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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-10-13 ex- Mr q .306 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1987 The monthly meeting of the Board of Health was held on Tuesday, October 13, 1987 at 7 30 p m in Room G-1 of the Town Office Building Members present were Dr Linda Roemer, Chairperson; Dr Donald Goldmann, Dr Stan Finkelstein, Barbara O'Donnell, Sanitarian and Mr George Smith, Jr , Director of Public Health The minutes of September 8, 1987 were accepted with amendments made per request of Dr Finkelstein on the last portion of the Human Service issues Dr Roemer called the meeting to order at 7 30 p m and there was a brief discussion on the Human Service Funding Program Dr Roemer stated the Human Services were not issuing an "RFP" until January A decision was made that Mr Smith and Dr Finkelstein would set up a meeting to talk to Susan Alder, Acting Town Manager, on the Human Service issue Dr Finkel- The meeting was then passed over to Dr Finkelstein to discuss his health stein Lead function topics, the first being Lead Poison Control Poison Control The Board of Health is responsible for ensuring that all children ages one to six are tested periodically for lead poisoning and that all dwellings in which a child under six resides or will reside should be inspected If an inspection is requested by tenant or owner of a premise where a child under six lives this inspection should be carried out within five days of the request Dwellings about to be rented or sold to a family with a child under six shall be inspected before the final sale or lease Boards of Health shall inspect all premises which are to be used as child care facilities for dangerous levels of lead on the premise These facili- ties shall be inspected within 10 days of receipt of request Lead poisoning is a serious problem in the U S among children ages one to six It can permanently effect their physical and mental development Some children have a tendency to eat non-food items such as flaking paint Children often chew on windowsills, doors, porch railing and other surfaces A one square centimeter chip of paint, one layer thick with 10 percent of lead will contain five to 10 times the maximum daily safe intake for a child Lead poisoning may result in death but more often results in mental retarda- tion and learning disability A child found to have an elevated blood-level should be tested at once by a physician Inspectors have special procedures to follow when testing a dwelling for lead paint and these procedures must be followed according to instructions A re-inspection must be done with forms filled out and copies sent to each party envolved If a dangerous level of lead is not corrected within seven days after re-inspection the Board of Health shall initiate judicial proceedings ' October 13, 1987 Mr Smith stated, we get reports whenever a child is tested - samples go to the state and we get a computerized reading for the number tested, usually about six to eight children Also, the Federal Government has banned the use of lead solder Dr Finkelstein went on to his discussion of Housing declaring the Board Housing of Health is responsible to enforce codes for plumbing, sewage and any- thing else to do with housing according to Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation They should make inspections from time to time to uncover potential problems and public nuisances, and protect the quality of life in their municipality; also, advise homeowners and landlords how to maintain their property, and what the minimal standards and methods are for repairing their housing The board can also petition to set up rent receivership to ensure that necessary repairs can be paid for The board or police may forcibly remove anyone who refuses to leave a dwelling that has been ordered condemned, vacated and placarded If a person or family has been displaced, the public agencies must provide relocation assistance and pay for reasonably documented moving expenses The State may reimburse 509 of the expense The board also has the power to demolish any dwelling after serving an order for demolition on the owner and all mortgages of record Mr Smith said, we can require old standards be brought up to code standard The Building Department cannot do this Violations may endanger health of occupant ' Dr Goldmann began on his subject of Food Quality stating the Board of Food Health is responsible for sending out applications for permits to operate Quality any food-related business or establishment in their municipality He said, inspections must be made at least every six months of all above food-related businesses When violations are found and not corrected in a given amount of time, permits can be suspended or revoked On a new establishment or one that is to be remodeled, plans must be submitted and reviewed before a license is given Reports of suspected outbreaks of food poisoning must be reported to the Division of Food and Drugs so remedial action can be taken All