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.