HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-01-30457
Dr. Cosgrove reported that he was compiling figures for•. DENTAL
some new Dental equipment for the --Dental Clinic.- These figures CLINIC
will be submitted to the appropriation committee for a special
warrent. The Board asked Dr. Cosgrove if the equipment at the
Dental Clinic was obsolete and Dr. Cosgrove said most of it was
acquired in 1921.
' The case of Typhoid Fever that was reported last week was TYPHOID
discussed by the Board. Mr. Lurvey reported that at present all FEVER
we can do is sit tight on this case and wait for the culture
reports from the state laboratory on the patient. All contacts
of the patient have been tested and all reports have been re-
ceived negative. The patient must wait until 10 days after
medication before any satisfactory tests may be taken.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:40 P.M.
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
JANUARY 30, 1961
The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Monday
evening, January 30, 1961 at 8:00 P.M. in the Health Department
office, this meeting was scheduled for Friday, January 20, 1961
but because of the snow storm was postponed. Members present were
Dr. William Cosgrove, Mr. Charles Cole and Health Officer Mark
D. Lurvey.
The minutes of the December meeting were approved as read
by the board.
Mr. Clifford Castle and Mr. James Tweedie requested to come L.V.N.A.
before the Board on behalf of the Lexington Visiting Nurse Assoc-
iation. Mr. Castle stated that the Lexington Visiting Nurse Assoc-
iation would like an increase in payment for services for the Board
of Health. Mr. Castle quoted the following figures: 2 years ago
the Board of Health increased the sum paid the Lexington Visiting
Nurse association to $2400. a year. In 1961 the Lexington Visiting
Nurse averaged 1600 cases for the Health Department and at the
present rate that is only $1.42 per case. Mr. Tweedie and Mr. Cast-
le said they figured it costs the Lexington Visiting Nurse approx-
imately $3.18 per case.
Dr. Cosgrove asked if they had any definite amount in mind.
Mr. Castle said they would like the Health Department to pay
approximately $2.50 per case. Last year they had a deficeit of
$1,500. which was met with monies on hand. This year the United
Community Services had increased their allotment by only $200.,
the Lexington Visiting Nurse Association will receive $8,600. from
the United Community Services in 1961. Even with that amount Mr.
Castle and Mr. Tweedie felt that the Lexington Visiting Nurse
Association would not break even unless they got an increase from
the Health Department.
Mr. Cole said that even at $2.00 per case we would be jumping
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from $2,400.00 to $3,200.00 which was.a•sizeable inerease.
Dr. Cosgrove explained that the amount per call was how the
$2,400.00 figure was arrived at 2 years ago.
Dr. Cosgrove and Mr. Cole both agreed with Mr. Castle
and Mr. Tweedie that as the Town has grown the work load for the
Lexington Visiting Nurse had increased. Dr. Cosgrove explained
that our budget for 1961 had already been submitted to the App-
ropriation Committee and the Board of Selectmen, the only possible
action we could take now would be to submit a supplementary budget
and place ourselves at the mercy of the Appropriation Committee
and Board of Selectmen.
The Board agreed that $3,200.00 was a perfectly reasonable
figure and the town must have a nurse and we could not get a
nurse for that amount.
Dr. Cosgrove explained that the only thing we can do
whereas our budget has already been submitted is to communi-
cate with the Appropriation Committee and request more money
for this account. The Board assured Mr. Castle and Mr. Tweedie
that Mr. McQuillan, Chairman of the board, would be contacted
and the situation explained to him and then any action we had
to take would be taken care of as quickly as possible.
Mr. Castle said any further information that was needed
could be obtained from the Lexington Visiting Nurse Associa-
tion office.
Dr. Cosgrove assured Mr. Castle that we would contact him
as soon as we had any definite information.
Mr. Castle and Mr. Tweedie thanked the Board for their time
and retired.
JOHN REAR- Mr. Charles W. Read of John Reardon & Sons, Rendering Firm
DON & SONS came before the Board at the request of Mr. Lurvey because of the
violation of the Regulation, Chapter 4, Article 4, which states
that all vehicles used to transport rendering material shall
be water tight and be securely covered with a wood, metal or
canvass cover.
Mr. Lurvey stated that he stopped.the Reardon.truck as he
was driving through town without the proper cover on the truck,
and he spoke to the driver about the lack of a proper cover.
