Local nurse puts health on Wayland’s agenda

Katie Stiff has stepped into the race for two open seats on Wayland’s Board of Health, giving voters a fresh face with hands-on experience. Though she moved to town only in 2020, she already sits on the board and works daily as a nurse practitioner at a major Boston hospital. Stiff’s path to public office began when she volunteered for the health department after arriving; within a year, the department head suggested she run when a vacancy appeared.“Showing up prepared and thinking about everyone’s safety—that’s what matters most, ” Stiff says of the job. Meetings can throw curveballs: a random complaint about standing water or an unexpected outbreak can land on the agenda with little warning. She admits the work isn’t glamorous, but the board prides itself on quick, practical fixes rather than red tape. “We’d rather help than block, ” she notes, pointing to past collaborations on vaccines, beach-water testing, and shared alerts with neighboring towns. Stiff’s rival for a seat is another current member, Jonathan Storer. Together they promise to keep the department’s low-key, solution-first style intact. The upcoming May vote will decide whether voters want continuity or a change in leadership for local health matters.