Position Description for Member of Board of Health
The board of health is created and empowered by Charter §§ 120 and 277-279 and 18 VSA §§ 604 and 613. Commissioners
- May create rules and regulations relating to the prevention, removal, or destruction of public health hazards and mitigation of public health risks if the rules and regulations are approved by the Vermont Commissioner of Health and are consistent with state health statutes;
- May inspect schools and public buildings;
- May abate public health nuisances caused by the failure of a sewage disposal system to (a) prevent surfacing of sewage and create a health hazard, (b) prevent the pollution or contamination of drinking water supplies, groundwater and surface water, or (c) maintain sanitary and healthful conditions during operation; (This power does not include the power over the design standards for on-site sewage disposal systems)
- May make rules for the sale of milk and cream, food and meat, and the installation and maintenance of plumbing equipment if consistent with state and federal law;
- May license the sale of milk and cream, inspect the cows producing these products and the barns and premises connected with them and the places where milk or cream is stored or kept.
Members of this board must meet the following criteria:
- Be a legal voter of the City of Burlington
- One of the five members must be a physician, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse
Members of this board will be appointed for
- a 3 year term pursuant to § 126, starting on the first of July following his or her appointment
Historically, this board regularly meets on the second Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; board members spend approximately 4-10 hours per month on board duties.
In addition, members of this board will be expected to:
- Attend all scheduled meetings, or if a meeting must be missed, let the chairperson know ahead of the meeting if they will not be able to attend;
- Review any materials provided to the board ahead of time;
- Notify the chairperson and/or the city staff-person assigned to the board of any accommodation for a disability that may be required in order for the person to serve;
- Act from a spirit of cooperation and with respect towards other board members, staff members, and members of the public appearing before the board;
- Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest or bias;
- When deciding a controversy or responding to a request, conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner;
- Comply with all aspects of the Vermont Open Meeting and Access to Public Records laws;
- Consider fairly the interests of all individuals and organizations whose interests may be affected by their actions as a city official.
