HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-10-151
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
October 15, 1948
A regular meeting of the Board of Health
was held on Friday, October 15, 1948 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Selectmen's Room. Chairman McQuillan, Messrs.
Russell and Terhune were present. The Clerk was also
present.
Dr. Robert E. Archibald and Dr. Robert E. S. Kelley,
of the StateDepartment of Public Health were also
present.
Licensing of convalescent homes was discussed.
Dr. Kelley said that if there should be a licensed
home in Lexington with which the Board is not satis-
fied, the State would welcome a notice after which an
investigation will be made, and the license inasmuch
as it is a State license, would have to be revoked. He
stated that the licensing of convalescent homes is now
under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Public
Health.
Dr. Archibald stated that every home will be in-
spected by the State before a license is granted. A
report of the Building Inspector, Wire Inspector, Fire
Department and approval of the Board of Health must
first be submitted to the State.
Mr. Terhune asked if the Fire Department should
submit reports made on canvalescent home inspections
to the State or to the Board of Health.
Dr. Archibald replied that the report should be
submitted to the Board of Health and sent into the
State with the application.
The Chairman explained that the Board would like
advice on the subject of a permanent Health Officer.
He explained the duties of the present part-time Officer
and salary paid.
Dr. Archibald said that he thought the Board was Health
wise in giving some thought to securing a permanent Officer
trained Health Officer. He stated that he talked
with Dr. Bradley from the University of Massachusetts.
They have five men with B. S. Degrees who are now
studying for a Master. He thought one of those men
would be interested in a position of this type and
would be ready to take over by February.
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Conval-
escent
Homes
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Turkeys
The Chairman inquired as to the salary and
Dr. Archibald said he was told offhand that a man
could be obtained for around $3,000.
The Chairman asked if the applicant would be
trained for laboratory work and Dr. Archibald replied
that he would do his own laboratory work and would be
equipped to set up a laboratory.
Dr. Kelley said he uhderstood the five students
were all veterans.
Dr. Archibald agreed to write Dr. Bradley and
tell him that the Lexington Board of. Health is inter-
ested in securing a permanent trained Health Officer.
The man Dr. Bradley recommends could then meet with
the Board for an interview.
The Chairman explained that the Board has given
some thought to the establishment of a Health Council
and will meet this evening with representatives from
the Visiting Nurse Association and the School Committee
to discuss the subject.
Dr. Archibald recommended including the Welfare
Board, Parent-Teacher Association, Red Cross, Rotary
Club, Lions Club, etc.
The Chairman said that a Health Council would not
act with any power other than that which comes from
the Board of Health.
Dr. Kelley explained that the purpose of the
Council would be to make the people health conscious.
Mr. Russell asked if the doctors approved publish-
ing restaurants ratings and both were very much in
favor providing the inspections were made by a trained
Health Officer.
The Chairman asked about publishing milk reports
and Dr. Kelley stated that it is not fair to publish
the reports where an analysis is made only four times
a year.
Dr. Archibald and Dr. Kelley retired at 4:24 p.m.
Mr. Lamont met with the Board, submitted a report
of his activitiesand reports of restaurants inspected.
Application was received from Frank Canuli, 16
Plymouth Road, Reading for permission to keep 500
turkeys on the premises owned by Mr. Dunham and
located on Leonard Road. Mr. Lamont recommended
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unfavorable action. He explained that the abutters
object very strongly.
Mr. Terhune moved that the application be denied.
Mr. Russell seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Report was received from the State Department of
Public Health relative to analysis of samples of water
from a well on the premises of John E. Allen Co.,
North Street.
Mr. Lamont informed the Board that the well is
located in Burlington.
The Board agreed to meet on Friday, November 12,
1948 at 2:00 p.m. for the purpose of preparing the
1949 health budgets.
Letter was received from the Welfare Agent stating
that the Welfare Department will be glad to co-operate
in any way in an effort to determine the fitness of the
homes licensed for the care of Infants and Nursing.
A detailed report was submitted on each of the
homes now licensed for Boarding Infants.
Application was received from Marguerite Woodis,
41 Grant Street for the renewal of a license to operate
an Infant Boarding Home.
Mr. Terhune explained to the Board that he had Woodis
discussed this particular home with Mrs. McMahon, 111,11. License
of the Division of Child Guardianship who reported that
the entire house is in a most unsanitary condition.
She also found violations of Building and Plumbing Laws.
Mr. Terhune moved that the application be dis-
approved. Mr. Russell seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Letter was received from the Massachusetts General
Hospital stating that Miss D. June Lowe was admitted
on October 14, 1945 for treatment with a diagnosis of
Renal Tuberculosis. Inasmuch asthe patient is unable
to meet any of her expenses, and because of the diagnosis,
the hospital desires to know if the Board of Health will
take care of her hospitalization.
The Board considered Miss Lowe's history and author-
ized the Clerk to advise the hospital that the Board
of Health will be responsible for Miss Lowers hospital
bills.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
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