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Norwood director outlines regional hires, epidemiologist recruitment and state SAFE 2.0; a reminder on free state radon test kits
Summary
At the Dec. 17 board meeting the director announced a newly hired regional public‑health nurse based in Dedham, said an epidemiologist position based in Norwood received 10 qualified applicants, summarized the state SAFE 2.0 funding expansion for public health and urged residents to request free radon test kits from the state.
At its Dec. 17 meeting the Town of Norwood Board of Health heard a director’s update on regional public‑health staffing, a state public‑health funding bill, and guidance on radon testing.
The director reported the regional Public Health Excellence (SAFE 1.0) grant continues to fund regional positions. As fiscal agent for the grant, the town pays salaries and invoices Dedham, which hosts the newly hired regional public‑health nurse. The director identified the newly hired regional nurse as Kristen McIntyre; Kristen sits in Dedham and will assist with disease investigation work and cover duties when local nurses are out.
The board heard that the epidemiologist position that sits in Norwood was posted and closed with 10 candidates. The director said staff will review applications and proceed with hiring steps. The epidemiologist role was described as the town’s vacant position (previous occupant moved out of state) and the director said filling it is a priority.
On the state level, the director summarized a recently signed economic‑development package that includes SAFE 2.0 (State Action for Public Health Excellence), an expansion the director said is intended to build on the earlier Public Health Excellence grants. SAFE 2.0 aims to increase funding for credentialed public‑health staff, standardize data systems and extend baseline training and credentials to more local health departments. The director said the state is working to standardize inspectional software across jurisdictions so inspection and disease data can be shared with state systems (the director referenced the state’s MAVEN disease‑tracking system as already centralizing disease reporting).
The director also urged residents to test for radon, the radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes and raise lung‑cancer risk with long‑term exposure. He said the state offers free radon test kits by request and provided the state’s toll‑free number for kits: 1‑800‑723‑6695, noting that previously such kits were sometimes charged for. The director recommended testing when homes are closed up for the heating season (October through March) and said mitigation — typically a sub‑slab suction pipe and fan that vents soil gas outside — is the recommended remedy for elevated readings.
Board members asked about integration with school nursing and staffing; director and other staff noted the town’s school nursing program is separate and that the town already maintains multiple school nurses and a school nurse leader who supports where needed. The director said regional nurses allow the town and neighboring communities to share staff and avoid hiring duplicate positions in each community.
The board did not take formal votes on the topics discussed; the director’s update was informational and did not include requested board action.
