HADLEY — A former health director for the town of Amherst, who also previously served on Hadley’s Board of Health, is returning to the panel so that it will have a full complement of members.
In a joint unanimous vote last week by four members of the Select Board and the remaining two Board of Health members, Emma Dragon of Maple Avenue was tapped to fill the position that has been vacant since longtime member Greg Mish died in June.
The Board of Health is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the provisions of the state’s public health and sanitary codes and state and local environmental codes.
Dragon said having communication with the community will be an important part of serving on the elected board. Dragon was on the panel from 2018 to 2021, opting against running for reelection at the end of the term.
“Most people just want to be heard and acknowledged,” Dragon said.
Dragon’s experience also includes having gone through Board of Health academy training, understanding that much of the day-to-day work, such as restaurant and septic system inspections, are done by a health agent hired by the health board.
The health director in Amherst for less than a year, Dragon left that role due what was described as a different vision for its future, and another work opportunity.
Dragon was one of two candidates interviewed. Joe Boisvert of Mount Warner Road, who runs the North Hadley Sugar Shack, withdrew following his interview when informed that being a business owner and subject to regular food inspections, qualifications for the position, may not be sufficient.
“I didn’t realize how little in house we were doing anymore,” Boisvert said.
Dr. Susan Mosler, who chairs the health board, explained what she hoped to see on the board.
“Ideally what you want on the Board of Health is health professionals or people with experience in public health who can offer a vision for where we want to be moving forward to,” Mosler said.
