HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-05-02BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
MAY 2, 1977
The regular meeting of the Board of health was held Monday, May 2,
1977 at 7:00 P.M. in room G-5 of the Town Office Building. Members
present were: Dr. William L. Cosgrove, Chairman; James W. Lambie, Michael
S. Erdos, M.D. and Director of Public Health, George A. Smith.
The minutes of the March 7, 1977 meeting were approved as typed.
The letter written by Town Counsel, Norman Cohen, to Mr. Richard
Perry, Comptroller, on December. 23, 1976 regarding a contract cr written
agreement between the Board of Health and RePlace was discussed.
The letter was received by the Health Department durinc the month of
April.
Dr. Cosgrove said he did not know a thing about "RePlace" and also we
had no formal request that we take aver the handling of funds for "RePlace".
At the present time he said he would like more information regarding this
project and just what was expected of us. He said he would like an explana-
tion for the line items placed on our budget for "Replace" and also the
"Council on Aging".
Dr. Cosgrove said he would like to meet with Town Manager and discuss
these accounts. He also said he feels the Board should have received a
formal letter stating that these itmes have been delegated to the Health
Department for payment.
Mr. Smith explained to the Board that because of a recent outbreak of
measles the State has now asked all schools to do a. survey on when measles
innocul.ations were received. If this survey shows a need we may he in the
position of being forced to have a measles clinic. Mr. Smith said that all
school administration personnel had been notified of the disposal of school
health records.
Mr. Smith reported to the Board about a Workshop dealing with State
Grants for the purpose of Towns conducting hypertension programs.
REPLACE
MEASLES
Dr. Cosgrove said the Rotary club had expressed an interest in spon-
soring a hypertension program. He suggested that Mr. Smith attend this work-
shop and report back to the Board. FYPERTENS?en
PROGp_' _x.,
Dr. Erdos said a hypertension program that did not follow through with
the patient was not too beneficial. He said a good program should have doc-
tors ready and willing to treat a patient, plus good follow-up programs to
keep track of the patients.
Mr. Smith said that the State had scheduled a Workshop in Worcester to
discuss this program and also the availability of State grants for areas to
offer such a. program.
The Board instructed Mr. Smith to attend this workshop and report back
to them.
Mr. Smith said he would like to have the Board adopt a cut-off date for NEW REGT72 -
percolation tests for septic systems. Mr. Smith said percolation tests TION SPETTC
SYSTEM
should be made'durinc the wet season.
Mr. Lambie questioned if the water table on a lot wasn't more im-
portant than the percolation tests.
Mr. Smith said he put more emphasis on deep observation holes.
The Board, by unanimous vote, adopted the section in Title 5, Reg-
ulation 3, section 313 which statese "On any lot, in the aresto be
used for leaching, ex nt as noted below, there will be et least two
deep observation holes plus any additional number which, in the opinion
of the approving authority, will be necessary to determine the consist-
ency (or lack thereof) of the character of the soil. The observation
holes shall be examined to a depth of at least 4 feet below the bottom
of the proposed leaching facility, but in no case shallower than 10
feet, unless this depth is unattainable because of bedrock, etc. The
ground water elevation should be determined when the ground water is at
its maximum elevation. Ground water determinations shall not be made
during June, July, August, September or. October, except when an exist-
ing system failure requires prompt action.
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Mr. Smith said that the engineer for Lot 17 on the corner of Con- LOT CORNER
cord Ave. and Spring Street had submitted a revised plan for a. septic CONCORD AVE.
system. The percolation tests for this lot is right on the line. The & SPRING ST.
plan was revised to include 480 feet leaching trenches and a. 1500
gallon septic tank, there would be no garbage grinder allowed. Mr.
Smith emphazied that it was very important that this system work be-
cause it is not expected that this areawill ever be able to be ser-
viced by public sewer. '
Mr. Smith went on to say that this lot had been rejected before be-
cause the septic system plan had not been stamped by a registered san-
itary engineer and the percolation rates were very marginal 1" in 30
minutes. He said if he can't find a suitable expansion area after more
percolation tests and more deep test holes are observed he could not
approve this lot.
