Sharon Health Department Journal

Food inspections are official evaluations conducted by qualified health inspectors to ensure that food is prepared, stored, and served safely, cleanly, and in compliance with applicable health regulations. These inspections are designed to protect public health, prevent foodborne illness, and promote consumer confidence.

During an inspection, health inspectors typically assess the following areas:

• Cleanliness and Sanitation: Kitchens, equipment, utensils, and food storage areas.
• Food Handling Practices: Proper handwashing, glove use, and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Food Temperatures: Safe cooking, cooling, reheating, and refrigeration practices.
• Food Storage and Labeling: Expiration dates, proper labeling, and separation of raw and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods.
• Pest Control: Absence of insects, rodents, or other pests.
• Employee Health and Hygiene: Illness reporting, personal hygiene, and food safety practices.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to state and local food safety laws and regulations.

Food inspections are conducted at a wide range of food establishments, including restaurants, retail food stores, grocery stores, residential kitchens, mobile food trucks, school cafeterias, and food service operations run by churches, synagogues, and other non-profit organizations.

These inspections help prevent foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella and E. coli by evaluating food handling, preparation, and storage practices. Inspectors may also provide education and guidance to food service personnel when unsafe practices are observed.

Types of Inspections

• Routine Inspections: Unannounced inspections conducted to assess overall compliance with food safety regulations (typically performed twice per year).
• Compliance Inspections: Investigations initiated in response to public complaints or reported illnesses. Foodborne illness symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
• Follow-Up Inspections: Re-inspections conducted to verify that previously identified violations have been corrected.

Inspection Outcomes

• Compliance: The establishment meets all applicable requirements.
• Violations: Identified issues are classified according to severity and potential risk to public health including priority and priority foundation violations.
• Corrective Action: Establishments are given a specified timeframe to correct violations before re-inspection.
• Penalties: For serious or repeated violations, enforcement actions may include fines, fees, or suspension of permits.

If you have any concerns for cleanliness or illness of a local food establishment, please contact the Health Department at (781) 784-1500 x1205

The Sharon Substance Prevention and Resource Coalition (SSPARC) is conducting a community-wide survey on mental health and substance use. As part of this anonymous survey, SSPARC is interested in your perspectives on these issues in the Town of Sharon. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and your responses will remain both anonymous and confidential.

The ideal participants for this survey are individuals of high school age or older that are residents of the Town of Sharon. However, others who work in the Town of Sharon or those who live in nearby neighborhoods outside of the Town of Sharon are also encouraged to participate. Results will be aggregated, analyzed independently by someone from outside the Sharon community, and will not be linked to any individual survey respondent.

You may access the survey by clicking on this link: Survey

The survey will close on Friday, February 13, 2026. Thank you for your time and participation.

As we settle into January, many of us in Sharon are leaning into the spirit of fresh starts. While the New Year begins with a surge of energy, we know that the path to meaningful change isn't always a straight line. It is normal - and deeply human - to feel a whirlwind of emotions along the way: from the initial spark of hope to the inevitable moments of frustration, fear, or self-doubt.

To support yourself through these ups and downs, try a simple but powerful tool: The Mindful Pause.

Mindfulness simply means paying attention to what is happening in the present moment - both inside and around us - without judging it or trying to change it. When you notice an emotion rising - whether it's feeling overwhelmed at work or discouraged by a setback - use that feeling as a cue to pause. Take a breath and gently ask yourself:

• What am I noticing in my body? (e.g., a tight chest, clenched jaw, or racing heart)
• What thoughts are moving through my mind? (e.g., "I can't do this" or "This is too much")
• What emotions are present? (e.g., irritation, anxiety, or perhaps just fatigue)

Often, we assume our stress is caused only by the world around us - a difficult conversation or an unexpected hurdle. In reality, our reactions are also shaped by our past experiences, our beliefs, and the meaning we give each challenge. By taking a Mindful Pause, one creates a space that allows you to understand more fully what is arising within yourself. These tiny moments of awareness create the opportunity to reclaim the power to respond intentionally.

Additionally, by mindfully pausing, you calm your body's stress response and re-engage the parts of your brain responsible for logical thinking and problem-solving. Over time, these moments of awareness build upon one another, providing the steadiness and clarity you need to stay aligned with what matters most to you throughout 2026.

The Sharon Health Department wishes all our residents a healthy and mindful month ahead!

For more information, visit committoyou.org or contact Dr. Prajapati directly at sejalprajapati@committoyou.org.

