Meetings

The Board meets regularly on a monthly basis in the Health Department office. All meetings are open to the general public and are televised on the local cable station.

Formation

A Board of Health is a statutory board created pursuant to the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 111, Section 26 and Chapter 41, section 1. The Douglas Board of Health consists of five (5) members who are appointed by the Selectmen. Each member serves a three (3) year term. The Board of Health each year appoints a Chairman, Vice-Chair, Health Agent, Public Health Nurse, Administrative Supervisor, Animal Inspector, Sanitarian and Engineer.

Responsibility

The Board is charged with the protection of the public health and to fulfill their duties by developing, implementing and enforcing health policies which are developed through Federal, State and local regulations. Local regulations can be found on the left side of this page listed under Board of Health Local Regulations.

Duties

Some of the duties of the Board of Health include:

• Commercial swimming pools
• Food Service
• Housing Inspections
• Rabies
• Recreational camping including Children's camps
• Solid waste and recycling
• Title 5 - septic system installations and repairs
• Water testing at public and semi-public bathing beaches