Bellingham Board of Health Approves Laptop Purchase, Defers Blood Pressure Clinic Spending

BELLINGHAM — March 17, 2026 — Bellingham's Board of Health warned its health agent to accelerate food establishment inspections and deferred a $3,000 blood pressure clinic funding motion at its March 17 meeting. Health Agent Bill Levante reported only 15 of roughly 100 food establishment inspections completed so far this year, prompting the board to direct him to complete as many as possible before the April 7 meeting. "Your main function in this business is food inspections — this cannot be put off," the chair said. A motion to spend $3,000 from the board's food permit revolving fund — reported to hold over $100,000 — for twice-monthly blood pressure clinics was made, seconded, and then withdrawn after members could not confirm whether the fund's authorized uses extend beyond food-inspection costs; the question will go to town counsel and may require a town meeting warrant article. The board unanimously approved purchasing a laptop under $1,000 for Minutes Clerk Laura Renaud out of tobacco licensing funds, citing the legal risk of using personal devices for official work, and extended the permitted use of outdoor wood stoves by residents to June 1, 2026, in response to high fuel prices. The board also voted to pay Solomon VNA $670 for March health services and William Payne, Constable, $70 for a service of process.