HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-09-BOH-min
Lexington Board of Health Meeting, February 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, Room G-15
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Board of Health Attendees: Burt M. Perlmutter, Chair; Sharon MacKenzie,
David S. Geller
Health Department Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Health Director; Ann Belliveau, Health
Clerk/Office Manager
Burt M. Perlmutter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Board reviewed the minutes of December 15, 2010. MacKenzie motioned to accept
the minutes as written. Geller seconded. All approved.
Environmental Health Report
Cody introduced Judith Crocker to the Board. Crocker appeared before the Board to give
a brief informational presentation concerning an upcoming school transportation survey.
Crocker mentioned that only one-third of the students take the bus to and from school and
ultimately there are two to three hundred cars picking up and dropping off students at
elementary schools every day. Crocker asked the Board if they would be willing to be a
sponsor for this survey. After a discussion, the Board unanimously decided not to put the
Board of Health’s name on the transportation survey.
Public Facilities – Informational Presentation
Pat Goddard, Director of Public Facilities gave a presentation to Board which included
the organization, accomplishments and objectives of the public facilities department.
Some of the operational accomplishments include: implemented green cleaning program,
provided hand sanitizer stations during H1N1 concerns, developed bathroom cleaning
video for training. Goddard stated that maintenance utilized planning and improved PM
program to reduce reactive work and increase planned work. DPF preventative
maintenance include: equipment inventory and PM plan developed for 22 buildings,
cleaning, lubrication, inspection, fluid level; filter changes three times per year, school
science rooms’ air flow and safety shower checks. Goddard also informed the Board of
the progress of the 10-year facility master plan.
Willard’s Woods – Informational Presentation
Sue Hilzenrath of 17 Suzanne Road appeared before the Board who recently served on
the citizens subcommittee of the conservation commission which was established to
address problems with the large number of free roaming off leash dogs at Willards
Woods. The committee was asked to make recommendations about new rules to
lesson/solve those problems. These new changes were implemented in a six month trial
which started on September 1, 2010 for a six month trial. Hilzenrath stated that many of
the problems at Willard’s Woods arise because of the numbers of off leash dogs and the
owner’s activities and behaviors which are not within the scope of the Board of Health
which Hilzenrath feels the Board of Health has the responsibility to evaluate and address.
Hilzenrath mentioned that she recently learned that the Board of Health has jurisdiction
over things that are on public/private property and are deemed offensive. Fecal
containers have been placed at three entrances to Willards Woods. Mrs. Hilzenrath asked
the Board of Health to deem these containers a nuisance and order them removed
immediately because the odor eminating from the containers is overwhelming. The
Conservation Commission is discussing acquiring new containers with covers.
Hilzenrath also mentioned that the Board of Health declaring it a nuisance under Article
XIV Nuisances §155-102 Deposit of Waste Prohibited violation would go a long way in
making dog owners be more responsible.
Bernie Gunther of 26 Brent Road and Scout Master for Scout Troop 119 in Lexington
also appeared before the Board. Mr. Gunther gave a presentation concerning the
difficulties for the Boy Scouts when having an overnight because of the fact that the area
must be cleaned before every event. Mr. Gunther stated that the large amount of dog
waste is a nuisance and should be addressed.
MacKenzie wanted to confirm that Gunther and Hilzenrath were asking the Board
to address two nuisances:
1.Non pickup of dog waste
2.Dog waste picked up and left in the barrels
Perlmutter would like to find out the frequency of emptying the barrels and determine
whether this is a nuisance at a future meeting.
Carpathia Group
Cody introduced Robert Osgood and Pat O’Toole of the Carpathia Group to the Board.
Osgood explained that the Carpathia Group is an emergency management continuity of
operations solutions firm established in 2009 and currently they are doing a lot of work
across the state with emergency preparedness and continuity of operations which is
mostly grant funded. They were recently awarded a contract with Regional 4a Cody
would like them to develop a tabletop exercise which will be grant funded.
Perlmutter motioned to go forth with Carpathia’s development and execution of a
tabletop exercise. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
Brookhaven Pool Variance Request – Cody informed the Board of Brookhaven’s request
for a variance from the provisions of 105 CMR 435.23(1)
-Lifeguards with respect to the swimming pool and spa facility located at
Brookhaven, 1010 Waltham Street. After a discussion, MacKenzie motioned to
grant 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 the
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 the age of 16 should not use
swimming pool without an adult in attendance” and another sign that states,
“Adults should not swim alone”. Geller seconded. All approved.
Perlmutter motioned to adjourn. MacKenzie seconded. All approved.
Documents submitted: Agenda
Minutes of December 15, 2010
Environmental Health Report
Community Health Report
Emergency Preparedness Report
Carpathia Group Inc. Proposal
Action Plan for Willard’s Woods Update 12/7/10
Dept. of Public Facilities Presentation
Transportation Survey