The Board agreed this lot must only be approved contigent upon
adequate tests and good expansion area available.
Mr. Smith said that the Drummer Boy Pool had requested permission DRIm1MER BOY
to operate without a lifeguard except on weekends. He explained to the POOL
Board that it was a small pool and would probably have very few people
bathing during the week. They are agreeable to having a lifeguard on
duty on holidays and weekends.
Mr. Smith said if it was agreeable to the Board he would list the
following conditions:
1. During the week when no lifeguard was on duty there should
be no unaccompanied swimming.
2. A lifeguard must be on duty on weekends and holidays or
when there are 20 or more people in the pool.
The Board approved the proposed operations for the Drummer. Boy Pool.
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Mr. Smith said that in anticipation of food service at the Lexington- LEXINGTON
Sheraton Motor Inn Pool, he would approve this operation if it was con- SHERATON
MOTOR INN
ducted the same as last year. No cooking at poolside and all raper service
used at the pcolside.
The Board agreed that this would approve this operation.
Mr_. Smith reported to the Board that the municipal pools at Centre
Playground are in sad share. This r.ear the recreation Committee tried to
get about 50 thousand dollars apnronriated but were only granted 19 thou-
sand dollars. These pools are at least One year behind in repairs and re-
placements. The main pool and wading pool could be a thorn we will have
to live with, in fact, these pools might have to be closed this year be-
cause the filtration and chlorination systems are shot. The skimmers are
not working properly and at the present time these pools are loosing about
B thousand gallons per day. rotors are burning out and there is a lot of
corrosion and rust in the lines. The hathhnice is in had. condition.
The Board said. Mr. Smith wac to dr as he saw fit even if these _pools
had to be closed.
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TOWN POOL
Mr, Smith said he had inspected the Mystic Valley Mental Health ad- MVMB
olescent home on Hancock Street and found a number of things that would AL L"SCENT
need attention. They are talking about another one of these residents HOUSE
but before that is undertaken he said this building should be tended to.
The food service aspect of the building was in bad condition, they
had cats and dogs in the food service area. There was no dishwasher in the
house and the methods used for dishwashing was pretty bad, therefore, it is
necessary to demand. they nut in a dishwasher.
Other problems in the house were wires being run under rugs and around
rooms. The back porch was in bad shape. The window frames and windows in
some areas were in bad shape. The overall housekeeping of the place was
very bad. They also had an alcove under the stairway where the residents
could lock themselves in if they wanted to meditate. Mr. Smith said he
told them they would have to take the door off this room and replace the
mattress with a. chair. Based on the findings of I1r. Smith's inspection
the Office for. Children will not grant a license until these things are
corrected. The Office for Children does have snrcial regulations for
adolescent homes but we do use the Board of Health standards for the kit-
chen inspections, The law exempts these places from the definition of
houses.
Mr. Smith reported that he had a call from. the Massachusetts Committee
on Discrimination representing Marie Busa. who was a manager at Pewter Pot PEWTER POT
Restaurant. There were many sanitation problems while Mrs. Busa was the DISCRIMINATIOTM
manager and she did not seem able to handle them. Pewter Pot nut in an-
other, manager and for awhile things improved but then that manager got
careless and they replaced him. At the present time the Pewter. Pot is
the best it has ever been. Mr. Cohen, the town counsel, suggested that
any papers given to these people on discrimination the request must come
through the Town Manager.
Mr. Smith reported that at the present time the Federal Government is
striving to make it mandatory that food handlers be certified before they
can become a manager of a. food establishment. He also said he would like
to repeat the foodhandlers program in the Fall if there is time for it.
if this certification program goes through the Town will have to sponsor
more educational programs using more training aids and more professional
FOOD
HANDLERS
CERTIFICATION
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people will have to be involved. He cited the city of Brookline as having
a good education program and he said he felt the Board should push this
educational thing and make it mandatory for all restaurant and food hand-
lers.
