Contact:  Mary Cobleigh ( ), Secretary, 978-263-1116, ext. 115.
Meetings:  Wednesdays, as posted, 7:30 p.m. to approximately 10:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Board of Health Agent:  Jim Garreffi, Nashoba Board of Health, 978-772-3335, ext. 3018.

Minutes

The Board of Health, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, has established the Boxborough Emergency Reserve Corps to better prepare the town to handle natural and man-made disasters.  For more information, click on the link.

The Boxborough Board of Health consists of three individuals elected to three-year terms of office. The Board works to ensure, maintain and improve the health and well being of the residents of Boxborough in accordance with applicable State and local laws and regulations. The following are some of the responsibilities of the Board of Health:

• Approval of septic system and well design and installation through its agent, the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health (Nashoba).
  • Lot Testing and Sewage Disposal Works Permit Process
  • Boxborough Application for Subsurface Sewage Disposal System
  • Well Construction Permit Process
• Visiting nurses, home health aides, and social worker services offered by Nashoba.
• Restaurant and food service inspections by Nashoba.
• Oversight of various mental health services (Concord Family and Youth Services; Eliot Community Human Services) available to Boxborough residents.
• Respond to any and all matters concerning the public health in Boxborough (e.g., bioterrorism concerns, communicable disease control, and public health complaints). The lion's share of these meetings is devoted to the review of septic system and well plans and appointments with engineers or homeowners about these matters. The Board also meets on as-needed basis to respond to various situations or needs as they arise. Individual members of the Board of Health receive an annual salary of $166.00 for their efforts.

There are no specific requirements for being a member of the Board of Health, other than being a Town resident and possessing a willingness to serve and an interest in public health. Individuals who would like more information are invited to contact Mary Cobleigh (978-263-1116, ext. 115) or attend a regular meeting.

• Massage/Muscular Therapy Regulations
• Mercury Recovery Policy
• MHOA Model Rules and Regulations for Body Art Establishments and Practicioners
• Stormwater Bylaw
• Subsurface Disposal of Sewage Regulations
• Tobacco Smoking and Sale Bylaw
• Well Regulations

 MOSQUITO CONTROL AERIAL LARVACIDE PROGRAM:  Town Meeting presentation.

The BOH initiated an aerial larvacide program in 2007 to reduce the emergence of spring mosquitos and reduce the potential threats of exposure.  These applications are conducted by the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) annually in April, then subsequently in July (if warranted by wet conditions and as indicated by the larva tested).  For more details, click on the above link.  The following is a list of related links:

• Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project
• Department of Public Health
• Center for Disease Control

Other Water Quality Issues:

 Uranium was found at levels above the drinking water standards in the Blanchard School well during summer testing by the new well operator. The Blanchard staff included information on this issue through an e-mail notice to parents, town management and the police, fire and library personnel. Until further notice, the school, library, police and fire departments will be consuming bottled water because they are all served from the same well located on the Hager Site. The water operator is waiting on subsequent testing results to verify current conditions and has been coordinating with the DEP as appropriate. Further information on uranium and radionuclides in general that are naturally occurring, especially in bedrock-type wells may be found by clicking here.  These are the type of wells typically serving residents in Boxborough and neighboring towns.

• If you have concerns about your private water supply well, you can have your well tested for radionuclides. Refer to the DEP's Drinking Water page for local laboratories and required protocol. Contact information for DEP staff with expertise on the subject can also be found through their web site.

Other Important Information:

• Tick Management Handbook:  An integrated guide for homeowners and others for the prevention of tick-associated disease.
• Protect Yourself Against Lyme Disease
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV)
• Avian Flu
• Swine Flu Fact Sheet

Websites of Interest:

• Region 4A Public Health Emergency Response
• Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)