Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Townsend board grants VFW Post 6538 seven days to submit food-permit paperwork, warns of suspension
Summary
After staff reported repeated attempts to obtain renewal paperwork and that certified mail was returned unclaimed, the board gave VFW Post 6538 a final seven-day compliance period to submit a completed renewal application and a ServSafe food manager certificate, and authorized service of the order by constable or sheriff.
The Townsend Board of Health on July 13 gave VFW Post 6538 a final seven-day deadline to submit missing food-service permit paperwork or face suspension of food-service operations.
The board reviewed a chronology of outreach: renewal notices mailed in September and late 2025, staff visits in March, multiple email attempts, and a June 12 letter requesting submission by June 22. Town agent Rick Maccalf told the board the certified mailing asking for the renewal was returned unclaimed. He said the VFW had submitted an allergen-awareness certificate but still lacked the required ServSafe food manager certification and a completed renewal application; staff emphasized a food manager certificate (not a food-handler certificate) is required to process the renewal.
After discussion, the board made a motion to grant a final seven-day compliance period; members also authorized legal service of the order by a constable or sheriff because the certified mailing had been returned. Chair Dr. Christian Roman Ramirez framed the action as focused on public safety: "Our priority is the safety of our constituents," he said. Rick told the board that continued operations without a permit put liability at risk for both the business and the town.
If the VFW does not produce the required paperwork within the seven-day window, the board said it will order suspension of food-service operations and will pursue service of that order as needed.
