Township Committee Reinstates Autonomous Board of Health

Officials and members of the public applauded the return to the old form of health governance.

At the Springfield Township Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 22, the Committee voted to re-form the township's autonomous Board of Health. With the vote, the board of health will once again be an appointed board of residents able to make recommendations and take actions indepently of the Township Committee. This marks a change from how the board operated in the later parts of 2012, when officials changed the Board of Health from an autonomous board to one composed of Township Committee members and residents. The change, which passed in June, 2012, followed a series of protracted and contentious discussions. The vote was split across party lines, with the Committees three Republicans voting in favor and the two Democrats voting against. …

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Committee to Make Final Vote on Reinstating Autonomous Health Board Next Week

Autonomous Health Board reinstated.

The Township Committee, in a 4 to 1 vote, approved the introduction of an ordinance to reinstate the autonomous Board of Health. In 2012, the form of the Board of Health was changed from a separate board to one composed of Township Committee members and residents. “I feel that it’s in the best interest of the residents of Springfield for the Board of Health to be made up of public health professionals.” Deputy Mayor Rich Huber said in a statement published on the official Springfield Democrat website. “This change will ensure that politics don’t get in the way of the public’s well being.” The final vote on the ordinance will be at the January 22 Township Committee meeting. Following a series of protracted and contentious discussions, the …

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Important Flu Information from the Madison Department of Health

Health Department offers tips for avoiding flu.

The following is a bulletin from the Madison Board of Health ---------------- The State of New Jersey is currently in the grip of one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory. With this in mind, urges all residents to be aware and to take precautionary and preventative measures.    Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through the coughing, sneezing, or talking of someone with the flu. Flu viruses also may spread when people touch something with flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose.      People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you …

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Residents Object to Proposed Board of Health Changes

Residents argue for continuing the board of health as an autonomous body.

While the future of the Health Board won't be decided on until June 26, Springfield residents gathered at the June 12 Township Committee meeting to make made their feelings on the proposed changes known.  Former officials, political candidates, board of health members and residents expressed dismay at the changes under consideration for the board during the meeting’s public comment section. Under the proposed changes, the board, currently composed of seven volunteers appointed by the Township Committee, would be replaced by a board of health made up of Township Committee members and two residents with public health backgrounds. Former Township Committee member and current Democratic candidate for the committee David Barnett spoke first. A …

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Springfield Committee Debates Health Board Future

Township Committee members argue for overhaul, disagree with board over treatment of businesses and animal control.

The Springfield Township Committee is considering dramatic changes to the township’s board of health. While officials tout the move as a cost-saving effort, current members of the board of health and township observers characterize the proposed changes as a power grab that disregards public health and safety. The Board, presently composed of seven residents appointed by the Township Committee, meets monthly and steers the Township’s health and safety regulations. Along with the Township Committee, it is one of two governmental bodies in Springfield that can pass ordinances. Under the proposed change to township ordinance, that configuration would be replaced by a board of health made up of the Township Committee members and two residents …

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Health Agency Reports Flu Vaccine Surplus

Department continues with walk-in vaccinations.

A year after H1N1 panic gripped the nation, the Westfield Regional Health Department reports it has a surplus of flu vaccine. Department chief nurse Laura O'Scanlon briefed the Westfield Board of Health this week that the lack of national news over the flu has decreased the desire of residents to be vaccinated this year. Last year's the department reported a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine, as residents sought ways to protect themselves from H1N1, a new strain of the flu not included in the seasonal vaccine. This year's vaccine includes H1N1. In the fall of 2009, activity at flu clinics sponsored by the Westfield health department, which serves eight communities in Union County rose. A seasonal flu clinic in Garwood ran out of …

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Press Release: Health Department Announces Meningitis Vaccine

Vaccine given by appointment.

The Westfield Regional Health Department, which handles Springfield as well as surrounding towns, will be offering free meningitis vaccinations to the following individuals. Meningitis is a common name for infections in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.  About 3,000 individuals get meningitis each year in the U.S. and can be fatal in about 10% of cases. Meningitis is spread through person to person contact with an infected individual.  Symptoms can include severe headache, high fever and stiff neck.  While meningitis can be very serious and sometimes fatal, the vaccine is highly effective.  Please contact the Westfield Regional Health Department at 908-789-4070 for an appointment to receive this free vaccine.

H1N1 Clinic at Dayton

Clinic is open to all.

The Westfield Regional Health Department holds an H1N1 flu vaccination clinic tonight at 5 p.m. at at Jonathan Dayton High School. The clinic, one of a series being run by the regional department, will be held for three hours. The department serves eight communities in western Union County and is based in Westfield. The clinic is open to any resident who wishes to seek a vaccine. The phramaceutical companies have producted enough vaccine for the public after an order from the federal government to ramp up production. Early on the shortage in the amount of vaccine put limits on who the vaccine was being targeted at. While there was no prohibition on those outside the targeted popuation receiving the vaccine, it was being encouraged for the …

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Mountainside and Springfield H1N1 Clinics

The regional health department holds two local clinics this month, including one at Dayton High.

The Westfield Regional Health Department, which covers Springfield and other area municipalities, will hold two upcoming H1N1 clinics this month. Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 5-8 p.m. at Deerfield School located at 302 Central Avenue in Mountainside. Thursday, Jan. 21, from 5-8 p.m. at Jonathan Dayton High School  at 139 Mountain Avenue in Springfield. Both the nasal spray and injection will be available. These clinics are open to anyone who wishes to be immunized. More information will follow concerning the clinic to be held in Springfield.

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Health Department Warns that H1N1 May Still Peak, Schedules Three Clinics for January

The regional health department will hold a clinic at Dayton High School.

The Westfield Regional Health Department, which covers Springfield as well as other area municipalities, has announced three H1N1 vaccination clinics for January, warning residents that New Jersey may not have seen the worst of the H1N1 virus. Health Officer Megan Avallone said the clinics, which are open to everyone, will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Deerfield School in Mountainside; on Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 9 - 11 p.m. at the New Providence Senior Center and on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield. An increase in vaccine production from pharmaceutical companies is allowing the department to have more vaccine on hand than at previous clinics. "We have plenty," Avallone said of …

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