Board amends minutes to remove payment for former member serving as food inspector

The Town of Hubbardston Board of Health voted to amend its Jan. 27 minutes to remove a line indicating the board had approved payment to Kathy for food-inspection work. The Chair moved the amendment and a committee member seconded; the vote was taken and the Board approved the change.

Board members said state practice requires a former board member to wait one year after leaving the board before accepting paid municipal work. The Chair said the minutes should reflect that Kathy will continue as a volunteer food inspector through the one-year period after her board departure, and that the board may revisit paid appointment after that waiting period. “We agreed to have her continue on as a food inspector, but not paid for the remainder of 2026,” the Chair said.

The Chair framed the change as a clarification rather than a penalty, noting the town must follow applicable state restrictions on post-service employment. Committee members agreed the minutes as previously worded implied the board had approved payment when, they said, the discussion had only been to consider the matter at a later time.

The amendment will appear in the official minutes to reflect the board’s direction that Kathy serve on a volunteer basis until the statutory waiting period has elapsed.