By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
The Department of Health and Human Services was created by the Camden County Board of Freeholders to provide residents throughout Camden County access to quality health services and programs that are cost effective and responsive to local needs. And while this department provides a wide variety of services, there is also a need on a more basic level to address the health issues of specific communities. That’s why Pennsauken Township, under a mandate by the State of New Jersey, has created a local Board of Health.
“The County provides a lot of great services; Pennsauken and municipalities throughout Camden County will continue to rely on those programs,” explains Pennsauken Mayor John Kneib. “The state felt there needed to be an additional, more local initiative put in place to help our town meet more of the health needs of the community.”
The Township’s Board of Health will provide a variety of functions, including identifying community health problems; informing and educating residents about health issues; and developing policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. The Board of Health will also coordinate efforts with the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, as well as issue licenses to Pennsauken-based restaurants, caterers, food purveyors, etc., contingent that these businesses have already passed inspection by Camden County health officials.
Pennsauken’s Board of Health consists of the members of Township Committee, the Township Assessor, and two alternate members. A physician or nurse will be appointed by the Township Committee to provide professional expertise. No members of Pennsauken’s Board of Health receive any form of compensation or salary for their services.
The local Board of Health will meet on a quarterly basis; meeting dates and times will be published in All Around Pennsauken, as well as the Township’s newspapers of record and posted on the Township’s web site, twp.pennsauken.nj.us.
For more information on Pennsauken Township’s Board of Health, visit, http://www.twp.pennsauken.nj.us/content/board-health.
