Health board approves new tattoo studio license

Board of Health · Meeting of August 25, 2026

Winthrop's Board of Health heard that the town will get $60,000 over two years from a $2 million regional food security grant, approved a new tattoo studio's license, and reviewed plans to possibly link with the Epic hospital records system. Public Health Director Meredith Hurley told members Mass General Brigham initially offered the North Suffolk Public Health Collaborative, which includes Winthrop, Revere and Chelsea, $3 million over three years before redirecting $1 million to another organization, leaving $2 million for the region. The board approved tattoo artist Abigail Valencia's business license after confirming she is CPR certified.

Hurley said a basic Epic connection would be free but a fuller tier, giving staff like the department's domestic violence advocate record access, would carry an undetermined cost. She also outlined a January pilot of an in-home visiting program for new parents and a machine-learning tool, built by a Boston University intern, that flags police logs for public health follow-up.

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Source: the Board of Health meeting of August 25, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.