Board votes down fluoride moratorium, 2-1
Board of Health · Meeting of September 30, 2026
Shrewsbury Board of Health rejects fluoride moratorium in 2-1 vote. The three-member board voted Wednesday not to impose a temporary pause on community water fluoridation while it awaits a long-delayed "state of the science" forum, with members Emily Walker and Dr. Padola opposed and Chair Karen in favor.
Staff member Garcia told the board scheduling conflicts have pushed the forum to as late as early December or early 2027, with a final fluoridation policy vote to follow afterward. The board separately voted 3-0 to reappoint the Massachusetts Health Officers Association as its tobacco compliance agents, sending underage testers into local stores to check for illegal sales. Dr.
Padola said he did not "believe we have enough review of data at this point in time to say that we should have a moratorium." The board's next meeting moves to an evening slot, October 22 at 5:30 p.m.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,227 words
Source: the Board of Health meeting of September 30, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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