Environmental Health
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Contact: Carrie Buckley, Environmental Health Administrator
Phone: 203-630-4226, cbuckley@meridenct.gov
Our Environmental Health staff conducts routine and complaint-based inspections of local food establishments as required by the Connecticut Public Health Code and Local Code. This also includes temporary events, vendors, and caterers. These inspections ensure that appropriate measures are being taken to prevent food borne illness, such as keeping hot and cold food temperatures. Staff also inspects/respond to:
- Barbershop, Hairdressing and Cosmetology Shop Inspections - Per Chapter 70 of Meriden city code, annual inspections of barbershops, hairdressing and cosmetology shops (including nail salons) are done to to check for cleanliness, ensure appropriate methods for sanitization of equipment are being followed and current service provider licenses are issued.
- Childhood Lead Poisoning - Properties may be inspected for sources of lead exposure if there is a child under the age of six living in the home and the child has been found to have an elevated blood lead level. During the inspection, parents are taught about the health hazards of lead paint and property owners are ordered to abate the hazards which are found.
- Day Care Inspections - Site inspections of day care facilities are done in partnership with the State Health Department Day Care Licensing Division.
- Nuisance Properties - Conditions constituting a public health nuisance such as accumulation of garbage, trash, bulky waste, stagnant water, vermin, or nuisance odors, which may be in violation of State and City Codes, are investigated by staff. When necessary, orders and citations to abate nuisances are issued to gain compliance.
- Septic Systems/Private Wells - Staff conduct site evaluations and approve plans for the construction of individual septic systems or drinking water wells for properties which are not served by public water or sewers.
- Swimming Pools - Inspections of a “Public Swimming Pool,” as defined by the Public Health Code (not backyard pools), are made on a regular basis.
| ITINERANT FOOD VENDOR MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT |
The City of Meriden has signed on to participate in the CT Department of Public Health Itinerant Food Vendor Reciprocal Licensing pilot project.
An itinerant food vendor can receive a license and be inspected by one local health jurisdiction and then be allowed to operate in another local health jurisdiction as long as the two local health departments have signed the reciprocal licensing/permitting agreement. County fairs, carnivals, music festivals, etc. are considered temporary events and are not covered by the reciprocal licensing/permitting agreement. Vendors must register with the event coordinator and get the necessary approvals for selling food at these events. If you aren't sure call the local health department of the town where the event is located.
There are many local ordinances that are not covered by the agreement, such as fire, parking, zoning, building, and other required local permits. Itinerant food vendors shall receive proper local approvals prior to operating their business in towns where these other types of permits are required for itinerant food vending establishments. Advance notification may be required for local approvals.
Always contact the local municipality to determine what permits you need before arriving or planning to serve food there. Call our Environmental Health office at 203-630-4226.
Click here for the Frequently Asked Question document for food vendors.
Click here for the Frequently Asked Question document for local health departments.
| COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS |
As of October 1, 2018, Connecticut Public Act 18-141 Allows cottage food operations. A cottage food operation is one in which the production of specific non-potentially hazardous foods in residential kitchens is allowed provided certain regulations and laws are met.
Please be aware that cottage food operations are regulated and licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) and not local health departments or health districts. Please contact DCP directly if you have any questions.