PROSPECT [–] Town officials have leaned toward staying with Chesprocott Health District, at least for now.
The Town Council made a temporary decision to continue with Chesprocott health District however council members agreed that inquiries should be made with other health districts before making a final decision.
The towns of Cheshire, Prospect and Wolcott have been part of the Chesprocott Health District for 48 years.
The health district provides public health services including licensing for restautaunts, barbershop inspections, vaccines for residents and has its office at 1247 Highland Ave. in Cheshire.
The Cheshire Town Council voted to opt out of the district in November of last year and move into the South Central Health District that serves Southington, Plainville and Middlefield.
However, after a shift in the majority on the Town Council following the Nov. 7 election, Cheshire voted back into Chesprocott in December.
Town Council member Theresa Graveline said Chesprocott’s board should provide bylaws with stability and considerable notices of years should be given if a town no longer wishes to utilize the health district.
Chesprocott is funded by the state, Chesprocott Town Council Chairman Jeff Slapikas said, meeting minutes state.
“It comes back to economics. If Cheshire had left Chesprocott the per capita for Wolcott and Prospect would have gone up substantially,” Town Council member Scott Martin said. “The result of the Cheshire threatening to leave then coming back ended up causing a lower per capita.”
Chesprocott Director of Health Maura Esposito previously said the district’s accountant presented changes for per capita fees that the finance board will review before it gives a proposal back to the board of directors at its Jan. 17 meeting. The district also has launched a client satisfaction survey, Esposito noted.
As long as the financial aspect is secure, he’s comfortable staying with Chesprocott, but the town should be in a decision to make a change if needed, Martin said.
Town Council member Kevin O’Leary said he has concerns about the bylaws the town could enter into which would impede the autonomy them as a town.
