[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671133,"mediaKeyId","2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a","parentId",2171641,"title","Norwood Board of Health approves minutes, hears director and inspection reports, adjourns","audioSeconds",2543,"startMs",22000,"endMs",2565000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a&start=22&end=2565","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671133/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-Board-of-Health-approves-minutes-hears-director-and-inspection-reports-adjourns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671133-158e0d274282b05c980f8ea8acde3b5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207677&Signature=OKErgQNSGs0ORcxQWwuen74AtooFGr0~6crXh01KC5jkmbh1JgE0vDNxirB~2ikbzCISKy8ZqxdK~apPYtSloUIaksENoe9q1Op8qJxWqdzBTsxEoaHzljcVoRpr8~FUZr~A-Jsvv2wLCTPxw-nN8RV5QHbahoMAbJ~-yL-Fc3aUSakZthRqXveXEOFaZ7wcYi7~UE8CkY9Qax0Suahm4J~K77ooDHcjahjoMgXSrotfLh~okgY3wbXaeH7Zn~Q1RfBo1Z02ezRoehhwQs7FPQou4~wYB2re51Zaf3g5swi616KAG67OcjrhL0ib9XsURLMGedDzbP5o3YMPfVUgJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Norwood, MA","date","2025-01-30T05:09:44.503Z","article","The Town of Norwood Board of Health convened Jan. 29 at the Norwood Senior Center. Members moved to approve the minutes at the start of the meeting; a motion to accept was made and seconded, and the board proceeded with agenda items.

During the meeting the board received an environmental health inspection report, updates on seasonal and avian influenza activity and vaccination availability, and a director's update that included the Jan. 30 hospital informational meeting. The board closed the meeting with a motion to adjourn; members voted in favor and the meeting ended.

These were procedural actions; no formal policy votes or regulatory orders were recorded during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Health 1.29.25","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 29 meeting the Town of Norwood Board of Health approved previous minutes, received director and inspection updates, and adjourned following routine motions.","taxTitle","Town of Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",52806,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671139,"Norwood environmental health report flags multiple restaurant compliance issues and expired test kits",371,291000,662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a&start=291&end=662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6671139/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-environmental-health-report-flags-multiple-restaurant-compliance-issues-and-expired-test-kits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671139-ab04e366708d26a625a10bbd6643179d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207677&Signature=PrlZYO3pJW9ajz8nnRRZFNzysPvnyngeHDZtUWgd2zeCMT73~fdYC3z2-qd9~O9G0er2pglgx7FvmrN5qxnWpHyjMd72dSAGma0SvBs0Aa1R64Ln2U-9Cku5Qd57RE8tt04LUVvZGB0MZDuewCBIa9yxZd3d00h5I5-eCQ2D1KECDvUfvhAOQ0RmMrZnybqJvSQA1k4GILfPJLJ9ydsZqqozilR~NObRV8gLxPQPEZSI8dbLBUuUQ9vBVf1fORytEyUX0vBcZeuKbkmEU7pNKGmG-TJz3dQ8vqNWtcTwnGM9vvCaGg2~~oFsiGGVqI13wQJ8HthlY89QAHBIdlOqLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Norwood Board of Health received an environmental health inspection update on Jan. 29 covering routine inspections, reinspections and operational concerns at local food establishments.

Environmental staff said there were no major new food-establishment regulatory updates for the meeting but walked members through items on the inspection list. Staff said K Street (a new occupant in a former Purposes space) and a Panini Press sandwich operator are approaching opening; Panini Press expects to offer only deli-style sandwiches with limited cooking.

Inspectors discussed specific compliance concerns raised in recent visits:

- Burger King: Board members asked about a reported Shigella case linked to Burger King; staff said the investigation did not conclusively determine whether the case was a customer or staff-related exposure and provided no confirmed source.

- Conrad's: Follow-up inspections were scheduled after staff reported mouse droppings; the operator told inspectors that a plumber had been working on-site and a reinspection was completed or planned.

