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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-04-29514 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING The regular meeting of the 1986 at 7:15 p.m. in Room G-15 Mr. James W. Lambie, Chairman; George A. Smith, Jr., Director Lexington Health Department. APRIL 29, 1986 Board of Health was held Tuesday, April 29, of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Dr. Donald A. Goldmann, Dr. Howard B. Asarkof, of Public Health and Jacqueline Selway, Sanitarian, Minutes of the March 25, 1986 Meeting did have a correction by Mr. Lambie. The clerk had reported that Collaborative Research had been given permission to do BL2 research. That sentence should be omitted and the following sentence should be inserted. "The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Biosafety Committee and approved their recommendation". A letter is to be sent to Collaborative Research in regard to their BL1 experiment approval. SANITARIAN'S Jacqueline Selway gave her report to the Board. She reported that she had REPORT attended a Neptune Benson pool seminar. It was about chemical processes of test- ing and pool operation. She had also chased down illegal vending machines. There was a complaint of rubbish dumping at 22 Lawrence Lane that she has been following up on. Jacqy reported that the septic system problem at Albermarle Avenue has been taken care of. She has caught up with all the permit inspections and is looking forward to going out and checking out all of the semi-public pools that will be going into operation for the summer season. Jacqy has also been learning, through Hanscom Air Base the military in- spection process. Mr. & Mrs. Cobuzzi came into the meeting because they had filed for an animal permit for one pony that is being kept at 106 Laconia Street. They had been keeping this pony without a permit because they were not aware that they had to have one. They do not have two acres of land and therefore would have to have a variance from the Board of Health. The Cobuzzi's presented letters and statements from all of their neighbors and also from the leader of the Woburn 4-H Club that this pony was not a problem to anyone and their daughter is getting real enjoyment in having this pony and being a member of the Woburn 4-H Club. The Board voted unanimously to allow this pony to stay on the premises of the Cobuzzi's property and granted them a permit. Seragen had been invited to come before the Board at 7:30 p.m. but they did not come into the Board Meeting. 1 1 1 515 -2- Mr. Smith received a letter from David Henley, Supt. of the E.M.M.C.P. MOSQUITO because Mr. Henley had received a letter from Mr. Anthony Rutti of 4 Donald COMPLAINTS Street in regard to mosquitoes in his yard. Mr. Henley feels there is not enough wetlands in the area of where Mr. Rutti lives to do any mosquito control but he feels the extensive wetlands across Bedford Street is causing the problem. There is also a small wetland area between Eldred Street and the Drummer Boy Way to aggravate the situation. Mr. Henley said that currently there is a lack of a mosquito control program in the Donald Street area during the non -Eastern Encephalitis periods. He said there are two control methods that could be undertaken to reduce mosquito problems but they are not used in Lexington. The first, truck mounted aerosol spraying, is not used in Lexington unless there is a disease -threaten- ing situation. The second one that could be used is by helicopter with BTI granules to control mosquito larvae in the wetlands areas. BTI is approved for use by the town but the use of a helicopter has not been established at this time because of the cost but in another year the cost/expense may be settled and the BTI may be utilized for the swamp areas. Dr. Asarkof said that Mr. Rutti should be answered and Mr. Smith said he would write him a letter. Mr. Smith mentioned to the Board that he had received a rather informal VINCENT letter from Vincent Bucc. (Wood stove smoke complaint). We also had received BUCCA a form to be filled out from Mass General Hospital and we sent it to Vincent There is some kind of an oil leak in the Douglass's home area. Mr. Douglass was getting a smell of oil in his house at the corner of Mass and Worthen. OIL There seems to be some kind of an oil tank leak and Arlex Oil is working on LEAK the problem at the Douglass's. Mr. Smith told the Board that the Rabies Clinic has been set for June 5th RABIES and June 6th, 1986 and Dr. Smith will be doing the clinic this year. CLINIC Mr. Lambie wanted to know if they should regulate our rDNA Regulations. rDNA The Board said that our regulations prohibit BL3 and BL4. They feel that the regulations are not quite clear and that they need to make some changes to clarify and make them clearer. The Board also needs to formally change the Biohazard. Committee (name) to the Biosafety Committee. At 7:30 p.m. Jayne Tapia, M.S.N., Executive Director of the Visiting Nurses and Community Health, Inc. came before the Board to discuss what the Visiting Nurses role is in the community in regard tothe Board of Health. Also ac- companying Jayne was Glenda Green, R.N., Supervisor for the Lexington area. Gary Davis, Minute Man Home Care, Rita Sullivan, Lexington Housing Authority, Betty Mangan, Countryside Village President, Jeff Licht, Town Meeting Member, Linda Cre Vine, Director of the C.O.A. and Dorothy Boggia, Chairperson of the C.O.A. also attended the meeting. -3 - Mr. Lambie made the opening statement that we are not running a welfare program but it seems to be what is happening in regard to paying for people having the visiting nurse come to their homes. The Board has not been pleased with the type of visits that have been listed and that raises questions as to how these visits that we pay for are picked. At this point, we are going to "cut bait" or strengthen the program. At this point, we feel there is just no sure way to pick the clients, no means tests, some people may be missing out while others are being taken care of through Board of Health payments that may not be eligible. There was discussion by Dr. Asarkof of the poor publicity the Board of Health received because of an incident of a visiting nurse not answering a "call for help" and blaming the Board of Health because they stopped visits that