ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
This core local public health service area encompasses risk assessment, protection from potential and actual hazards, prevention of disease and injury, and the promulgation and enforcement of regulations. Priority areas include:
Food Sanitation and Food Establishments
WHD Environmental Health Specialists inspected all food establishments in Wellesley, with emphasis on those that presented the highest risk to the public’s health. In FY10 165 food establishments permits, and 20 temporary food permits were issued. 337 inspections (including re-inspections) were conducted at these facilities. Twelve complaints were promptly investigated, and appropriate corrective measures taken. Three restaurants had their food establishment permits suspended, due to critical violations of the food code. Ten new licenses were issued. There were 15 plan reviews of new food establishments, or renovations including 12 inspections of construction sites.
Housing
WHD continued to address the housing sanitation concerns of residents. In FY10, the Health Department received 86 calls related to housing issues. A total of 138 actions (including inspections and re-inspections) were taken to address sanitary code violations. Twenty-two inspections of septic systems were conducted.
Swimming Pools and Beaches
The Health Department’s environmental health staff monitored the town’s swimming water quality at pools and beaches to ensure compliance with state sanitary codes. In FY10, 16 semi-public pool permits and one beach permit were issued. Sixty-four inspections and 11 re-inspections were conducted, with three temporary closures. Weekly water samples from Morse’s Pond were taken and analyzed to monitor E-coli levels. There were no closings of the Pond in FY10.
Camps
In FY10, WHD licensed 33 camps that provided recreational activities for approximately 6,000 children. A rigorous inspection process was conducted to ensure the safety of the children enrolled in camp activities. The Health Department held a seminar to educate camp staff on safe camp operations, and compliance with state camp regulations.
Mosquito Control and West Nile Virus
The Health Department and the Department of Public Works (DPW) collaborated with the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project to monitor and control the mosquito population, in an effort to reduce the spread mosquito borne illnesses. In a seasonal plan to reduce mosquito breeding, DPW placed larvicide packets inside street catch basins throughout town. Education on personal protection measures and elimination of mosquito breeding areas remained a primary focus of prevention efforts.
Rabies Control
The Health Department issued 11 livestock permits. Health Department staff collaborated with the Wellesley Animal Control Officer on rabies control measures. By statute, any pet or farm animal that may have had contact with an animal suspected of carrying the rabies virus must be ordered confined by the animal inspector. In FY10, 10-day quarantines were issued to nine dogs that bit people, five cats that bit people, and~four dogs that bit other animals. Longer (45-day) quarantines were issued to~four dogs and two cats. A six-month quarantine was issued to one cat. Two raccoons tested positive for rabies, and three dogs were quarantined, which caused three people to take prophylaxis vaccine.
Additional Services
In FY10, two inspections were conducted at facilities offering tanning services. The WHD issued its first permit for an establishment offering body art for permanent cosmetics. The Health Department also monitored lead and asbestos abatement projects.
In FY10, 30 rodent inspections were performed as part of the Building Department’s requirements for the demolition of an existing structure. Several of these inspections involved the abandonment of existing subsurface sewage disposal systems. Seven permits were issued for Title 5 related work, seven for the installation of a new septic system, and seven for repairs to existing systems. One set of plans was reviewed and approved for a future septic system. Three permits were issued for private wells for geothermal heating and cooling.
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