HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-05-02 BOARD 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 Tnwn 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 REPLACF
agreement hetwnen the Board of H^alth and RePlace was discussed
The letter ,gas 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 over 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 Shen measles MEASLES
innoculations 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
Dr Cosgrove said the Rotary club had expressed an interest in soon-
soring a hypertension program. He suggested that Mr. Smith attend this work-
shop and report hack to the Board. FYPFRTFNSTn1
PROGP
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 adept a cut-off date for NEW REGTTF -
percolation tests for septic systems Mr Smith said percolation tests TION SPETTO
SYSTEM
should be made during 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 states "on any lot, in the area to be
used for leaching, exe pt as noted below, there will be zt 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.
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 area will 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. Ho said if he can't find a suitable expansion area after more
percolation tests and more deep test holes are observed he could not
annrove 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 DIMMER 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 lifeguard must be on duty on weekends and holidays or '
when there are 2n or more people in the pool
The Board approved the proposed operations for the Drummer. Boy Pool
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 ye'r No coo?-inn at poolside and all pPner service
used at the poolside
The Board agreed that this would ,nnrove this operation.
Mr Smith. reported to the Beard that the municipal pools at Centre
Playground are in sad share. This Year the recreation (emr4ttee tried to TOWN POOT
act about 50 thousand dollars appronriated 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 micrht have to be closed this year be-
cause the filtration and chlorination systems are shot The skimmers are
not wor'-ing properly and at the present time these pools are leosina about
8 thousand aa.11ons per day. Motors are burning out and there is a lot of
corrosion and rust in the lines. The h,thhonse is in had condition
The Hoard said Mr Smith .ras to do as he saw fit even if these pools
had to be closed
Mr. Smith said he had inspected the Mystic Valley mental Health ad- MVMH
olescent home on Hancock Street and found a number of things that would '\POL"SCrNT
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 had 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 Mr. Smith's inspection
the Office for. Children will not grant a license until these things are
corrected The Office for Children does have special reau]ations 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 frorr 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 Z,t the present time the Pewter. Pot is
the best it has ever been Mr Cohen, the town counsel, suggested that
an"r 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 FOOD
striving to make it mandatory that food handlers be certified before they HANDLERS
can become a manager of a. food establishment He also said he would like CRRTIFICATIn�T
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
people will have to be involved. He cited the city of Brookline as having
a good rducation program and he said he felt the Board should push this
educational thing and make it mandatory for all restaurant and food hand-
lers.
'e,RRTS Mr Smith reported that he had trouble with a couple of the subdivision
�Z n S7.L 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.
rMITH The Board at this point stopped to review the work that Mr. Smith
LOAD 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
'"TC='''aNT license for Migrant Labor Camps to us for inspection. The only one we
' ''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.
Mr Smith explained that the State inspector came out and they did
this inspection together A re-inspection rill be made at a later date
Mr Smith reno •ted that one of the churches has bought some very
"^'m'TS ON good containers for the "Meals on rheels", Pr Merfeld reported that
gn71-S" 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-
nlementation and operation of the delivery system
Dr Erdos said the Symmes Hos-,ital 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
"Try . Par period He said in order to check on these dairies he has been re-
TTr'FNSES questing from the health departments their most recent inspection sheets on
dairies located in their town.
Mr Smith reported that the Wild v-re Inn seems to be wc11 in hand.
'TT.a ACRE Mr Hutchinson Town Manager, met with Dr Yudowitz and John McSweeney last
T rn? Board of Selec.Lmen'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.
PTV` Mr. Smith reported that Dr. Smith had agreed to do the Rabies Clinic
INT" 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.
