HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-10-BOH-min
LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
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, MD.
Office of Public Health Attendees:
Gerard Cody, Health Director
Francis Dagle, Health Assistant
Speakers:
Mark Sandeen, Sustainability Lexington
Sara Robinson, BU, School of Public Health
Sam Beglinger, BU, School of Public Health
Documents:
Community Health Report
Environmental Health Report
Chicken and Rice Guys, document
Check yourself for ticks when you are done with your outside activities, press release
Aerial Application to Control Mosquito Larvae
Medical Waste Collection Day in Lexington, Press Release
Hazardous Waste Collection will be on Saturday May 13, Press Release
Building Materials: Safer Alternatives
Radiofrequency Monitoring and Scope
Proposal for Region 4A document
Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment document
Request for Pool Variance document
Emergency Preparedness Report
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, served as Chair Person.
Gerard Cody, Public Health Director, reviewed the Community Health Report.
Environmental Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
Mark Sandeen, Sustainability Lexington, met with the board to discuss the sustainability project proposed for the Joseph
Estabrook Elementary School. Mr. Sandeen requested that the BOH draft a letter to help guide the project in the right
direction. Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health moves to
authorize the Public Health Director to draft two memos addressed to the Director of Facilities. The first memo will
identify chemicals on a suitable red list, and the second memo will identify benefits of increased ventilation.” Burt
Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Micro cell tower complaint update; Sam Beglinger, Boston University School of Public Health, undergraduate student,
will be studying this case, and report back to the BOH with any findings. See minutes from February 2017 for further
information.
On April 12, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Food Protection program informed the Lexington
Office of Public Health that an E. Coli outbreak investigation is currently ongoing at various Chicken and Rice Guy
establishments. The Public Health Director wrote a letter informing the owners that their permit to operate a mobile food
truck in Lexington called “Chicken and Rice Guys” has been suspended due to the investigation of an E. Coli outbreak.
The Board reviewed the State Sanitary Code Case for 6 Churchill Lane; a non-criminal complaint was filed by Director
Cody on December 30, 2016. The homeowner complied with the conditions, and the case is now closed. 24B Greeley
Village;ASAP Environmental assessed the property. The report identified backup found in the basement, which backed
up in the tub, toilet, and sinks on the first floor.After some discussion, David Geller, M.D. proposed a motion that stated,
“Due to recent findings, The Lexington Board of Health requests that the sanitary drain be checked, maintained, and
proof of service be provided to Greeley Village residents. Proof of service must be submitted to the Office of Public
Health by June 30, 2017.” Burt Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Bathing Place Permitting program; the seasonal Pool facilities has requested relief in the form of a variance from 105
CMR 435.23 (1) lifeguards. After some discussion, David Geller, M.D., 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 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.” Burt Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Peacock Farm Pool; Ms. Susan Barrett, Pool Chairperson, requested that the Board of Health grant a variance from the
requirement of Swimming Pool Code 105 CMR 435.23 (1). Ms. Barrett is asking that a lifeguard that they hired Ms.
Danna Ofek who is 15 years old be allowed to lifeguard at the pool. The Swimming Pool Code 435.46 Variances states in
part “Variances may be granted only as follows: The Board of Health may vary the application of any provisions of 105
CMR 435.00 with respect to any particular case when, in its opinion (a) the enforcement thereof would do manifest
injustice; and (b) the applicant has proved that the same degree of protection required under 105 CMR 435.00 can be
achieved without strict application of the particular provision. After some discussion, David Geller, M.D., proposed a
motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health grants the variance request from Swimming Pool Code 105 CMR
435.23 (1), to allow a lifeguard to work at the pool who is not 16 years old or older. Ms. Danna Ofek will be allowed to
work as a lifeguard at Peacock Farm Pool, with the stipulation of submitting a confirmation of Red Cross certification,
and notes that this request grant is only for this individual.” Burt Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in
favor.
Empow Studio Camp; the camp requested a variance from Recreational Camp Regulations Section 430.370: Toilet
Facilities Required. The Recreational Camps for Children Code 105 CMR 430.000 section 430.800 states in part “The
local board of health may vary the application of any provision of 105 CMR 430.00 with respect to any particular case
when, in its opinion, the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice; provided that the decision of the board of health
shall not conflict with the intent and spirit of these minimum standards.” After some discussion, Sharon MacKenzie R.N.,
CCM, proposed a motion that stated” “The Lexington Board of Health grants the variance request from Empow Studio
Camp, to operate with a restroom containing one stall.” David Geller, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Brookhaven at Lexington, Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment; Brookhaven requested assistance in reviewing the
Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment Toll for Brookhaven. On May 3, 2017, the Public Health Director met with the
Lexington Fire Chief, to discuss the assessment. Both the Lexington Office of Public Health and the Lexington Fire
Department concur with the Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment portion that was completed by Brookhaven.
The Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
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On Thursday, June 14, the Lexington Office of Public Health will host a workshop for Region 4a. The TTX will review
Office of Public Health emergency pans and will use scenarios to show how these plans would be exercised in the event
of an EDS or emergency shelter operation. Region 4AB HMCC updates; Ilya Glick is the newly appointed Grants
Manager with the Region 4AB Health and Medical Coordination Coalition via Cambridge Health Alliance.
Region 4AB Seminar; The Metro Regional preparedness Coalition is hosting a regional seminar to facilitate an in-depth
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review of three annexes to the regional Emergency Coordination Plan. The seminar will take place on June 8 in Dedham.
Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, motioned that the meeting be adjourned and Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, Chair,
seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.
It was noted that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 19, 2017