"Board of Health
The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well."
One position is up for election on November 7 for a 4 year term. The other two positions will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain some institutional knowledge.
What does the Health Department do?
The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations.
The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells.
State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN
HEALTH DEPARTMENT 2015-2016
Mission Statement
The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. To fulfill this responsibility, the Franklin Health Department enforces a multitude of public health laws and regulations, and administers a comprehensive inspection program.
Inspections
The following list identifies the primary components of the department’s inspection program, and the total number of inspections and re-inspections conducted for each component.
* Food Service/Retail Food/Inspections/complaint Investigations 390
* Title V Septic System Plan Review and Installation/Repair, Total Applications 23 New, 19 Repairs,
19 Minor Repairs, and Approximately 165 field Inspections Conducted. 61
* Chapter II Housing Code Inspection/Re-Inspections 38
* Public Health Nuisance/Odor/Noise/Animal/ Smoking Complaint Investigations 80
* Semi-Public Pool/Spa Testing/Inspection and Public Beach Testing 36
* Inspection and Licensing of Children’s Recreational Camps 10
* Tanning Salon Inspection 3
* Manicure/Pedicure Establishment 4
Communicable Disease
As mandated by the State Department of Public Health, local health departments must report, investigate and track all communicable disease
occurrences in their jurisdictions. The Franklin Health Department has had a long-term contract with the former VNA and Hospice of Greater Milford, now call Salmon Health Care, to assist with the investigation and follow up of reportable communicable diseases that occur in the community.
During Fiscal year 2015/2016, the VNA investigated over 200 suspect and/or confirmed cases of communicable disease in the community.
The following list depicts the reportable illness activity for fiscal year 2015-2016 in number of official confirmed cases:
- Malaria 0
- Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 1
- Calicvirus/Norovirus 3
- Babesiosis 0
- Campylobacter 7
- Hepatitis A 0
- Hepatitis B 1
- Hepatitis C (Chronic) 13
- Lyme Disease 13
- Meningitis 0
- Streptococcus, Group A/B 3
- E. E. Coli E. Coli 0
- Ehrlichiosis 1
- Giardiasis 2
- Salmonellosis 6
- Bacterial Infection, Avium, Vibrio 1
- Encephalitis 0
- Cryptosporidiosis 2
- Legionellosis 2
- Pulmonary TB 0
- Chicken Pox 0
- Pertussis 2
- Influenza 33
- Dog Bites 14
- Cat Bites 4
- Shigellosis 0
- TB related 0
- Streptococcus Pneumoniae 1
- Yersiniosis 0
- Vibrio sp 1
- Dengue Fever 0
- Enterovirus 1
- Haemophilus Influenza 1
- Shiga Toxin 1
- Varicella 0
- Chikungunya 0
Flu Clinics
In fiscal year 2015-2016, the VNA/Salmon Health Care held one seasonal flu clinic immunizing 67 residents. The wide spread availability of flu vaccine has reduced attendance at our public clinics in recent years. The VNA/Salmon Health Care also provided TB screening/ testing.
Licenses and Permits
The following is a comprehensive list of all permits/licenses issued by the Franklin Health Department during fiscal year 2015-2016. Most licensed/permitted activities require at least annual inspections as part of the permitting process. During 2015/2016, the Franklin Health Department receipts for permits/licenses totaled $62,872.50.
- Beaver Permits 10
- Burial Permits 90
- Bottling 1
- Catering 1
- Cleaners/laundromats 1
- Recreational Camps 7
- Septic Installers 44
- Disposal of Offal 29
- Food Establishment 111
- Funeral Directors 3
- Infectious Waste 1
- Keeping of Animals 13
- Frozen Desserts/Ice Cream 10
- Milk and Cream 29
- Milk and Cream Vehicles 4
- Mobile Food 3
- Pasteurization 1
- Private Wells (potable) 7
- Irrigation Wells 7
- Recycling 1
- Retail Food 35
- Stables 19
- Manicure Establishment 17
- Tanning Establishment 3
- Temporary Food 18
- Trench Permits 28
Staff
The current Health Department staff is as follows:
- David E. McKearney, R.S. Public Health Director
- Virginia M. McNeil, Health Agent, Elizabeth Hoey,
- Environmental Health Inspector, (14) hours,
- Mary Ellen Ficco, Administrative Assistant, (16) hours.
The Franklin Health Department wishes to once again thank the Town Administrator and all department heads and staff for their continuing assistance and support of the Health Department throughout the year.
Board of Health
The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well.
Bruce Hunchard, Board of Health Chairman
Philip Brunelli, Vice Chairman
Donald Ranieri, Jr. Board Clerk
Hours of Operation
The Franklin Health Department office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Health Department inspection staff is available to meet with customers from 8-9:15 AM and again from 3:15-4 PM each day, or other hours by appointment as necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department
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| Election Prep: What does the Board of Health do? |
Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016
http://franklinma.gov/administrator/files/franklin-2016-town-report
Prior year annual reports can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports
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