X. HEALTH SERVICES
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health has the broad mandate to ensure
that food, water and air are protected from contamination and to
prevent the spread of contagious diseases in humans and animals.
The Board has a staff of consultants, agents, and inspectors to
carry out its responsibilities.
In Dover, the Board protects groundwater supplies
and ensures that the state statute is met that requires an adequate
supply of potable water be available before a building permit is
granted. Approximately 75% of the households in Dover have private
wells with the rest being serviced by private water companies. The
Board's Well Inspectors issue permits for new wells. In 1981 a leaking
underground gasoline tank threatened drinking water supplies. Subsequently,
the Board prohibited the installation of underground oil and gasoline
tanks for domestic use. Existing underground tanks must be removed
from service by June 1, 2000, and cannot be replaced. Commercial
tanks are continually monitored, and stricter regulations are anticipated
for those under both state and federal laws.
At present, there is no public sewer system in Dover.
Dover revised its regulations for subsurface wastewater
disposal in accordance with the 1996 regulations (Title V) of the
Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, Dover has more
stringent local requirements. All subsurface disposal systems must
have proper care and maintenance. For proper functioning of the
septic system, sludge must be removed regularly. In compliance with
the state sanitary code, Dover provides for the disposal of pumped
sewage through an agreement with the Town of Medway, which has a
disposal facility. Thus, the homeowner in Dover pays both a fee
to the private contractor who pumps the septic system as well as
to the Town of Dover, which reimburses the Town of Medway for its
services. In addition, septic systems must be performing up to state
codes within a two-year period of the transfer of real estate.
The Board oversees the implementation of laws that
protect against the transmission of infectious diseases from animals
to man. Every dog (six months of age or older) must be vaccinated,
and a spring rabies clinic is conducted annually for dogs and cats.
Owners of dogs without valid rabies certificates can be fined. Animals
causing skin breaks or bites may be quarantined for a prolonged
period of observation for rabies. Farm animals are inspected yearly
for tuberculin and brucellosis testing, equine Coggins testing,
and encephalitis vaccinations. Since encephalitis is transmitted
to animals by mosquitoes, preventive measures are also taken through
the Norfolk County Mosquito Control program. There are local Dover
residents who can answer the public's questions regarding these
matters. The public can contact these people by phoning the Board
of Health for information.
VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
The Visiting Nurse Association (located in
Walpole, Massachusetts) assists the Board of Health in carrying
out its public health program by providing nursing care, physical
therapy, and health education. It assists the Council on Aging
in its program of preventive medical care through its immunization
and blood pressure clinics and in other services to citizens over
60 years of age. It provides TB testing supplies to the schools,
does lead screening for children up to six years of age, and loans
sick room equipment to the public.
REACH OUT
Reach Out, Inc. is a Dover and Sherborn human
service organization providing individual counseling, group work
and family therapy and consultations. Reach Out began in 1970 in
response to the community's concern about the use and abuse of drugs
and alcohol by young people. Reach Out is funded jointly by the
two towns through their respective Boards of Health. This funding
provides for a qualified Director for delivery of services. A Board
was established with representatives from each town to aid in carrying
out the aims of the program.
The services of Reach Out are available to all Dover
and Sherborn residents. There are no fees for these services except
for family therapy.
In conjunction with the Boards of Health of Medfield,
Needham and Westwood, the Dover Board of Health implements a tobacco
control program that is funded by the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health. Smoking cessation referrals are available.
Return to TOC
Continue to next chapter
|