Environmental Health

Food Protection Program:

• Each retail food establishment in town must obtain an annual permit from the Health Division to operate.
• Surprise food inspections are conducted to assess proficiency in the safe handling of food
• The number of inspections for an establishment to continue operating depends on the risk level.

Person In Charge Workshops:

• Free workshops are offered for food workers to attend in order to gain knowledge about food safety and the regulatory measures that they are required to understand. 
• These workshops are offered on a quarterly basis to all food workers in the Town of Lexington.  Contact the Health Division for more information. 

Medical Waste Collection: 

• Since April of 2008, the Health Division in conjunction with the Department of Public Works has offered a free drop off service for Lexington residents concerned about the proper disposal of syringes, needles medicines and other related medical waste. 
• Upcoming Schedule:
  • Saturday April 6, 2013, 9:00 A.M. - 12 Noon, and
  • Wednesday June 5, 2013, 5 - 7 P.M.
• What to Bring:
  • Sharps, needles, syringes stored in capped sturdy containers, such as sharp containers, detergent bottle, coffee can or similar nonreturnable sturdy containers.
  • Expired medicine
• Collection events will take place in the parking lot behind the Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
• For more information call 781-862 -0500 x 237.  Lexington Residents Only (ID required such as a driver's license).

Household Hazardous Waste Collection:

• Residents of Lexington and other eligible communities may bring small quantities of hazardous waste to the Hartwell Avenue facility on eight collection days per year.
• Items may include unwanted paints (non-latex),  paint related material, cleaners, automotive products, pesticides, herbicides and auto batteries. Other items may be considered on a case by case basis.
• A separate program for small businesses and very small quantity generators (VSQG's) is also available by pre-registration. 

Swimming Pool Inspections: 

• All semi - public pools are issued an annual permit to operate.  
• Inspectors test the water periodically to determine that they are in the regulatory limits for chlorine, alkalinity and pH levels. These tests are indicators of water quality safety for public recreational swimming use.

"Old Reservoir" Bathing Beach:

• During the operating season, June through mid August, weekly water samples are professionally prepared and transported to a certified analytical lab.  At the lab, the samples are anyalyzed for bacteria counts in the water column. 
• If there is an unsafe or high level of bacteria in the water, then the swimming area must remain closed until laboratory analysis indicates that the water is safe for public bathing.