Mr. Read explained that because he had appeared before the
Board 4 years ago the company asked him to come tonight and speak
to the Board. Mr. Read said he has warned the truck drivers that
they must roll the canvass out and cover the truck in Lexington.
Mr. Read also stated he had purchased a 16 foot canvass and also
a 20 foot canvass to cover these trucks.
Mr. Lurvey said that the driver was very polite and he told
Mr. Lurvey he did not like to roll out the canvass because it was
so dirty. Mr. Lurvey also said when the truck was inspected in
December the truck was equipped with a canvass, but if after this
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meeting he sees the Reardon truck without a proper cover the only
thing we can do is revoke his permit to collect garbage in Lexing-
ton.
Dr. Cosgrove said Mr. Read must remind his men to keep the
canvass over the truck because even in cold weather the garbage
must be covered. If this regulation is not followed the only alter-
native the Board of Health will have will be to have Mr. Reardon
appear in Concord Court to show cause of why this Regulation is
not followed. The Board instructed Mr. Read to be firm with his
drivers and make sure they keep the canvass cover on the truck in
Lexington.
The Board recommended signing the permit for John Reardon &
Sons at this time providing the truck is kept covered in Lexington.
Mr. dead thanked the Board for their kindness and retired.
The copy of the letter sent to Mary J. O'Brien, Docotrs DOCTORS
Emergency Answering Service, from Harold E. Roeder, Chairman EMERGENCY
of the Fire Commissioners, stating that due to the controversy SERVICE
over the calls for an emergency doctor received by the Fire
Department he would like to explain that usually the only in-
formation that is received is the address and sometimes the
name. Upon receipt of this type of call the i'ire Department
immediately dispatches the apparatus to the address. Mr.
Roeder further stated that the Fire Department did not have the
time or authority to request any further information at the time
of an emergency call and he felt a doctor, regardless of the nat-
ure of the emergency, should be fulfilled immediately. This letter
was read by the, Board and placed on file.
Copy of a letter to Harold Roeder, Chairman of the Fire Comm-
issioners, for the Town of Lexington, from Dr. Charles Ellicott, M.D.
who is in charge of the Doctors Emergency Service for the Health
Department, was read and placed on file by the board. In this
letter Dr. Ellicott explained to Mr. Roeder that the reason for
requesting the.five basic questions (name, address, phone
number, adult or child, complaint) be asked at the time of the
emergency call was so that the proper Doctor could be sent immed-
iately. Dr. Ellicott explained that some of the 22 doctors serv-
ing the community in this emergency service are in different types
of practices and therefore for example a periatrician would not
have the proper drugs or splints to treat an adult with a broken
hip, or would a surgeon carry the ewuipment to treat a child who
had swallowed poison.
The letter to Mr. B.L. Cummings, 4OA Dudley Street, Arlington B.L.
Mass., stating that an inspection was made by Mr. Lurvey on Jan- CUMMINGS
uary 9, 1961 and the receiving platform had been cleaned and
painted was read. The letter also stated that samples of milk
taken that day only one was found to be slightly over the legal
limit. A new application for a -:license s_sent with this letter.
Mr. Lurvey reported that Mr. Cummings had been issued a new license
which will expire on May 31, 1961 but if any trouble or bad counts
are received between now and May 31, 1961 Mr. Lurvey will not issue
a new license for the coming year.
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CENTRAL
BLOCK
INFORMATION
ON PROPOSED
394 LOWELL
STREET
I.G.A.
STORE
X-RAY
SURVEY
SCHOOL
PERSONNEL
7 HENDERSON
ROAD
Copy of letter to Stanley A-. Miller, 671 Mass. Ave., Cam-
bridge, from Robert K. Jeremiah, Wire Inspector, regarding the
wiring of the side of the Central Block next to the Auto-
motive Store was read an placed on file by the Board. The
Board suggested that Mr. Lurvey, in order to protect ourselves
have a State Inspector go over the Central Block again and see
if the new Sanitary Code would cover any of the conditions in
this building, also the board instructed Mr. Lurvey to have
the State Inspector tell us just how far we could go in seeing
that this building is improved.
Mr. Cole said he felt that if the wire inspector, Mr.
Jeremiah, feels that the wiring is a Fire hazard than the Fire
Department should receive a copy of this letter.
