2011 Annual Report - Town of Northborough

Health
Department
Jamie Terry, Health Agent
To promote health and protect the public the Health Department
conducted five (5) seasonal flu clinics during 2011.
Routine inspections continued throughout the year with
education and guidance given where needed. Inspections are
routinely performed at food establishments, tanning salons,
non-private swimming pools, camps and stables. Compliance
checks are also done at establishments that sell tobacco.
After much review during 2010 & 2011 the local septic
regulations were amended in 2011. During 2011 the Board
began reviewing the Tobacco Regulations and plan to amend
these regulations during 2012.
Permits/Licenses/Grants and fees collected and deposited
with the Town Treasurer for the 2011 calendar year amount
to $85,935.20.
The following information is provided as a statistical
summary of permits/licenses issued by the Board of Health
for the 2011 calendar year:
Food Service Permits 99
Horse Stable Permit 8
Temporary Food Permits 19
Camp Permit 5
Disposal Works Installer Permits 34
Tobacco Permit 18
Disposal Works Construction Permits 54
Body Art Practitioner 2
Septage Haulers 18
Body Art Establishment 1
Semi Public Swimming Pool Permits 4
Tanning Salon Permits 1
Motel Licenses 2
The Health Department, through its contract with the
VNA of Southborough, also investigated the following 51
communicable diseases in 2011.
Confirmed, Probable, and Suspect
Communicable Disease Cases in 2011
Campylobacter Enteritis 6
Salmonella 3
Giardiasis 1
Streptococcus Pneumoniae 1
Pertussis 1
Toxoplasmosis 1
Hepatitis B 4
Lyme Disease 18
Hepatitis C 2
Varicella 1
Influenza 12
Viral Meningitis 1
Did You Know
• Private well water should be tested for
certain contaminants every 1 to 2 years.
• On average septic tanks should be
pumped out every 2 - 3 years to extend
the life of the septic system.
• Household water based paint should not be disposed
of into your septic system. Add a drying
agent to an open can of paint. Once the can has
hardened you can dispose of it with your household
rubbish.
• A fever is defined as having a body temperature of
100.4 °F or higher.
• Washing your hands often, coughing and sneezing
into a tissue or the inside of your elbow, will help
to prevent spread of the flu.
• Lyme disease accounts for more than 95% of all
tickborne disease cases in the United States.
• Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death
and disease in Massachusetts.
Contact the Health Department for more information
relating to any of these topics.
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