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The first local board of health was established in 1799 in Boston, Massachusetts. Paul Revere served as Chairman of that Board of Health. He and his fellow board members were given broad authority to control the "filth and offal" that contaminated the environment and produced deadly epidemics. Today our health is threatened by an epidemic of chemical contamination, the inadequate disposal of wastes, and the emergence of new diseases.

Under Massachusetts General Laws, state and local regulations and community direction, Boards of Health are held responsible for disease prevention and control, and health and environmental protection and promoting a healthy community. Boards of Health serve as the local arm of both the Mass. Department of Public Health and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection. To fulfill their duties, they develop, implement and enforce health policies, oversee inspections to maintain minimum standards for sanitation in housing and food service, and assure that the basic health needs of their community are being met.

The Northbridge Board of Health consists of five members, appointed for terms of three years by the Board of Selectmen.