The information from the State Health Department was read
by the Board and placed on file. This information was the pro-
posed legislation for the re -organization of the State Health
Department and also a report on the proposed re -organizing of
the State Tuberculosis programs.
The letter from Mr. W. J. Smith of the Cleaners and Laundry
Equipment Co. in regard to operating a dry cleaning plant at 394
Lowell Street was read by the Board. Mr. Lurvey explained that
he had been contacted by this firm for permission to install in
this building a coin operated launderette and he had told the
gentlemen that because this building is not on public sewer and
the present sanitary system would not be adequate for a laundry
he could not approve such an operation unless a sanitary engineer
could lay out a system that would be satisfactory to our Board
and our engineers. The dry cleaning establishment now being pro-
pos lwould not use any water other that the water for the boiler
and the present toilet room. The Board approved Mr. Lurvey's
action in this matter.
The letter to Gus Mici, 27 Herman Street, Belmont stating
that numerous complaints have been received by this department
in the past of rubbish in the rear of the I. G. A. Foodliner
Store at 333 Woburn Street. As this rubbish has a tendency to
blow onto the abutting properties Mr. Lurvey, in this letter,
suggested that a satisfactory means be provided for the disposal
of the rubbish and also a fence be erected in the rear of the
parking lot to prevent any loose papers from blowing onto
private land, was read and approved by the Board.
The copy of the chest X -Ray report of the Lexington Public
School personnel was approved by the Board. Mr. Lurvey explained
that under the law all school personnel must have a chest x-ray
every three years. This is the responsibility of the School
Department and does not come under the jurisdiction of the Health
Department.
Letter to Douglass W. Smith, 7 Henderson Road, stating a
complaint of a large accumulation of rubbish had been ritnapesi=<_
into a cellar hole adjacent to his home -had been received by this
Department and upon inspect on. several envelopes had been found
with Mr. Smith's name on them. Mr. Smith was asked to remove
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461
this rubbish at once. The Board approved this letter. Mr. Lurvey
also reported that Mr. Smith had called to say he would look into
this matter but as the rubbish was collected every week by Fred
Miller and Son he did not understand how a large accumulation
could be in the cellar.hole. Mr. Lurvey said he had not been
able to re -inspect this property because of the snow.
Letter from Board of Selectmen stating that the Selectmen 150 LOWELL
would like.a written report from Mr. Lurvey in regard to the STREET
application for the renewal bf a Common Victualler's license
for Mary A. Rowland, 150 Lowell Street, was read by the Board.
Mr. Lurvey explained that when the Selectmen receive an appli-
cation for a Common Victular's license, Miss Murray would call and
he would report his finding of the establishment in question.
Mr. Lurvey's reply to this letter was read and approved by the
Board. In his reply Mr. Lurvey stated that the establishment of
Mary A. Rowland, 150 Lowell Street, had been closed ever since he
had been Health Officer in Lexington, therefore, he could not re-
commend issuing a Common Victualler's license to any establishment
not in operation.
Letter to Mr..rrancis Judd Cooke, 2 Stratham Road, stating 2 STRATHAP
a complaint had been received of garbage being disposed of in the
rear of.this dwelling at 2 Stratham Road and because a serious
rat infestation could result from this condition the Health Depart-
ment would like this condition corrected at once was approved by
the Board. .Mr. Lurvey reported that Mr. Royal, the complaltntant, 1
had killed several rats in the area. Mr. Lurvey also said on
re -inspection nothing had been done about it and Mrs. Judd said
she wanted to write to the Horticultural Society about this as
this was her compost heap. The Board instructed Mr. Lurvey to
send an order stating the regulation regarding compost heaps and
give March 1, 1961 as the deadline for this condition to be abated.
Letter from James R. Bakker, attorney, Littleton, Mass., repre 1
senting Mr. Paul King a builder from Waltham, Mass. regarding any 67 BRIDGI
information we might have on the building lots at 67 Bridge Street STREET
was read by the Board.
In the reply to Mr. Bakker, Mr. Lurvey stated that in checking
the records in this office he found that on June 13, 1960 he inspec-
ted lot next to 67 Bridge Street for private sewage disposal sys-
tem. At that time Mr. Lurvey requested a hole be dug so that the
soil could be examined and also a report from a registered engineer
be submitted before approval for a private sewage disposal system
could be given. This letter was approved by the Board.
