WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Board of Health held a short 30-minute meeting this past Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Town Hall. Below are 5 things that happened:
#1) VAPING BAN: Wilmington Health Director Shelly Newhouse updated the Board on the state’s temporary vaping ban.
Newhouse shared the state’s announcement: “On September 24, 2019, Governor Baker declared a public health emergency in the Commonwealth due to severe lung disease associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products and the epidemic of e-cigarette use among youth. The Commissioner of Public Health has temporarily prohibited the sale and display of all vaping products and e-cigarettes until further notice.”
Newhouse noted that all the establishments in town that were selling the products have been cooperative after the ban was announced.
“I visited the establishments the day after the ban, and most of them already knew and had gotten rid of everything. Everyone was great,” Newhouse told the board. “And I think the ban is the right thing until we can figure out what the short-term and long-term effects are [of vaping].”
The Route 38 Smoke Shop will be getting rid of their window signage promoting e-cigarette and vaping products shortly.
The Wilmington Police Department is assisting Newhouse in researching “hemp sticks” and whether they should be considered a part of the ban. A couple of establishments in town are selling them.
#2) IMPORTANT UPCOMING OLIN MEETING: Newhouse announced that the EPA will be holding an Open House (5:30pm-6:45pm) followed by an Informational Meeting (7pm-8:30pm) on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in the Wilmington High School Auditorium (159 Church Street).
The purpose of the Open House and Information Meeting is to update residents about the latest progress on site activities at the Olin Chemical Superfund Site.
“EPA is going to discuss what’s been happening and what’s going to happen at the site,” said Newhouse. “This is an important meeting. Olin and EPA will both be there. This is the first time in quite awhile.”
The meeting space is fully accessible. If you have any questions, special needs or require transportation, please contact Sarah White at 617-918-1026, 1-888-372-7341, or white.sarah@epa.gov.
#3) HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOW ON FACEBOOK: The Wilmington Health Department now has a Facebook page. Like it HERE. The page, which was just created a few weeks ago, is another avenue for the Health Department to communicate with residents. The Department may eventually launch a Twitter account too.
#4) FLU CLINICS: The Wilmington Health Department will soon be offering flu clinics, likely three, later this month. There will be a clinic for seniors, a town-wide clinic on a Saturday, and a clinic at night during the week.
“We have high dose for seniors, which will be by appointment, likely beginning the third week of October at the Senior Center,” said Newhouse. “We will also have the shingle vaccine and phenomena vaccine available for the first time.”
The Department is waiting to receive the vaccines before announcing the dates publicly.
#5) RESTAURANT UPDATES: Newhouse provided a brief update on the new restaurants that have opened or that are opening in town:
- Michael’s Place permanently opened on Monday, September 30, 2019 after a soft opening and evaluation period.
- Tremezzo Pizzeria opened on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
- Pie Me Over (217 Main Street, in the Wilmington Crossing plaza next to LaRosa’s) appears to be getting closer to opening, but has not been in contact with the Health Department recently.
- Casa Blanca (207 Main Street, in the Wilmington Crossing plaza, in the old Chili spot) continues to be delayed. “I hear the hold up is that they’re still waiting for tile from Mexico,” noted Newhouse.
- Greg’s Pizza & Roast Beef (101 Main Street) is going to be under new management. The new manager is a current employee. The restaurant will continue to have the same owner.
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