- Hisho Sushi: Inspectors reviewed sushi rice handling. Staff said sushi establishments must have annual laboratory verification that acidified rice meets pH standards and that rice may be held at room temperature for a limited time; staff said leftover rice exceeding the facility's 24-hour use window had been discarded during reinspection. The board discussed that improper rice handling presents a quality and food-safety risk and that the establishments follow hazard-analysis critical-control-point (HACCP) procedures, including annual lab testing of rice acidification.

- Taste from Brazil and other new openings: Some new restaurants received routine inspections; inspectors noted operational deficiencies (for example, missing soap at hand sinks) that were corrected on reinspection or required follow-up.

Inspectors also noted a recurring, broader compliance concern: several facilities had expired test kits or sanitizer supplies and missing soap or paper towels at hand-wash stations on initial inspections. Staff said manufacturers do not guarantee accuracy once test kits or sanitizer products are past their expiration dates, so expired items should be replaced.

The board asked staff to follow up on establishments with repeated issues (Conrad's, Hisho Sushi, Pizza Palace and others) and to schedule reinspections where required. No enforcement actions were reported at the Jan. 29 meeting; the discussion was administrative and focused on follow-up inspections and operator compliance.

Separately, staff said La Casita (on Washington Street) appeared to be operating as a takeout operation with many online orders and limited seating, and an operator change was noted for a building owned by the Akiki family where the tenant/operator differs from the building owner.","The Board heard the environmental health inspector report on Jan. 29: no major new food-establishment openings were reported, but inspectors noted missing soap at hand sinks, expired test/sanitizer kits, a Shigella inquiry at Burger King, pest signs at Conrad's, rice-handling procedures at Hisho Sushi, and several reinspections.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671141,"Norwood sees seasonal flu rise; health officials discuss avian-flu monitoring and local vaccine access",1720,90000,1810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a&start=90&end=1810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6671141/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-sees-seasonal-flu-rise-health-officials-discuss-avian-flu-monitoring-and-local-vaccine-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671141-32c6e0bdd985b53f8120779007a5542d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207677&Signature=Ki-evh874VcjREPcWxDqJ-svVDzJxnsPborAhK5nkNvF7XhWMWred4LWC4hvB1WnRo1jY0wEjNiNBI9EY1ITq-5FrPylo5RjFd2fZBfpCqGVYzH6YcroBnA-60MpGM6-Di7qBvEl2TDHJ95g5z9~72HxMY7h8A8QlG9EjB9eMDucgcUFMLHitlYnP7MxuewMvqEs4qCrob53JANSunnli8iBktR~0CaLOtRqeJsaxUl6DYBukNwOsY5xNh5y3UJEAhiYPzwW~jJD~XnUPEN0gGoRYY9o-DFXyWr3CPocYm3BQDmBiM7VEwbb9u-ob-2YhcgHWjdJNYUcZ6JsoEqOkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Norwood public-health staff told the Board of Health on Jan. 29 that seasonal influenza activity in Norwood rose from 18 reported cases in December to about 150 in January, based on data from clinicians' reports. Staff advised residents who have not been vaccinated that flu shots — both regular and high-dose senior formulations — remain available at the town health department.

The board discussed avian (bird) influenza after members raised recent media reports of large bird die-offs in the region. Public Health Director Stacy said state agencies (Massachusetts Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture) are monitoring highly pathogenic avian influenza among waterfowl and that the town posts a reporting form for large die-offs (defined locally as five or more dead birds) on the health department website.

Stacy noted that human influenza tests reported as \"flu A\" may be further typed by state labs to detect strains of concern, and that test specimens from high‑risk or confirmed avian-flu suspects are forwarded to the state for additional typing. Board members and staff emphasized routine precautions: stay home when feverish, wear masks around immunocompromised household members, and seek testing through a clinician for definitive influenza diagnosis. Staff also described the availability and cost of combined home test kits for flu and COVID and said those tests are commercially available but often expensive.

