HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-18-BOH-min
LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
7:00 P.M.
Estabrook Room
Cary Hall Memorial Building
1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Board of Health Members in Attendance:
John J. Flynn, J.D., David Geller, M.D., Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, Burt Perlmutter, M.D.
Health Division Attendees:
Gerard F. Cody, Health Director
Francis Dagle, Clerk
Speakers:
None present
Documents:
Community Health Report May 2016
Environmental Health Report May 2016
Establishment Inspections May 2016
Youth Mental Health First Aid documentation
Lexington Community Coalition, Youth Initiative documentation
Mental Health documentation
MMA HSC Regional Meeting documentation
Swimming Pool Operation workshop documentation
Lodging Place Regulation documentation
Land Use & Development FY17-FY18 documentation
Permission to enter a dwelling unit documentation
Public Health Emergency events workshop documentation
Press Release Policy documentation
Dana Home Grant documentation
Tick Grant documentation
Student Excellence in Public Health documentation
Lexington Board of Health Minutes, May 18, 2016 Page 1 of 5
Variance Request; Pool, Use of Lifeguard
Tobacco Regulation Compliance documentation
Variance Request; 9 Hillside Terrace
Variance Request; 337 Bedford Street
Emergency Preparedness documentation
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM. Burt Perlmutter, M.D., served as acting Chair
Person.
The Community Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
Community Health and Infectious Disease Report: Director Cody discussed the training
th
2016, hosted by the Office of Public Health. Youth
session to take place June 1st and June 8
Mental Health First Aid, will introduce common mental health challenges for individuals, and
teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Director Cody informed the Board of two upcoming meetings; The Lexington
Community Coalition Committee meeting. It will take place on May 4, 2016 and one of the
primary topics for discussion will be, Public Health Mental Health First Aid. The second meeting
held by MMAHSC will discuss opioid addiction. This will take place on May 13, 2016
The Environmental Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
Environmental Health Report was reviewed for various inspections conducted by the
Health Agent.
Lexington Battle Green BBQ Festival; On May 26, 2016, Temporary Food Permitted
food vendors will be having an all-day event.
The Town of Lexington currently has various seasonal pool facilities. To best practice
safe compliance, the Office of Public Health has coordinated an upcoming workshop with Pool
Operators. In order to comply with all pool requirements listed under 105 CMR 435.23, all local
facilities have requested a variance in writing. After much discussion, Sharon MacKenzie R.N.,
CCM proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health grants the variance request
from the requirement of lifeguards for the safe operation of pools as listed under 105 CMR
435.23 (1). In addition, all requirements of 105 CMR 435.23 (2) shall be met including all
Lexington Board of Health Minutes, May 18, 2016 Page 2 of 5
signage which includes: “Warning No Lifeguard on Duty” in easy to read, legible letters which
are at least four inches high “Children under age 16 should not use swimming pool without an
adult in attendance” and another sign that states, “Adults should not swim alone.” This Variance
applies only to the following seasonal pool facilities, which have made the request in writing.
They are listed as follows: Adams, Aloft Hotel, Avalon at Lexington Hills, Avalon at Lexington
Ridge, Drummer Boy Condominiums, Element Hotel, Emerson Gardens Condominiums, Moon
Hill, Pleasant Brook, Quality Inn, Peacock Farm. This Variance will expire at the end of the
Seasonal Pool season or upon notification of an unsafe operating condition at a specific facility.”
John J. Flynn, J.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor
State Sanitary Code Case Reviews: The Board reviewed the State Sanitary Code Case for
9 Hillside Terrace; On March 30, 2016 Gerard Cody, Health Director for the Town of
Lexington, Board of Health and Kelley Axtell, Assistant Director of Senior Services and Paul
Bates, Fire Department Inspector, were invited to conduct an inspection of a dwelling located at
9 Hillside Terrace. Based on the results of that inspection, the Board of Health finds that the
dwelling is unfit for human habitation. The occupants were ordered to vacate and the owner was
ordered to secure the 9 hillside Terrace within 48 hours of receipt of this order. The homeowner
since met with the Health Director once a week, to discuss the progress to comply with the order.
