Page 173 - Microsoft Word - Annual Report 2016

BOARD OF HEALTH

The Board of Health employs Kendell Longo as Health Agent and Kristin Kwiatek as the
assistant to the Board of Health Department.

Kendell Longo is a participant in the Massachusetts Public Health Emergency
Preparedness, Region 3A of the Northeast Public Health Coalition and attends meetings
which support local public health authorities in the development and expansion of their
existing infrastructure by providing resources to be used as determined by the coalition
for public health preparedness and response needs. Activities undertaken by the regional
coalitions with these funds must be in accordance with the Critical Capacities outlined in
the Cooperative Agreement, and would include:

• Preparedness planning and readiness assessment
• Surveillance and epidemiology capacity
• Communications and information technology
• Risk communication
• Education and training

In 2015/2016 Kendell commenced working behalf of the Town of Boxford with
Topsfield and Middleton to develop a Tri-Town Regional Emergency Dispensing Plan.
The primary role of government is to provide the welfare of its citizens. The welfare and
safety of citizens is never more threatened then during disasters. The goal of emergency
management is to ensure that mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery actions
exist so that public health, welfare, and safety are preserved.

Although Boxford, Topsfield, and Middleton have their own individual Emergency
Dispensing Site Plans, the Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health are encouraging us to create regional plans in order to optimize the use
of federal, state and local resources during an emergency. We acknowledge that this
project is no small undertaking; however, if we can accomplish it, we will have
developed the first Regional Emergency Dispensing Site in Massachusetts, which will
serve as an inspiring example to other communities. This is a continuing and ongoing
project.

Kendell also attends meetings and trainings with the Local Emergency Planning
Committee, the Storm water Advisory Committee and the Health and Medical
Coordinating Coalition.

Trash Collection: Under the ongoing contract JRM is collecting trash and recycling
Boxford on the same two days of the week as previously experienced by residents. The
twice yearly at-the-curb large item collection days continue. JRM provides an annual
‘shredding day’ for residents. This date coincides with ‘Earth Day’ clean up when
residents bring in trash from roadsides. JRM brought a shredder into town and residents
were able to bring boxes of their private papers to be shredded at no cost to the residents.