Health Officer
Jennifer Miner – [email protected]
Town Health Officers are responsible for:
- Investigating possible public health hazards and risks within the municipality
- Taking action to prevent, remove or destroy any such hazards
- Taking action to mitigate significant public health risks
- Enforcing health laws, rules and permit conditions, and taking the steps necessary to enforce orders
Examples of Town Health Officer responses:
- Complaints of failing sewage systems that may affect the public’s health
- Rental housing complaints
- Complaints of animal cruelty & animal bites
- Closing swimming areas that may be a public health threat
- Local compliance with Vermont’s Lead Law
Many times the town health officer will need to take a formal approach to solve a local health problem. The statutes at 18 VSA Chapter 3 provide the authority for the town health officer to address a local health problem, and to take enforcement action when necessary.
The Board of Health of a municipality is made up of the local health officer and the town Selectboard.