Matt Armando, director of Public Health for the Town of Westport, appeared before the Marion Board of Health during its March 2 public meeting to seek the town’s participation in a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment and Maintenance of the South Coast Public Health Collaborative.
The grant, according to Armando, is $300,000 annualized, $45,000 of which goes to the host town Westport and $255,000 to be used according to need in the other five member towns. The first $150,000 was received, and the other $150,000 was expected this month, according to Armando.
As host town, Westport signs for and manages the grant. Armando said the plan is to hire a full-time inspector and a shared-services coordinator. There will be no plan for allocation. “We’d have to schedule it across the six towns according to need,” explained Armando. “Consultants may be the way we need to go for the short term.”
Armando said it has been difficult to get the kind of experienced and knowledgeable help for the role and said he believes the intent of the grant is to attract new people into public-health careers, so training would become a necessary element.
Board of Health Chairman Dr. John Howard asked if this grant can function to offset funds spent at the municipal level, and Armando gave a flat no, explaining that the intention of the grant is to supplement town health programs.
The board members indicated plans to sign the MOU.
Howard asked Armando what would please state authorities in terms of how the grant was carried out. Armando said the key point would be that the money was making a difference and being spent the way it should.
Inspections requiring action followed by a second inspection are not charged in Marion, but Public Health Director Lori Desmarais asked the board about charging for a third trip due to lack of compliance.
The board members expressed the desire to support a fee, but Howard said the measure would require a public hearing.
In her update to the board, Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez told the board there has been progress at 28 Pitcher Street. Permanent exterior repairs will resume in April. No further wildlife has been detected in the building, according to Rodriguez’s report.
In her Public Health Director’s Update, Desmarais said COVID-19 cases are on the decline from 45 in January to 27 in February. Home tests kits are available at the Town House, fire station and Taber Library. She also noted there are not many flu cases as of March 2.
Referencing the town’s 2018 vote for $500,000 in a Betterment Program targeting septic systems, Desmarais said she has learned the money is still available. Allocating the funds will require a new application.
In a brief FY24 Budget update, Desmarais told the board that the department’s biggest increase would be Rodriguez’s hours from 25 to 30 per week.
A septic variance requested at 694C Mill Street was granted a continuance per the applicant to March 16 at 4:15 pm.
Board member Albin Johnson recommended Marion’s staff hold contractors responsible rather than homeowners for obtaining correct information.
In separate votes, the board approved septic constructions at 91A Allens Point Road and also at Lot 27A Allens Point Road.
Public Health Program Manager Megan DaCosta reported to the board on tobacco, including inspection updates and 2023 Model State Regulations.
The board agreed to write a letter of support of keeping remote-access meetings an option for municipalities.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, at 4:00 pm.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo