Priorities

Flooding and Drainage.  As a Selectman, my top priority for years has been to address flooding and drainage problems. Along with the Board and town staff,  I have listened to citizens, business and property owners and developed a long-term flood mitigation plan, acknowledging that it would take years to resolve these issues, which cost our businesses and residents millions of dollars in damage and economic loss. I have been the Board’s point person on flooding and drainage since its inception.

Capital Planning/Funding.  The reconstruction of Winchester High School, a project I was proud to advocate for as a Selectman, is in its third of three phases.  While that critical project continues, it is important that we aggressively pursue the school building program.  As Selectman and a current member of the Capital Planning Committee, I supported funding to update the school building master plan.  This study will be key in continuing to work with the state in planning our next school building projects, where there is need at the elementary school level.  In addition to school projects, there are numerous other capital needs within the Town, and limited funding resources.  Informed and educated prioritization is critical, as is creative funding strategy.  Please read below in “Accomplishments” about my past contributions in this arena.

Town Center Development.  Town Meeting, led by the Planning Board and with support from the Board of Selectmen and other Town boards and committees, had a great accomplishment last spring with the passage of an update to the Town Center zoning by-laws.  These revised rules will allow redevelopment in the Town Center to proceed in a way that allows businesses to succeed, consistent with the Town’s goals regarding housing and preservation.  I am eager to continue the Board’s work in examining the Town owned property at Waterfield Street, where a carefully designed process could result in exciting development at that location close to the train station.  The Board also continues to advocate for appropriate design of the state-led upgrade of the Downtown train station.  I am pleased that we have been successful in advocating for design changes that will lead to a rebuild that promotes more successful integration of the station withing our Town Center.

Many other opportunities remain on the table, including open collective bargaining agreements, coordination of Eversource’s power transmission projects, Winning Farm, upgrading recreation facilities, creation of more affordable housing, supporting our senior citizens and maintaining AAA bond rating.  I look forward to continuing to collaborate with colleagues on the Board of Selectmen, other Boards and Committees and Town staff to continue to create solutions that are in the best interest of Winchester.

Accomplishments

Manchester Field Rebuild.  Along with another selectman, I came up with a way to jointly fund the rebuilding of Manchester Field by developing a joint public-private relationship over a multi-year period.

Wright-Locke Farm.  As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I promoted and supported the override that allowed Winchester to purchase the land that is now Wright-Locke Farm, which would otherwise have been purchased by a developer for a 40B development that was not a good fit for the neighborhood or Winchester.  I supported the preservation of approximately 8 acres of that land for preservation as a historic farm and conservation land.  I was pleased last year to join three of my colleagues on the Board in supporting the sale of the remaining twelve acres of land to a trust established to hold the land for the Wright-Locke Farm conservancy.  The final result preserves a tremendous asset for the Town of open space and a working/educational/historic farm, while providing a reasonable and fair return to the taxpayers on their investment.

Funding for Capital Needs.  I have always supported a strong financial position for the Town, allowing it to maintain its AAA bond rating.  In parallel, I played a key role in creating stabilization accounts for capital and buildings to help promote the cautious use of free cash expenditures, utilities and fair and equitable labor contracts.  I helped to identify the need for a comprehensive rebuilding of school and municipal buildings.  Knowing that current capital funding levels were inadequate, I assisted in creating the EFPBC that is chartered to oversee all school building projects.

Honor Roll.  The planning and building of the Town’s Honor Roll was a joint effort by the Town of Winchester, Town Meeting and a private group of citizens.  I was proud to lead that joint effort — a great example of private citizens working together with Town officials.  The effort raised funds to assist the Town in building the Honor Roll that commemorates veterans that served the Town and our nation.

School Building Decision.  One of the first Town issues I faced was the question of closing an elementary school (Vinson-Owens) and changing the structure of the educational system.  Together with a group of V-O parents, I successfully convinced the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Town meeting to maintain five elementary schools (“keep five alive!”) and a high school, and create a middle school for grades 6-8.  Over thirty years later, that structure is still in place.

There are many more — large and small — from many years.  But I will say that my greatest pride comes from collaborating with colleagues, hearing ideas from citizens and thinking about how to address them, and engaging and discussion, debate and decision-making in the best interest of Winchester.  I am proud to serve the Town of Winchester as Selectman.