On backyard poultry, staff said permit holders receive biosecurity guidance when they register flocks, including steps to avoid introducing disease from visits to other flocks, and to watch for wild waterfowl contact. The board reiterated that most avian flu events have involved waterfowl and that owners should report large die-offs to state agencies.

No board action was taken; the discussion was informational.","Public health staff reported a rise in seasonal influenza cases in Norwood during January and described state testing for influenza A strains; officials also outlined when to report large bird die-offs and guidance for backyard poultry owners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671146,"Norwood Board of Health presses for Determination of Need as hospital informational meeting set Jan. 30",522,1254000,1776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a&start=1254&end=1776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171641-e49d52859aba1667df86e4980d2c3e9a/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","/articles/6671146/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-Board-of-Health-presses-for-Determination-of-Need-as-hospital-informational-meeting-set-Jan-30","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671146-217bc52af0eb17e67db75040d2c37e1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207677&Signature=XPxmDr2qHxPKYYKzjmuij3V7NsqotysIE7e3EETIR2K3NJUxE1EmQWnBp74mRkSTVuosZcHhZf4Pa-QqcNxYjX~15oUQlLqV2k5MugKKX~wDzhiEwjZdq3Qt3TNTkhqhvdhihSsO-8jwd6AlDUKromwHOv2WE4o4DdMpcveeCz6FuUu7BnS-mqHLOOy4oSDN~Ue~EiPIKvJSdhWgh4XzJQQGmc6hlrJhHfG47B8NUb9bxMjeOXtbwwfy~KpO47NeOIo8vIJnQ-WLSqPehBWskqtnJRsNtaF88gqWrllggw4XsMooghRwFebCOzU3-HmYKFVERtcLQqz7VIaHb3mgrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Norwood Board of Health on Jan. 29 urged residents to attend an informational meeting about Norwood Hospital scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30, at Norwood High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m., and called on state officials to issue a Determination of Need so prospective buyers or operators can move forward.

Board members and health staff said the community needs a clear, state-level determination that Norwood and surrounding towns require an acute-care hospital before potential buyers will commit. Public Health Director Stacy (identified during the meeting) said the meeting is intended to show state decision-makers that the region supports reopening the hospital as an acute facility, not a limited or nonacute use.

Stacy described the meeting as informational and said the town has invited neighboring municipalities and state representatives. She said Representative Lynch (referred to in the meeting as \"Congressman Lynch\") is expected to be involved in the process; she did not confirm which state or federal officials will appear. Board member Joan urged a strong turnout and asked residents to attend to demonstrate community support.

Board members said the goal is to obtain a formal Determination of Need (commonly abbreviated DON) from the state Department of Public Health and the governor's office. They said a DON would make it easier for prospective buyers to execute contracts to purchase or operate the hospital. The board repeatedly described delays in that state-level determination as the primary barrier to restoring full acute services.

Speakers noted other consequences of the hospital closure cited in recent regional meetings: longer ambulance response times, increased travel for emergency patients, and strain on neighboring emergency departments. Stacy said emergency responders and local clinicians have raised concerns about prolonged transport times and a lack of follow-up care for patients sent elsewhere since the hospital reduced services.

The Board asked residents to attend the Jan. 30 meeting to show community interest. Stacy said the meeting may be recorded and shared, but emphasized the importance of in-person attendance so state authorities see a filled auditorium.

No formal action or vote regarding the hospital was recorded during the Jan. 29 meeting; the board limited its role to public outreach and information-sharing about the Jan. 30 event.","The Town of Norwood Board of Health urged residents to attend a Jan. 30 informational meeting about the future of Norwood Hospital and pressed state officials to issue a Determination of Need so the facility can be restored to acute care.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwood Board of Health approves minutes, hears director and inspection reports, adjourns

Norwood environmental health report flags multiple restaurant compliance issues and expired test kits

Norwood sees seasonal flu rise; health officials discuss avian-flu monitoring and local vaccine access

Norwood Board of Health presses for Determination of Need as hospital informational meeting set Jan. 30