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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-07-14BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING JULY 14, 1987 The monthly meeting of the Board of Health was held on Tuesday, July 14, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 111 of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Dr. Linda Roemer, Chairperson; Dr. Donald Goldman; Dr. Stan Finkelstein and Mr. George Smith, Jr., Director of Public Health. The minutes of June 9, 1987 were accepted as read. Martha Wood The meeting opened with the introduction of Martha C. Wood from the Non -Smoking Department of Public Health. Ms. Wood is Assistant Director of a new and Health Public Health Office on Non -Smoking and Health which started in January of this past year. This office is to publicize the importance of the smoking issue and encourage people to take action. Ms. Wood talked about the effect of smoking on health and said that DPH would like boards of health to establish no smoking regulations. Cities and towns are being encouraged to ask businesses to establish policies. Linda Roemer stated that the Board of Health was about to consider changes in policy. She asked Ms. Wood if she could anticipate the reaction to stricter smoking regulations. Ms. Wood said that recently the Department of Public Health did a survey on restaurants in a number of communities. Lexington was one of those surveyed. Out of nine restaurants checked in town, one restaurant had a 50% non-smoking section and another had 40%. Mr. Smith said most cafe- terias in Lexington had gone beyond the present policy of setting aside 25% of its seats for non-smokers. People in Brookline and Cambridge cannot smoke in enclosed places. Northampton was the first town to have smoking only in a designated room. Martha Wood said she would be glad to furnish samples and brochures on heart, lung, cancer and other literature. There is also a new fact sheet being printed. It was noted that day care centers, nursery schools, etc., do not have a policy. Martha Wood left at 8:00 p.m. have been thanked by the Board. Dr. Goldmann suggested forming a committee. The Board agreed that some research would have to be done, regulations would have to be drafted and a public hearing held. It was agreed that if the draft regulations included no -smoking in town buildings and restrictions in the work place, they should also be discussed with the Board of Selectmen. VNCH The Visiting Nurses contract was reviewed. The VNCH were requesting $30.00 Contract per hour. After discussion the Board came to an agreement of $25.00 per hour. Center Linda Roemer reported that Jack Eddison, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Clean-up was writing to town businesses to ask them to clean up their premises. This Committee was being done at the request of the Town Center Committee, of which Marge Battin is Chairperson. The Board had several comments on the letter which was to be relayed to Jack Eddison. 1 1 1 1 JULY 14, 1987 Dr. Iulio's reply to the Board was discussed. The Board was not satisfied with the answers. Dr. Goldmann would like to know the substance of what is done on many of the issues - suicide, for example. He agreed to discuss the matter further with Florence Koplow, who is on the School Committee. There were only seven applicants for the Sanitarian's job and only two showed for interviews. Mr. Smith said only one was a possibility, however, she had no work experience and had just graduated from Worcester Polytech. She would like to be paid $20,000. Her education is appropriate, she is a hard worker and has done a lot of projects. There are 10 towns looking for Sanitarians. Mr. Smith will speak to Susan Adler, Acting Town Manager, to have the applicant come in for an interview with Dr. Finkelstein. The DEQE found nothing out of order when they excavated the large hole that had been filled in at Carroll's junk yard. Mr. Smith investigated a fire at Alexander's Convenience Store on July 9. The fire damage was restricted to a rear storage room wall. There was some smoke damage and the deli area had to be closed for thorough cleaning and disposal of a portion of the food. Linda Roemer requested that the Chairperson's report be a regular item on the agenda. The Board consented to this request. The Board agreed to do the review of Board of Health functions, six sec- tions at a meeting, with each member undertaking to do two sections with George Smith providing back-up for each section. Dr. Goldmann will do Air Quality and Occupational Safety, Dr. Finkelstein - Hazardous Waste and Water Quality, and Dr. Roemer - Sewage Disposal and Solid Waste. These assignments were for the September meeting and are to be based on the blue book. Lorraine Salto, new Health Department Clerk, was approved as an Agent for signing burial permits. The Board scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, September 8, 1987, and then adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The following permits were signed by the Board: Animal Permit Zaroohy Seed - 2 sheep 258 East Street Food Establishment Permits Alexander's Pizza 180 Bedford Street Canteen Corporation - Vending Raytheon Research Division 131 Spring Street Canteen Corporation - Vending Raytheon Executive Bldg. 141 Spring Street Canteen Corporation D. C. Heath Company 125 Spring Street - Vending Canteen Corporation - Cafeteria Raytheon Executive Bldg. 141 Spring Street LeBellecour Restaurant 10 Muzzey Street 5 7 Mr. Smith's Report -- Sanitarian J. P. Carroll Chairperson's Report Board of Health Functions JULY 14, 1987 Food Establishments Continued Lexington Christian Academy (School Lunch Program) 48 Bartlett Avenue Frozen Treats, Inc. d/b/a Steve's 1749 Mass. Avenue Woburn Vending - Vending Army National Guard 459 Bedford Street Servomation Corporation - Cafeteria W. R. Grace Company 55 Hayden Avenue Versailles Restaurant - Sidewalk Cafe 1777 Mass. Avenue Woburn Vending - Vending Health Data Institute 20 Maguire Road Manufacturer of Frozen Desserts and/or Ice Cream Forzen Treats, Inc. d/b/a Steve's 1749 Mass. Avenue Retail Food Store Permits Alexander's Convenient Store 325 Woburn Street CVS, Inc. 1735 Mass. Avenue Highland Food Mart 321 Marrett Road Stop & Shop 36 Bedford Street Walgreen Drugstore 60 Bedford Street Sewage Disposal Permit Rooter -Man (Edward Boyle) Lowell, MA Joel's 1740 Massachusetts Avenue Gloria Foods 137 Mass. Avenue Lexington Seafoods 182 Bedford Street Town Food Store 93 Massachusetts Avenue Colonial Pharmacy, Inc. 1754 Mass. Avenue Animal Permit (addition) Genetics Institute 128 Spring Street - 10 mice 1 1