ROCHESTER — Sarah Eby is an Innovations Nurse Specialist at Southcoast Health, and she thinks the Board of Health could use “a fresh voice.”

She’s running for the board in the May 26 election, and said her “public health knowledge base” and “solid” knowledge of environmental issues make her a balanced candidate for the board.

Eby has been in the Tri-Town for 27 years and Rochester for 16. She’s also been involved in the Boy Scouts since 2011, and acts as Assistant Scout Manager for Rochester Troop 31.

Previously, Eby was an Emergency Medical Technician. She holds a Bachelors in Nursing, a Masters in Health Administration and is a Registered Nurse.

“It’s really important to be able to pivot with training information,” Eby said. “That’s where my strength lies.”

Other than the pandemic, Eby said one of the biggest issues facing the Board of Health is ensuring environmental and sanitary safety for residents.

“We need to make sure we’re looking at those other factors as well,” she said, adding that as the town grows, the board should help pay attention to sanitation and environmental issues and ensure the safety of residents.

But the impact of the pandemic is not lost on Eby.

“I think it’s important not to forget the lessons we’ve learned,” she said.

She said the town should be taking guidance from the state and looking at “all the factors” when it comes to reopening.

“How do we take those guidelines and implement them in our community?” she said.

As a nurse, Eby said she feels she can be “a good medium to go between both sides of the coin,” understanding both public health and the issues facing the town nurse.

Eby said she’s also adept at “looking at information and connecting the right people to the task at hand.”

For Eby, running for the board is “common sense.”

“Just to help our town grow and be safe,” she said.