ERVING — Seeking nursing services, Erving plans to join Franklin Regional Council of Government’s Cooperative Public Health Service.
The town has only sought access to the cooperative’s nursing services rather than the scope of its offerings — including sanitation and nuisance complaint inspections, food safety permits, septic repairs and reviews — because Erving has long been a member of the Eastern Franklin County Health District, which provides inspection services, Erving Administrative Coordinator Bryan Smith said.
While the town has previously held nursing clinics with partners like Athol Memorial Hospital, these services have changed, prompting Erving to join FRCOG’s cooperative, Smith said.
The Board of Health approved joining the cooperative Monday, Smith said. The Selectboard will vote to finalize the matter next Monday.
If approved, Erving will be part of the cooperative as of July 1, paying $9,227 for the year. Rates range from $2,000 to $19,000, based on size, permit, revenue and level of participation.
Erving will join a dozen towns already in the cooperative: Monroe, Rowe, Heath, Colrain, Leyden, Charlemont, Buckland, Shelburne, Gill, Hawley, Conway and Deerfield.
The nurse will be available on certain days according to a set schedule. Tentatively, this will be the first Tuesday of every month at the town Wellness Center, Smith said.
Erving will publish an announcement about the nursing services in its monthly newsletter and on the town website.
Questions can be directed to Board of Health Clerk Betsy Sicard at 413-422-2800, ext. 1101.
Reach Grace Bird at gbird@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 280.