Board of Health authorizes new inspector to witness septic soil tests

SUDBURY — May 21, 2025 — Sudbury Board of Health clears new inspector for soil tests as federal cuts loom. The board voted unanimously May 21 to authorize Health Inspector Sean Jeffrey to conduct septic soil witnessing as a soil evaluator in training until he can enroll in the state's twice-yearly licensing course, which Public Health Director Vivian Zeng said "fills up within a day." Zeng warned that the federal Hospital Preparedness Program under ASPR has been eliminated and that the CTCI contact-tracing grant, for which Wayland is regional fiscal lead, faces a clawback paused only by court order, with July 1 looming as a cliff. The town's newly approved Public Health Revolving Account — funded through PHE administrative fees and opioid abatement money — will provide a cushion, she said. Members Carol J. Bradford, Linda Marie Huet-Clayton and Susan Sama also heard that 34 of 90 family farmers-market coupon booklets had been claimed in four days, and postponed approval of the March 21 minutes, which could not be located.