[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6317538,"mediaKeyId","2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d","parentId",2373777,"title","Needham staff outline statewide ‘Foundational Public Health Services’ assessment, timeline and tools","audioSeconds",1601,"startMs",1010000,"endMs",2611000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d&start=1010&end=2611","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d/thumbnail_1010000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317538/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-staff-outline-statewide-Foundational-Public-Health-Services-assessment-timeline-and-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317538-331b84f89ef98e5bd6c0f19dd416f277/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=bCPC2E9COgN4G7dW~fBLJCD2dd1YkICVvn9bURwNEJPqiYBUsAX59iEQXnUdTkaib~coaNy4YZ-Howcd7vx2zwEChzAiuudbTtCTO1ny8HxDc9wZSjSZ2yec8hNgDe0JerSFKgjkwOsPPFG4kr6xbnVfuxB3YuSvZtYbzkHmgllqBLIXDmKjUndsOD68wgX4hysR9br8ZRhjXkGUZx6VZn7la0b73GKenXhfxylqSVR~t6JHeuKlPA~yqlLOgeS8f4dskrOrfB4qK9EyjRODy5nJvefgrXOuiZNtXGgzR4GVfWziK8YOpyiDAA4wCZRyOemxV-GawPsQpCbEv1B~eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","article","Needham public-health staff walked the Board of Health through the state’s adoption and local assessment process for the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) framework.

Why it matters: Massachusetts is adopting FPHS—standards that define minimum public-health services and headline responsibilities—and 51 shared-services organizations are completing assessments to document current capacity, gaps and costs. The work is intended to produce quantifiable data to support program planning, capacity building and funding requests.

Staff described two primary tools in the assessment: a cost tool that asks for line-item salary, benefit and operating inputs (wages, benefits, full-time equivalents, contracted services) and a service-delivery tool that scores each foundational area and capability on a four-point scale (absent, limited, moderate, comprehensive) for both expertise and capacity. An inspectional-services (ISD) add-on exists for collaboratives where inspection sits in a separate division; it does not apply to Needham’s four-community shared-services group.

The assessment will also allocate staff time across foundational areas and capabilities to produce a composite view of where resources are spent. A state-contracted consultant (BME Strategies) will support shared-services groups; Needham staff also named an assigned state consultant and said shared-services staff (including Amy McInerney and others) will assist local communities. Cost-tool work is already underway; staff said Jen Casey is taking a first pass for Needham and its collaborative.

Timeline and use: data collection is under way; staff expect compiled results to the state and shared-services leads by May. The statewide rollup will guide shared-services work plans for the next fiscal year and inform conversations about gaps and potential funding needs (the presentation included Wisconsin’s example gap analysis). Implementation planning is targeted to begin in the following fiscal year.

Ending: staff said the process will be iterative and is intended as a recurring assessment to track changes over time; they will return with Needham’s collaborative results and recommended priorities once the assessment is complete.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Board of Health 02/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public-health staff briefed the board on the statewide Foundational Public Health Services assessment process, which will use cost and service-delivery tools to map local capacity and identify gaps across shared-service collaboratives.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"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},6317545,"Needham schedules spring retesting after elevated zinc, free arsenic retest offered",213,51000,264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d&start=51&end=264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d/thumbnail_51000.jpg","/articles/6317545/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-schedules-spring-retesting-after-elevated-zinc-free-arsenic-retest-offered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317545-69bab25a98b3b27bbc2908f97511c310/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=ntoozg0DJanSiTwBOC7vGGdwQt3kbtJFdCbfMiXaxz8rfpsvjIWM1GKy42JD~oSmJR3CV2m47c6GY-TiyC8alxhUtNm1GM4FdXoKfbi2qOexr59Hrmw8y6VmzLkYl9BPPatYB5qoKORL3iRFXugqEBwwOBMnTHIugU9u6Dq57Tdg4tI~5-R7z1xs7WXUXJSKyaQws0n2zeINSeypvlkuXGTIPx7w3tOArHTjcj7QOgvQMwSim3o1xY6g2YiWG6q4ux6XYbtGhee734nUYxdoLbS0B4lNNdb1IASUVcW4bI4Uz7vdk~XrKLl3-IEk1fUrAVhTTdWkzzMswWNH1frnZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the Board of Health that follow-up environmental testing of synthetic turf fields will be performed in the spring, when field access is possible.

