Ipswich Director of Public Health Honored by State Environmental Organization

IPSWICH – The Town of Ipswich, Ipswich Board of Health, and Town Manager Stephen Crane are pleased to announce that Director of Public Health Colleen Fermon has been honored for her significant contributions in environmental health.

Fermon received the Dr. Joseph S. Goldfarb Award from the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association at its annual meeting held May 24. Fermon also was recognized in a ceremony in Town Hall on June 5.

“This honor is well-deserved. We already know how valuable Colleen is to the Town and the community,” said Health Board Chair Susan Hubbard, who congratulated Fermon along with members Dr. Susan Boeri and Amanda Donovan. “The job she has done through the COVID-19 pandemic, and before and beyond, has been outstanding.”

Fermon was nominated by Salisbury Director of Public Health John Morris, who also works part-time for the Ipswich Health Department. Morris wrote that Fermon had started numerous initiatives in Ipswich to protect the environment and thereby residents.

Fermon started a septic program to ensure environmentally sensitive areas are protected from contamination. She also created a part-time position of housing inspector, to ensure inspections were timely and enforcement was followed through upon. She also has used the Attorney General’s Office Abandoned Housing Initiative to deal with blighted properties, in one case working tirelessly to remove a building that had become a clear danger to the surrounding neighborhood.

“One of her greatest qualities is how she manages her department,” Morris added. “She is caring, compassionate, and very supportive of her staff, which makes it a pleasure to work for her.”

Director Fermon wishes to thank Director Morris for his nomination, the Board of Health for its support, and Ipswich Health Department staff for its dedication to excellence.

Town Manager Crane said, “In my short time as Town Manager I have seen firsthand the work ethic and quality of work Colleen has done for the Town and her effective and efficient management for the Public Health Department. I am not surprised that her colleagues have also observed these qualities and selected her for this award. Congratulations for a job well done.”