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What experiences and perspectives would you contribute to the Select Board? I believe I would bring a variety of important experiences and perspectives to the Select Board.
First, both my day job and volunteer service in Winchester have provided me with a thorough knowledge of the school budget, which is the most significant portion of our town's annual budget. In my work as an administrator and educator in public schools, I have worked on school and school district budgets since 2008, including during periods of significant budget reductions as well as budget investments. I also served on the Winchester School Committee from 2021-2024. My familiarity with school budgets is important both for the town's relationship with the school system, but also because an in-depth knowledge of the restrictions and possibilities in public finance is a steep learning curve for many candidates and even incumbents.
I also saw firsthand the challenges of managing public funds at a time of extreme uncertainty while serving on the Finance Committee during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. I know what it is to make difficult choices in unprecedented times.
But maybe most importantly, I care deeply about Winchester and as a father of two boys public school, I am invested in the future of our town. I started volunteering with Winchester ABC within a few months of moving to town in 2014, I have coached soccer for the last four years, and I spent two years as a member of the FAN Board.
What are two or three issues facing Winchester that you think are most important and what are your positions on them? The budget is certainly one of the most important issues. The town needs to pass an operating override to continue to provide our current level of excellent service. I fully support passing the override and would be a strong fiscal steward after its passage, working to ensure that the funds go to the projects and priorities that have been put in writing.
Affordability is an equally important issue. Too many of our town's taxes and fees are regressive, putting the largest burden on those who can least afford it. We are all extremely lucky to live in such a wonderful town, but we ask some of the members of our community to sacrifice far too much to be here. If elected, I would immediately propose a committee on affordability to find ways to reduce costs for our most vulnerable populations. For example, the residential tax exemption has been around for over 40 years, and yet the Select Board has never chosen to provide that relief for our most impacted property owners.
How would you decide which town services to cut or reduce if voters reject a tax override this spring? I fully believe that the people of Winchester will make the right choice and fund our town so the services we need are available to everyone. However, if services do need to be cut — and I think people need to remember that this is a situation that could arise again given the volatile times we live in — I would start by asking all department heads to identify what is essential and what they could cut. At that point I would bring their proposals to the public and seek input through both written feedback and numerous public forums both online and in person.
What would you do to bring in more revenue without raising residential property taxes? I would work to actively recruit businesses to choose Winchester. I have seen jokes about Amazon but never any evidence of the town seriously working to court investment. If these efforts have been made, then I feel that they are not well publicized. We also need to work to identify what types of businesses that can fit into our town would generate the most revenue and incentivize and cultivate them.
Why should voters elect you to the Select Board? I think voters should always look not at what a candidate says, but what they've actually done. Since I moved to Winchester, I have spent every single year volunteering to help children and families. I have an extensive record of votes from Finance Committee, from School Committee, and from Town Meeting that show objectively my advocacy for those who have been worst-served by this town.
I'm not afraid to be unpopular or go against the grain. No matter the cost, I will always advocate fully for what is right. I am in this race because I believe we need another strong progressive voice on the Select Board. Our town is at a time of both great challenge and great opportunity.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about when James Baldwin told those that work with young people to "go for broke." I want to be very clear: I am not advocating risky financial decisions. In fact, it's the opposite: I want us to invest for the long term. I want to "go for broke" for this town, my chosen home, by doing everything I possibly can to make it a place everyone, from our seniors to our working families, loves to live. I have given countless hours volunteering here, and I am happy to give as many as it takes to ensure that our town continues to move forward. I encourage anyone to reach out to me through phone or email as I am happy to hear their concerns and ideas.
How would you like voters to contact you?
Contact: shamus.brady@gmail.com or 781-454-7263
Campaign Facebook: facebook.com/ShamusBradySelectBoard Campaign Instagram: instagram.com/bradyforsb/
