With the April 13 town election approaching, Sturbridge voters will choose between Sarah McGee and Karen Errichetti for Board of Health (2-year seat).

The Town Minute reached out to candidates directly and sent them the same six questions — three shared across every contested race, and three specific to the Board of Health. Both candidates responded, and their answers appear below.

Know someone still deciding? Forward this edition to them before Monday’s (4/13) election.

📅 Polls are open Monday, April 13 from 6:30am–8pm at the Host Hotel, Sturbridge. Add to Google Calendar

Q1. Why are you running, and what perspective would you bring to this role?

I am a long-standing member of the Sturbridge community. I have recently semi-retired from my primary care practice in Geriatric Medicine and now have time to give back to the community where I lived and raised our family.

As I have worked in the medical field caring for older adults and their families across sites of care and worked through the COVID pandemic I would be bringing a medical and public health perspective to the Board of Health if elected.

Q2. What are your three top priorities if elected?

Listen and learn from residents, local businesses and other experienced Board of Health members regarding their specific public health concerns and work collaboratively with them to achieve solutions with the goal of improving the quality of life and public health of the community.

Improve the public health education and outreach efforts regarding public health concerns within our community. Help residents better understand current and future public health risks, the importance of prevention and healthy behaviors.

Ensure that current efforts for protection of our environmental health, including but not limited to septic oversight with protection of drinking water, lakes and streams and groundwater and inspections of food establishments and public accommodations continue despite future fiscal constraints and competing mandates and priorities.

Q3. What do you see as one of the more important decisions the town will face in the next few years?

Consideration of the options for the closure of the land fill that includes the long-term surveillance of this area as well as the options for future of the recycling center and subsequent implementation of a plan that best meets the needs and recognizes the challenges within our community.

Q4. With the landfill expected to reach capacity in the next several years, what should the town’s priorities be as it evaluates landfill and recycling center options?

Q5. What do you see as the Board of Health’s highest priorities for Sturbridge right now?

Ensure that the Board of Health plans for the fiscal constraints the town and state will be facing and proactively plan for how this will affect public health staffing, services and emergency preparedness.

Ensure the safe closure of the town’s landfill and implement a plan for long-term monitoring of the landfill area that will minimize the environmental and health effects to the residents of our town and neighboring communities

Given that Sturbridge Board of Health faces similar challenges to other small towns in our region the Board should enhance the work with other communities, with consideration for sharing resources and talent and avoiding duplication of services.

Q6. How should the Board of Health approach decisions that affect both community well-being and the day-to-day realities of residents and local businesses?

Decisions made by the Board of Health should be evidence based and consistent with state and local standards that promote the long-term health and environmental sustainability of the community.

The Board needs to solicit and listen to the concerns of the residents and business owners and work collaboratively to reach solutions that promote the health and well-being of the community.

Q1. Why are you running, and what perspective would you bring to this role?

I’m running for Board of Health because I care about what happens to people and the communities they live in. That’s the reason I went into public health as my career more than 25 years ago. My husband and I chose Sturbridge to buy our home and raise our famility because it a safe and healthy community, and I want to keep it that way. Like many families, we are balancing work, rising costs, and everyday responsibilities.

I understand both the professional side of public health and what it feels like to live here day to day. As a Doctor of Public Health and professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, I train future public health professionals and physicians to work in communities and promote health, safety, and wellness. I would bring experience, a practical approach to problem-solving, and a strong commitment to listening to residents.

Q2. What are your three top priorities if elected?

My first priority is planning for the closure of the landfill. While projections suggest it may have five to six years of capacity left, planning needs to begin well before that to ensure a smooth and responsible transition.

Second, I want to support the health department so it can do its job effectively. The department handles critical day-to-day work, and the board should make sure it has the support and structure it needs to succeed.

Third, I want to strengthen communication and better support residents. I am interested in developing practical, community-based programs such as low-cost animal vaccination clinics, basic health screenings, and other preventive services that reflect the needs of the town.

Q3. What do you see as one of the more important decisions the town will face in the next few years?

One of the most important decisions the town will face is how to manage major infrastructure and environmental needs while keeping costs reasonable for residents. As we think about waste management, environmental protection, and other core services, these decisions will have long-term impacts on both public health and household budgets.

The challenge will be finding solutions that are sustainable and responsible while also recognizing the financial pressures many families are under. This will require careful planning, collaboration across town government, clear communication, and a focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term fixes.

Q4. With the landfill expected to reach capacity in the next several years, what should the town’s priorities be as it evaluates landfill and recycling center options?

Yes it will, and the town should prioritize early and thoughtful planning about closure. Even though the landfill has several years of capacity left, closure planning needs to begin well in advance to avoid rushed or costly decisions.

The focus should be on identifying long-term waste management options that are environmentally responsible and financially sustainable. This includes looking at regional solutions, determining the future of our recycling center, and making sure residents are engaged in the decision-making process. This is a major transition for the town, and it needs to be handled in a way that is both practical and transparent.

Q5. What do you see as the Board of Health’s highest priorities for Sturbridge right now?

The Board of Health’s highest priority is to ensure that the health department can effectively carry out its responsibilities. That includes environmental health, food safety, housing standards, and waste management. The board’s role is not to run programs day to day, but to provide oversight, set direction, and support the department so it can do its work well.

At the same time, there is an opportunity to better connect residents to preventive services and community-based supports, working through the department in a way that is appropriate and sustainable.

Q6. How should the Board of Health approach decisions that affect both community well-being and the day-to-day realities of residents and local businesses?

The Board of Health should take a balanced and practical approach. Its responsibility is to protect public health, but it also needs to understand how decisions affect residents and local businesses. That means listening carefully, communicating clearly, and being thoughtful about cost and implementation.

Decisions should be grounded in public health principles, but also realistic about how people live and work. My approach would be to combine expertise with empathy, making decisions that protect the community while also respecting the challenges people face every day.

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📅 Polls are open Monday, April 13 from 6:30am–8pm at the Host Hotel, Sturbridge. Add to Google Calendar

The Town Minute is an independent publication not affiliated with the Town of Sturbridge or any municipal office. Candidate responses are published in full and without edits.