In a move that may leave a bitter taste with many, the North Attleboro Board of Health has ordered officials to stop putting fluoride in the town’s water supply.

North Attleboro residents voted to fluoridate the water in 2000.

Earlier this week, the Board of Health voted 2-1 to halt fluoridation.

“I don’t want to be forced to drink water with toxic waste in it. I have a water distiller,” said Board of Health member Diane Battistello.

“I don’t want to be drinking the chemicals,” she said.

Member Don Bates cast the lone dissenting vote, noting that the town’s lawyer said the board didn’t have the authority to stop the fluoridation.

“The town voted for fluoride,” Bates said.

The board plans to send a cease-and-desist order to the town’s Department of Public Works to stop the fluoridation.

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