The letter to Mr. Hobert F. Millar, 38 Fletcher Avenue stating
that at the regular meeting of theBoardof Health on December 16,
1960 the problem of over -flowing sewage on his property at 38 Fletcher
Avenue was discussed and in view of the fact that Mr. Millar had 38 FLETC
requested to meet with Mr. John Carroll, Superintendent of Public ER AVE.
Works, to discuss this matter or connecting this dwelling to Public
Sewer the Board of Health had agreed a meeting must be set for no
later than Tuesday, December 27, 1960 at which time arrangements
462
must be made to connect this home to Public Sewer was approved.
Mr. Lurvey reported to the Board that another complaint had
been received about the over -flowing sewage and upon inspec-
tion Mr. Lurvey went up to Bakens Dry Goods Store and talked
to Mrs. Millar. She assured him she would have this condition
taken care of. On January 16, 1961 Mr. Millar called and said
the system had been pumped out and that the cesspool man said
the system would now last two years. Mr. Lurvey told Mr. Millar
he would still have to connect to Public Sewer in the spring.
The Board approved the action taken in this matter.
LOTS 14 & 15 The letter to Alfred S. Busa, 38 Circle Road stating that
LILLIAN RD. Lots 14 and 15 Lillian Road had been re -inspected by this de-
partment and approved for building was approved by the Board.
VINE BROOK The letter from the Planning Board stating that the defini-
MEADOWS tive plan entitled "Vine Brook Meadows, Section Two, Lexington
Mass., dated June 12, 1960 submitted on November 9,-1960 and
accompanied by an application for approval of definitive plan
Form C, dated.November 7, 1960 was approved by the Planning
Board at a regular meeting on Monday, January 23, 1961 was read
by the Board.
EXPENSES The letter to Mrs. George Morey, Chairman, Board of Select -
1 1960 men, with the breakdown and explanation of the Health Depart-
ment Expenses was read and approved by the Board. Mr. Lurvey
explained that a number of questions had been raised by Mrs.
Morey in checking the budget and in order to clarify these
questions this breakdown and explanation was made.
The letters from Whitman and Howard, Inc. were read by the
Board and placed on file.
LILLIAN The first letter regarding the examination of Lots 14 and
ROAD 15 Lillian Road, Green Valley, Section.5 stated that as long as
the cellar floor is kept somewhere near the existing street level
the lots will be satisfactory for. drainage.
MINUTE MAN The other letter was in regard to a Preliminary Layout of
HIGHLAND Minute Man Highland, Section 4. In this letter Mr. Lucas,
SECTION 4 of Whitman & Howard, Inc. stated that as no sewers had been
shown on this plan and as a trunk sewer was available on Pleas-
ant Street, permission to build should be conditional on all
lots being sewered. Mr. Lucas further stated that the roads
and drains are very low compared to the culvert on Pleasant
Street and from the figures available they would have to ques-
tion the lower lots. As a system of drains have been shown
but no grades are given and until the grades are given there
is no basis for approving or rejecting the proposed develop-
ment. The Board also stated that until a complete report of
laterals, sewers, drains and more information was submitted
they would not approve the sub -division entitled "Minute Man
Highlands, Section 4't.
GLEN MEADOW A copy of the report from Whitman & Howard to Mr. Green
ESTATES of Ben Franklin Homes, Inc., was read by the Board.
The report stated Lot 18, Glen Meadow Estates was approved
for building a 3 bedroom house with a leaching field of 400
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square feet providing for an automatic washer but no garbage grinder.
Lot 6, Fessenden Way must have a leaching field of 800 square
feet for a 3 bedroom house and the bottom of the leaching field
must be kept 22 feet above the level of Fessenden Way. This will
provide for an automatic washer but no garbage grinder. Mr. Lurvey
reported that a copy of this report was attached to the building
application to be filed in the Building Department.
Mr. Lurvey reported he had a meeting with Mr. Reevis and GLAUCOMA
Dr. Weiss to discuss another Glaucoma Clinic in cooperation with CLINIC
the Lions Club and the Division of the Blind. At the time of the
meeting Mr. Lurvey mentioned combining the Glaucoma Clinic with a
Diabetic Detection Clinic, but after a conference with Miss Jacobs
of the Diabetic Society and also another conference with Dr. Pyle,
our consulting physician, it was felt that the Glaucoma and Diabetic
Detection Clinic should be two seperate clinics. The Board agreed
that on the recommendation of Dr. Pyle the two clinics should be
kept seperate.
