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Town buildings closed – Effective 3/16/2020 – Call 2-1-1 if you need information or assistance
The Tyngsborough Health Department/Board of Health
Email for Board of Health staff: [email protected]
About the Tyngsborough Board of Health
The mission of the Board of Health is to promote and protect public health in Tyngsborough. Our main focus is through prevention by routine inspections, investigating complaints, plan reviews, and education. The Board of Health is also responsible for interpreting and enforcing the provisions of the State Public Health Code, State Sanitary Code, State and local Environmental Code.
New Trash & Recycling Information Page
Department Staff
Kerri Oun
Health Agent
Serving Tyngsborough since 2010.
Donna McPartlan
Administrative Assistant
Serving Tyngsborough since 2004.
Additional Hours for Purchasing Stickers: Stickers are also available at the Tyngsborough Public Library (extra bag stickers only) and the Selectmen’s Office (bulky stickers and extra bag stickers) during during normal business hours, at times when the Health Office is not available/open.
Prices and the Bulky Item Sticker list are available here.
| The Tyngsborough Board of Health | |
| Name | Term Expires |
| Sheila Perrault, Chair | 2020 |
| Bernadette Harper, Vice Chair | 2021 |
| Carolyn Rae Ryan | 2020 |
| Michael-Ryan Roache | 2021 |
| Michelle Riley | 2022 |
Payments
Board of Health online payments can be made here: Board of Health Online Payments
Services:
- Enforce Title 5; State Sanitary Code (Septic System Regulations) as well as involvement with all new septic systems, failures and repairs.
- Inspect food establishments, ice rinks, camps, pools, beaches, housing. Enforce tobacco, massage, and body art regulations.
- Issue beaver trap permits.
- Maintain records of communicable disease.
- Issue permits for drinking water wells as well as monitoring the safety of drinking water.
- Coordinate availability and disbursement of vaccines.
- Manage the trash and recycling contract.
- Issue burial permit and other permits related to health.
Board of Health Minutes
Office Hours:
M - Th: 8:30am to 4pm
F: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Septic and Well Information
Find information about septic tanks, Title V, and haulers/installers. Also find out about wells and well testing.
Septic and Well Documents
Financial Information for Septic Systems
- Mass Housing Septic System Repair Loan Program
This program provides no and low interest loans through participating lenders to borrowers who meet income eligibility requirements. - Title 5 Septic Credit
The Commonwealth provides tax credit of up to $6,000 over 4 years for repairing or replacing a failed cesspool or septic system to a primary residence. See tax form Schedule SC.
Private Wells:
- Private Water Well Guide
- A Citizen’s Guide To Radon – The Guide To Protecting Yourself And Your Family From Radon
- Arsenic & Uranium Bedrock Well Study (by Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs)
Lead and Copper in Water
It is important to reduce lead exposures as much as possible – particularly for young children, pregnant women, and infants – because there is no safe level of lead exposure. Copper is an essential nutrient; however, exposure to high levels can harm health.
For more info and fact sheets in different languages, visit DPH’s website at: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sources-of-lead-besides-lead-paint.
View the documents above in “Lead & Copper in Water” for more information.
Private Wells Guidelines & Information
In an effort to provide guidance on private wells, we are providing the following information regarding Private Wells.
Should you have a question regarding your well please do not hesitate to contact The Board of Health at 978-649-2300 x 118.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Arsenic & Uranium Bedrock Well Study:
Protect Your Family: A Guide to Water Quality Testing for Private Wells:
Arsenic in Private Well Water: Frequently Asked Questions:
Water Test Requirements for New Wells
| Coliform – 0/Plate Allowed | Total Plate Count – 100/Plate | Color – 15 Units |
| Turbidity – 1.0 Units | Threshold (Odor) – ______ | pH – 6.5-8.5 Units |
| Total Hardness – 250 mg/1 | Iron – .3 mg/1 | Detergent – ______ |
| Nitrates – 10 mg/1 | Chlorides – 250 mg/1 | Manganese – .050 mg/1 |
| Sodium – 20 mg/1 | Fluoride – 3.0 mg/1 | Chlorine – N.D. |
| Arsenic – .01 mg/1 (separate filter required) | Barium – 1.0 mg/1 | Cadium – 0.01 mg/1 |
| Chromium – 0.05 mg/1 | Selenium – 0.01 mg/1 | Mercury – 0.002 mg/1 |
| Lead – 0.015 mg/1 | Silver – 0.05 mg/1 | Copper – 1.0 mg/1 |
| Gross Alpha Particles – 5 pci/1 (filter required) |
Regulations, Safety & Documents
Find information about food, restaurant, tobacco, pool and trash regulations and applications.
Food Allergens Regulations (Please visit www.mass.gov/dph/fpp for more information):
Tobacco:
See FAQs and regulations in the Document Portal below.
Regulations and Safety Documents
Emergency Kits Available
| A Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Basic First Aid Manual |
First Aid kit |
| 8 x 10-foot tarp | Poncho with hood |
| Emergency Blanket | Roll of duct tape |
| Whistle with lanyard | Light sticks |
| Leather palm work gloves | Safety goggles |
| Rope | Hand powered radio and LED flashlight |
Infectious Disease
Find information about influenza, mosquito-borne diseases and other life safety.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Documents
Detailed Mosquito Information
Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus that can cause illness that range from mild to serious disease. Protect yourself through prevention:
- Use insect repellents
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
- Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours around dawn and dusk
- Repair damaged window screens
- Remove standing water from the areas around your home
Resources and Information about Mosquitoes (links to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health webpages):
Influenza Information
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
For more information on the flu, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control.
Things You Can Do To Stay Healthy
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
- Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
- Do not use other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a co-worker’s phone, desks, or other equipment, clean it first.
- Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home.
- Symptoms of flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- Get vaccinated against seasonal flu when vaccine is available in your area.