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Hillary Johnson and I am a member of the Board of Health! I hold a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Analysis and Policy and a Master's degree in International Health and Health Systems.

My family and I moved from Boston to Sharon in 2021, and I was excited to find ways to contribute to our new community. Through my work, I partner closely with local health agents and public health nurses across Massachusetts, so joining the Sharon Board of Health felt like a meaningful way to share my experience at the local level. I was appointed to the Board in 2023 and have found it incredibly rewarding to be part of a small town where residents are engaged and invested in each other's well-being.

About Me

I am a senior infectious disease epidemiologist with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Before joining DPH in 2007, I worked on HIV counseling and testing programs in refugee camps in Rwanda and served as an environmental consultant for the U.S. EPA. At DPH, I began as Director of Field Operations in the Division of STD Prevention, later led the Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiology team, and served as Pandemic Response Coordinator during COVID-19. I now serve in a senior leadership role, supporting infectious disease response efforts statewide.

Public Health often works quietly in the background, but it's the reason our water is safe, our air is clean, and our communities are protected from disease. Prevention saves lives and resources. I've stayed in this field because it relies not on profit, but on people who care. My focus on the Board is to support our Health Department and ensure they have the resources they need to serve everyone in Sharon. I'm especially committed to health equity and making sure no one in our community is left behind.

Being an infectious disease epidemiologist during a global pandemic truly puts your career choice to the test. The past few years have been challenging, but I believe deeply in public health and in doing my part to make the world better for everyone. It's the Girl Scout in me - and yes, I'm also a troop leader for both of my daughters here in Sharon. Change doesn't happen by magic - we have to put in the work.

Looking to make a meaningful difference in a senior's day? The Sharon Community Center (lower level) is happy to accept gently used home-care items that help older adults stay safe, comfortable, and independent at home. If you have clean, good-condition equipment you're no longer using, consider giving it a second life!

• Walkers
• Rollators
• Manual wheelchairs
• Transport chairs
• Shower chairs or benches
• Raised toilet seats (new or unopened only)
• Commode chairs (new only)

Every donation goes right back into our community and directly supports local older adults. Thank you for helping us make home a safer place for everyone!

The Health Department offers a medication disposal kiosk for residents who need to dispose of prescription medications safely.

We collect:

• Prescription medications such as pills, capsules, ointments and patches.
• Prescription liquid medications in a small, glass or leak-proof container.

We DO NOT collect:

• Needles and sharps.
• Inhalers and albuterol.
• Aerosol cans.
• Boxes.
• Bags.

Before disposing of your medications, remove them from any boxes or bags the medication may have been packaged in. Keep them in the pill container- do not empty loose pills into the kiosk.

If you have any questions, please contact the Health Department at (781) 784-1500 x1205.

If you have any sharps, you can dispose of them at the Public Safety Building at 213 S Main Street between the hours of 8AM and 6PM.

Red biohazard boxes are preferred. If one is not available, then all sharps must be in an opaque, puncture proof container such as detergent, bleach bottle, or large coffee can. The container must be sealed and labeled "Do not recycle."

Please do not leave sharps outside the Fire Department doors.

The Health Department is committed to supporting community safety by providing free naloxone to residents. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes. Carrying it is an important step in protecting loved ones, friends, and community members - especially as overdose events can happen unexpectedly and often before emergency responders arrive.

To further support preparedness, the Health Department also offers basic CPR training classes, which include naloxone administration training. Classes are $35 per participant and limited to 6 students to ensure personalized instruction.

If you are interested in obtaining naloxone or enrolling in an upcoming CPR/Narcan training session, please email Aine Greeley at agreeley@townofsharon.org to express your interest.

Cases of Flu are on the rise in Massachusetts and nationwide. Influenza-like illness activity remains "very high" across all regions of the state. If you received the 2025-2026 Influenza vaccine, you took a very important step in protecting yourself from illness! While this year's formula does not cover the strain that currently appears to be most virulent (Influenza A (H3N2), subclade K) it can still be very protective.

Studies have shown that vaccination is associated with a 70-75% decrease in hospitalization for children and 30-40% decrease in adults. With vaccination, symptoms are also much less severe, and the risk of severe complications is significantly reduced. Flu season is usually peaking in January.

It is not too late to receive your seasonal Flu vaccine!

Fight the flu:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch and shared surfaces often.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Eat a healthy diet, keep hydrated, and get adequate rest.
• Educate young children about hand hygiene and the importance of covering our coughs/sneezes.
• Stay home from work or school if exhibiting symptoms*. Stay home until fever free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.

