Environmental Health

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Our Pledge of Excellence

Environmental Health Services constantly aims to pursue a proactive program to reduce health threats. Our duties are as follows:

  • Enforce laws made to protect food and drinking supplies and laws that prevent air, water, noise, and public health nuisances.
  • Investigate health hazards, preventable injuries, and disease exposure in work and community settings.
  • Develop appropriate regulations with BDHH’s national accreditation and enforce local and state safety codes.
  • Educate merchants on food safety with a one-day food Managerial (Serv Safe) training session that includes a book, instruction, and a proctored exam. This class is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), valid for five years.
  • Offer six 2-hour food handling training courses and two 2-hour food handling training classes taught in Spanish.
  • Provide environmental health services to contracted interlocal towns.
  • Enforce litter abatement in business districts. Conduct bi-monthly quality-of-life investigations, canvassing specific areas on foot twice a month.
  • Inspect grease traps and emphasize the importance of maintaining them.
  • Provide relevant technical support to local, state, and federal agencies.

Services

Sanitary Inspections: To ensure compliance with state and local regulations, EHS inspects restaurants (stressing food safety practices), schools, churches, daycare centers, hair and nail salons, body art shops, gyms, boarding homes, nursing homes, pet shops, youth camps, public pools, and mobile vendors. The department conducts plan reviews and pre-operational inspections for new or renovated establishments.

Results are published monthly on the township website and in local media. According to Chapter 24, Sanitation in Retail Food Establishments and Food and Beverage Vending Machines, State Sanitary Code, NJAC 8:24, the evaluation is reported.

  • Satisfactory – The establishment is found to be operating in substantial compliance with Chapter 24
  • Conditional – During inspection, the establishment did not substantially comply with Chapter 24.
  • Unsatisfactory – Gross violations that pose an imminent health hazard. The health authority shall immediately request the person in charge to voluntarily cease operation.

Download the most recent list of retail food establishment inspection results.

Site Complaints: Staff responds to resident complaints about solid waste, insufficient heat, litter, rodents, air quality, noise, and property maintenance issues. Inspectors conduct timely follow-ups and enforcement (if warranted) to ensure abatement.

Potable Water Samples: Each month, EHS reviews 50 potable water samples from residential and business locations to analyze bacteria and chlorine levels in the drinking water. The samples were analyzed by a state-certified laboratory, and the health and engineering departments monitored the results. Lead and copper water sampling are available upon request.

Waste Monitoring: Staff monitors solid waste, litter, and illegal dumping issues in township business districts.

Childhood Lead Poisoning: Dwelling inspections and painted surface testing are conducted, which can result in abatement orders, environmental and nursing intervention, and follow-up inspections as necessary.

Food Inspections: Many at-risk food establishments that receive conditionally satisfactory ratings must undergo a re-inspection by local and state law to assist in improving to satisfactory status. Such improvements indicate a positive educational impact.

Hand Washing Policy: All retail food establishments must implement a hand-washing policy with approved hand-washing procedures for the food service staff. The hand-washing policy was implemented in 2016.