')B -RIS Mr. Smith reported that he had trouble with a couple of the subdivision
`?T.? S7L owners disposing of the construction debris. He went on to say that this
is not a new problem but he would suggest that the Board write to the Plan-
ning Board suggesting that the proper disposal of debris be put on as part
of their approval of the subdivision. Mr. Smith said this was more a nui-
sance than a health hazard.
-, . SMITH
-r.7-r LOAD
The Board at this point stopped to review the work that Mr. Smith
had been doing and agreed that he did need more help. The Board felt they
would like to talk to Mr. Hutchinson regarding this as soon as possible.
Mr. Smith explained that the State Health Department had sent the
MTC=""ANT license for Migrant Labor Camps to us for inspection. The only one we
v"+.''M WORK have so far is Wilson's Farm on Pleasant Street. I have inspected the
place and they must do a few things before they will be issued their
license.
""',I S ON
iT T1.•
T.TCENSES
Mr. Smith explained that the State inspector care out and they did
this inspection together. A re -inspection will be made at a later date.
Mr. Smith repo•ted that one of the churches has bought some very
good containers for the "Meals on ':heels". Dr. Merfeld reported that
each driver is delivering about 5 meals each. The one thing we will
have to watch is that this group does not get too casual in the im-
plementation and operation of the delivery system.
Dr. Erdos said the Symmes Hospital kitchen where the meals are
prepared was in very good condition. The "Meals on Wheels" looks like
a good program but at the present time we do not know what the potential
growth will be.
Mr. Smith reported that dairies would now be licensed for a five
year period. He said in order to check on these dairies he has been re-
questing from the health departments their most recent inspection sheets on
dairies located in their town.
Mr. Smith reported that the Wild Acre Inn seems to be we11 in hand.
"•.'TT,D ACRE ]'4r. Hutchinson, Town Manager, met with Dr. Yudowitz and John. McSweeney last
INN Board of SeleeLmen's meeting. At this time it was stated that Dr. Yudo-
witz was responsible for putting the sewer up to Highland Avenue. Hope-
fully this problem will be resolved soon but in the meantime Mr. Smith
said he would continue to make the monthly inspections and in order to
keep the sanitary sewer under control the system is being pumped about
every 10 days.
„T TT 5
'77_ TrI fl
Mr. Smith reported that Dr. Smith had agreed to do the Rabies Clinic
but this year it would he run for 2 days - 3 hours a. day.
Mr. Smith said that he had made housing inspections on the following:
101 Cliffe Avenue, a. second exit was required and has been installed.
108 Bow Street, a second exit is required but he feared court action
would be necessary.
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36 Ward Street end 157 Wood Street were beth structures which had
been condemned as unfit for habitation. Mr. Smith reported that
both of these places had been demolished.
Mr. Smith said that the State was now cracking down on Recreation ramps. nECRFZ,TT^h
Meadow Brook Day Camp is operated at Christian Academy during the summer CAMPS
and they have alwyas taken out e. license. Hayden Recreation. Facility which
operates Camp Willard and ramp Blanche have never applied for permits. This
year they will have to have a. permit before they can operate and they must
also meet the State regulations in regard to records and staffing.
Mr. Smith reported that he was pleased to be able to notify the Board
that most of the hotels and r'nteis had taken out the ice machines that were
located in the halls and now when ice is needed in n roc*' they must call
room service. Battle Green in the only one not changed over but they expect
to do so soon.
ICE MAC77~7
Mr, sni.th reported that '\rro's Delicatessen nt Countryside was doing a APNO'S
lot of painting and cleaning. It is beginning to look good now.
The Hancock Street Market has really got to be a problem. If it is not HANCOCK NTT.
properly cleaned by next meeting the owner will have to come before the Board.
The Yangtze River Restaurant is alsr getting to be quite a problem,. They
seem to let 211 the housekeeping go and at the present time it has got out of YANGTZE
hand. Mr. Smith said he would like to tako drastic measures if this place RIVER PEST,
is not cleaned up and kept clean.
