Shared health collaboration establishes governance framework at inaugural meeting
Four-town health collaboration launches inaugural advisory group to establish governance framework. The Eastern Hampden Shared Public Health Services, serving Hampden, Longmeadow, Monson, and Wilbraham, elected Health Director Ryan Paxton as chair and Jennifer Wolowicz as co-chair. The group
Advisory Board of Health · Meeting of January 14, 2026
WILBRAHAM — Four-town health collaboration launches inaugural advisory group to establish governance framework. The Eastern Hampden Shared Public Health Services, serving Hampden, Longmeadow, Monson, and Wilbraham, elected Health Director Ryan Paxton as chair and Jennifer Wolowicz as co-chair. The group reviewed an FY26 operating budget of 393,000 dollars covering three full-time shared service staff and 20 percent of Paxton's salary.
A performance gap was identified: food inspections must meet a requirement of two per establishment annually, but the program cannot consistently achieve this target. Funding expires after FY27 unless the state legislature renews the Public Health Excellence grant; without renewal, the four towns will need to contribute municipal funds to continue the arrangement.
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Source: the Advisory Board of Health meeting of January 14, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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