, 2022, the Board of Health granted a variance to the Craft Food Hall Project at 1050 Waltham St to perform reduced oxygen packaging for food storage and sous vide food cooking techniques, given that the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan, in its entirety, is followed daily. The Business owners asked the Board of Health to extend the variance for another 6 months due to the fact the establishment didn’t open until 6 months after the variance was granted. Therefore, Dr. Geller made a motion to grant the variance “The Lexington Board of Health granted a variance to Craft Food Hall Project at 10 Maguire Rd on December 20th, 2022 to perform reduced oxygen packaging for food storage and sous vide food cooking techniques, given that the HACCP plan, in its entirety, is followed on a daily basis. The Board of Health amends the approved variance that the Craft Food Hall Project must send the Lexington Office of Public Health their date, time, and temperature logs on a monthly basis for 6 4 months after the date the permit is issued. The Board of Health will review to determine the status in 6 months after the date the permit is issued. Only ServSafe-certified employees will be able to prepare the food items using the sous vide technique and Craft Food Hall Project must submit all copies of employees’ ServSafe certification. Craft Food Hall Project must submit paperwork stating that all staff have read and understand the HACCP plan, and that once training is complete, a training document is signed and kept on file for each employee stating they understand all aspects of the HACCP plan. Craft Food Hall Project must send a copy of the signature page to the Lexington Office of Public Health.” Dr. Heiger-Bernays seconds the motion. The Board voted unanimously. Tobacco Control Update The Board of Health reviewed and discussed the reports provided by the inspector. During the meeting, Ms. Belanger informed the Board that Marissa Morello, the current Tobacco inspector, is no longer working for the coalition as she has taken up a new job in another town. The Board raised some questions and concerns about the absence of the inspection. Ms. Belanger addressed their queries and concerns by providing answers and clarifications. Health Staff Reports Staff provided their monthly reports answered questions and clarified any concerns. Directors Report: Ms. Belanger shared some exciting news regarding the Health Department's efforts to combat opioid overdoses in our community. The department has been approved for a community Naloxone (Narcan) purchase program and has also received approval for controlled substance registration, as well as completed necessary training. This means that the Health Department can now order Naloxone free of charge from the State to provide doses to residents as part of the opioid settlement task force known as START. Ms. Belanger explained that the Health Department has put together a rescue kit that contains Fentanyl strips, a CPR mask, and gloves, with the addition of Narcan to come soon. Eventually, Narcan kits will also be made available to the public. Furthermore, the rescue kits will be given to first responders to have in their patrol cars to administer or distribute as needed. Adjournment Dr. Geller made a motion to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. Dr. Perlmutter seconded. Motion carried 4 to 0.