Liz Morero emerged as the preferred candidate for the health agent position following interviews with multiple applicants. Her personable nature and professionalism were highlighted by a board member who had the opportunity to work with her during a recent incident. The board member praised Liz’s initiative and ability to handle the job’s responsibilities effectively. Another board member shared enthusiasm for Liz’s potential, acknowledging her drive for further training. The board unanimously approved a motion to appoint her to the position.

In contrast, the board faced challenges with another candidate vying for a position on the Board of Health. This candidate, a physician with a master’s degree in public health, brought substantial medical expertise to the table, including volunteer experience in the Dominican Republic focused on child nutrition and healthcare access. However, her interview revealed gaps that caused concern among board members. The candidate admitted to having no experience with agenda preparation, meeting minutes, or documentation for review, though she expressed a willingness to learn. Additionally, she had limited familiarity with local and state health departments, having used them only as resources rather than having direct experience working with them.

The interview also uncovered the candidate’s lack of experience with Title 5 and septic systems, which are crucial components of the board’s operations. She acknowledged her challenges in enforcing public health regulations without consequences and disclosed she had no biases towards local businesses. Her availability for board meetings and emergencies raised further concerns, as her schedule would potentially conflict with the board’s typical meeting times.

Board members expressed reservations following the interview, with one noting her lack of enthusiasm and flexibility. Concerns extended to her succinct responses, which some interpreted as a lack of engagement. Another member pointed out that her availability could pose challenges for consistent participation, making it impractical to adjust meeting times frequently. Despite acknowledging her medical knowledge and expertise, the consensus was to continue the search for a more suitable candidate, with an emphasis on finding someone who could integrate well with current board members and meet the role’s demands more effectively.

The board concluded the meeting by unanimously deciding to keep the Board of Health position open and continue seeking candidates. Members were encouraged to leverage their networks in the search for potential candidates, emphasizing the importance of securing a candidate with the right fit and availability to meet the board’s needs.