Why it matters: earlier sampling showed two metals of concern. The testing contractor offered a free retest for arsenic because of an equipment issue. Zinc testing would likely incur a fee; staff estimated the incremental cost for additional zinc analysis might be in the low thousands of dollars. Annual routine environmental testing for all fields typically costs about $10,000–$12,000, staff said.

Board members debated whether to retest just Memorial Field (the field with the elevated zinc finding) or both fields, noting that a problem at one location could indicate missed issues elsewhere. Staff noted available environmental testing budget items might be used to cover a more comprehensive second round if needed.

Staff said the contractor plans to collect six grab samples per field (combined into one sample per field for some analyses), and that they would time sampling for spring thaw and first field access. The board asked staff to obtain a zinc-testing price quote and to move forward depending on cost and access.

Ending: Staff will schedule spring sampling, secure pricing for zinc testing, and use available environmental testing budget funds if a broader retest is pursued.
","Staff reported further testing for synthetic turf fields is planned in spring when snow melts; a vendor agreed to retest arsenic at no charge and can retest zinc for a fee; board discussed testing both fields versus only the one with elevated zinc.",{"_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},6317548,"Needham board interprets rules to bar ZYN “Chill” pouches, limit nicotine to 6 mg",664,269000,933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d&start=269&end=933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6317548/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-board-interprets-rules-to-bar-ZYN-Chill-pouches-limit-nicotine-to-6-mg","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317548-e2954cfb3db5f59e79ff2f3a569e96f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=UbclqwLRqQatftNGZZj60uQG5EZPKsM7MpnunFd9COGg~Uc3ApARDUE1mFCHpU2Yk7q4NM-b~-FUtBLdI79QZ5J~eBfbi~dYQfCWglcr0-KbQVy8uxgdaVAN9HUuyUNvhco4D3-60GPZhuRi1SjMzAeIk9WlfKSiYp8DRRYxleE5MaB9SWEv9rVW3SUhNFpixVqJizoRzNS6P8mjlk5srvEDeiEuNk77m8XiBXz-fW00ivJ1Fs29UYTYrKLsHff15CRU943jCmAf7vpNNBehgXPRj0CxDhWV8KRxNxWPNXr~qguPwHqQ~KlTFgdv1vfJ6KljVUBShHRCwlRpZMz1oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Needham Board of Health discussed local enforcement of flavored nicotine pouches and potential limits on nicotine strength for nicotine pouches during its meeting.

Board members and staff said the manufacturer’s “Chill” pouch was determined to have a characterizing cooling/menthol effect that other towns treat as a prohibited characterizing flavor. The board indicated retailers selling that brand and flavor should stop sales because the product fits the town’s flavor prohibition.

Why it matters: banning characterizing flavors is intended to reduce youth appeal and aligns with prior town regulations on flavored tobacco products.

Staff said federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) materials show authorized nicotine strengths for some newly regulated nicotine pouches at 3 mg and 6 mg. Board members said they are comfortable setting a local cap at 6 mg per pouch; several members voiced agreement in discussion and staff announced the cap. The board did not take a formal roll-call vote on the interpretation during the meeting; members described the decision as an interpretation of existing regulation rather than a new ordinance.

Board members and staff also discussed retailer QR-code and online “rewards” programs that allow purchasers to accrue points redeemable for branded merchandise. Staff reported that some retailers and one other Massachusetts town had attempted to limit QR codes on packaging, but that enforcement raised legal and practical challenges, including possible First Amendment and interstate-commerce implications. Members asked staff to gather more information and said the department could carry out compliance checks to see how QR codes are being used locally.

