HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-04-1182
HEALTH FAIR
Temple Isaih
Sacred Heart Church
Lexington V.F.W.
First Parish Church Unitarian Universalists
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
APRIL 11, 1978
The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Tuesday, April 11,
1978, at 7:00 P.M. in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building. Members
present were: Dr. William L. Cosgrove, Chairman, James W. Lambie, Dr.
Michael S. Erdos, and George A. Smith, Director of Public Health.
Minutes of the March 7, 1978 meeting were approved as typed.
At 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Jean Wood came before the Board of Health to discuss,
once again, what financial help the Board would give toward the Health Fair
being planned.
Dr. Cosgrove once again said that the Board could not pay the Tri Com-
munity Nurses for their time at the Fair as long as the Red Cross nurses
were volunteering.
Mrs. Wood explained that the Tri Community Association did not have any
volunteer help, therefore, the nurses expected to be paid. Tri Community
nurses would be conducting the diabetic screening.
Dr. Cosgrove asked if any of the other organizations were paying their
help, and also where some of the financial help was coming from.
Mrs. Wood said that the Council on Aging was paying some of the costs
such as the custodial fees and the insurance.
Dr. Erdos asked what the goals of the fair were and what other programs
were being offered.
Mrs. Wood said that they were having the Glaucoma Screening Clinic which
was not new but was presented in a different setting. The hypertension and
diabetes screening would be just routine clinics. Mrs. Wood also spoke of
the various speakers and their subjects being planned.
Mr. Lambie asked what this fair would accomplish.
Mrs. Wood said it was just a health promotion program.
Dr. Cosgrove said he felt we should not pay for one group when the other
groups were either paying their own or using volunteers.
After further discussion it was agreed that the Board would pay for the
lancetts for the diabetes clinic. The Board also felt that it would help the
image of the Tri Community Health Services if they donated their time.
Mrs. Wood thanked the Board and retired.
HEALTH FAIR
Temple Isaih
Sacred Heart Church
Lexington V.F.W.
First Parish Church Unitarian Universalists
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
APRIL 11, 1978
The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Tuesday, April 11,
1978, at 7:00 P.M. in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building. Members
present were: Dr. William L. Cosgrove, Chairman, James W. Lambie, Dr.
Michael S. Erdos, and George A. Smith, Director of Public Health.
Minutes of the March 7, 1978 meeting were approved as typed.
At 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Jean Wood came before the Board of Health to discuss,
once again, what financial help the Board would give toward the Health Fair
being planned.
Dr. Cosgrove once again said that the Board could not pay the Tri Com-
munity Nurses for their time at the Fair as long as the Red Cross nurses
were volunteering.
Mrs. Wood explained that the Tri Community Association did not have any
volunteer help, therefore, the nurses expected to be paid. Tri Community
nurses would be conducting the diabetic screening.
Dr. Cosgrove asked if any of the other organizations were paying their
help, and also where some of the financial help was coming from.
Mrs. Wood said that the Council on Aging was paying some of the costs
such as the custodial fees and the insurance.
Dr. Erdos asked what the goals of the fair were and what other programs
were being offered.
Mrs. Wood said that they were having the Glaucoma Screening Clinic which
was not new but was presented in a different setting. The hypertension and
diabetes screening would be just routine clinics. Mrs. Wood also spoke of
the various speakers and their subjects being planned.
Mr. Lambie asked what this fair would accomplish.
Mrs. Wood said it was just a health promotion program.
Dr. Cosgrove said he felt we should not pay for one group when the other
groups were either paying their own or using volunteers.
After further discussion it was agreed that the Board would pay for the
lancetts for the diabetes clinic. The Board also felt that it would help the
image of the Tri Community Health Services if they donated their time.
Mrs. Wood thanked the Board and retired.
At 8:00 P. M. Mr. William Dailey, attorney for Mr. John Brucchi, came
before the Board to discuss the continuance of his permit to keep 8 horses
to new prospective buyers if he sold his home on Paul Revere Rd.
It was explained that Mr. Brucchi had 2 1/2 acres of land and he had
his permit under the "grandfather's clause".
Dr. Cosgrove said the Board had heard from Mr. Brucchi regarding this
at an earlier Board Meeting therefore they would like to hear from his at-
torney, Mr. Dailey.
Mr. Dailey said John was getting tired and he wants to sell his place
on Paul Revere Road which he has conducted for years as a farm. John has
had a permit for years to keep a number of animals and he would like to as-
sure any prospective buyer that he would have the same right to keep the 8
horses which he now has a permit for.
Dr. Cosgrove said he understands that Mr. Brucchi has had a permit for
years for 8 horses, 3 steer, 300 chicken and some goats but all these animals
are now on a permit which is under the "grandfather's clause". These animals
have been kept properly and with few complaints but what is to say that any
new owner would keep the place as John as kept it. Our regulations have
been changed over the years and we now require 2 acres to keep one horse.
Also when a new application is made to keep animals all the abuttors are no-
tified. I am sure today if John were to apply for 8 horses no matter how
wonderful his neighbors were they would object to that many horses on the
2 1/2 acres of land that John has.
