Board Opens Review of Outdated Tobacco Rules

Board of Health · Meeting of October 28, 2026

Bridgewater's Board of Health flagged outdated tobacco regulations and continued operating without a health agent. Staffer Michelle told members the town has no current tobacco regulations on file, a gap surfaced after Massachusetts Health Officers Association representative Megan DaCosta asked for an updated copy before resuming inspections of the town's roughly 11 remaining tobacco retailers. Member William Prince said he helped interview two candidates for the vacant health agent post and expects a hire "soon." Member Kevin Bloomquist reported signing a group-funded contract for a backup telehealth nurse, Kathy Evans, who has already begun arranging blood pressure clinics at the Bridgewater Senior Center.

Food establishments face a December 31, 2026, permit renewal deadline. No votes were taken on any substantive item; the board scheduled its next meeting for November 18.

In the full story:

• Old Business
• DPH Report: Former Gas Station Environmental Notice
• Health Department Staffing Update
• Food Permit Renewal Season
• Tobacco Regulations Need Updating
• Halifax Public Excellence Group: Maven Nurse Contract and Shared Services
• Setting the Next Meeting
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,991 words

Source: the Board of Health meeting of October 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.