Last modified: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 12:44 AM EDT North health board drops fluoride lawsuit BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - The fluoridation lawsuit is officially off. Following through on a campaign pledge from new member John Donohue, the board of health voted to withdraw its lawsuit against the department of public works. As expected, the vote to stop the lawsuit passed 2-1, with member Susan Shaw opposed. The board also voted to end a cease and desist order issued to the board of public works demanding that it stop fluoridation, an order that public works has ignored on the advice of town counsel. Shaw and former board member Diane Battistello, both fluoride opponents, voted to file the lawsuit in New Bedford Superior Court after public works ignored the cease and desist order. The suit was scheduled to be heard May 29. "It's the job of the department of public works to ensure we have good clean water, and any additives should be left up to patients and their physicians," Shaw said. Donohue and board Chairman Donald Bates let the vote to end the lawsuit speak for itself. "I think it's all been said already," Donohue said.