Rehoboth Looks to Establish New Health Board

Town officials are hoping to establish a new health board. The group will consist of two members with professional experience in medicine and public health, the chairperson of the Board of Health, the chairperson of the Council on Aging Board of Directors, two at large members, and the administrator of Human Services. Non-voting members would be the COA Director, the Public Health Nurse, the Health Agent, and Veterans Officer.

Rehoboth Selectmen chairman Skip Vadnais said he felt the new health board was important “in protecting this community and reaching out to the community, not just our elderly but all the people who are disadvantaged.”

Rachel Smith, chairperson of the Board of Health, noted “a lack of communication” when the subject was discussed at the October 3 meeting. “Not knowing anything about what’s going on, I found it disturbing,” Smith said.

Vadnais told Smith she was invited to the meeting to discuss her responsibilities under Massachusetts General Law. The purpose of the group is to handle any crises which may arise down the road, Vadnais added. “If there’s an emergency, whatever it could be, that we have the structure in place that is going to handle it. We’re not going to get blindsided again.”