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May 08, 2006
Should Darien Create a Joint Health District?
Darien is considering forming a joint health district with New Canaan. According to Town Administrator John Crary, Darien's health department is currently considered part-time. In a memo to the Board of Selectmen he wrote,
"This model of operation has served the community well for many years but it became apparent after 9/11 that changes were necessary. The demands on the Health Department to participate in and in some cases lead emergency planning for such events as bioterrorism, small pox inoculation, avian flu preparations, etc. have grown steadily. These needs have provided a strong impetus for a higher level of public health service than what presently exists. Secondly, some of the services that the Health Department presently provides, such as restaurant inspections, fall short of the requirements of the State Health Department. While the quality of the inspection(s) that are conducted in some cases exceed the State’s requirements the department does not meet the requisite number of inspections that the State code demands.
Similarly, the Town of New Canaan’s Health Department has their own short comings in services that they are desirous of correcting.Finally, the State of Connecticut has established significant financial incentives to encourage communities to join health districts."
According to Mr. Crary, the health district would be responsible for
"all of the required services that are expected by the State of Connecticut. These include preventive inspections of: food service establishments, day care centers, on-site sewage disposal, well water, recreational areas, schools, housing and housing inspection. Other services that the district would provide include: incident response to bioterrorism, environmental protection and investigation of food bourne diseases. The District would also continue and enhance such preventive health actions as: immunization clinics, communicable diseases, health education and promotion services and home visits as appropriate."
The Board of Selectmen will conduct a presentation on the formation of a joint health district with New Canaan on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall Auditorium, with a special meeting to discuss the proposal at 9 p.m. in the Auditorium. The RTM will hold a public hearing on the joint health district on May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
What do you think about the Joint Health District?
Posted by EmilyW at May 8, 2006 02:51 PM