Board of Health




Formal Name Position Term Expires
Leslie A. Githens Chair 3 YRS 5/15/2012
Dimitri P. Karpouzis Member 3 YRS 5/15/2012
Mary F. Mortensen Member 3 YRS 5/21/2013
John J. Reap, II Member 2 YRS 5/20/2014
Malcolm Robert Smart Member 3 YRS 5/20/2014

Docs

The Board of Health is dedicated to the prevention of disease in the community. In order to accomplish this task the Board of Health staff provides the citizens of the Town of Ashland with many health promotional and health surveillance activities.
 

The Board of Health:
 
  • Monitor health status to identify community health problems.
  • Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
  • Inform, educate and empower people about health issues. 
  • Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. 
  • Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. 
  • Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. 
  • Link people with needed personal health services and assures the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.

Environmental Health
This section of the Board of Health works to protect the community from any chemical, physical or biological agent that could adversely affect the health of the citizens of Ashland. The Food Inspector conducts routine inspections of all licensed food-related businesses to ensure that the food supply is wholesome, stored, prepared and displayed in accordance with Massachusetts. Food Code. These inspections, plus follow-up inspections, are conducted twice per year in every establishment. In addition, the Health Agent conducts inspections at swimming pools, recreational camps, tanning facilities, body art establishments, and other licensed activities.
 
The Board of Health inspects, by complaint only, residential dwellings and dwelling units in the Town for compliance with Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code. The Health Agent/Director is strongly involved with the soil testing, plan approval and installation of septic systems and private wells in Ashland. Lead paint determinations are also done by this department. The Health Agent/Director also responds to complaints regarding air, water, or other types of environmental pollution. The environmental health staff also provides health educational activities for the town.
 
Mosquito Control
The Town of Ashland belongs to the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project based in Waltham. The Mosquito Control Project proves the Town with a comprehensive mosquito control program. This includes ditch maintenance, flood control, mosquito surveillance, destruction of mosquito larvae and adult mosquito control. To inquire about mosquito control you may contact the Board of Health office or contact the mosquito control project directly at 508-393-3055.