March 23, 2023

MHOA Weekly Newsletter 

Happy Spring!

It’s been nice to see the weather live up to calendar expectations of Spring this week. In addition to the items linked below, I have a few requests:

Communication committee - MHOA’s strategic plan includes several communication-related items. If you’re interested in joining the new communication committee, please email tkett@mhoa.com with “Communication committee” in the subject line. This group will provide input on MHOA’s social media, emails, website, marketing, etc. The group will likely meet monthly, with the first meeting kicking off in April.

***

MHOA for many years has partnered with the Community Sanitation Program (CSP) at MDPH to offer a spring seminar for local health department staff on topics such as pools, camps, housing and other regulations that fall within this program. The seminar will not be offered this year because CSP has instead prioritized training associated with the promulgation of the revised housing code. MHOA is in the process of brainstorming ways it can help provide information about these topics in a colleague to colleague webinar format. If you have a suggestion or expertise to assist, please reach out to me (tkett@mhoa.com).

***

MHOA in collaboration with MDPH and the Coalition for Local Public Health in January and February hosted four, in-person, day-long trainings about the new housing code. Pending trainer availability and enough participant interest, we may offer a fifth, in-person, day-long housing training in the Marlborough area in April. Please respond to this survey if you would be interested. Note: This does not sign you up for the training, it helps us gauge interest, if the training can be provided.   

***

DEP seeks feedback about how local boards of health have applied the economic feasibility clause of 310 CMR15.405(1) for local upgrade approvals (Title, 5 on-site sewage) in their communities. If you have used it or haven't (and have feedback why) and what specific practice your town follows when applying it (guidance, SOP, bylaw), please share the info with Marybeth Chubb at marybeth.chubb@mass.gov

 

Teresa Wood Kett, MHOA Executive Director