they had to pay for. Rita Sullivan had written a letter to the Town Manager discussing this subject but made the Board of Health out the "bad guy" without knowing what had really taken place. The manager called the health director up to his office for an explanation. Gary Davis of MMHC said that those on real low income the Welfare Department but people living with $17,000. or finding health care. Linda Crew Vine and Dorothy Boggia wanted to know if said they would be willing to sit down with the Board to can be referred to under has a hard time they could help. They discuss a solution. Dr. Goldmann said it is the town's problem not the Board of Health's. Everyone is in general agreement that something should be done but there has to be a fairer way. Many people that need help do not get it, others that are aware of the visiting nurses coming are able to get the visit paid for. The Board is in agreement that the town should be in this business and not the Board of Health. The Human Services Department should also be into this. Gary Davis was told that had a case that he felt came under the Board of Health and needed help he could call the Director and discuss it and may be given permission to go ahead with payment from the Board of Health. Dr. Golmann feels there should be a committee set up like the Biohazards Committee and let them study the problem. It was decided that Mr. Smith shall write a letter to the manager and explain the Board's position on the subject of the elderly health problems and let him know that the visiting nurses, Minuteman home care and the C.O.A. are all in agreement that it is more the town's responsibility not the Public Health's responsibility to pay these fees. After further discussion the Board thanked everyone for coming in to discuss this problem and the people retired. Mr. Lambie announced to us that his term as a Board member is up this year and he is thinking of pulling out as a member of the Board of Health. The Board said that they are sorry to see him leave but Mr. Lambie feels he has given about twenty years of service as a member and it is time that he resigns. The Board adjourned at 9:40 p.m. 1 1 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MAY 27, 1986 The monthly meeting of the Board of Health was held May 27, 1986 at 7:15 p.m. in Room G015 of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Mr. James Lambie, Chairman; Dr. Donald Goldmann, Dr. Howard B. Asarkof and George A. Smith, Jr., Director of Public Health. Minutes of the April 29, 1986 were approved by the Board. Mrs. Jayne Tapia, M.S.N., Director of the Visiting Nurse and Community JAYNE Health, Inc. came before the Board. Mrs. Tapia said that she is requesting TAPIA $20.00 an hour to $23.00 per hour for the nurses to do V.N.A. She states that the cost of a visit is running $.30.00 only requesting $23.00 an hour for this year's contract. an increase of the rate Board of Health visits. an hour but that she is The Board agreed that this was acceptable to them and said there was money left over at this time from the nurse's contract for this year. Mrs. Tapia said she will get the new contract ready and send it to the town for signa- tures. After a short discussion Mrs. Tapia thanked the Board and retired. Mr. Lambie said he had been talking to the Town Manager and had also called around to other towns to see how they handled the visiting nurse visits, etc. The Manager has suggested that Mr. Lambie, George and Dr. Asarkof should meet with the new Human Services Coordinator after June 2, 1986 when he starts his employment with the town. The Board discussed that the Human Services are going to have hearing on June 19, 1986 and members of the Board are planning to this hearing. George said that he is scheduled to speak at three a public speak at o'clock. The members told Dr. Goldmann that he would be the one to speak for the Board as he could clearly state what "human services" would be good for the residents of Lexington. Dr. Goldmann said he will be able to speak at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Goldmann did mention that anorexia is a big problem among young women in this country and people should be made aware of this. The Board of Health revised Paragraph 7 (a) of the rDNA Regulations to read as such: "rDNA use classified by the guidelines as requiring any BL3 or BL4 physical containment measures as described in Appendix G of the guide- lines under Stand Microbiological Practices, Special Practices, Containment Equipment or Laboratory Facilities shall not be permitted". The Board of Health also voted to change "Lexington Biohazards Committee" to "Lexington Biosafety Committee" wherever it occurs. At this meeting also Dr. Goldmann nominated Dr. Asarkof to become the new Chairman of the Board of Health as Mr. Lambie has recently resigned as a member of the Board. HUMAN SERVICES rDNA Mr. Lambie seconded the motion and now the Board of Health has a new Chairman, Dr. Howard B. Asarkof. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. 8 -2- The following permits were signed by the Board: Animal Permits Albert J. Cobuzzi Variance Required - one pony 106 Laconia St. Peter Tropeano 19 Revere St. Swimmillg Pools - 1 Angus Cow, 1 Holstein Cow, 1 Arbian Horse Assorted Chickens, Ducks and Geese Minuteman Man Regional Vocational School 758 Marrett Rd. Paint Rock Pool 13 Partridge Rd. Catering Permit also a Wading Pool Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library 33 Marrett Rd. Manufacture of Frozen Desserts J & J Ice Cream of Lexington - Steve's 1749 Mass Ave. Sewage Disposal Permits Clear -Way Sewer & Drain Company - 2 trucks 3 Eliot Rd. Food Service Establishments Permits Canteen Corp. for Raytheon - Vending Conefections 100 Hayden Ave. 211 Mass Ave. 1 1 Woburn Vending for Pineknoll Nursing Home -Vending Goodies To Go (Kitchen for Stores) 33 Watertown St. 211 Mass Ave. and Catering Woburn Vending for Hewlett -Packard -Vending Lexington Racquet & Swim Club 33 Hartwell Ave. 475 Bedford St. InPlant Catering for Interactive Data Stop & Shop Companies Deli 95 Hayden Ave. 36 Bedford St. Service of America for W.R. Grace Co. -Cafeteria Wild Acre Inn 55 Hayden Ave. 50 Percy Rd. Pine Meadows Country Club Canteen Corp for Raytheon Lab 255 Cedar St. 131 Spring St. (Cafeteria) 1 In -Plant Catering for Ineractive Data 95 Hayden Ave. (Cafeteria)