The Board suggested that George find out how the Boston Health Depart-
ment made out when they published the names of restaurants which were below
standard. Also check al]. the legal problems for such action.
Dr. Cosgrove said he felt if they did not square away the Board should
revoke their permits and let them suffer.
At 7:15 p. m. Mr. John McSweeney came before the Board to discuss the SEWER
sewer surchanges which have occured this year. SURCHARGES
Mr. McSweeney stated that on March 16 to April 2, and. April 6 to Apr.
11, the Town did have problems with a, sewer surcharge. From March 16 to
April 2 the surcharge was discharged into Vinebrock, the following week the
sucharges was directed to other areas so that it 'mould flow down stream to
Munroe Brook.
Mr. Lambie asked if this problem was caused by an excessive amount of
inflow?
Mr. McSweeney said that was hart of the problem but one thing was that
a twenty inch main went into a thirty inch main. At the present time there
is two lines running parallel to these mains and it was thought the two
lines would carry the flow. The surcharge on March 16th was a definite in-
flow problem, people were lust opening up the traps in their basement and
garages to control the water problem they were experiencing in their homes.
When we had to have a run off at this time we set up a. screening of hay and
chlorine.
The Board asked if any of the residents were affected by this high
water problem.
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Mr. McSweeney said there were 6 or 7 houses in the Saddle Club Road
area. that did have problems. He went on to say that they started pumping
at the pumping station just below the second level and by pumping about 25
hundred gallons per minute they were able to maintain a safe level which
aided these homes.
An inspection of the M.D. C. lines showed equipment being used to test
the pipes had fallen down into the pipes and were acting like a dam, this
equipment was taken out with grappling hooks.
On April 5 using Hayes Lane as a. break -off point we went to the other
side of Woburn Street and burped i^to Munroe Brook. This gave us tine to
set up barriers but with 3 lines coming into ore we still had problems.
On Sunday we did have another hack -up at Saddle Club Road area. and this time
we contacted Bedford who had been pumping at a. much higher rate than was
contracted for and they had to cut back. We stated that they had to cut
back by at least 22 hundred thousand gallons even if they had to pump into
the Shawsheen River, we had been dumping into our brooks.
At this time the Burlington Wells were down and we did keep in constant
touch with the Health Officer in Burlington he said if he had his choice he
would dump into the river.
The Bedford cut back helped because at that time they were pumping 30-
40 per cent over what is allowed by their contract. After we were able to
evaluate the situation and we took out the M.D.0 equipment that was damming
the lines we also took out the flow meters from our lines things went along
pretty good. We must remember that on that Sunday we had about 2 inches of
rain during one short period.
The Board asked what precautions were now being taken to correct the
surcharge situation so that it would not happen again.
Mr. McSweeney said that the 6 or 7 houses affected will have to have
valves out in the basement. The Town of Bedford has been made aware of the
problem and we well have to hold them to their contract. The M.D.C. will
have to measure the flow more accurately and they will have to be more
careful about leaving equipment in the lines.
Mr. McSweeney went on to say that Emerson Gardens had a back up problem
around April 6, but he felt that cleaning out the brook in that area. will
relieve their problem. A lot of this problem was just rain water but in
areas where there was poor maintenance people were just taking off the
drain caps and letting the water from their cellars flow out to the sewer
line, this helped their problem but just added to ours.
Mr. McSweeney went on. to say that Lexington has a, very high water table
which does not help the problem also the M.D.C. put in weirs last Fall and
they never notified anyone of them.
Mr. Lambie said he definitely felt that this sewer surcharge was a.
very serious thing. This year was unusual, the weather was very had, but
he also said that in other years when we have had no extremes weather wise
we still have had these surcharges and each time this Board has requested
that something be done to Permanently correct the problem but to date nothing
has been done. He said he was very upset by this problem as he was sure
the Board felt the same way.
