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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-10-BOH-min Lexington Board of Health Meeting, Tuesday, January 10, 2012 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 Wendy Heiger-Bernays called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Board reviewed the minutes of November 9, 2011. MacKenzie motioned to accept the minutes with corrections. Perlmutter seconded. All approved. The Board reviewed the minutes of December 14. 2011. Perlmutter motioned to accept the minutes with corrections. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Plumbing Variance Request - Cody introduced Mark Barrett of the Facilities Department who would like to request a plumbing variance. Barrett advised the Board that the Bridge and Bowman schools are being renovated which includes mostly HVAC and sprinkler system work. The kitchens in these two schools are only having HVAC work done and a a small amount of electrical. The bathrooms in the kitchen are an existing unisex single toilet which will be upgraded for handicapped accessibility but in the current plumbing code there is a requirement for a male and female restroom in the kitchen but there is no additional space for this requirement. Three woman staff the lunch room. Due to the limited staff and space, Barrett is requesting support from the Board of Health for this variance request to the Plumbing Board. Perlmutter motioned to grant support for the variance from the plumbing code. MacKenzie seconded. All approved. Heiger-Bernays also reminded Barrett that last year, the Board of Health collected water samples at sink and faucet fixtures to determine if lead could be detected. Heiger-Bernays asked Barrett how can we make sure that when fixtures are replaced, they will be lead free. Heiger-Bernays questioned Barrett on how to get this into the specs. Barrett advised the Board that he will speak with the architects and the plumbing engineers to see what is in the specs and what can be done. Heiger-Bernays also stated that there are many cases of indoor air quality issues and the Board has discussed this issue and written letters about making sure there is money in the budget for maintenance of HVAC systems long term. Barrett informed the Board that this request would need to go to Pat Goddard for ongoing operations. Organic Waste Processing – Felix Zemel updated the Board regarding MassDEP 310.CMR 16.00 Draft Regulations and the proposed process. The Board discussed proposed changes to DEP’s regulations because of public health concerns. Heiger-Bernays stated that these public health concerns are not “not in my backyard”. Flynn explained the permit process and proposed changes to the regulations to the Board. Heiger-Bernays informed the Board that she would work with Cody to prepare the letter to DEP concerning the proposed regulations. Community Health Updates/Reports – The Board reviewed the Community Health Report prepared by David Neylon, R.N., and all follow-ups for the six communicable diseases had been done in a timely manner. Housing Updates 80 Oak Street – Cody advised the Board that this house has been vacant for over 30 years and there was a large accumulation of rubbish inside. The Town hired EBI to manage the materials in the house and they have an LSP to clean the oil spill in the basement. Traps have been set to make sure rodents do not get into the neighborhood. Cody also asked EBI to take samples for lead and asbestos. Garry Rhodes, the Building Commission is managing the financial concerns for the Town. 292 Mass Avenue – Steve Keene, of the Lexington Housing Authority, contacted Cody to advise him that this is a boarding house who takes in homeless people from Cambridge. It appears they had a bed bug problem. Cody confirmed this and the mattress were removed. The building is for sale and it is no longer a boarding house. EDS Drill – Cody informed the Board that there was an EDS drill on January 4, 2012 at the Burlington Mall. Lexington, Bedford and Winchester worked together to hold a clinic which attracted about 50 people. Cody said this will satisfy CDC deliverables for 3 topics and there will be an after action report. 15 Saddle Club Road - Cody mentioned to the Board that he reviewed the well permit for this location. It appears there will be some setback issues where he has his geothermal well which he is using as drinking water. Cody has asked for water quality results but none have been received. Cody feels this well may not be constructed properly. The resident may need to appear before the Board to obtain a variance. 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.