Sudbury Board of Health hears opioid survey results and battery storage warnings

SUDBURY -- July 8, 2026, Sudbury Board of Health hears regional opioid survey results and flags battery storage risks near town well. Regional substance use coordinator Olivia Dufour presented findings from a 1,012-response, seven-town assessment that ranked prevention and education highest in Sudbury at 4.45 on a five-point scale, with harm reduction and connection to care following and criminal-justice-involved persons lowest at 2.7. Health Director Vivian Zeng said the in-house study replaced outside vendor quotes of $80,000 to $140,000. Assistant Health Director Mike Fugnioli reported that a battery energy storage system proposed at 435 Boston Post Road sits next to a town well; Zeng warned that thermal runaway fires cannot be extinguished and that the fire chief "has to essentially let it burn." The board approved June 10 minutes unanimously.