"...fiscally responsible, kind, a true leader..."

A final word about me. Please get out and vote on Tuesday, May 20. I am so grateful for all the support I've had throughout this campaign, and I humbly ask for your vote. 

Grafton’s tax base relies heavily on residential taxes and to reduce that burden, commercial growth is essential. We currently have two large businesses building in town that will bring in new revenues.  There are new members of the Economic Development Committee who are engaging with regional sources to promote business development here. I want to see more small businesses as well, as they add to the character of Grafton. We want the people working in Grafton to also want to live in Grafton. Considerations such as demand for water, effects on traffic routes/safety, and appropriate zoning will all come into play as I consider commercial growth. We must encourage responsible ways to shift some of the tax burden off the residents.

I deeply regret that I was unable to participate in this year's League of Women Voters Candidate Night, due to a trip planned long before the event was scheduled. I have looked forward to this event in the past and had hoped to be there. This is the statement I provided to be read at the event. 

I am excited to be running for a seat on the Select Board for a second term. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term and I still have work to do. I would like to capitalize on the momentum I have gained over the past 3 years. This past year, I served as Chair and I navigated some contentious topics with a steady hand, objectivity and always with an eye toward what would be in the best interests of the town. I welcomed input from residents and Board members at every opportunity. I demonstrated to the Grafton taxpayer that their Select Board was working together in a constructive manner to move our town forward in all areas. 

Over the past 3 years I have met with as many department heads as I could to learn about their departments and the challenges they face serving the residents of Grafton. I speak to residents almost daily on a wide range of topics, including water issues, recycling, potholes, graffiti, housing and air quality. I listen intently, offer what information I have, and direct residents appropriately. I consistently follow up on every issue that is brought to my attention. 

I have met with our State Representative and State Senator to discuss our town and advocate for us. I consistently attend multiple board and committee meetings each week as well as attend community events to support local nonprofits, special interest groups and businesses. 

I have demonstrated my leadership and communication skills while serving on a wide variety of boards and committees. I served on the Grafton Recreation Commission for 10 years, including as Chair. I created the Fields Coalition Group which culminated in the field and park that is located off Providence Rd. I guided the Skate Park Building Committee resulting in a hugely utilized skate park. I served on the Super Park Renovation Committee. More recently, I served on the ARPA Committee as Vice Chair and on the Open Space and Recreation Committee. Currently, I sit on the Trustees of Soldiers and Sailors Committee as well as the Master Plan Committee. 

I have served as the President of the Central Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. I currently serve as Vice President of a large condominium  association, having previously served as President. 

Other town activities include chairing PTG's, Treasurer of Boy Scout Troup 107, and founding and chairing the Sustainable Grafton Group which has a following of 799 people and a committee of approximately 15. 

I have been a Physical Therapist for almost 37 years and I continue to own a practice that serves approximately 750 individuals age 22 and older with intellectual and physical disabilities. 

I am a 33 year resident of the Town of Grafton and have always been engaged in the community. I look forward to continuing my work for the town. I wish all of the candidates the best of luck, and I humbly ask for your vote on May 20. 

This week I attended the Joint Committee on Ways and Means public hearing at the State House, and while I was not able to speak in person due to the volume of citizens requesting to speak, I was able to submit my planned testimony to the Committee. It was encouraging to see the level of engagement of citizens on a host of issues and I was delighted to see our future leaders, including four fourth grade students, testifying as well. It was my pleasure to yield to the students that came from all over the State to testify!

I attended the session to advocate for increased Chapter 70 school funding, as well as to implore the legislature to re-examine the Chapter 70 formula. While attending the Massachusetts Municipal Association annual meeting in January, I spoke to many other leaders facing budget shortfalls, in part due to the paltry funding for our schools from the State. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor assured us they understood there was a problem with the formula used for funding, particularly for a town such as Grafton.

During the budget process each year since I have been on the Select Board, I have combed through our budget item by item and given direction to our Town Administrator to reduce expenses wherever possible. I made it clear to the Board and our Administration this year that before pursuing an override from the taxpayers, expenses needed to be trimmed and revenues maximized. I am happy to say both the Superintendent of Schools and our Town Administrator were able to make necessary reductions and introduce some new programs to reduce the budget deficit. 

I will continue to take very seriously how your money is spent and I will do my best to support new revenue streams. If there is ever a future need to ask taxpayers for an override, I can assure you it will only be after thoroughly scrutinizing the budget and exhausting all other avenues to balance the budget.

I am running for re-election to the Select Board because, while I believe I’ve had an impact on various aspects of town services, I still have work to do. One of my stated goals in 2022 was to foster greater engagement in town government among Grafton residents. I have encouraged participation in committee work, so I’m pleased to see there are currently few openings on Boards and Committees. I have worked hard to generate a collaborative environment where communication is productive and amicable, and I have encouraged the involvement of a wide variety of stakeholders. I have remained accessible to residents, business owners, and town employees, continuing to encourage new ideas and to be consistent in addressing concerns, always bearing in mind my commitment as an advocate for all Grafton residents. While serving as Chair over the past year, I have presided over some difficult meetings related to growth, to issues with businesses, and, most recently, to the town budget. I believe I have been able to do so in a professional manner that has produced results, even when faced with opposing views. I hope to continue serving Grafton on its Select Board with objectivity and practicality.