*Symptoms of the Flu include sudden onset of fever, cough, runny nose, headache, maliase, and muscle aches.

Every Tuesday and Friday from 9:30AM-11AM

Location: Sharon Adult Center & Council on Aging

219 Massapoag Ave, Sharon MA 02067

• Wednesday, January 14, 2026 10:30AM-12PM
• Wednesday, February 11, 2026 10:30AM-12PM

The Health Department continues to collect food and essential household items to support local pantries and help individuals and families in our community who may be facing hardship.

Your contributions go a long way in ensuring people have access to the resources they need.

We are currently accepting:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Paper towels and toilet paper
• Shampoo and deodorant
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Peanut butter
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Canned vegetables
• Canned tuna and canned chicken
• Cereal (non-sugary)
• Juice

Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours at the Health Department. Every item makes a meaningful difference and helps support neighbors who need a little extra help. Thank you for giving back and strengthening our community!

Click here: Permitting / Town of Sharon MA

Chickens are at high risk of hypothermia during the colder months of the year. Hypothermia is the most common cause of death of chickens during the winter.

Prevention

• Sheltering chickens in a structure which doesn't drop below freezing.
• Insulating coop.
• Providing an external heat source that would not cause a fire hazard.
• Covering outdoor runs which will provide protection from the wind and winter elements.
• Not allowing chickens outside in the snow, rain, or wind.

Signs of Mild Hypothermia

• Huddling with other birds.
• Increased heart rate.
• Rapid breathing.
• Pale face and comb.

Signs of Moderate Hypothermia

• Reduced heart rate.
• Cyanosis - bluish face and/or comb.
• Dilate pupils.
• Abnormal heart rhythm.
• Increased muscle stiffness.
• Recumbency.
• Decreased shivering.
• Weakened reflexes.

Severe Hypothermia

• Recumbency, loss of consciousness.
• Rigid body.
• Body is cold to touch.
• Heart stops beating.
• Coma, appearing deceased.
• Death.

If you notice any of these signs be sure to reach out to your veterinarian.

Feeding Wildlife - from Divisions of Fisheries and Wildlife

Wildlife in winter | Mass.gov

Each winter, MassWildlife receives inquiries from the public regarding whether or not to feed wildlife. While people have good intentions, supplemental feeding of wildlife typically does more harm than good. Most wildlife seasonally change their behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies. Supplemental feeding can alter that behavior and have detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects. Wildlife in Massachusetts have adapted over thousands of years to cope with harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures, and high winds.

Supplemental feed sites congregate wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which can:

• Attract predators and increase risk of death by wild predators or domestic pets;
• Spread diseases among wildlife or cause other health issues (e.g. Rumen acidosis in deer, Aflatoxicosis in turkeys);
• Cause aggression and competition over food, wasting vital energy reserves and potentially leading to injury or death;
• Reduce fat reserves, as wild animals use energy traveling to and from the feeding site;
• Cause wildlife to cross roads more frequently, therefore increasing vehicle collisions;
• Negatively impact vegetation and habitat in areas where feeding congregates animals.

Providing wildlife with food at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival and can lead to human/wildlife conflicts. Once habituated behavior is established, it can be very difficult or impossible to change.

What can you do?

The best way to help wildlife make it through the winter is to step back and allow the animals' instincts to take over. To help wildlife near your home, focus on improving the wildlife habitat on or near your property, by including natural food and cover (e.g., some conifer cover and regenerating forest or brushy habitat). It is also important that wildlife populations are in balance with what the habitat can support.

Bird feeding

MassWildlife biologists advise against feeding during winter months is generally acceptable, we recommend using native plants and water to attract birds to your yard. Fallen bird seed can unintentionally attract many types of wildlife, including bears, turkeys, small mammals like squirrels and mice, and predators like foxes, fishers, and coyotes that feed on small mammals. If you notice unwanted wildlife in our backyard, bring in your bird feeders immediately.

Questions for Animal Control? Email roles@townofsharon.org!

Questions? Email MDenrich@townofsharon.org!

It's important to regularly check the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recall list because defective or unsafe products, including drugs, food, and medical devises, can reach consumers.

When you're aware of active recalls, you can act quickly - stop using the product, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and contact your healthcare provider or retailer of needed. Failure to do so can mean exposure to serious health risks or harm even when the chance may seem small.

Staying informed is a simple but powerful step in protecting your health and the wellbeing of those around you.