Town of Rockport

MISSION
The Rockport Board of Health mission is to promote and protect public health in Rockport. The Board of Health over sees health and safety issues with regard to: retail food establishments, septic systems, public beaches, semi-public pools and hot tubs, sanitary housing issues, recreational camps for children, disease surveillance and reporting, potassium idodide distribution, emergency preparedness, and more.

FOOD
The Board of Health's Food Inspector conducts regular inspections and responds to complaints of all retail food establishments in accordance with the Massachusetts retail food establishment regulations. Retail food establishments include restaurants, food service take-out, food stores, convenience stores, bed & breakfast establishments (4-9 rooms), caterers, and residential kitchens.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS
The Board is charged with enforcing Title 5 septic system regulations and the Town of Rockport Supplements to Title 5. Before a property that is served by an on-site septic system is sold, the septic system must be inspected by a private Title 5 Inspector and the report reviewed and approved by the Health Agent. The Health agent witnesses soil tests, reviews septic system plans, and inspects the installation of septic systems. Please visit the FORMS section of this webpage (see buttons at top of this page) to view lists of Septic System Installers and Septic System Designers.

For additional information, visit: the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency for septic loan information, and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for tax credit information.

BEACHES
Rockport's public beaches are tested regularly during the summer season (June to September) for bacterial contamination. Beach testing results are posted on-line for all public beaches. In recent years, all of Rockport's beaches have consistently tested safe for swimming. However, people should avoid playing in streams or creeks, especially after a heavy rain, as they may contain unhealthy levels of bacteria. Local Red Tide Information is available from Mass. Div. of Marine Fisheries link.

POOLS
All pools and hot tubs that are public or semi-public (hotel, condo, apartment, etc.) are required to be maintained by a trained Certified Pool Operator. The Health Agent inspects those pools annually for compliance with the state's pool regulations.

HOUSING
The Health Agent responds to housing complaints by conducting inspections under the State Sanitary Code: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
The Public Health Nurse investigates and reports all communicable diseases as required by the Mass Department of Public Health (MDPH) including tuberculosis, salmonella, campylobacter, pertussis, etc. The Board and the Public Health Nurse oversee a Flu Clinic every year.

FLU CARE RESOURCES
H1N1 Flu Update
Flu: What You Can Do
Caring for People at Home Booklet
Caring for People at Home DVD

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The Rockport Board of Health has joined 15 other local boards of health and health departments to form a coalition known as the North Shore-Cape Ann Emergency Preparedness Coalition. The coalition is compiling a database of both medical and non-medical professionals that would be willing to assist their communities in the event of an Infectious Disease emergency or other emergency. Many volunteers are needed for these tasks. Volunteers will also be invited to educational seminars, trainings, and preparedness activities. If you volunteer in the event of an infectious disease emergency, you and your family members, along with other first responders, will receive priority treatment in accordance with state and federal guidelines. It is through your support that we will be able to provide preventative treatment to your family, friends, and neighbors in the most efficient manner possible. For more information about preparing for emergences please visit the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts site.

MASSAGE THERAPY
The Massachusetts Board of Massage Therapy will now issue licenses to Massage Therapists. Regulations are now promulgated and individual applications are being accepted by the state. Links to rules and regulations, applications, and other public information can be found at the Board of Registration of Massage Therapy web site.

Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00 – 12:00
Tuesday by appointment
Closed Friday

Meetings
The Board of Health meets once a month at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall in the office of the Board Of Health.

Board Members
Dr. Syndey Wedmore, Chairman
Dr. Russell Sandfield
Richard Meringer


	Town Government and Bylaw Committee Capital Improvement Planning Committee Finance Committee GIS Committee Insurance Committee Information Technology Committee MIS Department The Personnel Board Registrars of Voters Town Accountant Town Administrator Treasurer / Collector's Office Website Committee


	Action, Inc. Representative Beautification Committee Board of Health CATA Representative Community House Coordinator Council on Aging Cultural Council Economic Development Committee Granite Pier Committee Historical Commission Memorial Day Parade Committee Millbrook Meadow Committee Public Library Recreation Committee Rights of Way Committee Thacher Island Committee Town-Owned Art Committee Veterans' Agent


	Ad Hoc Committee on the Water Supply ADA Coordination Committee Building Study Committee Citizens Advisory Committee on Water & Wastewater Department of Public Works MBTA Station Planning Advisory Committee (MSPAC) Transportation Task Force of the North Shore Watershed Protection Committee


	Ambulance Committee Dog Control Officer Fire Services Harbor Advisory Committee Harbormaster Inspection Services Department Inspector of Animals Parking Clerk Police Department Shellfish Constable Traffic Committee


	Board of Appeals Community Preservation Act Committee (CPC) Rockport Conservation Commission MAPC Representative Open Space and Recreation Advisory Committee