Letter: Board of Health Discusses Dog Bites, Restaurant Conditions

To the Editor: 

The Westfield Board of Health met on May 7, 2012. 

Seven dog bites occurred recently.  One resident was bruised in one incident and two dogs were euthanized as a result of the incidents, with one of them tested for rabies. Residents must license all cats and dogs through the Town Clerk and get them vaccinated against rabies, due to the presence of rabies in the county. An animal that is not properly licensed and vaccinated against rabies and that is involved in a biting incident is subject to a quarantine of at least 10 days, and the owner is issued a summons.

A Board Hearing was convened concerning a local restaurant that had a recent history of Sanitary Code violations. The restaurant corrected all past violations and its most recent inspection was satisfactory. After review, the Board unanimously voted to place the restaurant on a 12-month probation with conditions. Details will be posted in the Board minutes when approved. 

Twenty-three retail food establishments were inspected last month, of which 22 were satisfactory and 1 conditionally satisfactory. The Board is planning to post more detailed information about inspection results for restaurants and other retail food establishments in town, within the requirements of the State Sanitary Code. Until then, all residents are encouraged to be aware of the mandatory inspection certificate that must be clearly visible in a conspicuous place near the public entrance. Any resident who has questions or concerns regarding these or other environmental health issues can call the Principal Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Ken Pincus, MS, directly at 908-789-4070, extension 4072.

In addition, the Westfield Regional Health Department is sponsoring free health screenings with Overlook Medical Center in the Municipal Building. Diabetes Screening will be on Thursday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Stroke Risk Assessment will be on Tuesday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The stroke screening includes tests for blood pressure and blood lipids (fats) and sugar and individualized counseling. For more information about these programs and to register, please call the Overlook Community Health Department at 1-800-247-9580.

Information about all of the Health Department’s activities is available on its website http://www.westfieldnj.gov/health. The complete minutes of the May 7 meeting will be posted after review and approval at our June 4 meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m. in the . 

Lawrence D. Budnick, MD

President, Westfield Board of Health 

838 Nancy Way

Westfield, NJ 07090

(day) 973-972-2900

(evening) 908-232-4364

LDB838@verizon.net