36 Ward Street end 157 'ood Street were both structures which had
been condemned as "n£it for habitation Mr S-i.th reported that
both of these pl,ces had 3'een demolished
Mr smith said that tie State 'as now cracking down on Recreation ramps RECAFZTTo'v
Meade,* Brook Day ramp is operated at Christian Academy during the summer me
and they have alwyas taken out a license Hayden Recreation T',eiltty which
operates Camp T7i1lard and Camp Blanche have never applied for permit" This
year them will have to have a permit before they can operate and they mist
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 TCF' MATT/'!•
that most of the hotels and motels had taken out the ice machines that were
located in the halls and now when ice is needed in a rooT' they rust call
room servi Ce Battle Green i^ the only one not changed over hut they expect
to do so soon
Mr smith reported that Trne' s nolica tarsen at r'ountr 'S1de pas doing a nT?Nrn'r
lot of painting and cleaning It is beginning to Look good now
The Hancock Street Marl-et has really got to be a problem If it is not H:"NCOCK M'+'T
properly cleaned by next meeting the owner will have to come before the Board.
The Yangtze River Restaurant is also getting to be quite a problem They
seem to let all the housekeeping go and at the present time it has got out of YANGTZF
hand Mr. Smith said he would like to take drastic measures if this place RIVER PF< '
is not cleaned up and kept clean.
The Board suggested that George find out how the Boston Health Depart-
ment made out •Then they published the names of restaurants which were below
standard. Also check al] the legal proh]em^ 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 Vinebrook, the following week the
sucharces was directed to other areas so that it could flog• flown stream to
Munroe Brook
Mr Lambie asked if this problem was caused by an excessive amount of
inflow?
Mr McSweeney said that was part 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 hey and
chlorine,
The Board asked if any of the residents were affected by this high
water problem.
35
Mr McSweeney said there were 6 or 7 houses in the Saddle Club Road
area that did have problems. He went on to sav 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 three 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
eauipment was taken out with grappling hooks.
On Aril 5 using Hayes Lane as a break-off point we went to the other
side of Woburn Street and pu"ped i^to Munroe Brook. This gave us tine to
set up barriers but with 3 lines coming into ane we still had problems.
On Sunday we did have another hack-up at Saddle Club Road area and this time
re contacted Bedford who h.d 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 yells 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 rut the m.D C 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.0 will
have to measure the flow more accurately and they will have to be more
careful about leaving equipment in the lines
Mr. McSweeney Pent 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 w te'- 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
37
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 for a 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 ;latch and monitor
this illegal infiltration. He again stated that this surcharge is a very
serious problem a''d steps should he taken now so that it would not happen -gain
Mr. McSweeney said this study being done by Redford might just add to our
own System.
Mr Lambie said You just can't keep discharaing into the brooks, as far
as he could see the sewer system 'as not doing the job Maybe we could stop
7P7n0n from eronj nc thoir drains into the serer :t•stem.
Mr Mc"weenev said that the only w'ly we could do that would be to peal
the drains
LrT'thin again stressed phi`- "ar very serious hnlath problem nna right
now on one seems to kno".r 'here we aro going
Mr meSweeney said he felt that they kne' whore th^.t' -ern goino -i- the
prno,ont ti'-e they were 1-n'ni oft ^ ^' rveill-'nce on the M n e lire the*r •e,-n
'atc1-,ing the 4,-filtr-,fi.r, ar,rl anttine -"other 15,e- opened u• to li se hp trent nn to say that right now the major consideration :re^ not to abandon a line
that had hoer replaced but to change over so h-th lines can be used.
