Board of Health & Health Agent/Inspector

Board of Health Online Permitting 

Instructions For Applying 

getvaccinatedberkshires.org  for vaccine availability

The Peru Board of Health strives to provide high quality services to the Town of Peru. Health inspection functions in Peru are mandated by State laws and regulations and local Board of Health regulations, with additional priorities set by the Board of Health and Selectboard. While Health Departments across the country are regionalized on a county or state level, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts leaves it up to each city/town to provide their own health services. In a small town like Peru the Board of Health has to be ready to address a wide variety of questions and issues. To meet this need, the Town of Peru has contracted with the Berkshire Public Health Alliance who provides a Registered Sanitarian and Public Health Nurse to provide professional services to the board and conduct many of the necessary functions. Some of these services include follow up on complaints, housing issues and inspections, research for tax payers and home owners, witnessing percolation tests, Title V inspections, septic plan review, inspection and approval, researching and issuing well permits, providing office hours for consultation and information. The health inspector accepts and processes permit applications and payments. Typical activities in Peru include:  Disposal System Construction Permits, Septage Hauler, Food Permits, Septic Installer, Title 5 witness, Perc Test Witness, Camp Permit, Pool Permit, Private Well and Bathing Beach. Some of the services do not generate a fee but are required by Massachusetts General Law

The Board of Health has oversight of the following issues: Beaver Nuisances * Public Nuisances * Demolition Inspections * General Complaints * Private Wells *Public/Semi-public Pools * Flu Clinics* Public Beaches * Food Establishments * Septage Haulers * Garbage Haulers * Recreational Camps for Children * Septic System Review and Inspections* Housing Complaints and Inspections* Temporary Food Events * Monitoring Infectious Diseases.

The prevalence of COVID-19 has continued to impact the duties of the Board of Health, to include providing free COVID home test kits and free KN95 masks to the residents of Peru. The Peru Board of Health was the recipient of a mini-grant from the Berkshire Public Health Alliance that allowed the purchase of CPR mannequins for training purposes, baby changing tables, first aid kits, a stand-up sign board for announcements and tick removal devices. Funds from the Rural Equity Grant were also received and utilized for gas cards and a yoga class. The role of the public health nurse includes the mandated reporting of contagious disease cases, contact tracing, conducting flu/COVID vaccine clinics and providing support and public education as deemed appropriate.

The current Sanitarian/Health Inspector is Valerie Bird who can be reached at inspectors@berkshireplanning.org. The Sanitarian/Inspector holds office hours 6-8PM the first and third Monday of the month at Town Hall. Contact information can also be found on the town website at www.townofperuma.com/boardofhealth for residents who would like to request inspection, ask questions or file a complaint or inquire about public health related issues.

Peggy White 

Board of Health , Chair

pwhiteperuboh@aol.com