Hubbardston Board of Health Corrects Meeting Minutes, Flags Arsenic in Well Water

HUBBARDSTON -- February 24, 2026, Hubbardston Board of Health amends two sets of meeting minutes and fields urgent arsenic water-testing question. At its February 24 meeting, the three-member board, Chair Gael Moncoeur, Dave Rogers, and Dianna Johnson, voted unanimously to correct January 27 minutes that had erroneously recorded approval of paid fees for a former member serving as a volunteer food inspector, a move barred under state law for one year after departure from the board. The board also amended its February 10 minutes to confirm that a local store had voluntarily removed kratom products and nitrous oxide canisters following a board letter. On a time-sensitive matter, the board advised a realtor that a water test at 210 Gardener Road showing arsenic at 0.01666 milligrams per liter, above the EPA primary standard of 0.010, should prompt a retest after flushing before any treatment system is installed, with the property's closing reported as imminent. Budget discussions flagged that the board's prior $5,000 estimate for sanitarian Phil Ledger's services may fall short once spring permitting volume is factored in at his current rate of $200 per review.