In the recent issue of Ashfield’s local paper, the inept Health Commission has made some rather worrying proclamations as pertaining to its agenda and overall values as a board of local government.

For one, the proposal to raise the age of tobacco sales in town from 18 to 21 is needless. As dangerous as tobacco is to one’s health, this country considers the age of adulthood to legally begin at 18. Anyone that age or older does not need the local board of health slapping them on the wrist and calling them a bad boy or girl. There is ample information out there for an adult to make that decision on their own.

Secondly, Ashfield’s (as well as many other localities) ban on single-use plastics in the sale of food is a hindrance to local businesses trying to survive in hard economic times brought about precisely because of this type of government meddling in people’s lives. It’s OK though, apply for a permit from the town’s website if you absolutely must use them. I’m sure they will be handed out without any type of bias. Let local businesses do what’s best for their bottom line rather than pigeonholing them into economically unsustainable practices, the costs of which they then must pass on to their local customers.

The absolute worst transgression, though, occurs when the board talks about addressing unsightly properties. As far as I am concerned, it’s not the place of board members to worry about what an individual does on their own private property. They decide to take it a step further. When it was brought to their attention that some insurance companies were using drones to inspect properties, they had the audacity to boldly state, “Some of you might think this is a creepy invasion of your personal space, but we don’t agree.”

You don’t say. Government overreach is percolating to the local level and its disgusting. Based on that final assertion, I personally don’t feel any member of Ashfield’s Board of Health is fit to serve and should resign immediately.

Ethan Robertson

Ashfield