Washington Board of Health taps Estle as interim director

With Danielle Pettit-Majewski leaving her position as Washington County Public Health director this week, the Board of Health plans to bring on an interim director.

In a meeting Tuesday morning, the Board of Health agreed to contract with the Jefferson County Board of Health for Chris Estle, that county’s Public Health director, to serve as part-time interim director in Washington County.

Washington County Board of Health Chair Cathy Buffington said that with new staff soon joining the department as well as flu clinics coming up in the coming months that an interim director could serve as a bridge to a new permanent director.

“I’m still of the perspective that we need an interim director,” Buffington said, adding that Estle would be someone not interested in the permanent position.

Buffington said that Estle would help with the department’s community needs assessment, help guide employees and increase morale.

County Supervisor Jack Seward Jr., who sits on the Board of Health, disagreed.

“I still am not convinced about the need for an interim director to come in,” Seward said.

He said that he has not seen anything that says that the current staff is unable to handle the duties.

“I am not convinced that this is what we need,” Seward said.

Board member Dr. Trevor Martin spoke in favor of hiring an interim.

“We would be able to survive without an interim,” Martin said. “But an interim would help grow the department, bring different ideas and help hold the ship.

“This isn’t a permanent position. I think there’s a lot of value in that. We do lose something if we don’t hire an interim.”

Board member Dr. Chris Grier said that an interim director would help bring a different perspective to the department.

“An interim would have the opportunity to throw ideas at us and provide some guidance,” Grier said.

Seward said that while he agreed that an interim would help provide some new ideas and perspective, he pointed out that Jefferson County Public Health is run differently from Washington County Public Health.

“They don’t provide the same kinds of services that Washington County does,” he said.

He added that, though he would vote against the plan, he would support whatever decision the board made.

“I will do my best to make sure it moves forward and succeeds,” Seward said.

Seward was the lone dissenting vote, and the measure passed.

As part of the agreement with Jefferson County Public Health, Estle will work four to 12 hours a week for Washington County at a rate of about $38 per hour plus expenses.

The Jefferson County Board of Health will vote on the agreement at a meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday.

“I don’t see any reason why the board wouldn’t approve the agreement,” Estle said Tuesday.