Board of Health
Handles public health rules — food safety inspections, septic system permits, and local health regulations.
95 items across 8 meetings.
June 17, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
New Board of Health members to be announced.
📋 Proposed
Board votes to reorganize leadership/officer positions.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Variance request for a commercial kitchen operation under Al's Backwoods Berries, presented by David Anderson.
📋 Proposed
Septic system variance requested for 61 Carters Bridge Rd.
📋 Proposed
Septic system variance requested for 9 Kingston Rd.
📋 Proposed
Septic system variance requested for 11 Trade Wind Dr.
📋 Proposed
Septic system variance requested for 56 Buzzards Bay Dr.
📋 Proposed
Cartmell Davis Funeral Home appeals a permit renewal late fee assessed by the Board of Health.
📋 Proposed
Village General Store contests its second tobacco violation; repeated violations can result in suspension of tobacco sales license.
• Status unclear
Spotlight presentation featuring board member Meg Payne.
• Status unclear
Health Director covers updated local opioid statistics, current respiratory illness trends, and tick safety guidance.
• Status unclear
Discussion of matters related to the Citizens Advisory Board.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Next meeting set for July 1, 2026, conducted virtually.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 PM.
June 3, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of two prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Virtual public comment period open to residents.
📋 Proposed
Presentation on strategies to reduce phosphate (a nutrient that causes algae blooms) in Plymouth's ponds and lakes.
📋 Proposed
Presentation on public health programs operating at High Point school.
📍 High Point
📋 Proposed
Updates on CHA-CHIP/PHE, Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative, Prevention Services Regional Meeting, School Nurses Wellness Meeting, and Citizens Advisory Council.
📋 Proposed
Health director updates on tick and mosquito-borne illness trends and public health planning for the upcoming World Cup.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of local services available to Plymouth residents for Alzheimer's and brain health awareness.
📋 Proposed
Next meeting set for June 17 at 5:00 PM, held in person.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns at approximately 7:00 PM.
May 20, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Meeting called to order; no public comments received.
✅ Approved
Variance request for 7 Beach Ave approved unanimously 5/0.
📍 7 Beach Ave, Plymouth
✅ Approved
Post-facto septic variance approved 5/0, but a fine equal to double the permit fee was assessed for the after-the-fact setback reduction from Town property.
💰 Fine of double the permit fee assessed
📍 103 Andrew's Way, Plymouth
✅ Approved
Board approved new Kratom regulations 5/0, effective July 1, 2026, after review by Town Counsel.
💬 Discussed
Harbor Master presented water-safety data: 76% of boating fatalities are drownings, and 87% of those victims were not wearing personal flotation devices.
💬 Discussed
Amy Palmer shared her professional background as Health Agent for Mansfield and her long service to Plymouth's Board of Health.
💬 Discussed
Dr. Reid discussed Medicare for All; next meeting set for June 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM via Zoom.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned unanimously 5/0.
May 20, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
• Status unclear
Public comment period open to attendees in person or via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Septic variance request for 7 Beach Ave, presented by Zac Basinski of Bracken Engineering.
📍 7 Beach Ave, Plymouth, MA
📋 Proposed
Septic variance request for 103 Andrew's Way, presented by Kyle Hanrahan of Merrill Engineering.
📍 103 Andrew's Way, Plymouth, MA
📋 Proposed
Board votes on a regulation governing kratom (a botanical stimulant sold as supplement/drug) sales or use in Plymouth.
💬 Discussed
Harbor Master Chad Hunter presents on boat safety, likely covering policy or public health concerns in Plymouth waters.
• Status unclear
Informational spotlight presentation by Board member Amy Palmer.
• Status unclear
Health Department Director Karen Keane delivers a routine operational update.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses Medicare for All, likely a policy position or public health advocacy item.
📋 Proposed
Next meeting set for virtual session June 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
May 6, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order via Zoom at 5:00 PM.
💬 Discussed
Dan Griffin (The Vape Way) suggested the Town provide first aid signage in foreign languages ahead of World Cup summer visitors.
✅ Approved
Board unanimously approved a grease trap variance for the John Carver Hotel. Voted 5/0.
❌ Denied
Board unanimously denied Richard Nieboer's request to skip submitting park rules and regulations required under 940 CMR 10.11. Voted 5/0.
