Health department: director vacancy, Kendall Pond advisory and landfill pump costs flagged

Health Department Representative (Speaker 5) told the committee on Jan. 23 that the health director position remains vacant after a candidate who had accepted withdrew and that the department reposted the position and will re-interview candidates. She said part-time administrative coordinator and transfer-station supervisor interviews were underway and that transfer-station oversight is being provided by inspector Eric Babin until hiring is complete.

The representative reported that the Department of Public Health issued a fish-consumption advisory for Kendall Pond on Dec. 18 because of elevated mercury levels; the advisory was posted at City Hall, on the city web page and social media, and mailed to abutters.

On solid-waste operations, she described ongoing repairs to landfill pumps and the collection system: contractors have completed uncovering components and civil-engineering consultants reviewed and approved submittals. She estimated pumping costs of about $600–$1,000 each time the site is pumped and said an earlier request for an additional ~$5,000 may be exhausted; the department will likely ask for more free cash to complete repairs. Keller Partners is pursuing grant opportunities for erosion-cap repairs.

The representative said the solid-waste contract renewal with E.L. Harvey is in process, and that the department is monitoring no-heat housing complaints and a single suspected foodborne illness case that epidemiology closed after contact tracing. She noted warming-center coordination ahead of an expected storm and said the city will explore options with regional partners if needed.

No formal action was taken on these items; the representative answered councilors’ questions about timelines and hiring.