Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-19-BOH-min LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 19, 2016 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 Office of Public Health Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Public Health Director Speakers: Maureen Lee; Food Service Solutions Frances Feng; Beijing Restaurant Jae Park; Bulpan Restaurant Documents: Community Health Report Environmental Health Report Emergency Preparedness Report Opioid Epidemic Flu Clinic Press Release Beijing Restaurant; Food Service Solutions inspection report Letter to MDPH; Indoor Air Quality Program The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, served as Chair. The Minutes of September 21, 2016 were approved with correction. The Community Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed; Director Cody informed the BOH about recent activities related to opioid addiction prevention, including a written report that was prepared by various town departments including but not limited to Police, Fire, Human Services and Health. The report was presented to the BOS at a recent meeting. Director Cody informed the Board of the Lexplore Sustainability Conference on October 29, 2016. The Office of Public Health will sponsor a table and provide a speaker on a related topic. Director Cody discussed the schedule for the upcoming Flu Clinics. The first clinic took place th on September 14 at St. Brigid’s Church for those 60 years of age and older and 139 individuals were vaccinated. The Environmental Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed; Beijing Restaurant; Maureen Lee, Food Safety Consultant, and Frances Feng of Beijing met with the BOH to discuss the September food safety audit. The Board noted that there were 3 critical violations documented during the recent audit. The Board emphasized that there is zero tolerance for critical violations, and compliance with 105CMR 590.000 is required. The Board of Health ordered that Beijing Restaurant appear at the November BOH meeting to review the results of the next food safety audit. Jae Park, Operations Manager, Bulpan Restaurant completed the application process with the Office of Public Health and requested a food permit from the BOH. After some discussion, David Geller, M.D., proposed a motion that stated,“The Lexington Board of Health grants an Page 1 of 3 BOH October 2016 Annual Permit to operate a Food Establishment to Bulpan Restaurant upon a successful completion of a pre-operational inspection.”John. J. Flynn seconded the motion. All were in favor. Jae Park also requested a variance from the BOH to use rice, (for sushi) that is kept in the “danger zone”. Director Cody explained that the ‘danger zone is any temperature between 42F and 139F where bacteria may grow exponentially over time if the environment is suitable. Reducing the pH of a food product is one way to allow for a variance from the requirement to keep food out of the “danger zone””. After some discussion,David Geller, M.D., proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health has approved the HACCP plan that was submitted by Bulpan. Bulpan may use rice vinegar to lower the pH of the rice to prevent microbial growth. If the inspection process reveals that the HACCP plan is not followed or understood by the food service staff, then the variance may be suspended by the Board of Health or agent of the Board of Health”. John J. Flynn seconded the motion. All were in favor. The Board reviewed the State Sanitary Code Case for 6 Churchill Lane. An Order to Correct Letter was sent from the Office of Public Health on July 22, 2016. The property owner responed in writing on August 3, 2016 and noted that he chooses to not use the public water service although it is available from the street service connection. The owner claims that the pipes froze and burst, so he is not able to use the plumbing fixtures. He claims that water is available from a basement connection and he fills old milk bottles of water up from the street service connection for his water use needs. The Health Director met with the property owner on th Friday September 9 at the Community Center with Kelley Axtell, Assistant Human Services Director for the Town of Lexington. Ms. Axtell made arrangements for a private licensed plumber to inspect the property and provide an estimate to the property owner for the cost to restore water, sewer and heat service. The occupant requested an extension of at least 4 months to make the corrections to the Order to Correct letter from this office dated July 22, 2016. The Lexington Board of Health agreed to the request for an extension for the property owner to voluntarily come into compliance with the requirements of the letter dated July 22, 2016. It is anticipated that the property owner come into compliance with the July 22, 2016 on or about December 15, 2016. 24B Greeley Village; in late June, this office was contacted by a tenant at 24B Greeley Village in Lexington to express concerns about mold in the dwelling unit. On June 27, 2016 Health Director, Gerard Cody and David Neylon, Public Health Nurse, conducted a site visit at the property. The Health Director informed the Lexington Housing Authority Office of their observations and made recommendations to investigate any potential source of chronic dampness. It was recommended that professional contractors be hired by the Housing Authority. The contractors recommended that a dehumidifier would be beneficial to keep the basement area free of chronic dampness. Despite these efforts, the tenant at 24B is still concerned about “mold” like odors. 7 Graham Road; As a result of an anonymous complaint, Kathy Fox, Health Agent for the Lexington Office of Public Health, inspected (in plain view) the apparent unoccupied property. The inspection, which took place on October 19, 2015, revealed violations of Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.000 “Minimum Standards of Human Habitation” that were in need of correction. In September 2016, Director Cody spoke with the property owner and discussed that initial conditions have reoccurred to cause a chronic nuisance situation. The Office of Public Health sent a letter that outlined all the steps that the homeowner could take to demolish the dwelling along with the permit application for demolition of an existing dwelling. The director has requested that the homeowner review these documents and respond with a time frame to either clean & secure the property or to pursue a demolition permit. Page 2 of 3 BOH October 2016 16 Estabrook Road; On September 24, 2016 at 8:30PM, Lexington Police Department responded to a lockout call at 16 Estabrook Road. Currently Director Cody is working with Human Services to provide available services to the homeowner. A new Lodging Place Regulation has been proposed for the Board of Health to consider. 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, regulations and definitions into one document. Currently, there is no one “go to” document that can be referenced for various issues related to nuisance or state sanitary code matters for various types of Lodging Places. Recently the Lexington Police asked the BOH to consider a Bodywork works establishment regulation, (similar to what surrounding towns have enacted), in order to help reduce crime related to prostitution. The BOH has instructed the Office of Public Health to initiate the process of drafting a Bodywork’s regulation. 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 and stst the work will take place between June 1 and December 31, 2016. Ongoing deployment and testing is currently in progress. Tobacco Program update; A sign for establishments that sell tobacco products has been designed. Director Cody reviewed the graphic and content that would best reflect Article III, Smoking and Youth Access to Tobacco Products. The Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed. It was noted to the BOH that the October 29, 2016 Public Flu Clinic would be considered an Emergency Dispensing Site, (EDS) drill for the staff and MRC volunteers to practice plans to deploy vaccine in case of a disease threat. Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, motioned that the meeting be adjourned and John J. Flynn, seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. It was noted that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. Page 3 of 3 BOH October 2016