Staff outlined next steps: remove the Chill flavor from retail shelves under the town’s flavor prohibition, cap nicotine strength at 6 mg as an interpretation of permitted local limits, and gather further information about QR-code reward programs and how widely they are used in Needham for a future follow-up.

Quotations in context:

\"We can definitely prohibit that product,\" staff said about the Chill flavor after a vendor review found a characterizing cooling effect. \"We could limit the nicotine amounts to 3 or 6\" based on FDA authorization, a staff member said during the discussion. \"I think the rewards program is something that makes me skeptical… those rewards programs… entice young people,\" a board member said, attributing concern to the inducement effect of merch rewards.

Ending: Staff will return with additional legal/implementation information and proposed enforcement language; the board indicated agreement to proceed with the Chill removal and the 6 mg nicotine cap as described, with a follow-up on QR-code enforcement options planned.","The Board of Health discussed enforcement options for flavored nicotine pouches and QR-code reward programs, agreed to remove one menthol-like product from shelves and to cap permitted nicotine strength at 6 milligrams based on FDA guidance; further guidance on QR-code rewards will be collected.",{"_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},6317530,"Needham public-health staff report: dumpsters, rats, flu surge and regional substance-abuse work",1365,3300000,4665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d&start=3300&end=4665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d/thumbnail_3300000.jpg","/articles/6317530/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-public-health-staff-report-dumpsters-rats-flu-surge-and-regional-substance-abuse-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317530-e187ac1e133d16d21c7118e531b53187/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=GZR2i70QSW0sFhdp5k4Gu9dL2iA-jWv6R~SUNUz5FFLC63KrxkU1xGQ0itKoJZVmgsm1~rVU85d6K1CP7ROqvoeMY0iEHTcYQJENCv0A8AHIIN4NIF2kRb~9aE6~AmnMbaC8Wss~~I~6mUoFweTSkkS7PuyejO4gJYGkrgZU2extAt~A905oqtUHTdUTH4Poh~zK4xdIQr0jeOLO0J38ZNj1MzijIIvFIclaXMA-SWe4xIl31xwIUmZjwxYILVxMrb0wZIpJyO0dGLfJaYG4o6Ilvx6tbMRd2oqIpMO18uWQi0OUhYcDhjJjwU9E0jaEd~upFMWh6QQ8RvntmiXR1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public-health staff gave a multi-topic update covering environmental, nursing, epidemiology and substance-use programs.

Dumpster permitting and enforcement: Environmental staff said the new dumpster-permit regulation is in outreach and that 20–30 applications have been received; the department aims to have most dumpsters permitted by summer. Staff noted some small businesses expressed concern about added recycling requirements and potential cost; the board discussed shared-dumpster permitting and how fines would be issued to a single permanent permit holder.

Rodent response: Staff described a winter rodent-control effort including a contractor gassing along the rail corridor and deployment of smart boxes; winter activity appears lower with only one capture reported in several months at one location. Staff said cold weather likely suppressed activity.

Influenza and epidemiology: The epidemiology update flagged a heavier-than-usual influenza season and noted declining vaccination rates since the pandemic peak; Needham vaccination coverage remains higher than statewide averages but shows a slight drop. Staff said influenza cases and hospital visits are on an upward trend.

Biosafety and lab-space note: inspectors reported one company, Kudo Bio, has closed its local lab space and that the biosafety committee is preparing renewals and inspections for annual permits.

Substance-abuse and prevention: Regional prevention staff reported outreach to schools about evidence-based curricula (Safe and Smart for high school alcohol education; SmartTalk for middle-school cannabis prevention). Staff met with K–12 wellness directors in three of four collaborative towns; two schools already use the alcohol program and others are exploring adoption. The regional grant team said Westwood is preparing to apply for a Drug-Free Communities grant and that Walpole recently hired a full-time coordinator after receiving a grant award. Staff also reported activity under the STOP grant: responsible beverage training for Needham businesses, peer-recovery coaching activity, youth mental-health training and youth engagement events.

