Burlington Board of Health Names New Vice Chair, Fills Agenda at First 2026 Meeting

BURLINGTON — January 27, 2026 — Burlington's Board of Health reorganized at its January 27 meeting following the resignation of member Mary Beth Welch, voting unanimously to hold the vacancy open until the April town election rather than pursue a short-term appointment. The four-member board — Chair P.L. DeMauri, Dr. Ed Weiner, Dr. Marwa Al-Sahabi, and Andrea Sheehan — also voted unanimously to name Sheehan vice chair. In other action, the board approved a keeping-of-animals permit for Mike and Bevin Nichols of 6 Luther Road to house six adopted hens, and granted a grease interceptor variance to Naya, a Middle Eastern restaurant planning a June debut at 112 Burlington Mall Road. Health Agent Marlene Johnson disclosed that Town Pantry at 85 Wilmington Road received a criminal fine for flavored-tobacco violations after two prior warnings. Director of Health Susan Lumenello reported 112 flu-related deaths statewide so far this season, with Burlington vaccination rates outpacing the state average in most age groups, though overall rates are below any previous recorded season.