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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-19-BOH-min 1 LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 19, 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, Board of Health Members Absent: Health Department Staff Attendees: Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director Health Department Staff Absent: Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director Select Board Liaison: Mark Sandeen Documents:  Minutes Approval  Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address)  2025 Meeting Schedule Return to in-person meetings  Plastic water bottle bylaw- Chapter 81 Article IV – update  Flu and COVID clinics recap  Tobacco Control Update  Health Staff Reports Environmental Health Community Health Directors Report  Correspondence/Information  New/Old Business MHOA Conference, Nov 13 – 15, Springfield Ma. Meeting Called to Order: The meeting began at 6:30 P.M. Minutes Approval: 2 The Board reviewed the September 17th,2024 meeting minutes. Dr. Tung made a motion to accept the minutes with modifications as discussed. Ms. Escott seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Open Forum (2 minutes per person, state your name and address) None 2025 Meeting schedule - Final The Board reviewed the 2025 Board of Health meeting schedule. Plastic Water Bottle Bylaw- Chapter 81 Article IV – update Ms. McCartin provided an update on the plastic water bottle bylaw and provided the Board with the question-and-answer document put together by the Health Department and Maggie Peard, Sustainability and Resource Officer, on possible questions regarding the bylaw. The Health Department also provided an informational brochure to business owners and posted in the Link to Lexington. The Health Department sent out information to food permit holders on November 1st regarding the upcoming implementation of the bylaw. The Board of Health had no questions regarding the plastic water bottle bylaw presented by Ms. McCartin. Flu and COVID Clinics Recap Ms. McCartin explained to the Board that the documents received contained data from the Flu and COVID-19 clinic organized by the Health Department. The information was categorized by the number of vaccines administered at each clinic. It included a detailed breakdown of how many flu vaccines and COVID vaccines were given, as well as the number of residents who received both vaccines simultaneously. Additionally, the data was grouped by age group and included a comparison of total vaccines given in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Dr. Heiger-Bernays asked if the Health Department was working with the schools on vaccinating the school kids. Ms. Wolf-Fordham asked if lab children were included in the vaccination program. Ms. McCartin stated that the schools do their clinics for school-age children. Tobacco Control Update No tobacco report was provided. 3 Ms. McCartin informed the BOH that there is no report at this time., but there will hopefully be an update for the December 17, 2024 meeting. Dr. Heiger-Bernays asked if the update will include information on the existing regulations and the Nicotine Free Generation (NFG) policy. Ms. McCartin stated that Ms. Soto is currently working on the tobacco regulations and NFG policy based on the suggested changes from the previous meeting Health Staff Reports: Staff provided their monthly reports. Ms. McCartin gave an update to the Board on the Health Department FDA retail standard grant that she has been working through. The Board reviewed Ms. Shah’s report asked questions regarding her reinspection and requested that Ms. Shah put a little more information into the narrative. The Board reviewed the Public Health Nurse report. Ms. Escott had a question about the E. coli outbreak and asked if there had been any cases in Lexington. Ms. McCartin informed the Board that the establishments that sell carrots here in Lexington did not sell any of the brands listed. Mr. Sandeen questioned the TB case listed on the Public Health Nurse report and asked what’s the normal number for these cases. Ms. McCartin informed Mr. Sandeen that cases of this nature depend on the frequency of testing. There may be times when there are zero cases, while other times there may be one or more, depending on how often individuals are tested. Since this is an infectious disease, the public health nurse is closely monitoring the situation. Directors Report: Ms. Belanger was not in attendance. Correspondence/Information - Dr. Heiger-Bernays informed the board that Ms. Belanger has received the John Crawley Award. She also mentioned that This award is given annually to a regular member of the Mass Health Officers Association, who contributed to the growth and success of the Massachusetts Health Officers Association through outstanding leadership and extraordinary service. Adjournment Ms. Wolf-Fordham made a motion to adjourn at 7:22 p.m. 4 Dr. Tung seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.