ur T'rdos aood 'h-'t effect all the ne, hou"i re -enld have on the ' ne
situation
Mr yoeweeney '--i.a e09 h'indred „nits would be no problem Hf went on to
that there was no reason for 'hat harponed and it "}lour bo no 'naier
concern to added dev"lopments
lir °o-move said. `•',' e- l<. fool that the dev'l.n-'mnnt^ of ".fl-r✓ 1„re nn
T'e et "'treet -nd "dam^ ^tre"t t 11 be of no major concern to this prone- t1lny
rre richt on this se-or line
Mr Tambie ^.id yc" T"ur-t h-vo ? pretty good idea of rrhat the flog' '-'or
capita or per horse is the difference 'ould be the "ter put into the syster,
illegally by the eon'ale
rt one noint the T yos li.nr ,lent from '? mall lire to '' korner lino and 4r
the dry season •e nay pump '5^ thousand gallons per A-ly hut during this wet
reason we sere pumping about one million. cellons per day or a 4 to 1 ration
more
nr irdos said he thought it would be unreasonable to ask people to cut
down on the sewage their use but acts lly that would be just ^ drop in the
bucket
Mr McSweeney said if you c,n aet people to stop opening drains it ;mold
help, but then what would they do Tt is illegal to hump into the street,
38
and how do you communicate with the whole town and then how do you enforce
the ruling "_ctually our goal should be to improve the drainage in the
Town.
Dr Cosgrove requested that Mr McSweeney keep the Board notified of
these problems from time to tine.
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 the homeowner.
Mr McSweeney said now Mr Lambie /as 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 m cSweeney said "No" it could be coming from the top of the hill with
the water table we have in Lexington
After further discussion Dr Cosgrove thanked Mr. McSweeney for coming
in
Mr. McSweeney retired.
Tonnr.;,Nn Mr Peter. Tropeano, 19 Revere Street, came before the Board to request
•r"nw" 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
quite some time and has had pigs and roosters without any problems. He did
take a horse to board and when the \nimal 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 reall: 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
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 rrdos asked what ob-iections 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 develo' into a health nuisance
Mr. Tropeano said he felt the Board should set un guide lines for some
of these animals and make them very stringent.
Mr. Tropeano went on to explain that neiahhors 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 Fall and Wintae months.
The Board thanked Mr Tropeano for coming in and told him they would tape
his request under advisement
Mr Tropeano retired and the Board discussed his request
Dr. lydos said we can not give them any argument about disease in pins so
we must base this nn the odor or health hazard areurennt
Dr. Cosgrove said years aro we voted not to alto-' an _ igs in r,exington
7 feel we should stick to this nolicy
The Beard after further di-oussion decided they should stay within these
rales and policy, no pigs and no roosters They felt if they started making
exceptions now this could snow-ball into many health nuisance problems
The following permits and licenses were signed hY the Beard
Animal Permits
Cindy Lou Parsons, 65 7.11en St , 1 horse
William r. Fit-gerald 177 Grove St , 2 horses
Alfred Iodice, 63 Winter St , 1 horse
Brita E. Swenson, 2.10 Merrett Rd. , 1 horse
Charles R. Gredler, 119 Burlinaton St , 22 hens
"ugene F Delfino, 94 Reed St
Harold P Melcher, Jr , 10 Winthrop Rd , '0 hens
Kreb's School Foundation, 453 Concord Ave , 1 pony
David t Gennaro, 108 Winter St , ? goats, 1 horse
Mrs Martin Rowe, 69 Blossomcrest Rd , ? horses
john Brucchi, 63 Paul Revere Rd , 6 sheep, 8 horses, 3 cows, 2 deer, 300 chickens
Wilson Farm, Inc , 10 Pleasant St. , 4500 poultrr, ? cogs
John H. Holdsworth, 6 Coach Rd , 1 horse
40
James V Cosgrove, 307 Wood St , 3500 poultry, 6 horses
Gerald Cupp, 171 Woburn St. , 4 horses
ALna 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 'k1, 10 Maguire Rd.
Denny's Restaurant, 438 Redford 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 Hancock 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 wt
John D. Brucchi, 63 Paul Revere Rd.
Disposal Permits
T,owell. Rendering Co
John Zanni, Reading, Mass.
Lexington Sewerage Co , 63 Paul Revere Rd.
Clear Way Sewer & Drain Service
Funeral Director's Licenses
rrthur F. Douglass
John B Douglass
Alice M McCarthy
Louis H Spencer
James F. Timothy
Meetirg adjourned at 11 00 P.M