Table of Contents
Preferred contact method:
TMJen@yahoo.com
What experiences and perspectives would you contribute to Town Meeting?
I enjoy being involved in the community and would bring a range of experiences, including one previous term in Town Meeting, representing Precinct 7 on the Town Meeting Communications Study Committee, and involvement in school and community organizations. Our schools and our natural resources are both important to me, and I currently serve on the boards of the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE) and Friends of Winter Pond. I also have two kids in the Winchester Public Schools. They attended Lynch and are currently at McCall and the high school.
In terms of perspectives, I believe in the power of listening. I also believe an informed community is a stronger community, and clear communication leads to better decisions. In this spirit, I have tried to keep residents informed of Town Meeting decisions and the top issues in town. I helped start Winchester News and recently launched a local news podcast, Winchester Beat, to help get information to residents. I also send out summaries of Town Meeting to keep residents informed of decisions and debates.
What are two or three issues facing Winchester that you think are most important and what are your positions on them?
Tax override (related – affordability, property taxes, budget)
The big issue for this election is the proposed $11.5 million tax override. Town expenses are rising faster than revenues, and I support the override as a budgetary necessity. However, I also think affordability is an important issue, and I would like to see the town continue to explore ways to ease the residential tax burden.
Housing and commercial developments
Real estate and commercial developments are important both for generating revenue for the town and increasing our affordable housing stock. They should be balanced with neighborhood and community concerns as much as possible, but we need to allow development in town. Until we increase our affordable housing stock, we are susceptible to projects that can sidestep zoning and municipal requirements (known as 40B developments). We need more commercial development to help ease the residential tax burden.
Schools
The schools draw many to Winchester and are by far the largest budget item in town. I of course support our schools and doing what we can to cost-effectively provide the best experience possible for Winchester students.
What is a special challenge in your precinct that might not be faced in other precincts?
Pond Street traffic
Speed on Pond Street has been a longstanding concern for that neighborhood. I have spoken on the floor of Town Meeting to share the neighborhood’s concerns and believe there should be more speed enforcement on that road.
Winter Pond
Winter Pond is one of the town’s beautiful natural resources and host to activities like fishing, birding, kayaking, skating, and of course many hockey games. It is also home to endangered plant species and vulnerable to road and stormwater runoff and invasive plants. I’m involved with Friends of Winter Pond, which partners with the town to ensure the pond’s ongoing health.
Why should voters elect you to represent them?
I work to understand the issues, listen to different perspectives, and speak up for resident concerns and interests. I also do my best to keep residents informed about what is happening in town and to respond to resident questions, concerns, and input.
Thank you for reading this far. If you live in Precinct 7, I respectfully ask for your vote.
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