Roland Lankah hired as Brookline assistant health director Community Content Roland Lankah was recently hired as the assistant health director for the Brookline Department of Public Health. Lankah started in his new role March 1. In addition to assisting in the management of the overall, day-to-day operations and personnel of the health department, he will oversee the environmental health department, which consists of licensing, permitting, public health inspections and code enforcement activities. “Roland brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge regarding public and environmental health to this role,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett. “He will play an important part in protecting the health and safety of our community, and we are thrilled to welcome him aboard and to work alongside him as he starts in this new role.”
Brookline Public Health shares marijuana survey Community Content Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett and the Brookline Department of Public Health invite residents to take part in the town of Brookline marijuana survey. The survey, which is open to all Brookline residents aged 18 and older, was developed in order to help health officials better understand marijuana use in Brookline and the health needs of town residents. Survey results will be used to assist health officials in developing marijuana-related education and awareness programs. Adult residents may complete the survey online at https://surveymonkey.com/r/5DL76D3. It includes multiple choice and short answer questions about individual marijuana use, as well as questions about marijuana in Brookline in general. The survey does not ask respondents for any personal identifying information.
Brookline, Public Schools provide COVID-19 update Community Content Interim Superintendent Jim Marini and Town Administrator Mel Kleckner provided an update on two recent actions to support and protect all community members, including the staff and students of Public Schools of Brookline, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Town of Brookline authorizes $500,000 to support testing of school and town populations Of this amount, $300,000 will be used for weekly asymptomatic testing of student-facing PSB staff over the course of eight to 10 weeks. The funding will also be used for testing students in grades six through 12 participating in hybrid learning. Tests will be administered voluntarily, and staff and students will be notified of their individual results.
Brookline Public Works announces sanitation rate increases Community Content The town of Brookline announces an increase in sanitation program fees beginning at the start of 2021 to support program costs. The Select Board adopted the fee increases recommended by the Department of Public Works and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee earlier this month. The Brookline Department of Public Works manages a comprehensive hybrid Pay-As-You-Throw, PAYT, refuse and recycling program. The program serves nearly 13,200 customers each week and provides a suite of options for residents to manage household recycling, refuse, special waste and yard waste in a manner that is efficient, convenient, environmentally sound and prioritizes public health and safety. The PAYT program relies on refuse fee revenue to offset a portion of the total program cost. The target cost share is 75% resident fee and 25% town tax subsidy.
Brookline announces private school guidelines Community Content Effective Dec. 18, private schools in Brookline will be required to adhere to an updated set of standards as ordered by the town Department of Public Health. The new order requires that private schools that offer sports programming and other events must adhere to standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs COVID-19 guidance documents and must receive approval for these programs and events from the Brookline Department of Public Health. Additionally, private schools will be required to maintain at least six feet of physical distance among students and staff during classroom activities, as well as during transportation, group education and sporting events and programs.