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There is not a lick of public health experience among members of the Select Board, which made it shocking that a majority of the board would be so cavalier in their disrespect and rejection of the experience of both the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Health. At the 6/18 Select Board meeting two candidates were presented by VASC for consideration to two open seats, a full and associate, on the BoH. One was a LICSW (licensed independent clinical social worker) with pediatric expertise; the other was categorized as a fish salesman.
The Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Health, a physician and health care professional, citing the relevant credentials and expertise of the LICSW in light of the current community behavioral and mental health needs, communicated to VASC that the full position should be offered to the LICSW and the associate position to the fish salesman. Instead, the Select Board did the exact opposite.
The majority of the Select Board decided they know better than subject matter experts and, in doing so, have sent a chilling message to every board, commission, and committee in this community that they have no respect for nighttime government. What would be amusing if it wasn’t so dangerous is that three of the SB members came up with the very same rationale for promoting a fish salesman over a LICSW to the full position on the BoH, an “inspection” background.
The Board of Health Chair pointed out that the BoH members do not conduct inspections, during the fish salesman’s interview, it is not their purview.
Reading has certified health inspectors that do that. This issue came up when the candidate presented his position that regulations and inspections are harmful to businesses. Health regulations are in place to protect public health and for protecting businesses from liability. Did the Select Board really think this was a win for the Chambers of Commerce?
The majority of the Select Board is telling the community that they do not value ensuring public health and they have disdain for subject matter experts volunteering.
The remedy is an immediate correction from the Select Board. Select Board may appoint candidates but I will assert that it is the purview of the Chair of the Board of Health to have the authority to determine the needs of the BoH in order for it to fulfill its legal and ethical obligations to the community and State of the Commonwealth.
The Select Board must stop exposing Reading residents to risk by their reckless actions.
Nancy Docktor PMHNP-BC
Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member