foods that are for sale must be code dated for the public safety If on inspection food is outdated, tainted or unfit the Board of Health may seize and cause the food to be destroyed Regular inspection and good communication with food handlers helps to reduce food poisoning incidences, and ensures that conditions are meeting the standards of the sanitary code On the subject of Nuisances, Dr Goldmann said, anyone can complain about Nuisances a nuisance and may petition the Board of Health, describing where the nuisance exists and state the nature of the nuisance A wide variety of public health problems are considered a nuisance such as bad water supply, improper drainage and sewage disposal, demolished and abandoned buildings, improper handling of rubbish and garbage and even obnoxious odors Piggeries and other animal operations, refuse and garbage collection, also, chemical plants are examples of noisome trades These are all a local responsibility 006 October 13, 1988 Some problems may not come under the control of the town such as air and water pollution Cooperation among a few towns may be able to deal with these problems, in other cases a statewide approcah is necessary, such as dealing with acid rain and nuclear wastes The Board of Health is also responsible for assigning sites for sanitary landfill and other facilities for disposal of solid and hazardous wastes Animal and Barbara O'Donnell said, the Board of Health responsibilities is to inspect Insect areas with potential for rodents or insect infestation regularly or on Control complaint Each place inspected whether it is housing, recreation camps, bathing beaches, food service establishments, retail food stores, sanitary landfills, etc , must meet the standards set up by the State to prevent infestation of rodents which causes the spread of disease In regard to animal bites and possible rabies from bats or other animals, the board must report to the MDPH, Division of Communicable Disease Control If an animal is suspected of having rabies the head of the animal is sent or brought into the Mass Diagnostic Laboratory in Jamaica Plain for analyses If it is a bat the whole body is analysed If there is a report that a dog or any other domestic animal has bitten some- one, a report is made out and the animal is subject to quarantine on its own property for a period of 10 days It is recommended that Boards of Health appoint a dog officer who will be responsible for apprehending stray dogs and taking care of them until an owner is found, to inspect kennels and investigate complaints regarding dogs and other pets Live stock inspection and the keeping of animals comes under the Board of Health Stables must be licensed and inspected There are regulations for the keeping of animals such as size of stalls, number of animals, drainage, ventilation, storage and handling of manure, also, the size of acreage needed for the animals Any animal suspected of having a contagious disease is quarantined for 10 days It is recommended that Boards of Health appoint a dog officer who will be responsible for apprehending stray dogs and taking care of them until an owner is found, to inspect kennels and investigate complaints regarding dogs and other pets Live stock inspection and the keeping of animals comes under the Board of Health Stables must be licensed and inspected There are regulations for the keeping of animals such as size of stalls, number os animals, drainage, ventilation, stoarge and handling of manure; also, the size of acreage needed for the animals Animal suspected of having a contagious disease is quarantined for 10 days Mosquito Control comes under the State Mosquito Control Board appoints a committee of commissioners - one member from each community The commissioners involved when a new pesticide or method is to be used and the Board must approve its use The commissioners utilize three methods of mosquito control, larvicide, adulticide and waste management/source reduction October 13, 1988 ;109 The last report was from Dr Roemer who gave the group information Inspection on the Inspection of Public Places, stating that all facilities such of Public as food service establishments, schools, day care facilities for Places children and adult care facilities are the responsibility of the Board and must be inspected for cleanliness and sanitation standards Schools must be checked for asbestos and the Board may ban the use of asbestos containing materials in construction and renovation of school buildings, public buildings and homes The Board should also cooperate with local school committees to develop a good health education and activities Other places that come under the Board of Health are long term care facilities, recreational camps for children, labor camps and bathing beaches Bathing beaches have water samples taken at least twice monthly, preferably weeksing during bathing season Pools and facilities all must be inspected before receiving a permit for which there is a fee All life- guards must have First Aid training Dr Roemer ended her summary