Russo for Re-Election to the Sudbury Select Board

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am proud and grateful to be running for re-election to the Sudbury Select Board, and I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, March 30.

It has been an honor to serve on the Select Board since September 2020, including as Chair and Vice-Chair. Throughout my tenure, I have worked to balance infrastructure investment and expansion of services with fiscal responsibility and meaningful community engagement. I am proud of the progress Sudbury has made in recent years and look forward to continuing that work.

Key Initiatives and Accomplishments

Infrastructure and Capital Projects

• Rail Trails: During my first term, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail advanced from 25% design to active construction. Building on that, I drafted the mission statement for the Rail Trail Advisory Committee and expanded it from a temporary BFRT-focused group into a permanent committee overseeing the BFRT, the Mass Central Rail Trail, and other rail trail matters.
• Fairbank Community Center: I supported this long-delayed project to help secure voter approval, leading to its groundbreaking and construction. I have since supported additional improvements to the Atkinson Pool and expanded programming.
• Fire Station 2 Expansion: This project delivered faster emergency response times and modern living and working conditions for firefighters. It was funded primarily through saved funds, avoiding a tax increase.

Fiscal Management and Policy Development

• Town Manager Recruitment: As Chair, I led a transparent and efficient hiring process for a new Town Manager, incorporating extensive public input and ensuring a smooth transition.
• Financial Policies: I contributed to the adoption of new financial policies that have already strengthened the Town’s fiscal health, accountability, and long-term planning.
• Common-Sense Fee Updates: I championed the creation of a comprehensive Town fee schedule and helped update fees, some of which had not changed since 1999. This modest but important step ensures taxpayers are not unnecessarily subsidizing specific services.

Community Engagement and Governance

• School Committee Appointment: In early 2025, I advocated successfully to fill a vacant School Committee seat prior to Town Meeting, ensuring full representation and avoiding potential deadlocks.
• Responsible Housing Oversight: I drafted a unanimous Select Board letter opposing a large proposed Maynard housing development that could have impacted Sudbury’s water resources and flood zones. That project remains on hold. 
• Firearm Business Zoning: Although the measure narrowly missed the two-thirds threshold at Town Meeting – by just 4 votes! – I am proud to have championed Sudbury’s first common-sense zoning restrictions for firearm businesses, which would have provided the strongest in Massachusetts while respecting state and constitutional protections.
• MBTA Communities Act: As the Select Board member assigned this initiative, which has been controversial in other communities, I worked to ensure clear communication and broad support, leading to its successful approval at Town Meeting.

Community Values

During my tenure, Sudbury has taken important steps reflecting our shared values, including:

• Creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission
• First-ever celebration of PRIDE Month
• Adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism
• Creation of Sudbury’s first Sustainability Coordinator position
• Funding for storage to support the TOPSoccer program

Looking Ahead

Recent initiatives I have championed include:

• Solar Installations: Proposed solar projects at the Police Station, Curtis Middle School, and Haskell Field parking lot. While not all received immediate approval, I continue to advocate for expanded solar investments that provide long-term environmental and financial benefits.
• Sidewalk Funding: I proposed a Sidewalk Stabilization Account to gradually fund sidewalk construction and repairs—using funds only in years when the Capital Stabilization account is full—allowing Sudbury to expand sidewalks for the first time in over 20 years without creating new General Fund pressure.

Leadership and Collaboration

I believe strongly in consensus-building, thoughtful compromise, and effective governance. I approach issues independently, with a focus on what is best for the entire community. I have worked to move past prior conflicts on the Select Board and to foster collaboration that delivers real improvements to quality of life in Sudbury.

I ask for your vote on March 30. 

For more information on my work and priorities, please visit my campaign website: www.russoforsudbury.com.

Additional details about the March 30 Annual Town Election can be found on the Town Clerk’s website. 

Thank you for your support.