SALISBURY — Restaurants and rental property owners in town are on notice that increased inspection standards are coming with the arrival of a new health agent.

Local restaurants have not been accustomed to thorough inspections in the past, said Town Manager Neil Harrington, and when then-interim health agent Jack Morris and Salisbury's part-time inspector, David Madden, did inspections this spring, many businesses did not meet health code requirements.

Under a newly signed regional health agreement with Amesbury to share costs, Morris is now the official health agent for both towns, and he has his work cut out for him to bring the town into compliance.

Among the first things on Morris' agenda is educating Salisbury's rental housing and food service owners about what is expected as the town works to bring them into compliance with all state and local health codes.

Joanne Housianitis, chairwoman of the Board of Health, said with a new level of inspection coming, it's important that the board, along with other town officials, make the effort to inform rental property, restaurant and business owners about the raising of the bar when it comes to health inspections.

"There's going to be some grumbling, I'm sure, and there's going to be some pain," Housianitis said. "But the long-term goal is that the housing people live in is healthy and that in Salisbury things are going to improve."

Already planned in November are four workshops for restaurant owners, Harrington said.

"We want to inform restaurant owners about what to expect in the next round of inspections," he said. "We'll actually present practical examples of what the health inspectors will be asking about and looking for."

Those workshops are scheduled for the Colchester Room at Town Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Others might be planned if needed, said Harrington, who urged those involved to attend.

Coming soon in December are similar workshops for the owners of rental housing properties in Salisbury. The quality of Salisbury's rental housing inventory has long been substandard, especially some units rented at the beach, Housianitis said.

In hopes of remedying that situation, in mid-2008, the Board of Health approved a regulation requiring all rental housing units in Salisbury to undergo and pass an annual inspection, she said. The regulation hasn't been implemented until now for lack of staff and funds.

"For decades, we've never had the level of inspection services in town that was needed," Housianitis said. "Eighteen months ago, the Board of Health, under the chairmanship of Lou Masiello at the time, wanted to take a strong stand that sub-par rental units and houses would not be acceptable any longer. We approved the (annual inspection) regulation. Leadership in town is now addressing these issues, and eventually sections of the town will slowly see an incremental appreciation of the property in these areas."

With the hiring of Morris, as well as the implementation of a new inspection fee system, much needed inspections are on the way, Harrington said. Along with the educational workshops, independent contractors are being hired as restaurant and housing inspectors, Harrington said. They'll be paid not by taxpayers' dollars, but by the inspection fees paid by those inspected.

"The whole problem in Salisbury is that there has been decades of inattention to these matters," Harrington said. "But now, we have the people in place in the building inspectors and public health offices to clean this up. But it won't be quick."

"I think when this happens, Salisbury will be turning the page and offering a more positive and healthful environment for the homeowners and their tenants," Housianitis said. "But the Town Manager is right. It will take time."

Morris, who will spend 60 percent of his time in Amesbury and 40 percent in Salisbury, will be in Salisbury's health office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and by appointment, Harrington said. He will be out doing inspections at other times.

Health department secretary Andrea Brochu will staff the office to Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as well.