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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-18-BOH-min 1 LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, 6:30 pm Conducted by Remote Participation Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Ph.D., Vice-Chair; Jillian Tung, M.D., M.P.H., Shoolah Escott, MS, Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA, Chair; David Geller, M.D. (late 6:39 pm) Health Department Staff Attendees: Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director Absent Health Department Staff: Joanne Belanger, RN, Public Health Director Select Board Liaison: Mark Sandeen Documents: Article III, Prohibiting Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places Revisions to Chapter 155 Article III Draft Article XXIII- Tobacco Regulation Environmental Health Reports Public Health Nurse Report Clinical Advisory- update regarding the spread of Measles in the US Measles FAQ National Public Health Week Calendar Camp Legal Notice Meeting Called to Order: Dr. Heiger-Bernays called the Board of Health meeting of March 18th, 2025, to order at 6:30 p.m. Minutes Approval: No minutes provided Jill Brown for KCE Champions LLC @ Champ Camp - Public Hearing for a Recreational Camp for Children to be held at Christ Revolution Church 451 Lowell St., in accordance with M.G.L.c. 140, § 32B. Ms. McCartin presented Champions Camp, which is seeking a permit to operate in Lexington. Per the Massachusetts General Laws, they have to be heard at a Board of Health meeting. A notice of the Public Hearing must be published in the newspaper at least once before the meeting takes place. Danny Noonan (regional director) and Sarah Lane (Area Manager) represented the Champions Camp, part of KinderCare, which offers programs for children aged 7 to 12, running from June 23 to August 20. Ms. Escott had some concerns regarding hours of operation conflicting with other events going on at that time, and possibly causing traffic backup. Ms. Lane addresses Ms. Escott's concerns. Dr. Geller motioned to approve the camp permit, pending final Health Department inspection. Dr. Tung seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 2 Tobacco Control Update No update Tobacco Regulation Update Ms. McCartin provided the Board of Health with the proposed update from the meeting with the Town Counsel regarding Article III, Prohibiting Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places, and Article XXII, Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products. For Article III, some changes were made in § 155-14 by removing the reference to Massachusetts General Laws and adding the Lexington Board of Health to correct the language. In § 155-15, definitions for food establishment, mobile food unit, retail food outlet, and retail store are now included to clarify that smoking is prohibited in these areas. In § 155-16, Prohibition of Smoking in Workplaces, the language was updated to state "smoking in workplaces" instead of "prohibition of smoking in public workplaces," and redundant references to Massachusetts General Laws were removed for consistency. In § 155-17, Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places, the heading was changed to clarify that it pertains to prohibiting smoking in public places. For Article XXII, Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products, some minor changes were made in §155-194. Definitions, replacing "Bona Fide Purchaser for value" with "individual or entity." In §155-195, No Tobacco Sales to Persons under Twenty-One (21) Years Old, the language was refined to state that a person must verify a tobacco purchaser’s age as 21 or older. In §155-196 (9), Tobacco Product Sales Permit, it was clarified that if a tobacco sales permit is suspended or revoked, it would be returned to the board for retirement. In §155-209, Incorporation of State Laws and State Regulations, removed the side- by-side comparison of state and local regulations as it is already being addressed in Article XXII, Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products §155-209 (1) and (2). Ms. Escott requested clarification regarding the phrasing of Article III, § 155-17. Dr. Heiger-Bernays expressed the opinion that the BOH should maintain the capitalization for "Prohibition," "Smoking," and "Public Places." Ms. Escott made a motion to accept the corrections in the language from Town counsel for ARTICLE III, Prohibiting Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places, and Article XXII, Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products, of the tobacco control Regulations. Dr. Geller seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Health Staff Reports: The staff provided their monthly reports. Ms. McCartin provided an update on her report. Directors Report: No Directors' report provided. 3 Correspondence/Information – Ms. McCartin updated the Board of Health on the recent measles outbreaks in the US and a clinical advisory issued on March 11. The Health Department and Board of Health released a memo summarizing the advisory, which includes facts about measles, its importance, and how to check MMR vaccination status. Dr. Heiger-Bernays summarized the Turf working group's findings. Dr. Heiger-Bernays stated that the Lincoln 2 field was approved without additional testing due to the absence of PFAS testing standards. The Turf Committee cannot mandate bid specifications to include pests without suitable benchmarks for comparison. The current testing methods don't clarify or permit a statement of PFAS-free because of the high reporting limits. The Turf Committee needs to consult the town and Town Counsel regarding documentation requests. The California EPA found no unacceptable health risks to children from artificial turf but did not assess environmental impacts. Dr. Tung provided an update on a recent meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters, where the Recreation Department and working group shared information and discussed future community meetings. The meeting focused on the former school administration building site and the debate over artificial turf versus natural grass. Concerns were raised about high-intensity lights and the environmental impact of artificial turf, particularly regarding plastic. Dr. Tung estimated that an average field could shed about a ton of plastic annually. Many community members indicated a preference for natural grass. Dr. Tung also gave an update on the planning for the Lex250th event. Dr. Tung stated it is coming together and taking shape. Dr. Tung stated that there is a lot of information available on the website, Lex250.org, including a schedule of events. Dr. Tung also mentioned the upcoming Ken Burns film event. A link to this information is included in the email. Also, Chief McLean from the Police Department sent out a notice regarding road closures and their timing. More information is becoming available on the Lex250th website. Dr. Heiger-Bernays raised the issue of virtual, in-person, and hybrid meetings. Ms. McCartin mentioned an email she received from the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). The proposal has been brought to both the House and Senate but is currently awaiting a formal signature. If approved, it would extend remote and hybrid meeting arrangements until June 30, 2027. The current authorization is set to expire on March 31 of this month. The next Board of Health meeting is scheduled for April 15 and is currently planned to be in person. Ms. McCartin mentioned the Board of Health can choose to continue remote meetings until it is approved. Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion to continue virtual Board of Health meetings until decided otherwise. Dr. Geller seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Adjournment Dr. Geller made a motion to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. Ms. Escott seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.