Mr. Lurvey also reported that Dr. Ellicott had called and ADULT
suggested a tetanus innoculation clinic for adults. Mr. Burnell TETANUS
Civil Defense, Director and Dr. Ellicott both felt that in case CLINIC FOR
of an emergency a clinic of this type now would be very benefical. C.D.
Dr. Ellicott assured Mr. Lurvey he thought the Doctors in town
would cooperate in a clinic of this type. No action was taken by
the Board at this time.
The copy of the letter to Mr. Spiris from Mrs. Frances Porter, DENTAL
R.D.H. was read by the Board. This letter was to express to Mr. CLINIC
Spiris Mrs. Porter's appreciation for the assistance given the
Dental Clinic and although the conditions et the Clinic are ade-
quate they are far from ideal. Mrs. Porter stated that as this
letter is a personal letter from her it does in no way bind the
Board of Health.
Two premature Infant cases were discussed by the Board. The PREMATURE
first premature Infant Cusolito, was found to be a Belmont Settle INFANTS
ment and the Town of Belmont has already been notified. The second CUSOLI4
premature Infant Velcofski, was received from the Melrose Health TO & VEL -
Department and has been investigated by Mr. John Collins, Welfare COFSKI
Department, and found to be a Lexington Settlement. The Board
instructed the Clerk to notify Melrose that this is a Lexington
Settlement.
The Board signed the permits and licenses for the following:
CHILD CARE CENTERS:
Pollen Meadow Kindergarten
Lexington Academy Kindergarten
Tom Thumb Nursery School
Miss Lothrop's Kindergarten
Wee Folk Nursery School
Townsedge Kindergarten
Williams Nursery School
Iris Howard Kindergarten
Community Nursery School
Beaverbrooke Academy, Inc.
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Countryside Kindergarten
Lexington Manor Kindergarten
Unitarian Cooperative Nursery School
Hancock Church Weekday Kindergarten
Jewish Community Center Nursery School
Nancy C. Schoek Kindergarten
The Child Care Center license of the Townsedge Kindergarten
will be held pending clearance of the lack of fire protection
between the lavatory and the heater by the Fire Department.
GARBAGE PERMITS
John J. Sliney Co., Inc.
Lowell Rendering Co.
Bay State Tallow Co.
Harold H. Shaw
Jas. J. Morse & Co.
Silva Brothers
John Reardon, Inc.
Paul Little
RUBBISH PERMITS
Emidio Paone
Fred Miller & Sons
Capello Brothers
Richard L. Wilkins
Ralph J. White
Joseph J. Yntas
James A. Freaney, Inc.
Sullivan Trucking Co.
Leonard F. Collins
Mahoney Brothers
John Cuccinello
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SEWAGE PERMITS
Suburbanite Cess
pool
Herman Theising
Verner Aall or
Electric Sewer Co.
Joseph App, Inc.
John Brucchi
The permit signed by the Board for John Brucchi to dispose of
Sewage in the Town of Lexington will be held by the Health Depart-
ment pending insepection of his truck.
The permit signed for Paul Little will be held pending the
inspection of his truck.
Mr. Lurvey reported that a registered letter was sent to the
dealers who did not return their permits to collect Garage, Rubbish
and Sewage in the Town of Lexington within a designated time and
now any company operating without a permit will be stopped.
Mr. Lurvey also reported to the Board that he would like to
COMMUNICABLE put an article in the paper to remind the Doctors and the Parents
DISEASES of Lexington that all Communicable Diseases must be reported.
The reason for this Mr. Lurvey explained was that last spring
when measles were very prevalant the Doctors and Parents did
not report them to us and therefore the State Laboratoris did
not have a true record of the number of cases in Lexington and
the Gamma Globlin which was being rationed by the State at that
time was not available to Lexington.
The Board instructed Mr. Lurvey to submit an article or add
a paragraph on to the regular Board of Health report for the news-
paper to remind the people of Lexington to report all diseases to
the Health Department.
The Health Officerts Report for the period of December 16, 1960
to January 20, 1961 was reviewed by the Board.
The Annual reports of the Board of Health and the Executive
Health Officer were reviewed by the Board.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
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