Lincoln Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
June 10, 2009
PRESENT: Frederick Mansfield, M.D., Chairman
Arnold Weinberg, M.D.
Diane Haessler, R.N.
Elaine Carroll, Secretary
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The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The minutes from the May 6, 2009 meeting were approved as written. The next scheduled meeting will be July 15, 2009.
Informal Discussion:
State of Local Boards of Health – On June 10 Dr. Mansfield attended a discussion about the current state of local public health in the Third Middlesex District. The discussion was conducted by Senator Fargo and held at the State House. The discussion included health representatives from Lincoln, Lexington, Concord, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Weston, Sudbury, Waltham and Bedford and the goal was to help provide the groundwork for creative approaches to enhancing public health situations, despite the state’s current fiscal crisis. Sen. Fargo wanted to know if there are too many mandates burdening the heath departments. They touched on Lyme disease, mosquito control, sanitation and tobacco control. They discussed the possibility of setting up speakers to go to local towns to give
informative talks or to have students doing internships with local boards. It was a brainstorming kind of meeting.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Update – On June 1, Dr. Weinberg was called by Mickey Brandmeyer, Superintendent of the public schools to discuss the possibility of closing the schools because of the number of flu cases. Dr. Weinberg felt that the best course of action would be to keep the schools open. The members reviewed the last two letters to parents from Mr. Brandmeyer. The first one states why the schools will remain open and informs parents that approximately 30 Lincoln School students and 7 Hanscom students have been diagnosed with influenza or suspect cases. It was also learned that 6 students and a teacher became sick on the trip to Washington, DC. Mr. Brandmeyer reinforced the recommendations of the CDC and DPH to keep students home for 7 days if they develop flu like systems, wash
hands frequently and take any person with underlying medical conditions to a physician as soon as possible if they suspect H1N1 flu. Dr. Weinberg said that there have been 97 reported deaths in Mexico, some not due to the flu. He said that the H1N1 flu has been declared a pandemic because of the number of countries reporting cases. He also said that Pres. Obama wants to take 9 billion dollars from bioterrorism to flu control – not a terrorist act but it is a world concern.
Communicable Disease Reports – The members reviewed the latest reports from the State.
East Middlesex Mosquito Control – Dr. Weinberg said that he was unable to attend the latest meeting for the East Middlesex Mosquito Control but he asked Dave Henley to send him the minutes of the meeting. There will be another meeting at the end of June and he hopes to attend that one.
Bills Paid – One bill was paid: Business Systems of New England, Inc. in the amount of $50.00.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine M. Carroll
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