Share This Article
[Editorial Note: As Sudbury Weekly has done in prior years, we offered the opportunity for all candidates in contested races in the Town Election to answer a few questions. We run any and all responses we receive.]
All three candidates for Select Board have contributed significant time and energy as appointed and elected officials over the years. Is there something in particular about Sudbury that motivates you to make those contributions?
My husband, Jeff, and I have lived in Sudbury for 20 years. We chose Sudbury as the place to start a family and raise our two boys (12 and 16) because of its rural feel, historic preservation, excellent school system, open spaces and family-oriented community. These unique characteristics that make Sudbury the beautiful community that it is, are what motivate me to this day in my public service.
My diverse and multifaceted career compliments my service on the Select Board. I am adept at managing competing priorities and challenging issues. In everything I do, I always seek to improve and learn – this is at the core of who I am professionally and personally.
My involvement in town matters has been an enormously rewarding and important part of my life. With the benefit of having driven multiple initiatives from concept to completion, I have further developed as a current Select Board member and Chair. I have taken a prominent and active role in the major issues facing our town and hope to continue leading as an experienced member of the Select Board. That experience has taught me that good ideas can come from anywhere in our community. As a member of the Select Board, hard work, an open mind, and a public service mentality have been the key to translating my experience into results. Much opportunity lies ahead in Sudbury. In my next term, it would be an honor to leverage all of my experience to move Sudbury forward.
With the information available today, what do you believe is the single most important issue that will come before the Select Board in the next three years?
Having been on the Board for the past six years as well as an active member of the community for even longer, I know there will not be one single issue in the next three years. As a Select Board member, you must be able to adapt and evaluate many competing issues and prepare for those that you may not see coming. It was only a few years ago that we were in the beginning stages of working with National Development to plan for Meadow Walk/Avalon when we found ourselves involved in litigation with Eversource and Sudbury Station. I believe we are in a better place today as a result of our coming together as a community.
The Select Board’s high priority goals, working in collaboration with the Town Manager and other boards/staff, include developing a long-term comprehensive plan to fund and manage the operating and capital budgets, addressing staffing needs and succession planning, investigation of vocational education access options, MBTA Communities Zoning, economic development, and advancing the design and construction of Phase 3A-CSX/Rt 20 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
With a clear vision for the future and effective leadership, Sudbury is positioned to thrive in the years ahead. Most importantly: the work we have underway will positively impact every resident and shape our community for decades to come.
I’m excited about our future and our potential because of the remarkable community-driven contributions that distinguish our town. I’m ready to keep up the hard work.
The Select Board is currently working on economic development as a high-priority goal. What would you like to see the Town doing with regard to economic development?
Strengthening Sudbury’s commercial tax base will allow us to fund important town initiatives while reducing the tax pressure on private citizens. As identified in the Master Plan’s Action Plan, there are a number of action items that Sudbury needs to complete in order to develop capacity to support economic development efforts, to develop a strong vision for the Route 20 Corridor and to remove barriers to achieving that vision.
As a member of the Master Plan Steering Committee (MPSC) for 18 months, we and the Planning Board, identified critical action items to address economic development. I believe we need to implement the Master Plan’s recommendations. A few of the action items are identified below:
Economic Planning & Development
Critical Path Action Items:
- Hire an economic development planner tasked with managing projects specific to economic development and working on business retention, expansion, and outreach/relationship building.
- Develop a comprehensive economic development strategy for the town.
- Development of strong fiscal strategies and policies that prioritize short- and long- term expenditures and balance costs against revenues.
Route 20 Corridor & Sewer Initiative
Critical Path Action Items:
- Complete a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) that includes recommendations.
- Woodard & Curran, Inc. was contracted by the Town in early 2020 to perform a Town-wide wastewater study called a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP).
- Fund and commission a Visioning Study for the Route 20 Corridor that will provide detailed buildout visualizations of future development scenarios.
Does Sudbury have the right approach for housing, including affordable housing, amidst the statewide housing crisis? What are the tenets of a good housing strategy in Sudbury?
We have been working hard in Sudbury to improve and expand our housing stock. Sudbury is not alone in this endeavor, as many communities are attempting to make similar improvements. Sudbury’s Housing Production Plan (HPP) addresses affordability and diversity challenges. Housing strategies include zoning changes such as inclusionary zoning, incentives for affordable housing, and community engagement. Preservation of historical assets, environmental sustainability, and accessibility are also key considerations. Partnerships and funding sources, such as Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds can support implementation of new affordable housing units. We monitor our progress through our partnership with the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO) which ensures the effectiveness of our work.
