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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-10-18BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING OCTOBER 18, 1968 The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Friday, October 18, 1968 at 7:00 P.M. in the Selectmen's Room of the Town Office Building. Members present were Dr. William Cosgrove, Dr. Charles Colburn and Robert Heustis, Director of Public Health. Mr. Heustis explained Mr. McQuillan was ill in the hospital. Minutes of the September 13, 1968 meeting were approved as read. 229 Mr. Heustis explained an order had been sent to John & Jean Shanahan, owners of property at 18 Vine St., Lexington to correct the conditions which caused the wet ceilings in the upstairs north bedroom. He went on to say that Mr. Robert Carrig had requested a hearing on this order but Mr. Shanahan had come into the office and stated he was going to fix the roof as soon as the present JOHN. tenants moved. Mr. Heustis recalled to the Board that the tenant, & Mr. Maxner, had been issued an eviction notice by the court, and JEAN it is understood that by the end of October this apartment will SHANAHAN be vacant and that is when Mr. Shanahan says he will repair the roof. Mr. Heustis went on to explain that he told Mr. Shanahan to write a letter to the Board stating that he would make the nec— essary repairs, but as yet he has not received such a letter. Dr.. Cosgrove said we should be very sure that the Board had jurisdiction in this matter and that this Board is not being used to further anyone's gains. Dr. Colburn asked if this was a problem of the Board of Health's, he went on to say that wet walls and ceilings would seem to him to be a problem of the building inspector, and he did not feel that the Board should be concerned if this problem was not in their jurisdiction. Mr. Heustis said according to Article II of the State Sani- tary Code we were responsible. Dr. Cosgrove asked if Mr. Maxner gets out at the end of the month, as you say he will, is it up to us to see that Shanahan does all these things before he rents this place again? i'r. Heustis replied, I would say, Yes. The Board asked if the other tenants had filed any complaints. Mr. Heustis said not in writing. The Board asked if the other apartments had wet ceilings and walls. Mr. Heustis said he had not been in the other apartments, but he would take Shanahan's word that he will fix this roof properly. 230 Dr. Cosgrove asked if Ir. Shanahan will request a hearing on this order in the near future. IIr. Heustis replied he was supposed to write a letter stating what he intended to do. I did not receive this letter, therefore, he has relinquished his right to a hearing. Now it is up to the board to issue an order. Dr. Cosgrove said, Mr. ' ieustis you have stated the con- dition of this apartment but before this board issues an or- der on this, I would like some legal advise before iti'ir. Shanahan rents this apartment again. If he rents this apart- ment right away, we can only have another complaint on our hands. Er. Heustis said we could probably ask for a restraining order so he will have to fix this before renting it. Dr. Cosgrove and Dr. Colburn instructed Mr. Heustis to write to Iir. Legro, Town Counsel, asking for legal advise in this matter. It was also pointed out that Mr. Legro had not replied to the letter of September 17, 1968 regarding the interpertation of the regulation of keeping horses in the Town of Lexington. Dr. Colburn suggested a reminder regarding the keeping of animals could be added to this letter, but he did feel it important that written records be made of matters at all times. Mr. Heustis presented the news release from the State Health Department which stated the Fluoridation law was now enforce. FLUORIDATION The Board said they had already stated they were in favor of fluoridation but as the law reads the State health Department has to make a survey first and then the board could proceed. Mr. Heustis said according to Ir. Burke, Town Engineer, the water supply to Lexington comes in at 4 different loca- tions. Ir. Burke suggested a survey be made before any steps are taken as to costs, etc. Dr. Cosgrove said as far as he could see the board could not take any action until the State Health Department completed their survey and then this would have to be an article at Town Meeting. Dr. Colburn said he didn't see that such a survey would be necessary. As he read the law the State Health Department would, after their survey, instruct the Board of health to fluoridate or not fluoridate, then at that time the problem should be turned over to the Board of Selectmen and the Public Works Department. It was suggested that when a definite recommendation was received from the State office that it might be wise to request a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Mr. Burke, Town 1 1 1 231. Engineer, and discuss the proper procedures to follow. The Budget for 1969 of the Mystic Valley Mental Health BUDGET Association was presented to the Board. A requested increase F;TAL of X627.00 over last years assessment has been made. WEALTH Dr. Colburn recommended and made a motion the Board approve this increase. Motion passed. The supply of Flu Vaccine for the elderly was again FLU brought up by the Board. After last months meeting a letter VACCINE Wo,S Writt i tti Dr. Ellicott asking how he felt about the Health FOR Department supplying flu vaccine to the physicians, free of ETT)ERLY charge, to be given to residents in certain categories. Dr. Ellicott replied that most doctors would charge from 3 to 5 dollars to administer this vaccine in their offices. He also stated that he and many other doctors would work in a public clinic for nothing. The clerk reported to the Board treat Mr. McQuillan had dis- cussed this with her and felt after Dr. Ellicott's reply that supplying vaccine to doctors free of charge was not a good idea because first it could set a precedent and also after checking the drug supply houses there would be no vaccine available until sometime in December. After a short discussion it was suggested that a short article be written for the newspaper recommending that a person in a high risk group check with his own physician for this in- noculation. The following animal permits were approved by the Board on the recommendation of Mr. Heustis. Albert Szaho Evelyn Snyder Ralph H. Davis 48 Summit Road 40 Fern St. 66 North St. 1 horse 1 horse increase to 12 horses I>Ir. Heustis reported that Mr. Cortel had sent a report on his study of the "Old Res" to Ir. Powers at the State Health Department and although there has been some delay the Park De- "OLD partment would like to get any work done that is necessary so RES" the "Res" could be filled up again for skating. Mr. Heustis suggested a meeting with the Selectmen and the recreation com- mittee after a report is received from Ir. Powers. Dr. Colburn said he did not feel another meeting was nec- essary. If the Town goes ahead and develops this area and it does not meet with our regulations then we no not issue a permit to operate, they only need a permit from us to operate this area. Mr. Heustis said with our regulations as adopted the sanitary facilities, etc. would have to be checked