Board of Health

Billerica chose its first Board of Health at the March 1894 town meeting: three physicians, Dr. Omar A. Flint, Dr. Charles E. Hosmer and Dr. John B. Tyler, together with the selectmen. From 1895 the town elected three members for staggered three-year terms. The board oversees sanitation, sewage and septic systems, food and milk inspection and communicable disease, and ran the town nursing service. Frederick G. Brown served on it for fifty years (1921-1971). Members were elected at the annual town election until 1980, when the board became appointed; it grew to five members in 1987. Since 1986 its staff has been led by a Director of Public Health.