Selectmen Vote to Disband Community Health Board

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen voted Monday to disband the Human Services and Community Health Board.

“It’s better that the Selectmen handle it,” said member Lenny Mills, noting the process of providing services will become more streamlined.

The Board of Human Services and Community Health was appointed in December 2022 by the Board of Selectmen. The four member board had included a chair, along with Brittany Bixenman from the Council on Aging, a member of the community, and Marie-Juanita DiGioia, representing the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District.

Dr. Bruce Thayer and Richard Panofsky resigned from the Human Services and Community Health Board in May 2024. Thayer and Dr. Robert Lambe were appointed in 2020 to assist the town with the coronavirus pandemic.

The description on the Town website noted: The Board of Human Services and Community Health functions as a deliberative body that brings together all the organizations and individuals in the Town who work to improve health and human services for residents. The Board will issue recommendations to organizations and individuals, but will not directly supervise the performance of any Town employees or representatives. In its focus on community health, the Board will monitor and analyze relevant public health information and issue recommendations for the Town.