P O L I C Y P R I O R I T I ES
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Striking the right balance between preserving the bucolic character of Wenham and finding opportunities to expand our commercial tax base to better fund our public schools and control the residential tax rate
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Listening to all perspectives and keeping an open mind
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Striving to bring critical thinking, common sense, and a collaborative approach to the challenging issues that will face our newly-expanded Select Board
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Welcoming all people to keep Wenham as an inclusive, cohesive, and public-spirited community that sets an example on the North Shore
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Honoring our seniors, and our veterans, by ensuring access to critical services
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Finding creative solutions to our water and other resource challenges
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Promoting the same respect and support to our teachers and first responders that they give to our community every day
FAQs
As the Board transitions to 5 members how will you work to build collaboration?
The expanded board is a positive step in town governance and I give credit to the other candidates running for Select Board for leading that effort. Like any body with more than a few members, teamwork and open discussion will be key, and so will a sensible allocation of responsibilities among all 5 members. If I’m fortunate enough to be one of those members, I’m sure I will rely in part on the experience of the 3 current members as well as others in Town Hall with subject matter expertise, and I expect that those veterans in Town government will, in turn, consider the perspectives brought by the 2 new board members. Finding that balance should be eminently achievable given the goodwill and skill sets of the current members and the candidates running to join them. Finally, when there are disagreements or split votes amongst the board members on one policy issue or another – which there will be, and should be, in a democracy – it’s important that the members disagree without being disagreeable. Again, I have every confidence this is achievable given the folks involved.
As the Master Plan is being developed, what is one thing you hope to see from the process?
A practical blueprint that can be implemented. I hope to assist with that as a Select Board member. We are fortunate to have the knowledgeable and hard-working people that we do running that process on the MPAC, which has been outstanding in its transparency and solicitation of broad community input. I’ve read the community survey report and am heartened by the nuanced perspectives commenters provided on striking the right balance between smart development and the preservation of open space and Wenham’s bucolic character.