Board of Health

About Us

The Board of Health is responsible for safeguarding the health of the town's residents. Their specific responsibilities include:

• Issuing permits for septic systems;
• Dealing with safe disposal of night soil;
• Monitoring ground water for possible contaminants;
• Monitoring leaching from the landfill;
• Regulating the use of underground fuel storage tanks;
• Inspects and licensing food establishments;
• Monitoring the quality of pond and lake water to safeguard the shellfish supply;
• Issuing tent permits;
• Inspect and test for lead paint;
• Providing public information and education on common health hazards.

The Board of Health is the only board that may pass a regulation without a public hearing.

Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative (IIPHEC)

Chilmark is a member of the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative.  Meeting agendas for these meetings are posted on the Dukes County website, per the provisions of 940 CMR 29.03(3), which are the Open Meeting Law posting methods specific to Regional or District Public Bodies. IIPHEC meetings occur at 2:00 pm on the second and the third Wednesday of the month via zoom.  

Link to the Dukes County calendar: https://www.dukescounty.org/calendar/month

Submit your agenda item requests before 5:00 pm on the Thursday before the regular Wednesday board meeting to boh@chilmarkma.gov.