The Board of Health (BOH) met July 22 in a hybrid, recorded meeting with members Andrew Petty, Tom McMahon, Tom Massaro and Amanda Ritvo in attendance.
Republic Services Strike
Massaro reported that the board and Health Department have made consistent efforts to keep residents informed about the ongoing strike involving Republic Services. McMahon emphasized the importance of providing timely, transparent updates and credited the Marblehead Current for its clear reporting.
Petty noted the strike has entered its fourth week. Republic is currently dispatching two trucks per day for trash collection, with out-of-state workers operating from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., up to a 60-hour weekly limit. As drivers grow familiar with local routes, the volume of complaints has decreased. However, there is no mediation date set, and a resolution between Republic and the Teamsters union remains distant.
CodeRED alerts are issued weekly with trash collection updates. Some streets are missed and added to the following day’s route. Smaller DPW trucks are assisting with pickups. Petty praised the staff at the Transfer Station for their dedication, calling them “cheerful” and hardworking.
Residents are encouraged to bring recyclables to the Transfer Station, where Waste Management hauls away 65-ton totes up to four times daily. Overflow is collected as new totes arrive. When asked about extending hours, Petty said staffing limitations make this impossible.
The strike centers on wages. Petty explained that Boston sanitation workers make $51 per hour, while Republic drivers make $39. The union is seeking $46. Republic also faces financial losses from its recycling obligations under the current contract. While several municipalities have filed suit against Republic, Marblehead has not joined and has withheld its most recent bill pending review.
Petty reminded residents to place trash only—tied in bags and in barrels with tight-fitting lids—at the curb. Trash weighing over 50 pounds will not be picked up. One-off missed pickups are being addressed. Residents may bring excess trash to the Transfer Station and pay by weight.
McMahon reported spending a Saturday morning checking for out-of-town users at the Transfer Station and found no violations. A license plate reader (LPR) system will soon be operational at the Green Street entrance to assist staff with verifying residency.
In response to a question about recycling volume, Petty said usage has nearly doubled. Cardboard, paper and metal fill bins quickly and are difficult to compress. He clarified that recycling is not classified as solid waste and does not pose a public health risk.
Chair’s Report — Organizational Structure
Massaro proposed continuing with associate chair positions. Ritvo was confirmed as associate chair for community health, and McMahon for waste.
Community Health/CAHM
Massaro and Petty continue working with UMass Boston to finalize 45 questions for a community health survey, with completion expected by mid-August. The survey will be distributed Sept. 15–16, with responses due by the second week of October. UMass will analyze the data and deliver preliminary results in the first quarter of 2026. Focus groups will be formed to deepen understanding of key findings, leading to a full report by late Q1 and community presentations by Q2.
All residents age 18 and older will receive a mailed invitation with options to complete the survey online, by mail or by phone. The goal is a 30% response rate. Outreach will include press coverage, signage and targeted efforts to engage younger residents, potentially via the YMCA.
Seminars on U.S. Healthcare
Massaro proposed hosting two to four public seminars to explain the U.S. healthcare system, noting Americans spend $5 trillion annually—equivalent to the world’s third-largest GDP. He said $1.4 trillion goes to private insurance, with administrative costs accounting for 12–20% of premiums. Topics would include Medicare’s various parts and distinctions from Medicaid. Ritvo may assist.
McMahon noted many doctors are unaware of the costs of the tests they order, and most citizens do not know how much their employers pay toward insurance.
Next Meeting
The next BOH meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2025.
This report was written by Tom Krueger.
