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Acushnet board rescinds temporary inspection policy now that town health agent is on staff
Summary
The Acushnet Board of Health voted July 21 to rescind a temporary inspection policy that had required engineers to perform certain site inspections while the town lacked a health agent; the board directed the new health agent to assume inspection responsibilities and asked staff to notify excavators.
The Acushnet Board of Health voted July 21 to rescind a temporary policy that had required engineers to conduct specific on-site inspections when the town had no health agent, saying the newly hired agent will now perform those checks.
Chair of the board opened the item by noting the prior policy was intended as an emergency measure while the town lacked an agent; with Health Agent Jennifer Galey now in place, the board concluded the town should resume agent-led inspections. Committee member (S4) argued for in-house oversight, saying, “I’d rather have our own people check it out.” The board adopted a motion to rescind the prior policy; the vote was taken and the motion carried.
Board members asked staff to draft a letter to local excavators and engineers to clarify inspection procedures and to instruct contractors to contact the board’s office rather than private engineers for inspections going forward. The chair suggested the letter would be sent to property owners and contractors to prompt action by the engineer handling outstanding plans.
The rescindment shifts inspection responsibility back to the town’s health agent. The board did not specify an exact start date for the agent-led inspections beyond the intent expressed during the meeting; staff indicated the agent would sign permits and perform inspections as cases arise.
The board moved on to other business and did not set a separate public hearing related to the inspection-policy change.
