Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ashland Board of Health approves consent agenda; director reports on RAM clinic planning, housing and disease updates
Summary
The Ashland Board of Health approved the consent agenda 4‑0 at its July 7 meeting. Health Director Rajit Gupta reported pending planning for a 2027 RAM clinic, multiple housing code enforcement cases, tick‑kit distribution dates, an Air Sensor MassDEP grant for five municipal sites, and recent arbovirus and tick‑borne disease findings.
The Ashland Board of Health voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda at its July 7 meeting and heard multiple operational updates from Health Director Rajit Gupta.
During the meeting the Board approved the consent agenda — including FY2026 year‑to‑date budget reports and the June 16 meeting minutes — on a 4‑0 vote after a motion by Jay Byrnes and a second by David Kinsman. The Board agreed to a hybrid meeting on July 21 for its next scheduled session.
Gupta told the Board he has reached out to the Mobile World/partner organizations and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) about possible support for a Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic in 2027 and is awaiting a callback from DPH about whether Shared Services Grant funds could be used. He said outreach to potential funders and partners is ongoing.
On housing enforcement, Gupta listed five active cases by address: 9 Cirrus Drive, #9 (rodent activity around dumpsters and the parking lot; an Order to Correct was delivered and a pest‑control report is pending); 37 Presidents Row (chronic dampness and mold; Order to Correct sent); 20 Joanne Drive, #22 (ongoing but improved); 99 Warren Road (no owner response or visible improvement); and 33 Esty Street (issue resolved, attributed to a birdfeeder on the second floor).
Gupta announced that tick‑testing kits will be distributed at the Ashland Farmers Market on July 18 and again on Sept. 5 to help residents test for tick‑borne pathogens. He also reported that a MassDEP air‑sensors grant will fund placement of sensors on five municipal buildings; the devices require Wi‑Fi and power and the Board plans to post resulting data on the town’s website.
Summarizing regional vector surveillance, Gupta said the DPH arbovirus report for June 21–27 found five positive mosquito samples statewide and one positive mammal; a positive mosquito sample was reported in a nearby community. Locally, Gupta reported a rise in tick‑related cases: two cases of Anaplasmosis, one Babesiosis, and two Lyme disease cases. He additionally noted a late Influenza‑A case and two ongoing tuberculosis (TB) cases. Gupta confirmed he will send the air‑quality grant information to the Board for posting and public access.
Gupta described the Community Baby Shower held June 30 as “a huge event” with 107 participants and 13 vendors, and acknowledged ongoing public‑education programming by Nurse Anne Fitzgerald, including a recent fall‑prevention presentation at The Ledges — a presentation that Board member Kirsten Quern had recommended after observing an increase in falls.
No new regulations or emergency measures were adopted at the meeting. The Board received a packet of documents including the Mary Mortensen award proclamations, the arbovirus report and FY2026 budget documents. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. following a 4‑0 vote on a motion to adjourn by David Kinsman, seconded by Barbra Sekesogundu Simon.
