Somerville Board of Health

The Boroughs of Somerville, Raritan and Manville have joined together to provide shared public health services that deliver a full spectrum of cost effective, preventive health programming for all our residents.

In the late 1970’s, dwindling local resources continued to erode the ability of local governments and boards of health to individually provide all the necessary services to our citizens. It became increasingly apparent that the regionalization and coordination of public health services was a viable solution to meet the numerous and complex needs of our population. It was these economic and social factors, which encouraged the three boards of health from Somerville, Raritan and Manville to establish a cooperative network of local public health services.

Since 1978, when the original Raritan contract was signed and in 1981, when Manville joined the group, it has been clearly demonstrated and documented that the contract agreements promote increased cost efficiency and effectiveness for all programs offered.

All our residents can be proud that we can now offer more services to protect people’s health and the environment at a lower cost than ever before.

The Board of Health serves a vital function as the autonomous body charged with establishing policies in these and other areas:

• Personnel Policies/Procedures 
• Budget appropriations and expenditures 
• Major program direction and oversight 

The Board of Health operates under Chapter 23 of the Code of the Borough of Somerville.

The Somerville Health Department operates under Chapters 176-190 of the Borough Code.

2012 Somerville Board of Health

Kenneth McCormick, President

John Prudente, Vice-President

Dorothy Holness

Patricia Kerwin

Joseph Mitchell

Lorraine Patel

Kimberly Sorace

Amanda O'Neill, Councilwoman/Liaison