After much discussion, John J. Flynn, J.D., proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board
of Health will allow the dwelling at 9 Hillside Terrace to be re-occupied upon the property owner
completing the following requirements determined by the Health Director; 1.Smoke and Carbon
Monoxide doctors must be installed throughout the dwelling, 2. Building must confirm that the
structure is sound, 3. Heating system must pass plumbing inspector requirements, 4. Kitchen
must have working stove, working sink free from leaks, and working refrigerator / freezer, 5.
Dwelling space must remain sanitary and clean, 6. Discuss a plan to re-arrange bedrooms to
provide a sleeping area for those with mobility issues, 7. Meet with staff from Lexington Human
Services to discuss any potential assistance from the various programs that are available.” Burt
Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor.
337 Bedford Street; On Wednesday May 18, 2016 at approximately 11:15 AM,
Lexington Dispatch notified me the Health Director that 337 Bedford Street was found to be in
deplorable condition. A body was found on site and it was removed by the MA Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner. After speaking to emergency responders and viewing the condition of
Lexington Board of Health Minutes, May 18, 2016 Page 3 of 5
the property, the Public Health Director recommended that the BOH declare the property located
at 337 Bedford Street be unfit for human habitation. No other occupants are believed to reside at
this location. No family members have contacted this office. 24 Trauma has been contacted to
start clean-up. After much discussion, Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, proposed a motion that
stated, “The Lexington Board of Health has learned of the conditions of the place at 337 Bedford
Street. Due to the large accumulations of Rubbish, Garbage, and bodily fluids, lack of egress
other damages that impair the health and safety of any occupant, the Lexington Board of Health
declares the property located at 337 Bedford Street to be unfit for human habitation. The
property should be secured immediately condemned and Biohazards removed from the premises
by June 15, 2016.” John J. Flynn, J.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor
16 Hancock Street; Mr. Cody informed the Board that on March 18, 2016 representatives
from the Fire and Building Departments inspected the dwelling. Upon inspection completion, the
home was declared unfit for human habitation, as described in the State Sanitary Code.
Occupants have since vacated the dwelling. 24 Trauma, a biohazard waste contractor removed
any signs of filth and biohazardous materials. The dwelling was recently sold to a buyer.
Recently Director Cody reviewed the fiscal FY17-FY18 Lexington Public Health goals
with Town Management. A new Lodging Place Regulation was proposed as a priority for the
Office of Public Health. The objective of this potential regulation would be to effectively
regulate short term rentals within the Town of Lexington. Mr. Cody will be attending a Webinar
session that will address the subject matter for this regulation on May 10, 2016.
The Minutes of April 20, 2016 were approved with correction.
The Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed.
The Board was informed on the Staffing Public Health Emergency Events and Recovery
Efforts workshop. This workshop will be held on June 9, 2016. The Office of Public Health has
invited Municipal Administrators and Emergency Responders from the Town of Lexington and
Town of Winchester to attend. Region 4A has hired John Carter of Emergency Preparedness
Consulting, LLC, to facilitate the discussion about the Public Health Emergency Planning with
these two towns. The goal of the workshop will be to reduce the gaps that have been identified
by the Region 4A plans for Community Preparedness and Volunteer Management.
Lexington Board of Health Minutes, May 18, 2016 Page 4 of 5
Health Education Report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
In February, 2016 Faye Andrews, MPH, Health Educator, visited seven tobacco retailers
in Lexington. Currently Ms. Andrews is spot checking tobacco retailers, and providing education
awareness to all these establishments.
Article III, Smoking and Youth Access to Tobacco Products; Director Cody reviewed the
Board of Health Regulation and noted that chapter 155-14 needed to reflect information about
the use of electronic cigarettes that is present in chapter 155-22. The regulation will be reviewed
for possible revision for the July 20, 2016 meeting.
In February 2016, The Office of Public Health submitted a grant application to The Dana
Home Foundation. The grant application was originally filed by Director Cody with the purpose
of funding to help provide annual vaccinations to senior citizens in the Town of Lexington.
Recently, the Office of Public Health received a response that the Town of Lexington was not
selected for funding.
Burt Perlmutter, M.D., motioned that the meeting be adjourned and Sharon MacKenzie R.N.,
seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.
It was noted that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 15, 2016.
Lexington Board of Health Minutes, May 18, 2016 Page 5 of 5