of health functions with Cemetary and Cemetary Burial Permits The Board of Health has an agent sworn in by the Town and Burial Clerk who issues burial permits, including cremation and other disposi- Permits tion of bodies after examing the certificate of death signed by the attending physician or medical examiner This burial permit is then forwarded to the Town Clerk for death registration If the person is a veteran the clerk and veteran's grave officer cite this on the burial permit We also issue a permit to transport bodies to other towns or states Funeral Directors are licensed annually - Qualified Directors are certi- fied by Mass Board of Registration of Funeral Directors - who must be notified of licenses issued The Board of Health also must approve the location of any land to be used for a new cemetary or for extension of an old cemetary after due notice and a public hearing Mr Smith and Dr Roemer had an interesting tour of the town; also, went Dr Roemer's to Selectmen's Breakfast There were two general themes - whether the Report town can stay in 2-1/2 and the difficulty of working with the School Committee Dr Roemer also stated she had received an invitation to a tea sponsored by the School Administration at the Bridge School cafe- teria from 5-7 on October 27, 1987 Dr Roemer informed the group we were reviewing our responsibilities on Aids and Smoking Regulations After the conclusion of her report Dr Roemer and the other members dis- Health cussed what health functions would be reviewed at the next meeting Functions Dr Finkelstein decided on Maternal/Child Health and Dental Health; Dr Goldmann, Communicable Diseases, Immunizations and Vaccinations; Barbara O'Donnell, Mental Health, Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Dr Roemer, School Health, Clinics, and Community Services a6O October 13, 1987 Mr Smith's Dr Roemer turned over the meeting to Mr Smith for his report He indica- Report ted he had been spending more time with Barbara O'Donnell, the new sanitarian They were getting inspections done and have good results The restaurants have 90/days to put in handsinks They technically could request a variance On October 8, we had the Flu Clinic in Cary Hall and over 600 people were vaccinated Flu Vaccine has also been issued to the Nursing Homes There was an oil spill on Route 128 near the golf course which spilled about 50 gallons of deisel fuel Mr Smith also said, there was another company interested in the Ledgemont Building for working on rDNA Hazardous Waste Day has been set for October 24 and people are not too happy about paying the $5 00 fee Hazardous Waste Day works well for Lexington but not for some other towns There was a hazardous waste session in Gardner, MA for a fee of $25 00 per person They had a large crowd Also, on Hazardous Waste, the Town could be in line to receive 35% from the State AIDS The State and Emerson Hospital had a mailing on "AIDS" and a brochure was sent to every household in Lexington Mr Smith said, the Selectmen are looking for some suggestions on Aids Dr Goldmann suggested a lecture at Cary Hall He could perhaps get his associate at Children's Hospital to give the lecture Another idea was the use of Cable and suggestion was made that Dr Roemer contact the cable network to find out what would be involved Dr Goldmann would like Universal Life Skills and "Aids" on next month's Agenda The Board was in agreement Smoking The smoking issue was brought up by Mr Smith stating, we should go to the Issues Town Manager and work places to get general support to prohibit smoking Generally each employer may designate an area where employees may smoke Dr Roemer will speak to Jack Eddison, Selectmen Chairman to get his opinion Mr Smith said, once the regulation is put together, it will have to be approved by the Town Manager We should inform him about it in December as we should have it ready for January Before retiring, the Board made a decision to discuss the smoking issue again The regular meeting adjourned at 8 45 p m after a decision was made to have the next Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 24 at 7 30 p m Mr Smith reminded everyone that pictures would be taken at that time 561 October 13, 1988 The following permits were signed by the Board Animal Permit Francis W K Smith - 2/horses, 7/goats 4 Clematis Road - 25/chickens Food Establishment Permits Alexander's Convenient Store 325 Woburn Street Bellino's Bakers, Inc 141 Mass Avenue Interstate United for - Vending Data Resources 24 Hartwell Avenue Interstate United for - Vending Data Resources 29 Hartwell Avenue Canteen corporation for - Cafeteria Instrumentation Lab 113 Hartwell Avenue Creative Gourmet, Ltd , for - Cafeteria 111 ITEK #1 10 Maguire Road Lexington Arts & Crafts 130 Waltham Street Mario's Restaurant 1733 Mass Avenue Canteen Corporation for - Cafeteria Mitre Corporation 32 Hartwell Avenue Canteen Corporation for - Vending Mitre Corporation 32 Hartwell Avenue The Kitchen, Inc 363 Mass Avenue N E Vending Corporation for - Vending Varian Vacuum 121 Hartwell Avenue