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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-20-BOH-min LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:00 P.M. Cary Hall Memorial Building Estabrook Hall, (Lower level) 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, MA 02420 Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., John J. Flynn Office of Public Health Attendees: David Neylon, Public Health Nurse Francis Dagle, Health Assistant Speakers: Nicholas Beauchemin, Kaliedo Biosciences Dana Buckley, Safety Partners Inc Linna Seng, New Body Art Practitioner Permit Documents: Community Health Report Environmental Health Report Flu is tracking high this year, Lexington Minuteman Newspaper Flu Vaccination Results for 2018-2019 Influenza Season, Spreadsheet document Illegal Dumping at Lot on Corner of Cliffe Ave and Melrose Ave, Correspondence OTC, Cliffe Avenue Vacant Lot Body Art Practitioner Permit Application, Linna Seng rDNA Application, Kaleido Biosciences Plastic Bag Reduction, Lexington Bylaw Emergency Preparedness Report Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The board reviewed the Community Health Report; The Office of Public Health has been participating in the Lexington Mental Health and Wellness Task Force along with members of the Human Services Department, Lexington Public Schools staff and community stakeholders. This Task Force grew out of a series of joint Selectmen/School Committee meetings in 2018 that tasked town and school staff with systematically addressing mental health concerns in Lexington residents of all ages. As of January 15, 2019, 2030 residents have been vaccinated with either injectable or intranasal flu vaccine during this flu season as a result of Office of Public Health intervention. The Public Health Nurse continues to vaccinate residents by appointment on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the Office of Land Use, Health and Development. The Public Health Nurse presented the Lexington Public School Immunization Status Report for Exemptions as of February 2019. The figures were reported as followed; ILP' limmunizatiloin SU-ItUS Iliepart emir ExenipftiGns Felyruary 20,19 linnimunizatioin aeries ReligiOUS Exemption Medical Exemptioin SUM Hepabtis,B ao 5 35 Diptheda 35 10 45 Measles 38 10 48 WIMP& 3-8 10 48 Rubel la 3-8 9 47 Pertussis 33 11 44 PL60 37 8 45 Tetal'IUS 34 10 44 VaHcella 3,5 8 44 Tatal LIPS Students=7,_M& Environmental Health report was reviewed and the following cases were discussed; The Inn at Hastings Park/Atristry on the Green had 3 critical and I non-critical violations in their most recent environmental health inspection. The establishment was vacuum packaging food without an approved HACCP plan. The board requested the establishment owner be present at the next meeting to review these violations. Aloft Hotel had 5 critical and 5 non-critical violations in a recent environmental health inspection. The board requested that the General Manager attend the next scheduled meeting to review the violations. Vacant lot at comer of Cliffe Ave. and Melrose Ave; The Lexington Office of Public Health received multiple complaints related to dumping at the unoccupied wooded lot at the comer of Cliffe Ave and Melrose Ave. Public Health sent out a remember to all abutters of the property that dumping is prohibited by local BOH Regulation, Article XIV (See November 14, 2018 meeting minutes for more detail). Kaleido Biosciences —rDNA Permit Application, Nicholas Beauchemin, and Dana Buckley, Kaleido Biosciences representatives, reviewed operations and facility specifications for lab and office space at 65 Hayden Avenue. After some discussion, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., proposed a motion that stated, "The Lexington Board ofHealth grants an annual rDNA Permit to Kaliedo Biosciences. " Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, seconded the motion. All were in favor. Linna Seng—New Body Art Application; Linna Seng, Practitioner, met with the BOH to request a permit to operate as a Practitioner at a permitted Body Art Establishment in Lexington. After much discussion, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., proposed a motion that stated, "The Lexington Board of Health grants an annual Body Art Practitioner permit to Linna Seng to work at Brow Lady Microblading Studio. "Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, seconded the motion. All were in favor. Plastic Bag Bylaw discussion; On January 1, 2019 a new bylaw eliminating the use of thin film single use plastic bags in Lexington went into effect. Establishments that were 3,500 square feet or larger were required to adhere to the bylaw by this date. On July 1, 2019 the bylaw will be in effect for all retail establishments less than 3,500 square feet in Lexington. Health Director and Health Agent Update; A new Health Director will start on March 11, 2019. Health Agent position applications are currently being reviewed with interviews to follow. CBD —Questions; David Neylon, Public Health Nurse, noted that the FDA does not regulate CBD Oil, so it is not included in the Food Code. Brookline Massachusetts requires testing to certify that the oil comes from hemp before allowing establishments to sell the product. The Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed; The Public Health Nurse attended the upcoming Region 4AB General Coalition Meeting from 10:00am to 12:OOpm on Thursday, January 17th at the Rosemary Recreation Complex in Needham. Topics discussed at the meeting included updates from MDPH Emergency Preparedness Bureau, Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC), regional planners, and the regional MRC coordinator, as well as new business. On Tuesday, January 151h, the Public Health Nurse participated in an afternoon webinar/ conference call presented by MDPH Commissioner Monica Bharel MD, MPH. Topics will include Winter Weather Preparedness, a Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health, an update on the Massachusetts Opioid Epidemic, and a tobacco and E-cigarettes update. At the Region 4AB General Coalition Meeting on November 8, 2018, a vote passed to provide funds for a specific regional PHEP project based around the idea of utilizing municipal staff during an emergency. A scope of work seeking a consultant to assist with the research and development of the project has been drafted and was posted in December 2018. This temporary contract position will be managed through the Cambridge Health Alliance, with a projected end date of the project to be May 31, 2019. Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, motioned that the meeting be adjourned and John J. Flynn seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM. It was noted that the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2019.