Easthampton Board of Health orders emergency restaurant closure after confirmed foodborne illness

EASTHAMPTON — August 13, 2025 — Easthampton Board of Health seats new member and orders emergency restaurant closure after a confirmed Yersinia foodborne illness case. At the August 13 meeting, the three-member board — now at full strength with the addition of Samantha, a community health nurse — voted unanimously to appoint Christopher as a health inspector, bringing the department to full inspection staffing. Director of Public Health Ryan disclosed that he and Christopher conducted an emergency closure of a local diner earlier in the day after the Greenfield public health nurse flagged a confirmed Yersinia case linked to the establishment; Ryan said if conditions are not corrected by August 14, the board must convene an emergency hearing by August 18. The board also held a formal hearing on repeat violations at Tavern on the Hill, accepting operator Amy Gouillette's oral remediation plan — including a plumber-scheduled hand-wash sink installation by September 10 and a staged floor resealing — and directing Gouillette to submit a written compliance checklist with timelines. Ryan noted a citywide hiring freeze will delay refilling a public health nurse position and a social worker slot until at least January, and proposed a draft bee ordinance and a non-owner-occupied rental registration rule for September discussion.