Island native Frederick Hehre is Tisbury’s new assistant health agent, replacing Drew Belsky, who was promoted to health agent when Maura Valley retired last year.

Mr. Belsky introduced his new hire at the town board of health’s monthly meeting March 26.

A graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he studied food science, Mr. Hehre said he has also worked for Agri-Mark Dairy farms, part of the Cabot Creamery Cooperative of dairy producers in the northeastern United States.

“That background is pretty good for,,, inspecting restaurants,” Mr. Hehre said. “I have a pretty good understanding of food safety.”

Board of health chair Malcolm Boyd and member Michael Loberg voted unanimously to confirm Mr. Hehre’s hiring. Board member Jeff Pratt was absent from the meeting.