HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-21-BOH-min
LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 21
7:00 P.M.
Cary Hall Memorial Building
Estabrook Hall, (lower level)
1605 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
Board of Health Members in Attendance:
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, Chair, John J. Flynn, 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:
Maureen Lee; Food Service Solutions
Frances Feng; Beijing Restaurant
Craig Cyr; Residential Kitchen
Joe Onorato; Vector Disease Control International
Ragab Hamdoun; Owner of Samira’s Homemade
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM. Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, served as Chair
Person.
The Community Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
Community Health and Infectious Disease Report: Director Cody discussed the “Truth
about the Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know” that was hosted at Cary Hall Memorial
Building on September 20th. The presentation introduced the public to topics related to Opioid
addiction.
Director Cody informed the Board of an interdepartmental report requested by the Board
of Selectmen in order to better understand the use of opioids in the community and the Town’s
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response to this crisis. The Office of Public Health, Human Services, the Police and Fire
Departments coordinated a submittal of the requested report. The report is divided into four
sections that provide an overview of the issues and related challenges.
Director Cody discussed the schedule for the upcoming Flu Clinic dates. The first flu
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clinic of the season was held on September 14 at St. Brigid’s Church for those 60 years of age
and older and 139 individuals were vaccinated. It was noted the next public clinic will be held
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from 10 AM - 2:30 PM at 146 Maple Street, Lexington Massachusetts.
October 29
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.
Beijing Restaurant; In May of 2015, Beijing was ordered to hire a food consultant
through December 2015 to provide training of staff and to monitor their progress with
compliance to the food code. At an inspection that took place on July 27, 2016, 11 critical
violations were observed. Beijing met with the Board to discuss a plan of action that will help
bring this establishment back into compliance with the food code. After some discussion, Burt
Perlmutter, M.D., proposed a motion that stated “The Lexington Board of Health orders that you
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hire a food consultant by October 1, 2016. The food consultant will provide the services
including four unannounced inspections and training as needed through January 31, 2016. A
monthly report to the BOH is required though February, 2017.” David Geller, M.D., seconded
the motion. All were in favor
Craig Cyr, Personal Chef, Residential Kitchen; Craig Cyr Personal Chef has completed a
Residential Kitchen Food Permit Application with the Office of Public Health. He met with the
Sharon
Board and requested a permit to operate a Residential Kitchen. After some discussion,
MacKenzie R.N., CCM, proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health grants
an Annual Permit to Operate a Residential Kitchen to Craig Cyr Personal Chef at 38 Revere
Street.” Burt Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor
Farmers Market Permit Review; On August 26, 2016 a letter was sent from the Lexington
Office of Public Health to Samira’s Homemade, operated by Mr. Ragab Hamdoun. The Letter
described in detail the temperature control violations for holding and transporting potentially
hazardous foods in the danger zone. On June 16, 2015, September 22, 2015, July 5, 2016 and
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August 16, 2016, Mr. Hamdoun had food in the danger zone and ready for sale at the
Lexington’s Farmers Market. As a result of the repeat offense and repeatedly providing food for
public consumption that is potentially unsafe, Mr. Hamdoun was not allowed to vend at the
Farmer’s Market. After much discussion, Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, proposed a motion that
stated, “If you would like to continue to vend at the Farmers Market in Lexington, you must hire
a food consultant to provide training for you in the preparation, display, and transport of
potentially hazardous foods. Furthermore, the food consultant must verify by way of a site visit
to the Market during operation that the potentially hazardous foods are not in the danger zone.
Otherwise, the Lexington Board of Health does not approve of your application to vend at the
Lexington Farmer’s Market.” David Geller, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor.
State Sanitary Code Case Reviews: The Board reviewed the State Sanitary Code Case for
20 Grapevine Avenue; The Lexington Office of Public Health was contacted by the
tenant of the property in July of 2016. The tenant requested a State Sanitary Code inspection of
the dwelling they occupy. Public Health Director, Gerard Cody and Carly Mitchell, Public
Health Intern, inspected the property referenced on Friday July 22, 2016. The inspection detailed
violations that may endanger the health and safety of the occupant. An Order To Correct letter
was sent out from the Office of Public Health on July 29, 2016. Since the letter was received by
the property owner, the tenant has moved out. The Health Director informed the property owner,
that the dwelling could not be rented again until the violations are corrected.
