Shannon, a health department staff member, reported the department's April activity and described both environmental health inspections and community health programming.

The health department recorded 31 building permits (with about seven to eight more approved since the report was prepared), 17 restaurant inspections, 24 temporary food-service permits, six septic inspections, eight soil tests, eight septic plan reviews and approvals and four septic permits issued. Staff investigated eight housing and nuisance complaints; some involved rodent activity. The department reviewed and approved two inland wetlands applications and one planning-and-zoning application. Shannon said the department processed 24 tick submissions, with roughly 11 pending results and seven testing positive for Lyme disease; two tested positive for anaplasmosis and two for babesiosis.

Shannon said the department issued three new food-service establishment plans and seven sidewalk permits tied to spring outdoor dining on Elm and Main streets. Community health programs continue: the walking club has about 20 registered members (attendance varies day to day), regular health screenings at the Lapham Center and Schoolhouse include blood-sugar and blood-pressure checks, and a caregiver support panel drew about 42 attendees. The department ran monthly coffee talks (13 participants for the most recent session), a QPR suicide-prevention training capped at 10 participants for more-effective discussion, and two private health consults during the period.

Staff announced a skin-cancer screening for first responders scheduled for May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon with volunteer dermatologist Elle Demal of Elite Dermatology. Shannon and Gino plan to attend a lead-inspector/risk-assessor training and a suicide-prevention conference in early May to support ongoing programs. Seasonal work noted: renewal of pool permits is underway and salon-permit renewals will begin in June.

On staffing, Shannon said Jen has left and Gino has stepped into a higher role; an incoming director is expected to begin around June 9. Mindy (from Darien) was identified as a temporary contact for coverage when needed.

On an item raised by commissioners, Shannon said the town received notices about possible lead in older water lines (homes built before 1978 are more likely to have older piping and lead solder) and advised residents to have their water tested; she reported no direct follow-up communication from Aquarion to the health department after the initial notice. The department will continue outreach and follow-up as needed.

Shannon and Gino invited commissioners to contact the health department with any questions during the transition period.