BOARD OF HEALTH

2005

To the Residents of East Longmeadow:

            The Board of Health is pleased to give you this report for 2005. The Board of Health is comprised of the members of the Board of Selectmen. James Driscoll serves as the Chairman.

Fred Kowal is the Health Inspector for the Town and he does an excellent job in carrying out his many duties.

            The Board of Health oversees myriad activities including food inspections, waste disposal, tobacco control, issuance of licenses, and animal control. The prime concern of the Board of Health is ensuring the safety of our citizens.

            The Board of Health is represented on many important public safety committees including: The Hampden County Public Health Coalition, the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Public Safety Advisory Committee. The Board of Health gains insight from and provides input to these committees. The logistical planning for emergency response to large-scale natural disasters—whether hurricane, earthquake or flood—is complicated. The Board of Health convened in an Emergency meeting in October to declare a state of emergency in the Town due to the heavy rains in the region. The Board worked in conjunction with the Fire, Police and Public Works Departments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the numerous weather related problems caused by the storms.

            The Board of Health oversaw the implementation of new Waste Reduction Program in 2005. The Town of East Longmeadow joined the more than 115 Massachusetts communities that utilize some form of a 'Pay as You Throw' system. Trash removal is an essential Town service but is one that has seen costs increase dramatically. While the plan was initially met with skepticism, residents have adapted and are the reason that the Town is realizing tremendous savings. The Board of Health is proud that the new program will have a positive financial impact for the Town for years to come.

                        The Board of Health encourages citizen to contact it with concerns or suggestions. The Board of Health and Health Agent Fred Kowal can be reached in the Board of Selectmen's Office by telephone at (413) 525-5400 ext. 420.