Odell Unveils Updated Courthouse, Welcomes New Commissioner of Health

Two major developments in Putnam County news came Wednesday, and County Executive MaryEllen Odell took to the front steps of the Historic Courthouse in Carmel for both.

The day marked the completion of the exterior renovations to the courthouse—which is located on Gleneida Avenue—and the appointment of a new county health commissioner: Allen Beals, M.D., J.D.

Terry Oliver, secretary to Odell, released the following in a statement of Wednesday: 

County Clerk Denis Sant gave the oath of office on the steps of the Historical Court House steps this morning. Dr. Beals, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist from Putnam Valley, obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College and holds a law degree from Pace University with a specialty in health law and policy. 

Currently, Dr. Beals serves the county as Vice Chair of the Putnam County Soil and Water Board and is a member of the Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps. Additionally, he is a member of the Putnam County Agricultural Farmland Protection Board and for over 25 years he has been the owner/manager of Willow Ridge Farm in Putnam Valley.

Dr. Beals’ appointment comes at a time when the County can benefit from his broad background and experiences as the health department faces many challenges including public health emergency preparedness, the changing health care environment, and the move toward local health department accreditation.

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, who served as the county's first and only health commissioner until now—with appointments in 2004 and 2011— for a position with Westchester County. 

A few days later, Rebecca Wittenberg, a veteran of the public health sector for more than three decades, .