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.
When Hank and I moved to Lexington in 1983 because of Hank’s employment, we were probably the only couple with young children who ever came here completely oblivious to the quality of the schools. We soon learned, however, that we had made a very fortunate choice, and began to get involved in the PTA, Scouts and sports activities. We both joined Town Meeting, began to get involved in committee work, and eventually ran for town-wide office: Hank served nine years on the Select Board, and I began with nine years on the Planning Board. Our three children had the benefit of the Lexington school system, and by the time they moved into their adult lives, we had become so committed to this town that we continued to find many ways to be involved.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I have served 25 years in Town Meeting, and it has been a privilege and an education. There continue to be local issues that I am particularly committed to, housing and civic education among them, and I hope to continue to represent my precinct and to contribute in whatever ways I can.
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?
I left a Boston law firm to open my own practice in Lexington in 1985 and enjoyed the negotiation and problem-solving aspects of my work until my retirement in 2018.
As to preparation for a role in Town Meeting, I think my experience there may have prepared me for my other work in Town rather than the other way around. I served on the Committee that drafted the original 2003 Town Comprehensive Plan, and then ran for the Planning Board, where I served for nine years, three as chair. I also chaired the Community Preservation Committee for three years of my five year tenure. I then served nine years on the Capital Expenditures Committee. Each of these experiences has deepened my knowledge of the Town and my appreciation of the dedication and excellent work contributed to our Town government by excellent staff and innumerable capable volunteers. I currently chair the Housing Partnership Board, which advocates for the creation of more diverse and affordable housing in Lexington.
I am always glad to hear from my constituents and to discuss with them the best way to address problems in Town. Issues are rarely simple, involving cost, efficiency, accessibility, and always, Lexington’s underlying principals and goals, as spelled out in the updated Comprehensive Plan. I do not make up my mind without hearing from as many people as possible, and if, ultimately, I disagree with some constituents, I believe my obligation is to muster all the information I have to act in the best interest of the whole Town, as well as that of my precinct.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
The need for a new high school has been pressing for a number of years. After professional assistance, input from students, parents, teachers and other staff, and substantial public process, we have reached a general consensus as to the best among various options. I support the Bloom plan, which meets our education standards and is the most cost effective and least disruptive option we have. It meets state requirements, which will allow us to receive $100 million toward the very substantial cost of the project. We need to proceed without any further delay (each year of which costs us dearly in labor, materials and general construction cost) and get the job done.
As a long time housing advocate, I cannot support Article 2, which seeks to roll back the provisions for MBTA multifamily zoning passed by Town Meeting in response to a state mandate. I recognize the need to review the statute in light of the unexpected surge in building applications, and to make such amendments as will slow the rate of growth, while not losing the valuable aspects of Article 34. I and others are urging the Planning Board to do this as soon as possible. Under Article 2, however, the twelve districts designated by the Planning Board to permit multifamily zoning are reduced to two, and they do not include key locations, such as the Town Center and several small commercial districts which stand to be revitalized by mixed commercial and residential use under Article 34. Even more crucial, Article 2 sets a density limit of 15 units per acre. Because the statute requires all projects of 15 housing units or more to designate 15% of them as affordable housing, builders who are limited to a total of 15 units per acre have every incentive to build just under the limit, so as to avoid the requirement to build affordable units. This will result in fewer, but larger and more expensive, units being built in the same footprint, in total contravention of the purpose of the statute.
I feel extremely lucky to have made Lexington my home all these years, and to have had the opportunity to work with so many smart, capable, and hardworking people, volunteers and professionals alike. I appreciate your support in the past, and want to continue to contribute what I can for another term. I ask for your vote on March 3.