WMPHA Spring Power Hour Workshops, Legislative Action, and more!

MEMBER UPDATE

WMPHA Power Hour Workshop

Help from the Attorney General's Office on Abandoned and Derelict Housing

Thursday 3/10 at 3 PM on Zoom

The MA Attorney General's Neighborhood Renewal Division helps cities and towns turn around abandoned residential properties. Working in close partnership with local health departments, the AGO seeks out delinquent property owners and encourages them to voluntarily repair their properties and make them secure. If owners refuse, then the office's attorneys will petition the relevant court to appoint a receiver to bring the property up to code. Come learn how you can use the power of the AG to help you make progress on problem properties!

Click here for Flyer and Registration Link

WMPHA Power Hour Workshop

Private Well Legislation for Public Health

Wednesday 3/30 at 3 PM on Zoom

As you know Massachusetts has no statewide requirement for private well water testing, despite the large number of residents who get their water from onsite wells. This can lead to serious health risks for those drinking contaminated water. An “Act Promoting Drinking Water Quality For All” was recently introduced in the legislature by a coalition of public health organizations led by RCAP Solutions and the Central MA Foundation. The bill would charge Mass DEP with creating statewide private well regulations modeled on Title 5. Come hear more about the proposed legislation and what you can do to be involved!

Click here for Flyer and Registration Link

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The SAPHE 2.0 Bill was reported out of the Public Health Committee and is hopefully headed to a vote sometime this spring.

What you can do to help get it over this final barrier: Sign the letter below and ask your local elected officials to sign it as well (Mayors, Town Managers, Select Board Members).

The FY23 Budget cycle has begun! After Governor Baker cut the Public Health Excellence grant program by 33% in his budget proposal, WMPHA and partners are pushing for level funding in the House and Senate budgets, and we will be reaching out soon to ask you to contact your Representative and Senator in the coming months.

Certified Pool Operator Training for Public Health Professionals -- in Western MA!

MEHA is holding a special, subsidized version of the CPO course for local public health inspectors in Chicopee on March 29 and 30 -- and there are a few spots left. Click here for the flyer

WMPHA Power Hour Workshop:

Ask the DPH Inspector: Recreational Camp Inspections Q and A Session

April 7 at 3 PM online

Click here for a flyer and registration link

COMING SOON:

WMPHA Workshops on Epidemiology 101 and ServSafe for Inspectors -- date and time TBD but stay tuned!

WMPHA JOB BOARD

CLICK HERE FOR SOUTHWICK HEALTH DIRECTOR JOB POSTING

Send your postings to walker@frcog.org for inclusion.

Registered Sanitarian Study Supports!

Are you interested in taking the Registered Sanitarian exam? WMPHA has study guides available for free to help Health Department staff from Western Massachusetts attain this important credential. They can be checked out for three months at a time. If you are interested, contact Executive Committee member Bri Eichstaedt.