HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-16-BOH-min
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LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 6:30 pm
Conducted by Remote Participation
Board of Health Members in Attendance:
Wendy Heiger -Bernays Ph.D. Chair, David Geller, M.D., Vice-Chair, Jillian Tung, M.D., M.P.H.,
Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA, Shoolah Escott, MS.
Board of Health Members Absent:
Health Department Staff Attendees:
Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director (Absent), Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director
Select Board Liaison: Mark Sandeen
Documents:
Minutes Approval
Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address)
Annual Board Re-organization and Staff Appointments
Second Draft: revision of Article XIII, Food establishment
Semi Public Pool Variance Requests:
105 CMR 435.23 (1) Lifeguards
Code of the Town of Lexington, Chapter 155-116
New Management:
Emerson Gardens- 73B Emerson Gardens Rd – Semi-Public Pool
Nicotine Free Generation webinar discussion
Tobacco Control Update
Health Staff Reports
Environmental Health
Community Health
Directors Report
Correspondence/Information
MWRA report
Arbovirus Report
Measles Health Alert
Farmers Market
New/Old Business
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Meeting Called to Order:
The meeting began at 6:30 P.M.
Minutes Approval:
No minutes were provided.
Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address)
None
Annual Board Re-organization and Staff Appointments
Ms. McCartin reviewed with the Board the annual request to appoint staff as agents for the Board.
A letter of explanation and a slate of delegates were submitted for approval.
´The Board of Health delegates its legal authority to enforce State statutes and State and local
regulations to the Board's agents as listed below in Section A. This delegation is for the fiscal
period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and beyond, as the Board deems it necessary set
appointment is for regulatory legal authority only and does not guarantee any salary or fee. Joanne
Belanger as Director of Public Health, Alicia McCartin as assistant Director of Public Health,
Kelliann Coleman as Public Health Nurse, Jessica Shaw as Health Agent, Akeem McDougal as
Office Manager in the Health Department, Michael Leskouski Animal Control Officer, Mary de
Alderete (Town Clerk) as Burial Agent, and Diane Sperber (Assistant Town Clerk) as Burial
Agent.
Tri-Ton Coalition (Burlington, Lexington, Wilmington) Tahycha Soto: as Health Agent and
Tobacco Control Coordinator – Tri-Ton PHE SSA Coalition, Rashod Blades: as Public Health
Nurse - Tri-Ton PHE SSA Coalition, Katy Doughty: as Epidemiologist - Tri-Ton PHE SSA
Coalition.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion to accept the delegation for appointment.
Ms. Escott seconded the motion
The motion was approved unanimously.
Second Draft: Revision of Article XIII, Food Establishments
Ms. McCartin provided the Board with the second draft of the revision of Article XIII, Food
Establishment regulations.
Ms. McCartin informed the Board that many of the proposed updates have been corrected or are
from the current food codes.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion to adopt Article XIII, Food Establishment, as amended today
July 16, 2024. To be promulgated on September 1st, 2024.
Dr. Tung seconded the motion
The motion was approved unanimously
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Semi-Public Pool Variance Request:
105 CMR 435.23 (1) Lifeguards
Code of the Town of Lexington, Chapter 155-116
A semi-Public pool variance request was submitted to the board for a change of management
company for the Emerson Garden Condominium pool.
Dr. Geller made a motion that the Lexington Board of Health grant the variance request from the
requirement of lifeguards for the safe operation of pools as listed under Article XVI, Bathing
Places § 155-116. 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 the swimming pool without
an adult in attendance” and another sign that states, “Adults should not swim alone.” This
variance applies to the following seasonal pool facility, which has made the request in writing.
Lighthouse Realty Management LLC for Emerson Gardens Condominiums,
1-150 Emerson Gardens Road, Lexington.
This Variance will expire at the end of the Seasonal Pool season, pool expiration date, or upon
notification of an unsafe operating condition at a specific facility.
Ms. Wolf-Fordham second to motion as corrected.
Dr. Tung abstains from voting for the motion.
Motion vote 4 to 1.
Nicotine Free Generation webinar discussion
The Board of Health decided to place the nicotine-free Generation webinar discussion on hold
and will discuss it at the September 17, 2024 meeting.
Tobacco Control Update
Ms. Soto provided her monthly report.
Ms. Soto updated the Board of Health on the two local retailers that sold tobacco products to
minors on July 5th, and 9th.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays did inform the Board each establishment was fined and those fines were paid
in full.
Ms. Soto also updated the Board on her scope of work such as the inspections, and pricing surveys
on nicotine products.
Ms. Soto answered all the Board's questions and Concerns about this situation.
Health Staff Reports:
Staff provided their monthly reports.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays has questions regarding some of the reports.
Directors Report:
No director report was provided.
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Correspondence/Information -
MWRA Report:
Dr. Heiger-Bernays provided the Board with the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority update
on the recently received drinking water report.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays clarified the information that was presented.
Arbovirus Report:
Ms. McCartin provided a brief update to the Board about a positive West Nile virus detection in a
mosquito in Massachusetts.
Measles Health Alert:
Dr. Heiger-Bernays brought to the Board's attention the ongoing Measles outbreak, stressing the
importance of recognizing that not everyone is vaccinated and that the virus is highly infectious.
She urged everyone to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the situation.
Dr. Heiger-Bernays informed the Board of the most recent cases of Dengue and Chikunggunya
virus.
New/ Old Business:
Mr. Sandeen updated the Board on the ongoing issue regarding the expansion of the jet hangers at
Hanscom.
Mr. Sandeen mentioned that the Draft Environmental impact report was not adequate and was
requesting supplying significant amount of supplemental information.
Mr. Sandeen also mentioned that Senator Mike Barrett, filed Senate bill which then passed the
senate, and the bill includes amendments to Massport's charter to require Massport to consider
environmental justice, equity, and greenhouse gas emissions in any of their business decisions and
planning processes.
Adjournment
Ms. Wolf-Fordham made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
Dr. Tung seconded the motion.
The motion was approved unanimously.