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Mr. Lambie said he thought that an infiltration study should be done so
that it could be determined what war causing the problem. The flow from Bed-
ford should be carefully monitored and they should be kept to their contract.
Mr. McSweeney said that Bedford had applied fora Federal Grant to do a
study of their sewer system. This study when it is done may show that it is
not economically feasible to do some of the things we want them to do.
Mr. Lambie said he felt that there was ways that we could watch and monitor
this illegal infiltration. He again stated that this surcharge is a very
serious problem and steps should he taken now so that it would not happen again.
Mr. McSweeney said this study being done by Redford might just add to our
own system.
Mr. Lambie said you just can't keep discharging into the brooks, as far
as he could see the sewer system was not doing the job. Maybe we could stop
people from opening their drains i.ntn the sewer .: •stem.
Mr. McSweeney said that the only way we could do that would be to seal
the drains.
7r. Le^ihie again stressed this war : very seri-'us hel,ath probi.em and right
now on one seems to know where we ars going.
Mr. McSweeney said he felt that they knew where they were gain^ -t the
preoort ti»c+ they W'r' lro.'.Dirg ^ survelll "ane en the M f.e. lire, the'r were
wa},.L.i ng the i r fi ltrotien cnrl getting -nether lino opened tiz to Vse he went
on to say that right now the major consideration was not to ,handon a line
that bad been replaced but to change over se b^th linos can be rsed.
Dr. Frdos ske what feat all the new housing ., on e ..,,.."ge
,. � ld have on the
situation,
Mr. McSweeney said 203 hundred „nits would be no problen. Ile went on to
say that there was no reason for what t hnpponed and it .should ho no major
con^ern to added developments.
nr. r"e^nroVe sni.d you ..-e,lly fool that the dov^l.n,.-"nts of ".gars moose or
'rt Street ond :dam^ `i tre^t will h'+, of no malor concern to this prnhlom they
are right on this sewer Line.
Mr. Lambie said yor. must hove n pretty good idea of what the flow mer
capita or per house is the difference would he the *'•'ter put into the system
illegally by the people.
.t one point tho Hayes line went frorl a mallljre to a, larger line and ir.
the dry .season we may pump '5^ thousand gallons per ,any but during this wet
season we were pumping about one million gallons per day or a 4 to 1 ration
more.
Dr, rrdos said he thought it would be unreasonable to ask people to cut
down on the sewage they use but actually that would be just a. drop in the
bucket.
Mr. McSweeney said if you can get people to stop opening drains it would
help, but then ''hat would they do. 7t is illegal to pump into the .street,
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TPIPANO
and hew do you communicate with the whole town and then how do you enforce
the ruling. Actually our goal should be to improve the drni'age in the
Toon.
Dr. Cosgrove requested that Mr. McSuneney keep the Board notified of
these problems from time to time.
Mr. Lambie again stressed the concern of the Board regarding this
problem. He said he felt an inflow study would show where a. great deal of
the problem was coming from. He also suggested that the drains in the
houses be sealed and then if it was found that the seal was broken a fine
could be levied against thr homeowner..
rr. McSweeney said now Mr. Lambie was talking a. whole new program.
He said. maybe a check list could be sent out in the water bills to educate
people.
Mr. Lambie asked if the low areas were the cause of so much infiltration.
Mr. McSweeney said "No" it could be coming from the top of the hill with
the water table we have in Lexington.
in.
After further discussion Dr. Cosgrove thanked Mr. TcSweeney for coming
Mr. McSweeney retired.
Mr, Peter. Tropeano, 19 Revere Street, came before the Board to request
permission to keep one or two roosters and one or two pigs on his "farm".
He explained to the Board that he has been running this "farm" for
suite some time and has had pigs and roosters without any problems. He did
take a horse to board and when the Animal Inspector came out to check the
barn he found the pigs and told us "no pigs in Lexington': I have removed
the pigs from my property but I would like to have them again.
Dr. Cosgrove said we adopted a policy about 20 years ago that we
would allow no more pigs in Lexington because Lexington is not rural any
more and with the increase in population it was creating quite a health
nuisance.
