There may be a department of public health which shall consist
of the director of public health, to be appointed by the city manager
with the approval of the council and such other officers and employees
organized into such bureaus, divisions, and other units as may be
provided by ordinance or by the orders of the director consistent
therewith.
The department of public health shall be responsible for the
exercise of all health functions imposed on municipalities by general
law and such other functions as may be assigned to the department.
The head of the department of public health shall be the director
of public health. He shall have general management and control of
the several bureaus, divisions, and other units of the department.
He shall have all the powers and duties with respect to the preservation
of the public health which now are or may hereafter be conferred or
imposed on municipal boards of health and health officers by the laws
of the commonwealth, as well as the powers and duties conferred or
imposed on him by this Charter and the ordinances of the city.
The council may select two (2) or more qualified citizens of
the city, who together with the director of public health shall constitute
the board of health. The board of health shall advise and cooperate
with the department of health and shall have power to adopt necessary
rules and regulations, not in conflict with law, concerning the department.
The provisions of general law relating to the establishment of local
boards of health shall not apply to the City of Franklin.
The council may, in its discretion, effectuate the powers, duties,
and functions assigned to the department of public health in this
chapter through contracted agreements with the state department of
health, neighboring cities and counties.
