By Katie Farrell Lovett
NEWBURYPORT — The Board of Health has hired a new director to replace Jack Morris.
Robin Blair, chairman of the Board of Health, confirmed the position has been accepted by Robert Bracey, who is currently the health agent in Stoneham.
Bracey, who lives in Medford, will start in the city on Feb. 22, Blair said.
Bracey, who has a bachelor's degree in health sciences from Salem State, has been the health agent in Stoneham since 2003. His previous work experience includes part-time health agent positions in Winchester and Tyngsboro. He has also been appointed by the governor to the state Board of Health.
Morris left the city in November to become a regional health director for neighboring Amesbury and Salisbury. However, he has continued to serve Newburyport in the interim through a part-time position until his replacement could be hired. Amesbury and Salisbury combined health services after a tri-community regional health agreement was rejected by the Newburyport City Council.
Under state law, a city's board of health hires the health director and does not need approval by the mayor or city council.
Blair said the Board of Health moved through rounds of interviews, narrowing the pool from eight, to three and then to a finalist.
"We had three finalists, any one of which would have done an admirable job," Blair said. "We just liked the way he put things together. ... His work experience filled what we perceived as our needs."
In addition to a new health agent, the city will also be advertising for a new public health nurse after Melinda Gibbons resigned last week. Also, an independent contractor who was hired to do food inspections will be leaving at the end of the month, Blair said.
The board will discuss with Bracey how to handle the inspections in the future, Blair said.
He added that the city will not experience any gaps in coverage, as there are plans in place for an individual to come in as needed. The board met last night to begin the transition from Morris to Bracey.
Blair said the Board of Health hasn't had any discussions about regionalization in the future.
But, he added, he believes if it did, it would not look to do so with Amesbury and Salisbury.
"That ship has sailed," he said.
Blair said the city could look into regionalizing certain aspects of the Health Department, such as animal control.
