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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-14-BOH-min Lexington Board of Health Meeting, Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Town Office Building, Room G-15, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Board of Health Attendees: Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Chair; David S. Geller; Burt Perlmutter; John J. Flynn; Sharon MacKenzie Health Department Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Health Director; Ann Belliveau, Health Clerk/Office Manager Sharon MacKenzie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Cody introduced the Lego Group who recently put together a foodborne illness prevention presentation for the Board of Health. Tracy Heibeck, a coach of the Lexington FIRST Lego League team, explained that part of their project was to identify a problem, come up with an innovative solution and find a way to present the findings in a public setting. The group distributed a pamphlet they assembled on their topic of Listeria detection and they performed a skit. Community Health Updates/Reports – The Board reviewed the Community Health Report for December 2011. All follow-ups for the four communicable diseases had been done in a timely manner. Upcoming School-based flu clinics – The Health Division in collaboration with the Lexington Public Schools expanded the school based vaccination efforts this year to th include 2 clinics, as compared to one clinic last year. On Wednesday, November 30 at the Diamond Middle School Library, a total of 269 people were vaccinated and on th Wednesday, December 7 at the Lexington High School Media Room over 228 people were vaccinated. Students from the METCO program were also vaccinated prior to the clinic and before their buses left on the day of each clinic. Environmental Health Update/Reports - The Board reviewed the Environmental Health Report prepared by Kathy Fox. Food Inspection Program Fruitee Yogurt – Cody introduced Frank Chen, Owner of the new establishment, Fruitee Yogurt. Mr. Chen advised the Board that he has submitted a food plan review and permit application for this new self-serve establishment. Mr. Chen hopes to open by the end of February, at which time he will appear before the Board of Health for the food permit. Avenue Deli – Cody introduced Bill Wright to the Board. Mr. Wright recently purchased the Avenue Deli and the menu will basically remain the same. After a discussion, Geller motioned that the Lexington Board of Health grants an annual permit and to operate a food establishment to Avenue Deli located at 1806 Massachusetts Avenue. Flynn seconded. All approved. State Sanitary Code Update 16 Estabrook Road – Marissa Hamilton from Minuteman Senior Services, Elder Protective Services introduced herself to the Board. She explained that her goal is to keep elders safe in their homes. Since meeting with the homeowner, Elizabeth Weiss, some of the clutter has been cleaned out and there is now heat and hot water at 16 Estabrook Road. Unfortunately, Marissa has not been allowed inside the home. Mrs. Weiss is concerned about the water entering her basement causing her constant pumping. She stated that this water problem started with the development of homes on Grandview. Cody will contact Marissa with the name of the DPW person to contact concerning the water problem at 16 Estabrook. Marissa will help Mrs. Weiss compose a letter to submit to DPW. Cody scheduled a meeting at Mrs. Weiss’s home for Monday, rd December 23 at 10:00 a.m. to inspect her home along with Marissa Hamilton. Anerobic Digester Update – Felix Zemel Zemel presented to the Board a list of general environmental health and public health concerns that should be addressed in any future Request for Proposals regarding the siting of an anaerobic digester at the Hartwell Avenue Landfill site. Zemel indicated that this report will be followed up by a technical document explaining each of the concerns along with a description of the current regulatory setting regarding the siting of this type of facility in MA, as well as changes to the regulations that are currently under review by MassDEP. Currently, to establish an Anerobic Digester, the company would need to be given permission through the cite assignment process from the local Board of Health. Zemel also mentioned that DEP is looking to expand the definition of composting and changing the cite assignment regulations in which a permit would be given as a rule for up to 50,000 tons per year would be exempted from site assignment and given a permit by DEP. Zemel has heard that Chelsea and Metheun are also potential sites. Zemel advised the Board that the memorandum he drafted for December 14, 2011 was for the general public to understand. Within the next few weeks and after speaking with additional people, Zemel will be preparing a technical document for the Board and DEP. Flynn informed the Board that there had been a funding request for the RFP for the Anerobic Digester and that $53,000.00 had already been appropriated at a previous Town Meeting. Flynn also mentioned that the Anerobic Digester would require a zoning change which will need to go before a Town Meeting. Flynn said the Board of Health as well as other departments would be given a copy of the RFP for review before it is released. A discussion followed. 2013-2027 Massachusetts Avenue – Kim Woodard of 2030 Massachusetts Avenue and Nora Gill of 33 Parker Street appeared before the Board concerning the project for the former Dana Home which is in a Zone II area. They are concerned about any runoffs from the property into the wetlands. Cody advised them that this would be covered under Article IX Groundwater and Water Supply Protection but at this point the project is premature for Health review. Perlmutter motioned to adjourn. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Documents submitted: Agenda Community Health Report Emergency Preparedness Report Environmental Health Report Emergency Preparedness Report September 2011 th First Flu Clinic of the Season, October 5, 2011 th From 9am to 12pm on Wednesday, October 5, the first flu clinic of the season will take place at St. Brigid’s Parish Hall. Pneumococcal vaccine will also be available. This clinic is targeted for those residents aged 60 and older. So far, we have 11 Medical Reserve Corps volunteers signed up to help out for this clinic. Prioritization of State Supplied Flu Vaccine Due to state budget cuts, MDPH has reduced the amount of flu vaccine available to local boards of health and other public providers by 23%. Because of this, MDPH has made the recommendation that state supplied flu vaccine be prioritized for those at high risk for contracting the flu and are uninsured or underinsured (health insurance does not cover flu vaccination). Lexington Board of Health State-supplied injectable doses for 19 250 years and older State-supplied “Flumist” for those 2-18 200 years of age State-supplied injectable doses for those 180 under 19 years of age Privately purchased injectable flu doses 440 Privately purchased injectable flu doses 450 for Town of Lexington employees TOTAL 1520 doses Lexington Public Schools (for use at school based clinics) State-supplied injectable doses for those 90 under 19 years of age State-supplied “Flumist” doses for those 170 2-18 years of age TOTAL 260 doses Katahdin Woods and Avalon Building on previous years’ clinics at Katahdin Woods and Avalon apartment complexes, the Health Division is in the process of working with these apartment complexes to set up small, pre-registration only flu clinics, as a way to exercise emergency plans that may come in to play in the event of real emergency.