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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-12-06 17 The Board checked the Health Department budget and a total of three thou- sand dollars was added because it has been indicated that we might have to BUDGET offer Influenza Vaccine to the general public in 1977. IThe new federal law requires more sampling of water (drinking) than has been done in the past. The testing of water in the past has been up to the Lawrence Experimental Station but they are going to cut down on their services to the towns and the new E.P.A. standards are requiring a lot more testing of the public water supply. Enforcement of this law has been set up so that it may be delegated to the State but if they decide not to do it and delegate it to the local towns then we could be responsible. Dr. Cosgrove said we should put into the budget enough funds to cover this project if we felt we were to be responsible. Mr. Lambie said he felt a letter should be sent to Mr. John McSweeney stating that he should be aware of these new regulations so that he could make arrangements to cover these expenses in his budget as long as he was in charge of the water department Mr. Smith reported that he was doing more and more with the housing in- spections He went on to say that he has had to let some of his restaurant work go because of so much other work. Dr. Erdos asked how much power does the Board of Health have? He said ADDITIONAL he noticed in some of the restaurants the help did not wear hair restraints DUTIES FOR and were also working in street clothes. MR. SMITH IIIMr Smith said any member of the Board can take action if they deem RESTAURANTS it necessary. He agreed with Dr. Erdos about the restaurants and he ex- plained that notices have been sent to all restaurant owners and managers regarding hair restraints and correct hygiene of the help. Last Spring a training course was held for all restaurant, nursing homes and school cafeteria help explaining the correct food handling procedures, but as long as these places have to employ inexperienced help they will have problems Mr. Smith said he had the restaurants shaping up very well but with so many new programs he has not been able to keep on them and in order for them to operate as they should you must watch them all the time. The Board suggested that a letter be sent to Mr. Perry, Acting Town Manager requesting an assistant for the Health Director. If this assistant cannot be hired right away at least provisions made in the new budget for an assistant. The following permits were signed by the Board: Food Service Permits Raytheon Corp. Cafeteria LeBellecour Restaurant Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. I BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING DECEMBER 6, 1976 The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Monday, December 6, 1976 at 7 00 p.m. in the Board of Health Office of the Town Office Building. All members were present. Mr. Smith reported on the flu clinics held to date. On Saturday FLU CLINIC December 4th, 1976 another 1100 citizens were innoculated for Swine Flu. To date we have distributed more than 5000 doses. Mr. Smith said he felt that all people participating in this program should be commended, the Red Cross, Tri Community Health Services, the Health Department Staff and other departments in the Town Offices that contributed time to this program. There is about one hundred young people between the ages of 18-25 that need another dose of vaccine but there is no hard or fast rule that says we must do it in clinic. Mr. Smith also reported that one of the pediatricians had asked about a clinic for healthy children but at the present time this does not seem feasible. Dr. Erdos said he felt that Lexington had done more than enough with the Flu Vaccine Program. He said he felt that unless something unusual happened we should not have another clinic. Mr. Smith reported that we had received a letter from the E.P.A., IMMUNIZATION Lexington office requesting that innoculation shots for typhoid and E P A tetanus be given to the employees. Mr. Smith explained that these employees are subject to ususual field conditons and therefore it is necessary to keep their immunizations up to date These will be taken care of after the first of January. CHILD CARE Mr. Smith reported that again the Selectmen have been requested by CENTERS the State to take over the inspection of the Child Care Centers. He ex- plained that he felt the licensing belongs with the Board of Health but we have not done this for a number of years and therefore have lost the continuity of the program, also there were some violations that have been existing for years that could not be over looked any longer At the present time we are responsible for the inspections of the kitchens in the Child Care Centers and also the testing for lead paint. The regulations now governing the Child Care Centers require that the Health Departments have a full time nurse, a person tained in Early Child- hood Education, a physician and other additional help. Mr Smith said he felt that the State is not doing the job but at the present time he could not take on this extra work because of the lack of personnel in this office. After further discussion the Board agreed that we should continue to refuse the licensing of the Child Care Centers. PERC TEST Mr. Smith said he wanted to report to the Board about a percolation CONCORD AV test made on a lot on the corner of Concord Avenue and Spring Street When & SPRING ST the test was done ground water was found at 4 feet, therefore, the testing was stopped and the lot rejected at this time The letter from Kenneth W. Nill, 16 Bennington Road regarding the BENNINGTON septic system that services his dwelling was discussed by the Board. Dr. ROAD Cosgrove recalled that this area is very limited for repairs of septic systems. A few years ago there was some discussion of an easement on a neighbors property The Board agreed that unless Mr Nill had a legal easement there was little the Board could do.