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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