Gillis says drop-offs of used needles will be free of charge thanks to Opioid Settlement funds
The Tewksbury Board of Health met last night for eight minutes with all members present.
After approving minutes, Chair Ray Barry turned the floor over to Health Director Shannon Gillis for her report.
Gillis reported that she submitted the annual report and presented the Health Department budget for FY 25 on January 28. That budget includes staff and supplies:
Gillis added that the town is using Opiod Settlement funds to launch a take-back program, where residents could dispose of used needles and other sharps. Two specialized containers are on order.
“Once we get those, residents will be able to drop off their sharps to Town Hall and the Senior Center for no fee,” said Gillis.
In May 2023, Town Meeting established and funded an Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund to receive and expend funds from the Nationwide Opioid class action lawsuit. Tewksbury will likely receive, over time, approximately $531,223. These funds are earmarked for support, treatment promotion, harm reduction to prevent overdose deaths, education programs and other services to prevent opioid misuse.
Gillis also shared that she is working with the Senior Center to arrange a Health Fair during Public Health Week, on Thursday, April 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. These fairs were held in the past, and Gillis is hoping to get them running again.
At the last meeting, Gillis discussed two new positions funded by a regional Public Health Excellence grant that Tewksbury shares with Tyngsboro, Billerica and Chelmsford. Grant funding covers the cost of a full time Public Health Nurse and Health Agent. The towns will now add a public health specialist, in a case manager role, as well as a shared services coordinator. The hiring authority is in the final stages of speaking with references for the public health specialist. The shared service coordinator job description is approved and should be posted soon.
Barry said there is activity on the Tewksbury Cares Facebook page but that no board member is involved in that effort.
“It pains me,” said Barry of the lack of BoH members involved in Cares. “When I joined the Board 12 years ago, about half the founders of Tewksbury Cares were Board of Health members.”
Neither Barry nor member Bob Scarano are running for reelection.
“Hopefully we’ll be replaced by people who will be energetic and willing to give their expertise and time to the town and help the Board of Health,” said Barry.
Currently only one candidate, George Ferdinand, has turned in papers for one of the three seats on the April ballot.
In member reports, Melissa Braga updated the BoH on the Wellness Committee meeting.
“We mostly discussed nutrition, the school meals, they do have a grant to buy local, and there are some Farm to School grants and legislation in the works,” said Braga. That committee meets next on April 3 and again on June 5.
The Board of Health meets next on March 21.
Lorna Garey
Lorna is a past and current Malden resident, U.S. Army veteran, and longtime tech and community journalist who has written for organizations ranging from the DIA to InformationWeek. In her previous hometown she founded a hyperlocal news site, the Tewksbury Carnation.
So geeked that the Town Manager and Select Board decided to use the funds for this. There were other options the funds could have been used for. It has been about a year since we received the funds. Have asked a few times and kept an eye on it being used. Great Job