Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
My husband and I moved to Lexington last July, after living in Bedford for 24 years. Both my work life and my volunteer work have been driven by a passion for public policy.
Now retired, I worked as a developmental editor on books and reports and with researchers at universities and nonprofits, including MIT’s national magazine, the Kennedy School, and Harvard University Press. Topics ranged from transportation to the environment to economic development and smart growth.
I was deeply involved in town and regional affairs in Bedford (see below). Although I do not have kids of my own, I am the head of a large family of siblings, nieces, nephews, and their kids. Making the world a better place for children, families, and elders has spurred everything I do.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
My husband and I love living in Lexington, appreciating the cultural diversity, vibrancy, and tradition of volunteerism and public participation. I attended Town Meeting in November, and was very impressed with its transparency and thoughtful deliberation. I have been attending Select Board and Planning Board meetings ever since, and have also immersed myself in many aspects of Town affairs.
I deeply value the depth, breadth, and significance of the work of Town Meeting. Listening to and engaging with other thoughtful and knowledgeable residents–both TM Members and residents–to make decisions that ensure that Lexington continues to thrive would be a privilege. I am eager to contribute my experience to this bedrock of democratic government.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
As an elected member of the Planning Board in Bedford for 15 years, I championed mixed use in several locations and helped create its Comprehensive Plan. I also served as a member of the Community Preservation Committee and the Transportation Advisory Committee, where I helped implement the Town’s pedestrian and bicycle master plan.
As chair of the Council on Aging Board, I supported the successful passage of 50 acres of MBTA Communities zoning to give downsizing seniors as well as people who work in our region more options.
As the Bedford representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPC), which serves 101 area cities and towns, I helped forge MetroFuture, the long-term blueprint for a more prosperous, equitable, sustainable region. I served as a member of MAPC’s Executive Committee and one of four elected officers. I am now a member of MAPC’s Legislative Committee, which works at the state level to promote bills that advance those goals.
My experience collaborating on public policy with a wide range of people who seek the best way to solve challenging problems will serve me well as a Town Meeting Member.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
I am a strong supporter of affordable housing and housing diversity. However, I do favor limiting Lexington’s MBTA Communities zoning to enable the Town to evaluate the impact of projects now in the pipeline.
Taking the time to thoughtfully revisit the best way to fulfill Lexington’s housing and diversity goals while not overwhelming its infrastructure is important. Considering the impact on neighborhoods by reconsidering setbacks and height allowances for new projects, should be an important part of this process. To ensure that much-needed new housing does not clog our roads with more vehicles, I think it is important to retain and expand public transportation options.
Thoughtful involvement in public affairs requires soliciting a range of opinions on key issues, as well as compromise. I have asked numerous neighbors, friends, and the many people I have met while running for Town Meeting Member for their input on critical questions, including MBTA Communities zoning and the effort to build the new high school. My views on those issues have evolved based on that input. My core values are economic diversity and sustainable development, but I am open to others’ ideas on how best to achieve them.
I bring decades of experience in public affairs as well as a fresh perspective to Lexington. Electing new Town Meeting Members can strengthen Lexington’s ability to attain its core goals. I ask for your vote on March 3.