Overall, the HPP aims to foster inclusive, sustainable growth while preserving Sudbury’s character. We are very fortunate in Sudbury because we have dedicated volunteers and staff working to improve our housing options including members of the Sudbury Housing Trust and the Sudbury Housing Authority. I have been a member of the Sudbury Housing Trust since 2018.
Two rail trails will open in Sudbury in the coming years. What opportunities do they create that Sudbury should take advantage of, and what challenges do they pose that the Town should work to mitigate?
Sudbury’s two rail trails are incredible assets that will provide countless benefits to our community. The recreational and transportation benefits are obvious. Community members of all ages and abilities will very soon be able to explore our community safely on the rail trails. A vibrant rail trail system will also provide an economic benefit to our businesses in Sudbury. Consumers will now have improved access to businesses and businesses may provide improved services to patrons. Our two rail trails also offer our community the opportunity to connect with our conservation lands, and will serve as a source of community pride.
One important challenge will be addressing ongoing maintenance associated with the rail trails. The Rail Trails Advisory Committee has initiated a maintenance survey questionnaire with other local communities that host rail trails. This will provide information that will help the Town understand what other communities experience for required maintenance and associated costs.
Sudbury has invested in Sewataro, Broadacres, the Fairbank Community Center, and an Atkinson Pool renovation is on the warrant for May. However, little has happened with Broadacres, resident access at Sewataro has some limitations, and the Park and Recreation department has voiced concerns about their ability to expand programming within their current funding model. What role does the Select Board have in charting a coordinated path for Sudbury’s significant investments in open space and recreation?
The Select Board’s primary responsibilities include hiring and managing the Town Manager and policy development. The Town Manager’s role includes the day to day operations of the town and implementation of the Select Board’s policies. I’m excited to have participated in hiring Town Manager Andy Sheehan. He brings decades of municipal experience to Sudbury, including strong planning experience. Andy recently hired a new Director of Planning and Community Development, Adam Burney, who also brings deep knowledge and expertise. Adam has hit the ground running and is hard at work catching us up as well as prioritizing projects that have been waiting in the wings such as the open space and recreation plan and the fields assessment plan.
I am extremely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us in Sudbury. Our Town Manager is building a strong team that will work to improve our open space and recreation. I look forward to supporting the work of the staff in any way that I can as a Select Board member. Our community deserves the very best in services especially as it relates to outdoor space and recreation.
The Select Board created the DEI Commission, and equity has become a priority across several Town initiatives. What does equity work in Sudbury mean to you? What does meaningful progress look like on this front?
It is extremely important to me that every person who has contact with Sudbury, whether by living here, working here, or visiting, feels welcomed and valued. That principle, for me, is at the core of our equity work. Undoubtedly, due to systemic prejudice, many in our community feel, and have felt, marginalized. Our Select Board acknowledges this fact. Now, we must turn our attention to address the issue in an appropriate manner so that all feel safe and supported. The formation of a DEI Commission was an important first step for the Select Board and there are many people in our community who want to help us move this work forward productively and proactively. Moving forward, we need to lean on and partner with Town staff so we can make effective progress. Equity work ensures everyone in a community is treated fairly and that everyone has access to the same opportunities and outcomes. I would like to see Sudbury’s Board, Committees, and Commissions and Town staff reflect our community. When we have a diverse volunteer base and staff, we can evaluate projects from many different viewpoints and better understand how those projects will impact everyone. For this reason, as the chief policy making board for our community, I believe the Select Board needs to consider what appropriate policies can be established to support our equity work.
What are your core values as an individual, and how would they contribute to how you would serve on the Select Board?
Growing up in a military family, I absorbed the values of hard work, responsibility, and commitment. These principles guide my actions as a six-year member of the Select Board. My unwavering commitment is to ensure that all community members have access to essential services.
Evidence of my dedication lies in the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. We’ve assisted residents with emergency housing needs, invested in critical mental health support for students, and addressed public safety concerns. During the pandemic, I advocated for ARPA funding to construct the Fire Station and the Fairbank Community Center—projects benefiting everyone, from our youngest to our oldest residents. By efficiently allocating ARPA funds, we minimize the financial burden on taxpayers.
I take pride in supporting public safety and our school districts. In 2017 and again in 2023, I championed much-needed funding. My core belief is that we must support all students in public education and provide strong assistance to our senior residents. Unlike some other candidates, I prioritize investing in our future.
With six years of Select Board experience, including two terms as Chair, my track record speaks for itself. I take action while listening intently to the community’s voice. Together, we can drive positive change and build a better future for all. These core values will be at the forefront of my next term of service on the Select Board.