Health FAQ

New Establishment:

1. Contact the Planning Division to make an appointment to go over conceptual plans. The Planning Division will review the plans and decide whether Planning Board approval is required.
2. Following Planning Board and/or the Planning Division approval, submit plans to the Health, Building and Engineering Divisions for review and apply for the necessary permits. The Health Division requires a kitchen; prep and dishwashing area breakdown sketch with a list of the NSF approved equipment that is planned for the facility.
3. The Health Officer will review the plans and make any necessary suggestions for changes that will meet the code and/or make the operation more efficient.
4. Application and payment for the food service license can be made at any point during the process however, the license will be issued with the Certificate of Occupancy.
5. For all licensing and establishment requirements, please refer to Salem Chapter 196, The Sanitary Production and Distribution of Food.

1. Make an appointment with the Health Officer to go over the business plan for the establishment. Regulations require that equipment and the facility's operation be brought into compliance when a major renovation occurs or a new owner takes over. Additionally, an outdoor grease interceptor is required prior to issuing the license. Information regarding the grease interceptor may be obtained by contacting the Engineering Department.
2. If the establishment meets the code, license application and payment can be made at any time. If major changes are required, the Health Officer will discuss the required changes and/or meet the new owner of an existing establishment on site to go over the required changes. Application for the license may be made at that time. The license will be issued when the necessary changes are completed and the license has been inspected.
3. The licensing period in Salem is April 1st to March 31^st. All existing establishments receive an invoice for the following year's license between mid February and March 1^st. A copy of the invoice and payment should be mailed to the Health Division prior to April 1^st. The new license will be mailed to the establishment or corporate office.

A copy of the regulations may be obtained at the main counter of Town Hall between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM at a cost of $5. Please make checks payable to the Town of Salem.

New Tattoo/ Body Piercing Establishment License:

1. Contact the Planning Division for site approval.
2. Contact the Health Officer, to go over establishment design and equipment requirements
3. Obtain a copy of Salem Chapter 284- Tattoo, Body Piercing, Branding and Permanent Make-up to become familiar with local regulations.
4. Contact State of NH Department of Health Care Facilities at 271-4592 to submit license application for State license.
5. Contact the Health Officer for the final inspection.
6. File for the Establishment License by submitting an application with Health Officer including copies of the following documents:
   1. Valid State of NH Tattoo/Body Piercing Establishment License
   2. Copy of valid contract with bio-medical waste company for needle disposal
   3. Copy of instruction sheet given to clients for post-tattoo/body piercing care
   4. License fee of $50 (Checks made payable to the Town of Salem)

1. Between February 15^th and March 1^st invoices are sent out for the next year's licenses
2. Submit copy of invoice, copy of valid State of NH establishment license and payment to Health Division prior to April 1^st. The licensing period is April 1^st to March 31^st of each year

1. Obtain a copy of Salem Chapter 284-Tattoo, Body Piercing, Branding and Permanent Make-up and License Application to become familiar with local regulations.
2. Contact State of NH Department of Health Care Facilities at 271-4592 to submit license application for State license
3. Once a State license is obtained, apply to the Town for local license by submitting the following documents:
   1. Copy of valid State of NH Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist License
   2. Copy of recent physical exam done by licensed physician
   3. License fee of $100 (Checks made payable to the Town of Salem)

1. Between February 15^th and March 1^st of each year, an invoice for the following year's license will be mailed to the artists at the establishments where they operate
2. Submit payment and copies of the previously listed documentation to the Health Officer prior to April 1st of each year. New license will be mailed to the establishment where the artist is employed.

The first step is to hire a State of New Hampshire Licensed Septic System Designer. He or She will contact the Health Department to schedule a test pit to determine if the system can be replaced in kind or if a new system needs to be designed.

It is recommend that the tank be pumped every 2 to 3 years.

It is recommended to first test soon after a new well is installed, thereafter every 3-5 years, whenever there is a change in property ownership, or whenever there is a noticeable change in the water quality, including changes in taste, odor or color.

The rules and regulations established by the State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services, Subsurface Bureau and the Water Resource Management Bureau form a part of Salem Chapter 253- Sewage Disposal Systems and Wells. A copy of the local regulations may be obtained at Town Hall or through the Web Site. Permits must be obtained from the Health Department. Applicable State Regulations must be obtained through the appropriate State Department.

For Septic System Designs, the homeowner shall:

1. Contact a State of NH Licensed Designer through the telephone yellow pages or from the NH DES website.
2. The designer must pay a permit fee and make an appointment with the Health Department to meet on-site with a backhoe.
3. The designer is required to submit 5 copies of the septic design plan, along with the permit application and fee, to the Health Department for review. The State will not review the plans prior to Town approval.
4. The Town will review and stamp plans, keep one copy for our files and return 4 copies to the designer to be submitted to the State for approval. The State approval period is generally 2-3 weeks.

1. Contact a State of NH Licensed Installer through the telephone yellow pages or from the NH DES website.
2. Installer comes into Town Hall with the approved plans, pays a permit fee and obtains an installation permit.
3. The installer calls the Health Department with a 48-hour notice for the following:
   1. Bed bottom inspection
   2. Final inspection prior to backfilling

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 7, 2000-
Pursuant to the Board of Selectmen adoption of revisions to Salem Chapter 253-Salem Disposal Systems and Wells, the following well test results and requirements shall be met prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy on any building serviced by a well in the town of Salem:

1. A permit must be obtained before any drinking well is installed, and must be accompanied by a scaled diagram of the location. Diagram must show existing or proposed subsurface disposal system on that and adjacent lots. The applicable fee, as established by the Board of Selectmen, shall accompany the application. The plan shall be submitted with the site address, map and lot number.
2. In all new construction, prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and in all well replacements, a State of NH certified testing lab shall do a well water analysis of the following parameters:

   a. Bacteria		g. Hardness
   b. Chloride		h. Fluoride
   c. Sodium		i. Nitrate/Nitrite
   d. Iron		j. Lead
   e. Manganese		k. Arsenic
   f. pH		l. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Screen

3. All test results shall be submitted to the Health Division and shall meet EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Standards prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. All VOC's shall be identified and quantified. All parameters that exceed the MCL shall be remediated through the installation of the appropriate filtration system at the well intake