SAUGUS — It isn’t an easy task to be appointed a town’s new Public Health director in the middle of a pandemic, but John Fralick III is up for the job.
As his first week in the role comes to a close, Fralick said he’s been able to hit the ground running in Saugus, which has been without a full-time Public Health director since David Greenbaum resigned in February 2019.
So far, much of Fralick’s focus has remained on the coronavirus pandemic and keeping the public safe, but he said he looks forward to helping the town move forward on some of its pressing public health issues.
“(This week) we were hitting the streets and making sure that everyone is following the (COVID-19) guidelines that have been put forth by the state,” Fralick said, who says he’s already begun work on “streamlining the department.”
Going forward, Fralick said streamlining will be a big factor in accomplishing one of his primary goals, which is to make information more accessible to residents.
“Something that I’m going to prioritize is having a constant source of factual information versus having to go through a bunch of different mediums to get the information you need,” he said. “I think that’s very important and what we’re looking to do is establish that line.”
Before coming to Saugus, Fralick spent the last 10 years as the Health Department director in Stoneham, where he oversaw a department of more than 20,000 people. Before Stoneham, he worked as an inspector for the Beverly Board of Health.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in health from Bridgewater State University, and holds numerous certifications, including one as an Environmental Health Specialist-registered sanitarian (RS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
“I think (Saugus) is definitely going to benefit from having a full-time Public Health director here, and I’m excited to be able to bring that level of service to residents,” Fralick said.
In a statement released earlier this month, Town Manager Scott Crabtree praised Fralick as an important addition to Town Hall staff.
“I’m very pleased to support the appointment of John to Health Director here in Saugus,” Crabtree said, “John has a record of accomplishments in the field of public health which is needed now more than ever during this pandemic.
“I believe he’ll bring fresh ideas, energy, and a positive outlook, which will only benefit our community now and in the future.”