Mr. Dailey said he did not think they were too intersted in other an-
imals he felt that they were just interested in the 8 horses.
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BRUCCFII
ANIMAL
PERMIT
Mr. Brucchi said that the people that were abutting him were pleased with
the animals.
Dr. Erdos asked about the regulations for other animals.
Dr. Cosgrove said Mr. Dailey was trying to get the Board to agree that
any buyer would be granted permission to keep 8 horses.
Mr. Dailey said "Yes" but he did not know whether he meant 8 horses but
what he would like was an indication from the Board that they could tell a
prospective buyer that they could have a permit to keep a number of horses.
Dr. Erdos said the regulations had been changed, therefore, the Board
could not guarantee such a permit.
Mr. Dailey said unless the permit went along with the property.
Mr. Lambie said that generally does not happen, the permit does not go
with the property.
Mr. Brucchi said he would think a new owner would settle for six horses,
goats and chickens. At this point Dr. Cosgrove stopped him and said "John,
there is no way we could grant a permit for all these animals.
Dr. Cosgrove asked if the other Board members were familiar with the
place. They both said "No". Dr. Cosgrove went on to say that before any
decision was made he would like Mr. Lambie and Dr. Erdos to view this property.
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Dr. Cosgrove went on to say that Mr. Brucchi's property was now abutting
the new homes built by Mark Moore and there was no way to know which way these
abuttors would go.
Mr. Brucchi said so far the two immediate abuttors have not objected.
He went on to say that if he could not sell this property at his price he
would have to open up a riding school which would have nothing to do with
the Town, it would come under the State.
Mr. Dailey told Mr. Brucchi to forget the riding school and etc., and
see what the Board decided after all members had inspected the property.
Mr. Dailey asked if he could come in for a few minutes at the next meeting.
The Board said "Yes" and Mr. Dailey thanked the Board and retired.
Mr. Smith explained to the Board that there was a problem of an over-
flowing sewer on Boulder Road and Burlington Street. One system on Boulder
BOULDER ROAD Road overflows onto the lot at 7 Henderson Road and the other system over -
BURLINGTON ST.flows to 74 Burlington Street. In 1976 the Board of Health recommended
that public sewer be extended to take care of these problems and the money
was appropriated. To date no action has been taken.
Mr. Jacobson, the owner of the house on Boulder Road has now written
to the Selectmen requesting their assistance to get this sewer extended
so the problem can be corrected.
Dr. Cosgrove asked if there was a big problem to get the sewer ex-
tended and Mr. Smith said "Yes", the cul-de-sac on Boulder Road had a lot
of ledge but they could obtain an easement so they could come up from
Burlington Street to service these homes. Mr. Smith went on to say that
there is no way that these systems can be repaired.
Dr. Cosgrove asked if there were any other areas that were causing
trouble.
Mr. Smith said that Bowman Street and Golden Avenue were having the
same problems but they were on the Arlington line and therefore they
BOWMAN ST. could have a little more trouble. A variance would have to be obtained
GOLDEN AVE. from Arlington to connect these houses into the Arlington sewer line and
this area would also require a pumping station. There is no possible
way to repair these systems.
Mr. Martin, Town Engineer, said that he did not think this area would
ever be sewered because of the cost and because of the fact that they will
have to be connected with Arlington sewer line.
Mr. Lambie asked what alternative the Board had if these systems were
not connected to public sewer.
Mr. Smith said other than pumping the systems constantly the only
other alternative was to condemn the houses. It would affect four or
five houses.
The Board asked if they did have the power to comdemn houses, Dr.
Cosgrove asked who we could check with to give advice to what we can do.
Mr. Lambie asked what Mr. Martin had for reasons that this area would
never be sewered.
8 Y
Mr. Smith said probably because of the cost and the dealing with Arlington.
Dr. Cosgrove said there had to be a solution to this problem.
It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the selectmen stating that
this is a, very serious health problem and unless this area was sewered the
houses would have to be condemned. This could mean that it would then be
up to the Town to pay these people for their homes.
After further discussion regarding these problems it was agreed that
there was not enough hard information on this problem and until such time as
all the legal answers were available this problem would be tabled.
Mr. Smith said he brought these sewer problems to the Board's attention
because they are an ever present problem and although Town Meeting has ap-
propriated two million dollars for sewer work this area is not included.
Dr. Cosgrove said he felt that the only alternative we had was to put
it into the Selectmen's lap and see what they wanted to do with the problem.
He said a letter should be written to the Selectmen stating the problem and
stressing that this is a very critical health problem which must be resolved.
He also asked that we ask for a reply as soon as possible.
Mr. Smith reported that since the last meeting there had been another SEWER
sewer surcharge. Public works started pumping on March 22 and pumped right SURCHARGE
through March 30th. He said they were pumping into Kiln Brook.
Mr. Lambie asked if that was because of the snow run off and Mr. Smith
said "yes".
Dr. Cosgrove asked if we had heard anything about the contingency plan?
