Health Department Overview

Mission

To address and meet the Health Officer's responsibilities as addressed in NH RSA 128:5 as follows:

• Shall enforce the public health laws and rules;
• Shall make such sanitary investigations as may be directed by the local Board of Health (Board of Selectmen) or as may be required by the NH Department of Health and Human Services

Objective

Protect the health of the public and define, eliminate, control or manage environmental hazards which may exert a harmful influence on the public health and foster those factors which have a positive impact on good health and well being.

Services

The Health Officer plans, coordinates, and administers a broad general program of public health for the Town, including disease controls and sanitation inspection operations; interprets program objectives and determines matters affecting work in the department; cooperates with State and other health agencies in developing public health services; develops budget and supervises expenditure of departmental funds; directs the preparation and distribution of reports and other informational materials; lectures and confers with professional and lay groups in areas affected by the programs of the department and conducts educational campaigns to acquaint the public with methods of safeguarding health.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

The Town of Salem's Health Division consists of Health Officer Brian Lockard and support from Ted Hatem, Contracted Septic Inspector. The primary responsibility of the division is administration, enforcement, licensing and inspection of health related facilities and issues such as food service establishments; septic systems and wells; day care and foster care establishments; tattoo and body piercing artists and establishments; salvage yards; management of the Groundwater Protection Program; summer beach testing program and private well water test monitoring; massage establishments and licensed massage practitioners.

Other responsibilities include management of the mosquito control program; provide assistance to the animal control officer with rabies issues; surveillance and public education for health issues such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus; litter and nuisance complaints; enforcement of minimum housing code standards; investigation of housing issues such as radon, asbestos, lead and mold with referral to the appropriate State agency, if necessary; monitoring holding tank pumping through receipts; plan review for new food service establishments, massage and tattoo establishments.

IN THE NEWS

Public Notice - Mosquito Control Program

Mosquito Control Program - Common Questions & Update

Septic System Maintenance

West Nile Virus in Salem-Press Release

Beach Testing Results

Enjoy the Water and Stay Healthy

Tick Information

Test Your Private Well

Wild Mushroom Warning

 Holiday Food Safety Tips