NORTHFIELD — The town is joining a regional nursing program through the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) that will provide it with consultation services related to local or specialized health issues.

Northfield doesn’t have a town nurse or official nursing services, according to Town Administrator Andrea Llamas. So in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the town Board of Health asked to join FRCOG’s nursing program.

“The nursing program did get a grant to cover Northfield,” Llamas said. “We were allowed to join for right now and it will cover the first half of next year’s assessment.”

Northfield will join the nursing program for a full year, costing about $14,800. The grant will cover about $7,200 in the first year. Funding the town’s participation in the program will be factored into the budget presented at Annual Town Meeting.

While Northfield has yet to appropriate all of the funding, Llamas said the town is still able to sign the agreement and use the services. If voters don’t appropriate the rest of the funding, Northfield is still able to use the service for half the year thanks to the grant.

Selectboard member Tracy Rogers, who works as Emergency Preparedness Program manager for FRCOG, spoke to the nursing program during the board’s meeting on Monday. She said “in full disclosure” that she often interacts with the program, but does not benefit financially from it.

“It’s a great program,” Rogers said. “The woman who is the head nurse has a doctorate in nursing and she is a wonderful woman. She knows her stuff. And then we hired on extra staff during the COVID-19 response. … I think it is a great service for us to join.”

The nursing program is not specific to COVID-19 needs. Rogers said the program also provides services related to preventative medicine, such as hosting blood pressure and flu clinics, or providing educational materials encouraging good nutrition.

By signing the agreement, Northfield is included as part of the oversight board. A Northfield representative will be appointed by the Board of Health. As a member, Llamas said the town will be automatically notified of any public health issues or alerts.

Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.