Community supports: Nursing staff noted donations for the town’s Gift of Warmth fund and distributed gift cards to assist residents with medication co-pays and groceries; neighborhood blood-pressure clinics at Needham Housing Authority sites will move from quarterly to monthly at residents’ request.

Ending: staff will continue dumpster outreach, follow up on rodent-control monitoring, report flu trends, and support regional prevention partnerships; board members asked for Needham-specific MetroWest Health Survey gambling data and confirmation that federally funded STOP grant activities remain within allowable education (not lobbying) boundaries.","Staff reported progress on dumpster permitting and a new intern, limited rodent activity after targeted gassing, a notable influenza season with declining vaccination rates, and regional substance-use prevention work including school-curriculum outreach and grant activity.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317534,"Needham staff preview permit-fee calculator; proposed changes would raise some food fees and cut others",381,2788000,3169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d&start=2788&end=3169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373777-3f66b4a96e2dfe67cfd9653a91f48e3d/thumbnail_2788000.jpg","/articles/6317534/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-staff-preview-permit-fee-calculator-proposed-changes-would-raise-some-food-fees-and-cut-others","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317534-2aae21e47be95dfd779f4c01c010374f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=E7K03AZsfRXLDlDULgKlWEbgJYn8dJQkT~25cR3GLtMYMchWKqIhmjgiVj2FzWiTT9CHvgaRFAQY06YpWFLd3bQcqooOkB58~rUktGXJWC1fPlOHUrQy028jPkwHWMooKk9Yv3RPhx13cIn4i18br~CLvLU0-iMGMt4QVKmbZhIK8zcOwqnyZzJh~IbVLr470mNLVNS8xWd4OYthXLvYae7jOkh-D8nEQRpgii5caGynmJvZeFsAESI5Xmt9yk1-DdH3jLsIrwWk0iaXwikJx0YEy2EFl8FpwXw4qmUMpgEiJ4TLpJLq39yxpIXsL-wMQTYIwEDx~MC5wtFqAV37Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public-health staff presented a draft, dynamic permit-fee calculator intended to align permit and license fees with the actual cost of delivering services.

Why it matters: state regulations require fees to reasonably reflect the cost of service. The draft model incorporates staff time, benefits, IT charges and other soft costs to produce per-permit fees. Early output flagged large increases for some food-service categories (for example, small food-service establishments under 50 seats) and large decreases for some tobacco/trade permits compared with current fees.

Staff cautioned that some cost items (for example, police overtime used for enforcement checks and compliance visits) were not yet fully incorporated; staff asked to include compliance costs in the tobacco calculation before finalizing recommendations. Board members recommended a phased approach for any sharp fee increases and emphasized clear communication with affected businesses.

Board asked staff to multiply per-permit changes by the number of current permits to estimate fiscal impacts on the department budget and on businesses; staff agreed to provide that analysis for the next board meeting. The department will present a formal fee schedule for fiscal-year 2026 at the March meeting and recommended a multi-year phase-in if the board wishes to avoid sudden increases.

Ending: staff will add missing enforcement and compliance costs to the model, provide total revenue projections by permit category, and return to the board with a recommended schedule and communication plan.","Department staff previewed a customized fee calculator that reallocates permit fees to reflect staff time and overhead. Early results show higher fees for some food-service permits and lower fees for certain tobacco permits; board members suggested phasing increases and adding enforcement costs to tobacco fee calculations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham staff outline statewide ‘Foundational Public Health Services’ assessment, timeline and tools

Needham schedules spring retesting after elevated zinc, free arsenic retest offered

Needham board interprets rules to bar ZYN “Chill” pouches, limit nicotine to 6 mg

Needham public-health staff report: dumpsters, rats, flu surge and regional substance-abuse work

Needham staff preview permit-fee calculator; proposed changes would raise some food fees and cut others