Handles public health rules — food safety inspections, septic system permits, and local health regulations.
49 items across 8 meetings.
May 21, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of minutes from Jan 28, Apr 16, and Apr 23 (open and executive sessions).
• Status unclear
No specific public hearings are listed on this agenda.
📋 Proposed
Board will consider appointing Kerri Sands as the new Regional Health Inspector.
💬 Discussed
Update on BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) — likely related to siting or safety review ongoing in town.
💬 Discussed
Board continues discussion on regulating kratom, a botanical supplement with opioid-like effects sold locally.
💬 Discussed
Updates include a regional baby shower event June 13 in Tyngsboro, a summer intern, and a PHE grant tied to the NEHA strategic plan and new regional inspector.
📍 Tyngsboro Old Town Hall
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns; next meeting is June 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Town Hall, 1009 Main Street.
📍 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury
April 23, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Closed session (no public access) to discuss legal strategy regarding the Battery Energy Storage Facility, as an open meeting could harm the Board's litigation position under M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3).
• Status unclear
Next public BOH meeting is May 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Town Hall, 1009 Main Street, First Floor Main Hall.
📍 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury – Town Hall, First Floor Main Hall
April 23, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Board entered executive session to discuss litigation strategy as an intervening party opposing a proposed battery energy storage facility in the EFSB proceeding.
✅ Approved
Board authorized Chair Braga to submit a formal comment letter on noise impacts from the proposed battery energy storage facility to the EFSB.
✅ Approved
Board authorized submission of comments on the Langan test pit report to the EFSB, allowing Public Health Director Shannon Gillis to provide technical input before filing.
💬 Discussed
Board reviewed new EFSB cumulative impact analysis standards and discussed the status of the Host Community Agreement between the Town and the facility petitioner.
✅ Approved
Board approved sending a letter to public health and legal advocacy groups seeking guidance and potential legal assistance, as the Board is currently an unrepresented intervenor in the EFSB proceeding.
✅ Approved
Executive session adjourned at 6:58 PM.
April 23, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board meets in closed session (no public access) to discuss legal strategy on the Battery Energy Storage Facility and related proceedings, per M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3).
• Status unclear
Next public meeting is May 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Town Hall, 1009 Main Street, First Floor Main Hall.
📍 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury – Town Hall, First Floor Main Hall
April 16, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Board honored former longtime member Anthony Boschetti with a video tribute and moment of silence.
🗳️ Voted on
Melissa Braga re-elected Chair, Susan Amato Vice Chair, Christine Janeczak Clerk; all votes 5-0.
✅ Approved
Six sets of minutes from March 19, April 2, and April 9 (open and executive sessions) approved; one exec-session vote carried 4-1 with LeFave abstaining.
✅ Approved
Shannon Gillis, Siobhan LaFreniere, and Ashley Pavlakos re-appointed as health agents, 5-0.
✅ Approved
Six special health agents — including tobacco control, animal inspectors, and prevention program manager — re-appointed 4-1, with Ferdinand abstaining over disagreement with how the State administers the tobacco-control role.
💬 Discussed
EOHHS removed pepper gel, batons, and handcuffs from hospital security officers; staff must now call Tewksbury Police when de-escalation fails, shifting costs and response burden to the town.
💰 Increased municipal police and fire response costs; no dollar figure stated
📍 Tewksbury State Hospital
💬 Discussed
BOH filed responses in Energy Facilities Siting Board proceedings contesting claims it voluntarily skipped test-pit observations; pit-analysis results expected April 18 may trigger another executive session.
💰 BOH flagged no dedicated town funds allocated for its legal participation
💬 Discussed
Resident Gerard Corbin (82 Emerald Court) thanked BOH for its health-and-safety advocacy related to the Hillman Energy battery-storage proposal.
📍 82 Emerald Court
💬 Discussed
BOH plans a public hearing on kratom regulations — modeled on other towns' rules — targeting a meeting as soon as possible, likely after the prevention program manager returns in June.
💬 Discussed
State-required notice about untreated wastewater was sent to residents; Health Director confirmed drinking water is unaffected.
💬 Discussed
Rising tick activity reported; BOH recommends long pants, DEET, lint-roller checks after outdoor activity, and checking pets.
💬 Discussed
'It Takes a Village' parent event June 13 in Tyngsboro; NEHPA candidate offer letter sent; DEP noise-regulation public comments due April 30, 2026; Health Fair well-attended.
💬 Discussed
Member Ferdinand plans to address Finance Committee as a resident, objecting that no funds have been budgeted for the Health Dept's participation in Battery Storage siting proceedings.
💰 No specific dollar amount; concern over zero allocation for BESS legal costs
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
April 16, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Board elects Chairperson, Vice-Chair, and Clerk for the coming year.
📋 Proposed
Approving open and executive session minutes from March 19, April 2, and April 9, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Re-appointing Director of Public Health Shannon Gillis, Health Agent Siobhan LaFreniere, and Public Health Nurse Ashley Pavlakos.
📋 Proposed
Re-appointing agents covering tobacco control, burial permits, and animal inspection/control (six individuals named).
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss matters related to Tewksbury State Hospital; specific topic not detailed in agenda.
📍 Tewksbury State Hospital
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the Board on any public-health matter (2-minute limit); Board cannot deliberate but may add items to a future agenda.
💬 Discussed
Update on BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), an ongoing Board of Health matter; no details provided in agenda.
💬 Discussed
Follow-up on kratom (an herbal stimulant/opioid-like substance sold locally) and any regulatory or public-health actions.
📋 Proposed
Staff will report on a June 13 community health event in Tyngsboro and provide a NEHPA (regional public-health partnership) strategic plan update.
📍 Tyngsboro (June 13 event)
📋 Proposed
Individual board members share updates.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns; next meeting May 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Town Hall, 1009 Main Street.
📍 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury