[{"_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":44,"_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,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6082647,"mediaKeyId","2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2","parentId",2936677,"title","Resident asks about pertussis; Board says no local outbreak and urges vaccination","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5986000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2&start=5986&end=5986","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2/thumbnail_5986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6082647/Massachusetts/Resident-asks-about-pertussis-Board-says-no-local-outbreak-and-urges-vaccination","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082647-c828a744ec8d873998f0e32b8e339182/orig.mp4?Expires=1775541642&Signature=C~8VQnWL4mLNeYVi19KiuH0xrjZXwfYe2uTdjAMb1PxYts5B2-0okJJSpprcJl6OlgFUzV86vJ0zem7wrxd3EbQ-xfuntxpWamy~Zo0U75hTrZO~dPGcr8SCaRGgcmVK7EbNTbyMU18GiGUbU~yTi2KA3KMuO5Qwc86MkFfqDlQ3Mj1mOpJbi3jcKxX5-JGUb6Ey-DTx38Id4FEIit8n9Mq3wG2xaAmO7eNrg0sx5LukSDFweMRt~I--1ETeEbCr51wOFprwvSHkqsTsnv1dhtgj5AG690zFkq1X5NV-hjBl9qtPMoD~iJtphwyIRugAQ8AFSaaaceOk5Bd5XeDdqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hubbardston, MA","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","A resident, Mike Stahl of Golden Barque Road, asked the Board of Health during public comment whether pertussis (whooping cough) was spreading locally after hearing rumors.

Board members said they were aware of at least one case in Massachusetts but had not received any local reports indicating an increase in cases in the Hubbardston area or Northern Worcester County. The board advised that pertussis is a reportable illness and encouraged anyone who suspects whooping cough to see a clinician or urgent care immediately for diagnosis and testing (which may include swabs or other laboratory testing).

Board members emphasized vaccination as the primary prevention measure: they said pertussis vaccines are safe, recommended at appropriate ages, and that vaccination can reduce severity if illness occurs. The board noted pertussis can produce a persistent, deep “whooping” cough with difficulty breathing and urged residents to keep immunizations current, particularly for vulnerable populations and children.

The board said that meeting audio and video will be posted on YouTube and other town channels if residents wish to review the discussion. The board did not report a local epidemic or an elevated case count at the time of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hubbardston: Board Of Health 4.8.25","oneSentenceSummary","A resident raised questions about suspected pertussis (whooping cough); the Board said it is aware of at least one state case but not of a local outbreak and reminded residents to see a clinician and keep vaccinations up to date.","taxTitle","Town of Hubbardston, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",61645,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6082652,"Town outlines Hub Connect e-permitting rollout and seeks workflow input from Board of Health",560,2940000,3500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2&start=2940&end=3500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2/thumbnail_2940000.jpg","/articles/6082652/Massachusetts/Town-outlines-Hub-Connect-e-permitting-rollout-and-seeks-workflow-input-from-Board-of-Health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082652-48e5aefbdf2f26cfac9cfe985a0c58a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775541642&Signature=JKxHohHsum3zPKYQio3qP~3DXN3CMAH~zYT0JJ9zwQ0Wef2iNiEdhk8ACVM2TpFQK49OVsemYH5U~rUKrc55AVO4kuOfv91jTkBgJX81rkwPVhoKgQrlblcew8PTDdP0rKhKsCz8fB0Uyjz-mLszPxRFhAYDyXHkqQPpzQYn2CQBh4KHr9-qq1JSuh245BIdQv5VsOjHPHaQPlpfybHtFeK~GWTbKOPJs-mUZwaswUX~H1GuVSFgYuCdwU~XswcW61FtC8n29QQsxe-eS5UZbsq4X7l5T1SSqXoLTCadCSjdFRrTGy2syfOlpBmmU6NejDufq-KIOYQeda1K0WCBAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 8 meeting staff presented the town’s Hub Connect e-permitting initiative and asked the Board of Health to map permit workflows so the team can configure required fields, approvals and inspection steps before the Board’s modules go live.

Staff said the first round of e-permitting (building, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing) is scheduled to be released April 16. The Board of Health and DPW modules are expected in a following round; staff did not give a firm month but indicated it could be May or June.

Staff described features the system will provide: required fields to prevent incomplete submissions (for example, requiring installer identity before a septic permit can be submitted), automated notifications, auto-populated spreadsheets and SharePoint files, and a web interface for real-time data on open permits. The aim is to reduce repetitive manual work and provide accurate open-to-close timing for different permit types to support data-driven budgeting and staffing decisions.

Staff requested the board think through “who approves what and when,” and said an intern from Fitchburg State College could be engaged to draft workflows, build forms and create power-automate back-end flows. The board agreed to review existing forms on the town site and prepare suggestions for required fields and approval steps; staff said Nancy would typically act on approvals during or after meetings (approve, deny, seek clarification) through the system’s interface.

Staff said the town branding effort calls the overall program Hub Connect with modules such as Hub Fix, Hub Inspect and an option for a Board-specific name like Hub Health. Town staff emphasized the intention to create sustainable, centralized digital services with counter iPads and a live backend for reports and grant applications.

Board members asked staff to return with a proposed workflow for septic permits and inspection handling to reduce back-and-forth revisions during configuration.","Town staff described a multi-stage rollout of a new e-permitting platform (Hub Connect/Hub Health), requested the board map workflows for septic/inspection approvals and said interns from Fitchburg State may help build sustainable online forms and backend automations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6082656,"Board discusses multiple Title V reviews: conditional passings, failed systems and requested E. coli testing",269,224000,493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2&start=224&end=493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2/thumbnail_224000.jpg","/articles/6082656/Massachusetts/Board-discusses-multiple-Title-V-reviews-conditional-passings-failed-systems-and-requested-E-coli-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082656-83e413123f8a9619fb06e402158a23dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775541642&Signature=XnWc10SS14qbYkFaXKnYWfFe6gUCunf9l59Xp6rjpIqmU5H~7okcyQIu52vQDmwscgFBH1cW1mAzUWtq0OZYY68v7BSaacBfrkDfh~lNqzYy0KapH-tSfgpMhLEotvYE9xHy~OGHkAkGPX4JaeeZyS3yuMp-fUIQSKgKwJTrMt7PyQ3dYMFFZFFsJxMQdXrUBn4VU7vc8qTQSopMQbgJn24gaY3HcXgydySTkpJG~BOGnMKD6I1tKl7CAaq27oAY3lSJmVlpCJTkOqwdeABpXkJC5Aynlp-56mFs4mzXe4vhUcvqwdi7-iwz8sGZTElzRv27syoACIz48LwtCWWuhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 8 meeting the Town of Hubbardston Board of Health reviewed several Title V (Title 5) septic reports, signed installer permits and discussed actions for failed systems.

The board flagged 10 Elm Street for a conditional pass contingent on a water test that specifically shows E. coli and total coliform results taken from a kitchen sink (the well), not from the septic or distribution box. Board members noted current analyses listed nitrate and ammonia as nitrogen but lacked E. coli/coliform data; they directed staff to ask the applicant to provide a kitchen-sink water test that includes E. coli and coliform results before the board will sign off on the Title V certification.

Two properties—25 Flag Road and 126 New Westminster Road—were presented as passing and circulated among members for review. Board members signed installer permits, including for Roddy and HG Construction, to allow work to proceed. Several copies of septic engineering plans were reviewed for 148 Ragged Hill (three-bedroom house with a 1,500-gallon tank and a triple-filter system) and a new-construction site at 30 Grams Road; conservation commission review and wetland setbacks were noted for the latter.

The board reviewed a failed system at 8 Adams Road; members discussed that a full replacement may cost tens of thousands of dollars (board members gave an estimated range of roughly $20,000–$50,000 during discussion) and that the system was backing up into the residence and distribution box. The board noted the public-health implications of backup into living spaces and the need for system replacement planning.

The board also reviewed one-stop water test results, including low manganese and iron readings for a submitted sample, and signed multiple permits so installers could start work.

