In accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Law-M.G.L. Chapter 41, the Board of Health is comprised of three (3) appointed officials by the Mayor of the City; these positions are three-year terms with one member being appointed annually. The role of Board of Health is to oversee the City Health Department and the Director of Public Health. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 111, Section 31, The Board of Health may make reasonable rules and regulations to educate, promote, improve and protect the public health and well-being of the citizens of the City of Newburyport, while contributing to building a healthy community and environment in which to live.

Areas which fall under the purview of the City Health Department include disease and injury prevention, promoting and offering immunization clinics, responding to bacterial illnesses, monitoring disease outbreaks, providing health education & prevention programs, provide health advisories, promoting health & wellness, nutrition and fitness information , tobacco control programs, environmental protection, respond to health hazards, ensuring water quality, monitoring waste disposal, investigating noise & air pollution, animal health, health monitoring, enforcement and ensuring of health and safety codes, health care access, and emergency preparedness and response.

The Board of Health holds monthly meetings. Additional meetings are scheduled if required.