Office of Public Health
Maine state law requires all municipalities in Maine to have a designated Local Health Officer (LHO). The Local Health Officer has a broad range of responsibility based upon the type of community they serve. In South Portland, we are fortunate to have a designated code enforcement division as well as a full-time health inspector.
In South Portland, the Local Health Officer is responsible for reporting outbreaks of infectious disease to the Maine Centers for Disease Control. In addition, the Local Health Officer can assist residents with issues such as residential mold, bedbugs, and Lyme disease. The Local Health Officer also assists code enforcement in the investigation of unhealthy dwellings. During COVID, the LHO had crucial communication and outreach responsibilities for the City.
Barbara Skelton is currently serving as the Local Health Officer. Ms. Skelton is the City's Code Enforcement Director. If you wish to speak to the Local Health Officer, a message can be left at 207-347-4130. More information of public health issues can be found at www.cdc.gov.
For more information please contact:
Office of Public Health
c/o Barbara Skelton, LHO
Correspondence pertaining to the South Portland Local Health Officer is to be sent to LHO@southportland.org.