Separately, staff reported the Title V loan program balance ($97,458.02) is available for low-interest loans to help residents repair or replace septic systems; the loans are added to property tax bills and require paperwork for eligibility. The board discussed availability and the administrative process for applicants.

Members also noted the MassDEP well-driller program reminder sent to municipal boards of health, asking boards to ensure certified well drillers supervise well work and submit a well completion report to MassDEP within 30 days of completion.","The Board reviewed several Title V/Title 5 septic reports and permits: 10 Elm Street received a conditional pass pending a kitchen-sink E. coli/coliform water test; 25 Flag Road and 126 New Westminster passed; 8 Adams Road failed and will require replacement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6082661,"Hubbardston Board of Health drafts zoo and petting-zoo rules requiring annual registration, health checks",514,2146000,2660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2&start=2146&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2936677-53740ad1dc3a5d1cb5490dca7e2b94e2/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6082661/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-Board-of-Health-drafts-zoo-and-petting-zoo-rules-requiring-annual-registration-health-checks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082661-01065de9b9f662a99dae2e6b3da9e9fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775541642&Signature=bk554s4y1lj~qiYtDNWauHhCxd1TEt758JcyBSAs2IAWypmqafjuUT1PADC3AhrEyS~UQQryV8PhCxAACyixfFZD2kTqjfubfaZjwHvOz1C~mMbrnF~-sbuJgJwRSzRw9A-BAFDQXx1NqvgmX878ph-yR-hUtIkl5eh82q~OtTksda~pTDELn~Y6GkokfXJyLZeeSTJ1ZTZ~TmZn6Ibj1BwO91OCS35uh1cqlsOPEcRPcfFU7mKV1OvWSANQi3duJ2Sqx0cVk0xkSMO37AgiFtW3i9Cb0-EwpkiXL2Ar6ZxdYCQJxrF~rRUGyOzz8n0rAyA-coMN5YZMTAgvy57RRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hubbardston Board of Health on April 8 reviewed a draft ordinance to regulate zoos, petting zoos, animal rescues and sanctuaries and moved to accept the draft with corrections and return a final copy for review at the next meeting.

Board members said the draft would add definitions (including animals and fish), require annual registration with the Hubbardston Board of Health, require a water test with registration, require a town business license, and require compliance with relevant state and federal rules. The draft also would require a valid exhibitor’s license if the public is invited, and an annual health certificate from the state veterinarian for exhibited animals.

The draft specifies that inspections by the Hubbardston Board of Health or animal control will occur yearly to review animal care, recordkeeping and sanitary practices, and to evaluate public interaction with animals. Board members discussed that a single health certificate could cover animals of the same species when submitted with an event itinerary, but said the certificate must clearly show each species was inspected.

Board members added language that complaints about animal care will be investigated in accordance with state and federal guidelines and that the board reserves the right to close facilities or fine owners if care standards are not met. They agreed the regulations should be reviewed every two years.

At the meeting the board made a motion to accept the draft “with the corrections made” and to present a final copy for a last review at the next meeting. Board members said legal counsel was not necessary, noting the draft references Massachusetts and federal regulations. The board did not record a roll-call vote on the floor beyond the motion and plan to review the final draft at the next meeting before formal adoption.

The board asked staff to add aquariums to the definition list and to make the review interval and complaint language explicit on the front page of the regulation packet. The board also asked to include a requirement that an itinerary of exhibition dates and locations accompany any multi-site exhibitor submission.

The draft will return for review at the board’s next scheduled meeting.","The Town of Hubbardston Board of Health reviewed and tentatively approved draft regulations defining “zoo,” requiring annual registration, health certificates and adherence to state and federal rules; the board asked to review a final draft at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident asks about pertussis; Board says no local outbreak and urges vaccination

Town outlines Hub Connect e-permitting rollout and seeks workflow input from Board of Health

Board discusses multiple Title V reviews: conditional passings, failed systems and requested E. coli testing

Hubbardston Board of Health drafts zoo and petting-zoo rules requiring annual registration, health checks