HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-28-BOH-min LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 28, 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
Office of Public Health Attendees:
Gerard Cody, Health Director
Francis Dagle, Health Assistant
Speakers:
Brita Lundberg, Sierra Club
Lisa Fitzgibbons, Sierra Club
Documents:
Community Health Report
Environmental Health Report
Lexington residents are encourages to learn more about Youth Mental Health First Aid(YMHFA), Press Release
24 Greeley Village, document
306 Katandin Drive, document
12 Scotland Road, document
Old Reservoir Bathing Beach, documents
Regulations Governing the Practice of Bodywork, draft document
4 Baskin Road, document
MAHB, documents
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;
There will be a series of six disease prevention presentations this summer on common vector-borne diseases found in
Massachusetts. The presentations will address how they are transmitted, a description of the diseases, and what can be
done to protect yourself and others from them.
The Office of Public Health is sponsoring a Youth Mental Health First Aid training on September 23 and 30, 2017.
Participants of the training will learn about a 5 step action plan to assess a situation and help, the impact of mental and
substance use disorders, and local resources and where to turn for help.
Environmental Health report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
24B Greeley Village; the brother of the occupant for 24B Greeley village recently requested a status update on this case
with the Office of Public Health. Director Cody provided the requester a response report in which he included a complete
copy of any environmental tests for the apartment and building, and an explanation of the plan and process to address
mold within the apartment. See minutes from May 2017 for further information.
306 Katandin Drive; The Office of Public Health received notification by an anonymous source that there is evidence of
filth and a large accumulation of clutter in the interior of the dwelling place. Director Cody composed a letter requesting
to confirm the notification claims.
12 Scotland Road; a nuisance complaint was received in regards to a new home causing water run down onto the property
at 12 Scotland Road. The Health Director conducted a site visit with Public Health Nurse, David Neylon. After some
discussion Wendy Heiger-Bernays,PhD proposed a motion that stated, "The existing sump pump indicates that water
symptoms are not a recent or direct cause of the new abutting dwelling. The Lexington Board of Health does not have the
ability or a reason to idents this matter as a Public Health issue." Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, seconded the motion.
All were in favor.
Micro cell tower complaint update; The Health Director received a correspondence from Verizon Wireless in regards to
RF emissions. The document stated that Federal law prohibits local authorities from considering the effects of RF
emissions for wireless facilities that comply with RF emission guidelines as established by the FCC. See minutes from
February 2017 for further information.
Natural Gas Pipeline Letter; Dr. Brita Lundberg,infectious disease specialist, and Ms. Lisa Fitzgibbons, Lexington branch
of Mothers Out Front member,met with the board to discuss interstate gas pipelines. After some discussion, John J.
Flynn,proposed a motion that stated, "The Lexington Board ofHealth has become aware of the development offracking
gas infrastructure in the State of Massachusetts. As a result of our discussion about the potential health impacts of
increasing the dependence on carbon-based fuels and specifically utilizing Fracked Gas Infrastructure technology in
Massachusetts, the Lexington Board ofHealth respectfully requests that an objective Comprehensive Health Impact
Assessment, (CHIA) be conducted before any new Fracked Gas Infrastructure, (FGI)pipeline or structure is completed in
Massachusetts. Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, seconded the motion. All were in favor.
John J. Flynn,proposed a motion that stated, "The Lexington Board ofHealth will draft and issue a letter in support of
clean renewable energy. The letter will be reviewed by Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, and Sent to Emily Norton, Sierra
Club, who will forward the document to the Governor of Massachusetts." Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, seconded the
motion. All were in favor.
Sustainable Lexington Building material policy update; Wendy Heiger-Bernays,PhD will draft a letter to send to the
Sustainable Lexington Committee. See minutes from May 2017 for further information.
Old Res Bathing Beach-update; The Board reviewed the sampling data for 2017.
Bodywork Regulation-update; The Board discussed a public hearing process to adopt the regulation occurring at the
September 20, 2017 Board of Health meeting.
Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed;
On Thursday, June 14"', the Lexington Office of Public Health hosted a Table Top Exercise (TTX) for Region 4ab,
including representatives from the town's Health, Fire, EMT and Public Works Departments. The TTX reviewed the
Office of Public Health emergency plans and used a fictitious scenario to demonstrate how these plans would be exercised
in the event of the need for an Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS).
On Thursday June 8"', the Metro Regional Preparedness Coalition(MRPC)hosted a regional seminar which helped
review three annexes to the regional Emergency Coordination Plan. The Seminar focused on the local public health
perspective.
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 8:05 PM.
It was noted that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2017