Mr. Smith said "No" but Mr. Hutchinson is planning to meet with the various
parties concerned within the next two weeks to discuss what the Board wants to
do about the moratorium.
The Board agreed that until more information was available concerning the
inflow and infiltration study they could not make any recommendations.
Mr. Smith asked for approval of a septic system on a lot on North Street.
The Board approved the system.
At this time the Board adjourned to the Conservation Meeting to discuss CONSERVATION
the development of Mr. Freeman's new plans for subdivision entitled Ridge MEETING -
Estates II. RIDGE EST. II
At this meeting the Conservation Commission indicated that they would
be going along with the plans submitted by Mr. Freeman's Engineer with a few
exceptions and additions.
It had been suggested by the Town Manager that the Board of Health and the
Conservation Commission use the same engineer to study this subdivision but
after this meeting it appeared that the Board of Health would have to hire an
engineer to work for them.
After further discussion it was agreed that until such time that Mr. Free-
man submitted plans for septic system the Board would have to wait.
8b
The new plans for Willow Ridge were approved by the Board. This
WILLOW RIDGE subdivision is not in the moratorium area and can be public sewered. The
Board instructed Mr. Smith to notify the Planning Board of their approval
and to state any recommendations he might have in regard to this subdivision.
Mr. smith reported that he did have Mr. Lucas, Engineer, out with the
KILN BROOK approval of Town Manager to view the area Kiln Brook Office Park is going
OFFICE PARK to be built on. This was a preliminary inspection just so that Mr. Lucas
could see how wet the area was.
Mr. Smith said that the developer for the Office Park had also had
a hearing with Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals has delayed their
decision until the developer provides them with (1) plan showing on-site
disposal system which will be available to be connected to town sewerage.
Thsi plan must also have the approval of the Board of Health. (2)resolve
a HUD floodway definition problem and (3) obtain engineering approval with
respect to drainage and runoff.
Dr. Erdos moved that this subdivision be tabled until all the necessary
information was available. Moved and voted on.
SEWER MORA- Dr. Erdos asked if the Board was going to ask for a specific answer
TORIUM in regard to the auxiliary line that Public Works had been talking about
using to relieve the surcharge situation.
Mr. Smith said he thought the explanation about this line would be
included in the report that Town Manager was preparing. This report will
also have more detailed information regarding Hayes Lane and the infiltration
and inflow study.
Mr. Smith said he thought they might be asking for the moratorium to
be dropped.
Dr. Cosgrove said as far as he could see there had been no improvement
on this problem and when added houses were built such as Mr. Freeman's
development it would only add to the condition.
Mr. Smith said the contingency plan did help the Burlington Wells.
Dr Cosgrove asked about the Bedford sewer study and did they get
the government funds they had applied for.
Dr. Erdos said he understood that Bedford had "blown" the whole thing
and they would not be eiligible for government funds.
After further discussion it was agreed we would not be able to settle
anything tonight.
Mr. Smith reported that the fluoridation has been resumed in the water
FLUORIDATION supply. He explained that he did have a problem with the Air Force because
they had been fluoridating their water supply but everything is straightened
out now.
FISKE SCHOOL Mr. Smith reported that we had a complaint from one of the cafeteria
SMOKE PROBLEM help at Fiske School regarding a faulty oil burner leaving a film of soot
and smoke over everything in the kitchen. This had been reported to the
school but when after three days nothing had been done they called the
Health Department.
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Mr. Smith said he allowed them to serve the food the day he went over
but told them that it had to be fixed or he would have to close the kitchen.
He explained this to Mrs. Griffin and then because of the problem he had to _•
deal with Mr. Maclnnis. Mr Maclnnis said that he was upset because the
kitchen help came directly to us instead of going to him with the problem.
Mr. Maclnnis wrote a letter to Mr. Smith, more or less implying that he had
no right to go into the schools even on a public health problem. Mr. Smith
said he has had trouble with Mr. Maclnnis before on public health problems.
The Board discussed writing a letter to the Superintendent of Schools
but then decided it would probably do no good. They did instruct Mr. Smith
that if any more public health problems occurred in the school he was to be
very firm with them.
The Board discussed, once again, the problem of the workload that Mr.
Smith has. It was agreed that extra help was definitely needed in the de-
partment.
Dr. Cosgrove reiterated all the new programs which have increased the
workload for the Department in the last five years.
The Board agreed that a letter to Town Manager regarding the quality of
Mr. Smith's work was in order.
The following permits were signed by the Board:
Animal Permit: Wilson Farm, Inc.
Pool Permit: J. W. Hayden Recreation Centre, Inc.
Food Service Permits:: (some one day permits for April 19th celebration)
Lexington Rotary Club (2)
Troop 119, Boy Scouts of America
Lexington Chapter Order of the Eastern Star
First Baptist Church Youth Group
ARA Services for Itek #one
Lexington Christian Academy
Denny's Restaurant
B.P.O. Elks Lexington Lodge #2204
St. Brigid's Church
Grace Chapel, Inc.
Funeral Directors Licenses:
John B. Douglass
Arthur F. Douglass
Alice M. McCarthy
Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.