Mr. Tropeano said they were really no nuisance as long as they were
kept clean. He went on to explain that he kept his pigs the same as any-
one would keep their other animals. They are kept in a pen with a cement
floor and they are fed grain not garbage. Ho also explained that they
buy the pigs in the Fall and keep them only through the winter months, they
are butchered in the Spring. The manure from the pigs is spread on the hay
field and so far they have not had a rodent problem. There are rodents
slong the sewer line but so far not on his property.
The Board asked how much land Mr. Tropeano had.
He said he had about five acres including his uncles land which he is
allowed to use. He said the new people in the area enjoyed the farm and they
had never had any problem before. He went on to say he kept the two roosters
because they liked to breed their own hens.
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Dr. Cosgrove said the roosters didn't bother him.
Mr. Tropeano said he could see why the Board did not want the pigs be-
cause of the odor but if they were kept clean and only two there would be
no odor.
Dr. Cosgrove asked why he was keeping the horse without a permit.
Mr. Tropeano said he had only boarded it for a month.
Dr. Cosgrove thanked Mr. Tropeano for coming before the Board and he said
he really didn't hold•.out much hope that this permit would be approved.
Dr. Erdos asked what objections there was to pigs except the odor?
Dr. Cosgrove said that it seemed when people have had pigs in Town they
are not taken care of and they develop into a health nuisance.
Mr. Tropeano said he felt the Board should set up guide lines for some
of these animals and make them very stringent.
Mr. Tropeano went on to explain that neighrors and teachers have been
enjoying the farm by bringing the children to see the animals. He said he
did not have a lot of time for a lot of animals that was why he only had
the pigs in the 7,111 and Nint:
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James V. Cosgrove, 307 Wood St., 3500 poultry, 6 horses
Gerald Cupp, 171 Woburn St., 4 horses
Alma F. Anderson, 73 Paul Revere Rd., 2 horses
Frederick Hopwood, 172 Burlington St., 4 horses, 20 chickens
Manuel Rose, 748 Waltham St., 2 cows
Marian M. McIntire, 205 Wood St., 2 horses
Roger Trudeau, 7 Volunteet,,-Way, 1 pony, 1 horse
John D. Chiesa., 44 Adams St., 13 horses, 2 ponies
Dudley West, 33 oak St., 4 horses, 1 pony
Howard W. Foley, 5 Harrington Rd., 3 horses
Jo -Arne Smoske, 39 Robinson Rd., 2 horses
Robert & Marie Rollins, 205 Grove St., 3 horses
Food Permits:
Drummer Boy Restaurants, 1720 Mass Ave.
Lexington Christian Academy, Inc., 48 Bartlett Ave.
Itek Cafeteria, Building #1, 10 Maguire Rd.
Denny's Restaurant, 438 Tedford St.
Maunder's Meat Market, 1768 Mass Ave.
White Hen Pantry, 373 Mass Ave.
Middlesex Tennis & Swim Club
Mobile Food Service: 263 Lincoln St.
Retail Food Store Permit
White Hen Pantry, 373 Mass Ave.
Frozen Desserts
White Hen Pantry, 373 Mass Ave.
Swimming Pool Permits:
Drummer Boy Homes Assoc., 13 Drummer Boy Way
Helen & Harold Millican, 90 Iiancock St.
Middlesex Tennis & Swim Club, 475 Bedford St.
Town of Lexington, Centre Playground
Sewage Disposal Installer's Permits
Clear Way Sewer Drain Service, 381 Portland St.
John D. Brucchi, 63 Paul Revere Rd.
Disposal Permits
Lowell Rendering Co.
John Zanni, Reading, Mass.
Lexington Sewerage Co., 63 Paul Revere Rd.
Clear Way Sewer & Drain Service
Funeral Director's Licenses
Arthur F. Douglass
John B. Douglass
Alice M. McCarthy
Louis H. Spencer
James F. Timothy
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
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