Norwood health staff report summer meals, mosquito control schedule, MMR vaccine availability and inspection updates

Stacy, health‑department staff, and other public‑health officials provided a series of operational updates at the Town of Norwood Board of Health meeting on May 27.

Summer meals: Stacy said the school district will operate a summer meals program from July 7 through Aug. 7, Monday–Thursday, serving free breakfast (8–9 a.m.) and lunch (11–12:30 p.m.) at Norwood High School and the Willett Early Childhood Center. Staff told the board they expect about 400 meals per day.

Mosquito control: The board heard a notice from Norfolk County Mosquito Control. Staff said the county applied aerial larvicide to wetlands on May 21 and that truck‑based spraying — weather permitting — was rescheduled to begin the week of June 7 for streets listed on the county site. The department posted NorfolkCountyMosquito.org as the public link where residents can check scheduled spray maps and request a spray or ask to be excluded for an individual yard.

MMR vaccine availability and cold‑chain preparation: Stacy said the department is working with the state to receive free measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine supplies for children through age 18. The office ordered a new freezer and a data logger that meets state cold‑storage requirements and completed required staff training. Stacy said the town will offer MMR to children who lack proof of vaccination or who do not yet have a primary‑care provider.

Immunization context: Diane, a health staff member, answered questions about COVID and other vaccines, saying the department would follow CDC recommendations for updated COVID vaccine guidance and advising people to wait for the CDC if recommendations were pending. Diane reiterated that immunocompromised individuals may receive additional doses at intervals recommended by clinicians and that parents should consult the child’s doctor about catching up on missing vaccines.

Food‑establishment and environmental health updates: Angela Delook, environmental health inspector, reported there were no major critical violations in recent inspections. She noted two new establishments have opened (Billy Mulligan's and Deli Delights, the former Cafe Rica) and that Crave (Mediterranean sandwiches) was expected to open by the next meeting. Angela described specific incident follow‑ups: Chipotle experienced a grease‑trap backup; the restaurant contacted the department and arranged pumping and cleaning. Reinspections were scheduled for other businesses with minor issues.

Screens and windows: Inspectors reminded operators that windows and doors open to food‑preparation areas must have screens; staff said they record violations and make recommendations during inspections and will return for follow‑up as needed.

Pools, lifeguards and camps: Staff confirmed that lifeguard certificates are checked in the town portal as part of the pre‑inspection process, and the department verifies expiration dates. The camp season is underway; the deadline for new camps to apply had closed and seasonal programs were preparing for inspections.

Hospital update: Board members asked about the status of the former hospital site. Stacy said the town’s task force continues to work on the matter in the background, that the process is a private sale and negotiations are being handled by the task force and prospective buyers. She said there were no new public announcements and that the task force provides monthly updates but had no new, definitive information to share at the meeting.

Contact and follow‑up: Diane offered a contact number for individual vaccine questions (recorded in meeting as 781‑384‑9195) and staff said they will post links and updated guidance on the town website.

Board members thanked staff and moved to the next agenda items.