Board of Health

6 Park Row, Mansfield, MA 02048

P (508) 261-7366, F (508) 261-7343

HOURS: Mon/Tue/Thu 8am-4pm
Wed 8am-8pm
Fri 8am-12pm

The Board of Health is charged with protecting the public from "noxious influences affecting life and health," unhealthy personal behavior, communicable disease, poor housing, and other unsanitary and unsafe conditions. The Board's authority to protect the public is derived from specific acts of the legislature and a shared responsibility with various state departments through the Code of Massachusetts Regulations. The Board of Health is also granted the authority to adopt reasonable health regulations, and is the legislative body for this purpose.

The Health Department consists of a health agent, secretary and nursing service directly responsible to it and under its direction and control. The health agent is the Board of Health liaison, administrator, inspector and enforcement officer in a variety of areas. These areas include housing, public and quasi-public swimming pools, lead poisoning, food establishments, septic systems, air pollution, water pollution, and nuisances among others.

We don't do medicine…but we do contract for nursing services. This is generally in the mandated areas of health care such as immunization clinics, maternal and child health, communicable disease control, health screening, senior citizen clinics, lead testing of individuals, various therapy services, and hospice care.  The Board of Health is also the sponsor of the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection.

Please feel free to call with questions or for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am selling my house.  Do I need to have the septic system inspected?
How do I locate my septic system?
My apartment has a number of problems.  Can you help me?
When is the household hazardous waste collection?
What can I bring to the household hazardous waste collection?

I am selling my house.  Do I need to have the septic system inspected? (back)

Yes. Title 5 requires the inspection of the septic system or cesspool when a property changes hands. The Health Department has a list of private sector state certified inspectors. If you do have a problem with your system, the inspector is compelled by law to provide you with a list of local septic system installers (prepared by the Board of Health) who can assist you in fixing the problem. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call the Health Department.

How do I locate my septic system? (back)

The Health Department files hold plans called "as-built plan". This plan shows the location of your septic system. As-built plans became mandatory in May 1990, but were still commonly done prior to that. If your home was built prior to 1972, it is unlikely that a plan exists due to a fire that destroyed the town hall.

My apartment has a number of problems.  Can you help me? (back)

If you are having problems with the living conditions in your apartment, a housing inspection can be done. The result is an order to correct any violations of the housing code. However, the occupant is equally responsible to properly care for the landlord's property. Housing inspections are limited to conditions that endanger or impair the health, safety or well being of the occupant. Aesthetic and cosmetic conditions are not applicable.

When is the household hazardous waste collection? (back)

The collection is held annually in April. It is a very expensive event to hold, therefore it is done once a year.

What can I bring to the household hazardous waste collection? (back)

Household hazardous waste no longer needed, 5 gallons or 50 pounds per household. Generally, this is used motor oil, oil paint and stain, solvents, pesticides, cleansers, solvent adhesives, automobile and truck tires, household and automotive batteries and LP gas grill cylinders. A full list is available from the Health Department.

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