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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-01-1233A BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING JANUARY 12, 1987 The monthly meeting of the Board of Health was held Monday, January 12, 1987 in Room 111 at 7:15 p.m. of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Dr. Howard B. Asarkof, Chairman; Dr. Donald Goldmann, Dr. Stan Finkelstein, Mr. George Smith, Jr., Director of Public Health and Jacqueline Selway, Sanitarian. Minutes of the December 8, 1986 meeting were read and accepted. Sanitarian's Dr. Asarkof, Chairman of the Board, asked Jacque for a report. She stated Report it had been a slow month. The usual basic inspections had been done, all nursing homes were up to par. She filed a complaint to Bob Lyons, Manager, of dumpster in rear of Maunders in reference to complaint of scavenging by people from Peking Gardens. Health Mr. Smith reported it was a routine period - a time when Mary Smith, Director's Secretary, had retired and we were now in the process of replacing her Report and taking interviews. There was the continuation of matters relating to the fire. Buildings not torn down as snow got in the way; owners were away for Holidays, permits were needed, etc. The insurance company has not come to full settlement - there is haggling about condemning the entire building or a portion. It is still under investigation. Hopefully, in the immedi- ate future, these buildings will be leveled. Kathy Fox, the animal inspector, inspected the Smoske facility and told them they must remove debris before a permit to keep horses will be issued. There was a leaking gas tank episode on Marrett Road and some concern about soil contamination. DEGE was called. Wood Stove Mr. Smith received a letter from the EPA relating to concerns addressed Vincent to them about wood stoves from Vincent Bucca. Mr. Bucca had read in the Bucca paper that something was going to happen on wood stoves. He sent the EPA an analysis of some ash he had taken off his car. However, EPA had no idea where he sent samples or the lab that did the testing as he had cut off all this information. Mr. Smith had a long talk with a woman from the EPA about this issue. Dr. Asarkof said that what will happen one time is that each member on the Board would be served a legal document just for ignoring or con- tributing to Bucca's same throat. Mr. Smith said there are no standards for wood stoves and they have not ignored Mr. Bucca. The stove in question had been inspected, and at the right time, by Dr. Asarkof and Dr. Goldmann and everything checked out fine. The owner had very good knowledge about wood stoves. Dr. Goldmann has the same stove. Also, Mr. Lambie had written a letter to Mr. Bucca from the Board which was noted in previous minutes. Mr. Bucca just wants this stove removed. 1 1 January 12, 1987 continued Dr. Goldmann suggested writing Mr. Bucca another letter saying we recognize his continued concern but at this time the Town of Lexington does not have information or generic policy. At such time as the State should set stand- ards on wood stoves, we would be happy to assist him. Dr. Finkelstein said we should talk to Norman Cohen to see if Mr. Bucca has any liability to sue. However, we would have to speak to the Town Manager first. Mr. Smith said, "No problem," and he would send a quick letter. It was agreed Dr. Goldmann would write a letter to Mr. Bucca. Dr. Goldmann was disappointed he missed the last meeting where the Board held a discussion with the School Medical Department on Student Health Services. Mr. Smith suggested he write to Dr. DeIulio on official stationary, from all members of the Board, listing all questions he wanted to ask - to put in writing his exact concerns. What the nurse does when a kid comes in with needle marks or a girl comes in with a bluging stomach, what preven- tive health program ther is on suicide, etc. Dr. Goldmann said Physical Ed was a good program. There was a short discussion on smoking in restaurants. The policy states a restaurant with 50 seats should set aside 24% of its seats for non- smokers. Dr. Goldmann said ventilation is the problem not seating; this would be too costly for restaurants to change. Dr. Goldmann had a call from a resident concerned about Town Policy on smoking. He wanted to know if the town would ever consider a total ban on smoking - Cambridge has one now in restaurants. Public Health is working on regulations that may be adopted statewide. Dr. Stan Finkelstein gave a report on his meeting with Human Services. They talked on their experiences with Visiting Nurses. There are two pro- posals for funding for the Friendly Visiting Program for the ill and elder- ly. Everyone thinks it is worthwhile. Human Services have some problem with the Director of VNCH. VNCH is taking advantage of where Human Ser- vices begins and VNCH ends. The Committee usually takes the position that the more money spent on human services the better. The Committee asked Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator, to find out what VNCH is doing. He called several doctors in Lexington - 100% said VNCH is exceptionally good and performing very useful services. Human Service voted 50% funding for the next Fiscal Year. Visiting Nurses requested $8500 out of $17,00. If VNCH goes not get short term funding, they will have to close the program down. All this came to the Town Manager through other routes. The amount asked for was $3500. The Town Manager said we should pay it. This is most unusual for this Town Manager. The issue is that VNCH is trying to seek town funds they don't qualify for. They do not benefit from United Way as they are overpaid. Dr. Asarkof said the Visiting Nurses are clearly an irresponsible group. They have been told they have to meet their responsibilities. Services would like Visiting Nurses under their budget. Human Dr. Finkelstein and Steve Baran were having another meeting this evening. The Board finalized the meeting at 9:30 p.m. and scheduled the next meeting for Monday, February 9, at 7:30 p.m. 5318 Discussion on School Medical Dept. No Smoking in Restau- rant Discussion Dr. Finkel - stein's report on VNCH The following permits were signed by the Board: Catering Establishment Permit Finlay Caterer 1182 Sea Street Quincy, MA Food Establishment Permits AT&T Information Systems 430 Bedford Street UTILITY KITCHEN Brigham, Inc. 34 Bedford Street Catch Penny Inn VENDING MACHINES 440 Bedford Street New England Vending for Varian Vacuum 121 Hartwell Avenue IN -PLANT CATERING Creative Gourmet for Skyclub Lexington 475 Bedford Street PRIVATE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Woburn Vending for VENDING MACHINES Signatron, Inc. 121 Hartwell Avenue Hotel/Motel License Catch Penny Inn 440 Bedford Street Animal Permit Lisa Fitzgerald 342 Bedford Street 4 horses Rubbish Removal Services Allied Cartage, Inc. 1071 Main Street Woburn, MA Corenco Woburn Street Tewksbury, MA R. W. Harding & 44 Crest Street 2 trucks Son Trucking Lyons Corporation 2 trucks 16 Egerton Road Sorrentino Trucking, Co. Inc. Box 405 Lexington, MA 3 trucks United Contracting Co., Inc. 1141 Dorchester Ave. Boston, MA Sewage Disposal Service Bradford Industries, Inc. Box 612 Acton, MA Installer's Permit Bradford Industries, Inc. Box 612 Acton, MA 1 1 1