6 Churchill Lane; There appears to be water available from the street to the property. The
occupant chooses to not use the water. The occupant claims that the pipes froze and burst, so he
is not able to use the plumbing fixtures. The Health Director met with the property owner on
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at the Community Center with Kelley Axtell, Assistant Human Services
Friday September 9
Director for the Town of Lexington. Kelly made arrangements for a plumber to inspect the
property and report back to the Office of Public Health. The occupant is requesting an extension
of at least 4 months to make the corrections to the letter from this office dated July 22, 2016.
After much discussion, Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, proposed a motion that stated, “ The
Lexington Board of Health will allow the dwelling at 6 Churchill Lane to be occupied upon the
property owner agreeing to the following requirements. 1. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
detectors must be installed throughout the dwelling, 2.Allow the Office of Public Health to
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conduct and interior inspection of the property by October 12, 2016, 3. Heating system must pass
plumbing inspector requirements, 4. Kitchen must have working stove, working sink free from
leaks, and working refrigerator/freezer, 5. Bathroom mush have working hand sinks, bathtub
with shower and flushing toiler free from leaks, 6. Temporary arrangement described above
expires on December 15, 2016 and the occupants agree to vacate the premises by this date if
compliance is not achieved with the State Sanitary Code. In addition, the BOH requires that you
provide a monthly update in October and November to the Office of Public Health on your
progress in repairing the property on or before December 15, 2016.” David Geller, M.D.,
seconded the motion. All were in favor.
24B Greeley Village; In late June, this office was contacted by tenants at 24B Greeley
Village in Lexington to express concerns about “mold” in the dwelling units that they occupy.
On June 27, 2016 Health Director, Gerard Cody and David Neylon, Public Health Nurse,
conducted a site visit at the property referenced. The Health Director informed the Lexington
Housing Authority Office of the inspection results, and made recommendations to investigate the
source of the chronic dampness, in order to correct.
15 Oxford Street; The homeowner expressed concern about a noise that may be coming
from an unidentified source at or around 177 Massachusetts Avenue. In order to conduct an
investigation, Director Cody requested that the homeowner provide data, to determine when to
detect noise from the property.
Cary Memorial Library Plumbing Code, Variance Request; The Lexington Office of
Public Health received a request on behalf of Colin Smith Architecture, pursuant to M.G.L. c.
142.13, to petition the Board for a variance from the State Plumbing Code at Cary Memorial
Library, Lexington, MA. Variance is requested from Chapter 10.10(18).(m).3 of the State
Plumbing Code requires that single user rest rooms be labelled male and female. Colin Smith
Architecture is requesting a variance to allow that single user restrooms be labelled “Unisex” (or
other gender neutral term). After some discussion, Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD., proposed a
motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health agrees to send a letter of non-opposition to
the Board of Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters for Colin Smith Architecture and the Cary
Library to label single use bathrooms as Unisex or other gender neutral terms.”Sharon
MacKenzie R.N., CCM, seconded the motion. All were in favor.
A new Lodging Place Regulation has been proposed as a priority for the
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Office of Public Health. The objective of this potential regulation would be too effectively
regulate short term rentals within the Town of Lexington. Mr. Cody attended a Webinar session
that addressed the subject matter for this regulation on May 10, 2016. The Health Director
discussed a local regulation that will allow all applicable codes into one document. The new
regulation will be a team project that will drafted over the next fiscal year.
Tick surveillance; A grant was received from the Community Endowment of Lexington
to conduct tick surveillance, tick-borne disease testing and “tick tube” deployment in target areas
in town. The Office of Public Health has contracted with Vector Disease Control International
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and the work will take place between June 1 and December 31, 2016. Joe Oronta of Vector
Disease Control international, met with the Board and presented findings from the tick borne
disease testing. A detailed report will be produced upon completion.
The Minutes of June 15, 2016 were approved with correction.
The Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed.
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At their June 22 meeting, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
made an interim recommendation that live attenuated Influenza Vaccine should not be used for
the 2016-2017 flu season. As a result of the lack of “Flumist,” the Lexington Office of Public
Health has reached out to Boston Children’s Hospital in Lexington and also to Region 4a
Medical Reserve Corps Cathy Corkery to see if we are able to recruit more pediatric vaccinators
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for the Saturday, October 29 flu clinic.
EDS Drill Deliverables; to satisfy Public Health Emergency Preparedness Budget Period
5 local health deliverables, the Lexington Office of Public Health is required to complete 3
Emergency Dispensing Drills prior to March 31, 2017.
The Health Director reviewed the Old Reservoir Bathing Beach’s sampling data for the
2016 season.
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, motioned that the meeting be adjourned and John J. Flynn,
seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
It was noted that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.
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