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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-15-BOH-min LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 15, 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 Kari Sasportas, Public Health Director Speakers: Fawn Dare, 676 Marrett Road Documents: Community Health Report Lexington Public Schools/Lexington Board of Health Summer Immunization Clinic Revised Vaccine Restitution Policy Effective January 1, 2019, MDPH Memorandum Agenda for ROP Training, Inn at Hastings Park Pool Variance Requests from the use of Lifeguard, 105 CMR 435.23 676 Marrett Road, timeline 676 Marrett Road, OTC Emergency Preparedness Report Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Minutes of February 20, 2019 and March 20, 2019 were reviewed. In a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes were approved with revisions. The board reviewed the Community Health Report; On May 8, 9, and 14 the Health Director and Public Health Nurse attended at MA PHIT (Public Health Inspector Training) sponsored by the Local Public Health Institute, Mass Dept of Public Health, Mass Health Officers Association. The class reviewed 105 CMR 410 Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation (“Housing Code”) and discussed proper procedures for responding to housing complaints, conducting housing inspections, issuing Orders to Correct, as well as topics such as hoarding, bed bugs, chronic dampness and dwellings unfit for human habitation. On April 30, the Health Director and Public Health nurse attended the Mass Dept of Public Health/ Mass Health Officers Association Spring Community Sanitation training. Topics covered included Recreational Camps for Children, Bathing Beaches, Medical Waste, Pools, Communicable Disease Control and issues related to housing. On April 4, the Health Director and Public Health Nurse met with the Assistant Director of Recreation and the Recreation Supervisor to review weekly and as needed water quality testing at the Old Res, as well as the Closure Policy. The group also discussed the safe operation and oversight of the Town Pool Complex. Lexington Public Schools (LPS) School Nurse Leader, Jill Gasperini, was recently successful in applying for a Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Comprehensive School Health Services grant. As part of their grant proposal, LPS School Health Services and Lexington Board of Health (BOH) would like to hold a one-time vaccine clinic this summer for students needing catch-up childhood immunizations, including but not limited to, students newly arrived to US and without health insurance, and students arriving from other states with less stringent vaccine requirements. Lexington BOH annually collaborates with LPS in holding flu vaccine clinics for students at school buildings in Lexington, and this would be another opportunity to collaborate in increasing childhood immunization rates in Lexington. Environmental Health report was reviewed and the following cases were discussed; Inn at Hastings Park; The Board reviewed a submitted HACCP plan for reduced oxygen meat packing. After some discussion, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health has determined the HACP Plan Submitted by the Inn at Hastings Park is satisfactory for the proposed work.” Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, seconded the motion. All were in favor. 676 Marrett Road; Fawn Dare, Owner – As a result of a complaint, Kari Sasportas, Health Director, and David Neylon, Public Health Nurse inspected the property on March 14, 2019. Members of the Lexington Fire Department were present on-site as well, having just responded to an emergency call related to carbon monoxide at the property. A comprehensive housing inspection was requested by the occupants and revealed the following violations of Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.000 “Minimum Standards of Human Habitation” that are in need of correction. After some discussion, the BOH requested that Ms. Dare provide estimates for properly correcting the violations present within three weeks of this meeting date. Bathing Place Permitting program; The seasonal Pool facilities have requested relief in the form of a variance from 105 CMR 435.23 (1) lifeguards. After some discussion, Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health grants the variance request from the requirement of lifeguards for the safe operation of pools as listed under 105 CMR 435.23 (1). In addition, all requirements of 105 CMR 435.23 (2) shall be met including all signage which includes: “Warning No Lifeguard on Duty” in easy to read, legible letters which are at least four inches high “Children under age 16 should not use swimming pool without an adult in attendance” and another sign that states, “Adults should not swim alone.” This variance applies only to the following seasonal pool facilities, which have made the request in writing. They are listed as follows: Adams, Aloft Hotel, Avalon at Lexington Hills, Avalon at Lexington Ridge, Drummer Boy Condominiums, Element Hotel, Emerson Gardens Condominiums, Moon Hill, Pleasant Brook, Quality Inn, Peacock Farm. This Variance will expire at the end of the Seasonal Pool season or upon notification of an unsafe operating condition at a specific facility.” Burt Perlmutter, M.D., seconded the motion. All were in favor. Peacock Farm Pool; Ms. Suzanne Matus, Pool Chairperson, requested that the Board of Health grant a variance from the requirement of Swimming Pool Code 105CMR 435.23 (1). Ms. Matus is asking that a lifeguard that they hired Ms. Alice Westad, who is 15 years old be allowed to lifeguard at the pool. The Swimming Pool Code 435.46 Variances states in part “Variances may be granted only as follows: The Board of Health may vary the application of any provisions of 105 CMR435.00 with respect to any particular case when, in its opinion (a) the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice; and (b) the applicant has proved that the same degree of protection required under 105 CMR435.00 can be achieved without strict application of the particular provision. After some discussion, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., proposed a motion that stated, “The Lexington Board of Health grants the variance request from Swimming Pool Code 105CMR 435.23 (1), to allow a life guard to work at the pool who is not 16 years old or older. Ms. Danna Ofek will be allowed to work as a lifeguard at Peacock Farm Pool, with the stipulation of submitting a confirmation of Red Cross certification, and notes that this request grant is only for this individual.” Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, seconded the motion. All were in favor The Emergency Preparedness report was reviewed and the following topics were discussed; Region 4AB PHEP General Coalition Meeting- On May 15, the Health Director attended the regional coalition meeting. The coalition reviewed the work plan and regional budget for the upcoming grant year, i.e., Budget Period (BP) 1, which runs from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. BP1 Community (Town) Work Plan Deliverables - During BP 1, each city and town in the region will be able to choose one of two options for deliverables. Option 1 is to complete three (3) Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) drills, which would be identical to drill requirements in previous years (i.e., staff notification call-down, site activation call-down, and facility set-up). Option 2 is a new alternative, and would require a holding a table-top (TTX) drill focused on testing a community Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) plan to include newly developed emerging infectious disease components (EID) and an after action report and improvement plan (AAR/IP). Technical assistance will be available from the region for communities that choose option 2. Upcoming Regional Workshop – On June 6, 2019, in Natick, MA, Region 4AB will be hosting a workshop on Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) and its relationship to dispensing Medical Countermeasures (MCM) through local Emergency Dispensing Sites (EDS). Community Health Network Area (CHNA 15) Update; On May 16, 2019, the Town of Lexington Mental Health & Wellness Task Force, Identification/Research Advisory Group (IRAG) will hold a meeting, and leadership of the advisory group will be transitioned to the Lexington Health Department. IRAG will coordinate with the other three advisory groups, i.e., Prevention, Intervention, and Post-vention, to coordinate research and data needs for the overall implementation grant project. Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, 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, June 12, 2019.