Dear Montague Voters:  Vote Rachel for Board of Health on May 17!

I have lived in Turners Falls for 19 years and raised two children here. I am passionate about community health! I work with the Communities That Care Coalition (CTC), focusing on youth health and well-being in our region. I am involved in chronic disease prevention through addressing community-level risk factors such as access to physical activity and healthy food, and regional age-friendly efforts.

I want Montague to be a place where the healthiest choices are the easiest choices for all people in the community, and which attracts a diverse population because everyone feels welcome.

In addition to all of the current functions of the Board of Health and supporting Health Department staff to do their best work, I am interested in expanding health-related services through collaborating with other towns and new opportunities offered by the state. 

I want to increase collaboration with other town departments, school districts and community groups, to communicate positive messages related to community health: 

Montague passed a Complete Streets policy in 2018 and has received two rounds of funding from MassDOT for roadway improvement projects that increase access to all users. This means more Montague residents and guests being able to engage in physical activity and active transportation … which is good for physical health, and good for local businesses, traffic safety, crime reduction, and improvement of the natural environment — all of which contribute to community health! 

I am interested in conversations with the multiple town departments, local businesses, schools, cultural groups, conservation groups, and others to ensure that we all recognize this initiative, and that all residents can benefit from it.  We can have similar conversations about food access, mental health, and other social and environmental factors that impact the well-being of our current and future residents. 

I will encourage other residents to run for town offices, join municipal committees and otherwise participate in town decision-making. I especially want to reach out to young people and those whose voices are not regularly heard in these spaces. More folks stepping up and getting involved in town operations increase Montague’s health and vitality.

Rachel Stoler

Montague