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.