County supervisor announces progress in shift to full-scale health department
SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. >> Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, Chair of the Public Health Advisory Task Force today announced the Task Force is recommending the county create a Director of Environmental Health position. This is a significant step in transitioning from a county Public Health Services office to a full-service County Department of Health.
The Task Force recommendation now moves through the committee process.
The motion to authorize an amendment to the 2021 compensation schedule under Public Health Services was passed unanimously in the Human Resources and Insurance committee meeting on July 27, and will now move to a vote of the full Board on its August 17, 2021 Board Meeting. Once approved by the Board, Saratoga County administration will post the position and begin the recruitment process.
“The creation of a Director of Environmental Health is a critical step in the process, as this person will play an important role in creating and implementing environmental health programs, which are an integral part of building out the full-scale health department,” Barrett said. “I look forward to working with Dr. Kuhles, his team, and the transition task force as we continue with this landmark transformation of our county’s public health system.”
“This is an important step for Saratoga County and our residents as we move toward building a full-service county health department,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said. “The Public Health Advisory Task Force, our Commissioner of Health, Dr. Kuhles, and his Director of Environmental Health will be instrumental in ensuring the measures taken will result in a top-notch, full-service department of health for the people of Saratoga County.”
Under the general supervision of the Saratoga County Health Commissioner, the Director of Environmental Health will plan, direct, supervise and execute all environmental health programs throughout the county.
The Environmental Health Services Department within the County Department of Health will administer public health programs related to air pollution, water supplies and purification, sewage disposal, stream pollution, sanitary control of restaurants and public eating places, camps, hotels, rabies, lead, toxins, lodging houses, boarding houses, swimming pools, general sanitation, hazardous and solid wastes and enforce relevant provisions of the New York State Public Health Law and Sanitary Code and related local laws.
The Public Health Advisory Task Force will oversee the county’s transition from a partial health service county to a full-service department of health district, as it is anticipated that the conversion will require significant planning and investment.
As a result of an increase in resident population, the county must convert from a partial health service county to a full health service district pursuant to NY Public Health Law Article 340. This conversion requires the addition of an environmental services unit, as these services will no longer be provided by the New York State Department of Health. Saratoga County is working directly with the New York State Department of Health during this transition process.