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How many years have you lived in Winchester? 34 years. I was also born at Winchester Hospital.
Please describe your professional background and education. I have a BS in Physics and MS in Computer Science. I was a systems and software engineer early on, but spent most of my career as an analyst in an IT advisory firm focused on manufacturing and supply chain management.
What Winchester town positions (appointed or elected) have you held, and for how long? I was a Town Meeting Member from Precinct 7 for about 11 years and was on the Finance Committee for part of that time. I had to give up my seat after my company was acquired and I had to travel during town meeting in the spring and fall. We downsized to a house in Precinct 5 and I retired two years ago, and hence am able to run again. I was co-chair of the town Energy Management Committee from 2005 to 2016 and during that time we saved the town about $6M in energy costs. I also served on an IT advisory committee that selected municipal software in the early 2000s.
What volunteer roles have you done that made a difference in Winchester? I am currently on the board of the Winchester Historical Society and help manage the restoration and maintenance of the Sanborn House Historical & Cultural Center. I am a Past Commadore of the Winchester Boat Club and continue to serve on the race committee. I am a former adult leader of Boy Scout Troop 503.
Why should I vote for you? I have over 25 years of experience working with town government and good relationships with those that are active in town affairs. I have a deep understanding of the history of the town, its financial situation and what it needs to remain a special place for residents.
What specific methods will you use to gather and represent your constituents' perspectives on issues that come before Town Meeting? I always have an open ear and email to constituents, but my experience in the past is that they rarely contact their town meeting members. I have relied on personal acquaintances in the Precinct to stay up to date on their concerns.
Transparency and communication are vital in representative government. What steps will you take to keep your constituents informed about Town Meeting decisions and to explain your voting rationale? That is difficult as I know of no vehicle to communicate directly with constituents (e.g. an email list). In the past, I spoke frequently on articles before town meeting and clearly communicated my position and the reasons for it, which would help those that follow town meeting know my positions.
How do you plan to evaluate and make decisions on budgetary allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting the town's needs? Having been a member of the FINCOM, I understand how the budget is prepared and how it is carefully vetted by FINCOM. Town meeting debates and votes on the budget as amended by FINCOM. Any amendments that come before town meeting have usually been debated at FINCOM as well and the decisions documented. I will start with the FINCOM recommendations, though could change position based on the debate at town meeting.
