Why I Am Running For Re-Election

Being engaged in and supporting my community always has been important to me. That is why I first ran for Selectman in 2018. Back then, I knew that my skills and experience from my family law practice, along with my understanding of municipal finance and how the Town works, would be helpful in my work as a Selectman. And they were. But I could not have predicted how productive and enjoyable my first term on the Board would be, as I worked collaboratively and effectively with others to bring some complex and much-needed projects to fruition, and in the past year to address the many daunting challenges for the community due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As my first term draws to a close, the pandemic has not abated so the Town’s role remains crucial, and there is other important and unfinished work, some of which I address below, that I’d like to tackle. That is why I’m seeking re-election to a second and final term.

At the end of 2017 I retired after practicing family law for forty-two years. While emotionally draining at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the practice particularly assisting my clients through a very difficult time in their lives. I saw myself as a responsible advocate and a counselor in the best sense of the word.

Drawing on my experience in Acton town government, I decided to run for an open seat on the Board of Selectmen in the 2018 annual Town election. I believed the skills gained as a family lawyer of keeping the temperature down, balancing interests and working issues through to a satisfactory resolution would serve the Town well.

The Board of Selectmen is the Town’s chief executive, serving as the Town’s chief goal setting, planning and policy making body and working closely with the Town Manager, who manages the day-to-day operations. Among the Board’s diverse responsibilities:

Appoints the members of close to 50 Town boards and committees. Each Board member serves as a liaison to 8 to 10 boards and committees.
Serves as the licensing board for the Town with the authority to issue licenses and make all necessary rules and regulations, conditions and restrictions associated with licenses.
Issues permits for commercial and mixed commercial/residential-use.

The true incentive for people serving on the Board is public service—-a strong interest in supporting and giving back to the community that they and their families have called home for many years. A Selectman’s work, in normal times, is a good 40 hours per week. During the COVID-19 pandemic it has been 50, 60 and 70 hours per week and at times it has been unrelenting. The pay is $650 per year. The Chair receives an additional $100.

The Board of Selectmen serves the entire Town, and not just the people who voted for them or agree with them or the “squeaky wheels.” So an essential quality of an effective Selectman is coming to the position with no personal agenda, an open mind and an ability to work with fellow board members. Much of the work involves balancing interests, making trade-offs and reaching practical solutions for real life community needs.

Our predecessor Board members date back to the early 1700’s. The men and women who have served, many for multiple terms, have been links in a chain for whom we should all be thankful. I certainly am thankful and hope with my own tenure on the Board to continue that honorable tradition of service to our community.

The Past Three Years

I have enjoyed being a Selectman immensely and found the work very worthwhile. My first vote as a Selectman on April 9, 2018 was my most important: offering the Town Manager’s job to John Mangiaratti. John has continued the steady leadership of his two long serving predecessors and brought the energy and foresight of the next generation.

I have enjoyed working with the four men and three women who have been my colleagues on the Board in my first term. Together we:

adopted a sustainability policy for the Town and authorized the hiring of a full-time sustainability director;
created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Commission;
achieved the 10% 40B affordable housing threshold;
acquired 8 acres along Piper Lane to connect to portions of the Great Hill Conservation and Recreation Lands.

Personally I take satisfaction in my leadership role in the outreach efforts to secure Town Meeting funding for:

the Kelley’s Corner Infrastructure Project in 2019 and 2020 with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation assuming the full $450,000 appropriation in 2019 on account of Town Meeting’s 89% vote in favor of the Article;
the North Acton Fire Station in 2019, a project dating back to the 1970’s;
the Small Business Grant Program in 2020, providing up to $4,000 each in badly needed funds to 43 local businesses due to the pandemic.

The Next Three Years

First and foremost is to continue the work with my colleagues and the Town Manager to inform and reassure the public on the COVID-19 pandemic. We all hope 2021 will bring about gradually improving circumstances.

receiving and implementing the recommendations of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Commission;
recruiting the next generation of diverse Actonians to serve on Town boards and committees;
maintaining the 10% 40B affordable housing threshold achievement after the 2020 census updates, overseeing the implementation of the new 2020 Housing Production Plan, and reaffirming our commitment as a Town to affordable housing;
assuming a sale of the K-Mart parcel is concluded, working with the new owners, Town staff and residents in re-developing the parcel;
continuing my summaries of Selectmen’s meetings, which I began back in March, titled “BoS-Updates”, to keep the community informed during the pandemic and can be found on the Board of Selectmen’s page on the Town Website.