🗳️ Voted on
Board voted 5/0 that at minimum, a letter from a pest control company confirming no pests in the mobile home park must be submitted.
💬 Discussed
Rubber Duckie Project video couldn't play due to technical issues; link will be posted to the Public Health Division website.
🔄 Postponed
Presenter was unable to attend; presentation rescheduled for a later date.
💬 Discussed
Board reviewed revisions to proposed Kratom regulations and agreed to the changes; vote scheduled for the next meeting.
💬 Discussed
Updates covered CHA/CHIP priorities, PHEC/Community Baby Shower, NDCAP (next meeting 5/18/26), and PYDC prom safety and emerging veterinary/sedative drug concerns.
✅ Approved
Board voted 5/0 to implement a fee for reinspections of food and retail establishments; amount not specified in minutes.
• Status unclear
Next meeting scheduled for May 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Ropewalk Meeting Room at Town Hall.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned unanimously at 6:18 PM.
May 6, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Meeting opens via Zoom at 5:00 PM; public comments accepted remotely.
📋 Proposed
Variance request for grease trap requirements at 25 Summer St.; vote likely.
📍 25 Summer St.
📋 Proposed
Richard Nieboer requests waiver of required documents for Long Pond Village development.
📍 Long Pond Village
📋 Proposed
Mae Hickey (High Point Counselor) presents a video on May Mental Health Awareness Month and the Rubber Duckie Project.
📋 Proposed
Plymouth Harbormaster Chad Hunter presents on boat and water safety heading into summer season.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses proposed updates to kratom (herbal stimulant) regulations; no vote will be taken at this meeting.
💬 Discussed
Members report on CHA-CHIP public health planning, nuclear decommissioning advisory panel, youth development, school nurses wellness, and citizens advisory council.
📋 Proposed
Vote anticipated on a new fee for food establishment re-inspections; could affect local restaurant costs.
💰 Fee amount not specified
💬 Discussed
Board discusses state legislation H.1405 and S.860 on Massachusetts Medicare for All; no vote indicated.
📋 Proposed
Next BOH meeting set for May 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM, in person.
April 15, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of minutes from three prior meetings.
📋 Proposed
Septic variance (relief from standard Title 5 setback/design rules) requested for 2 Wind Rose Ln, presented by Jason Youngquist of Outback Engineering.
📋 Proposed
Septic variance requested for Old Sandwich Golf Club, 247 Old Sandwich Rd, presented by Tom Lee of Horsley Witten Group.
📋 Proposed
Food code variance sought for Old Sandwich Golf Club, likely related to food service operations at the 247 Old Sandwich Rd site.
📋 Proposed
Devon Donovan presents on tick season risks and Alpha Gal syndrome (a tick-bite-triggered red-meat allergy) — relevant as warm weather approaches.
📋 Proposed
Devon Donovan presents on the Plymouth Baby program; details not specified in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Cecelia Doucette (MA for Safe Technology) and consumer Juliane Goicoechea present on smart meters, likely covering health and safety concerns.
📋 Proposed
Discussion segment highlighting BOH member Amy Palmer's work or background.
📋 Proposed
Director Karen Keane reports on public health preparations or considerations related to World Cup events coming to the region.
📋 Proposed
Update on kratom (an herbal stimulant under regulatory scrutiny), continuing prior BOH discussions on local sales or public health risks.
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Next meeting set for May 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM — virtual only.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns at approximately 7:00 PM.
April 1, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Meeting opens at 5:00 PM via Zoom and in person.
📋 Proposed
Residents may comment virtually at 5:05 PM.
📋 Proposed
Director Karen Keane presents on the PH Department's role in Plymouth.
📋 Proposed
Sue Giovanetti presents on local homeless coalition efforts and services.
📋 Proposed
Meg Payne updates the board on the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan.
📋 Proposed
Barry Potvin reports on the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel overseeing Pilgrim Station cleanup.
📋 Proposed
Chair Teri Reid updates the board on youth development collaborative activities.
📋 Proposed
Teri Reid reports on the school nurses wellness meeting.
📋 Proposed
Kate Morini updates the board on potential regulations for kratom, a botanical supplement sold in stores.
📋 Proposed
Director Karen Keane delivers her regular operational update.
📋 Proposed
Teri Reid, Meg Payne, and Barry Potvin report back from the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards conference.
📋 Proposed
Next meeting set for April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM, in person.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns at approximately 6:40 PM.