TEWKSBURY — The Tewksbury Board of Health met last week for one of the fastest meetings recorded. Four board members were present when chair Ray Barry called the meeting to order. Member Kate Bugda Gwilt resigned at the Jan. 18 meeting of the board citing personal reasons.
After acceptance of the meeting minutes, Health Director Shannon Gillis spoke. Gillis submitted the health department annual report and health department budget for FY25 at the Finance Committee meeting recently.
Gillis reported that Opioid Settlement funds will be used for a sharps takeback program which includes two containers for safe collection of needles. The containers will be placed at town hall and the senior center with no fee to residents. Needles must be in a safe container already such as a detergent container, said Gillis.
Gillis also said the plans for a health fair are underway with the help of town nurse Ashley Pavlakos. After a several year hiatus, the department is looking forward to bringing this event back to the community. The event will run during Public Health Week which is the first week in April. Held at the senior center, the fair will be on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 2 – 6 p.m.
Gillis said that candidates for the grant funded position of Public Health Specialist are in the final stages of reference review. A shared services coordinator position job description was approved and will be posted soon. This position is spearheaded by the Tyngsborough health director and the chosen candidate will divide their time between Tewksbury, Billerica, Tyngsborough and Chelmsford.
Barry had no updates for Tewksbury Cares. Barry hoped that among new board members, someone would take over the group.
Member Melissa Braga mentioned the Tewksbury Wellness committee’s discussion was centered on nutrition and use of a grant for more locally sourced produce to be used in the public schools.
The board will lose an additional two members in April, with members Robert Scarano and Barry not returning. Barry has served the board for 12 years. There are currently two candidates for three open seats on the board for the upcoming town election.
With only two candidates returning papers, a person to fill the third seat will either be determined by write in vote or via appointment by the Select Board. The local election is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024.
