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 name is Priya N. Tanjore, and I am a resident of Lexington’s Precinct 7. I live here with my husband, Girish, our three children—Ruthu, Aditya, and Shreyas Hanchinamani—and our affectionate labradoodle, Leo. Raising a family in Lexington has deepened my connection to the community and its public institutions.
Professionally, I work in data engineering and hold master’s degrees in information systems and engineering management from Northeastern University. My experience managing complex systems and collaborating with diverse teams across the globe has shaped a thoughtful, evidence‑based approach to civic engagement.
In Lexington, I am actively involved in education, inclusion, and youth development. I facilitate community conversations through the Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL) Education Committee, mentor youth through nonprofits, and help lead cultural and arts‑based initiatives that raise funds for visually challenged students and Paralympic athletes. Education, inclusion, and community engagement are central to my volunteer work and my approach to public service.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I am running for Town Meeting as a write‑in candidate in Precinct 7 because I care deeply about Lexington and its long‑term well‑being.
I am stepping forward during an important period of growth and investment in our community. That perspective drives my commitment to bringing people together, strengthening civic engagement, and working collaboratively to keep Lexington welcoming and vibrant for everyone.
I value Lexington’s tradition of thoughtful governance, inclusion, and respectful debate. With taxes rising and major projects underway, I am focused on disciplined budgeting, smart investments, and protecting taxpayers.
I am committed to carefully reviewing warrant articles, listening to residents, and contributing to decisions that support the town’s long‑term well‑being while keeping Lexington affordable for today’s families and future generations.
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?
Through active involvement in community and school initiatives, I have worked to promote inclusion, respectful dialogue, and collaboration across differing perspectives. Grounded in this experience and my professional background, I am prepared to serve as a Town Meeting Member committed to fiscal responsibility, accountability, and responsible local governance.
In my professional work, I analyze data, develop and manage budgets, assess resource needs, and oversee complex projects while balancing competing priorities.
This experience has built habits essential to Town Meeting service, including careful review of warrant articles, asking informed questions, evaluating evidence, and weighing the financial trade offs inherent in every decision.
As a resident and parent, I see firsthand how budget and policy choices affect families, educators, and taxpayers.
Together, these experiences enable me to listen carefully, weigh diverse perspectives, and make thoughtful, fiscally sound decisions that protect taxpayers and support Lexington’s long term sustainability.
As a Town Meeting member, I will listen to residents, listen to both sides of the debate in Town Meeting, and make an informed decision for the town’s long-term well-being. I am prepared to approach Town Meeting with diligence, and a strong commitment to serving the entire community thoughtfully and responsibly.
In my professional work, I routinely engage with colleagues who hold differing views on how limited resources should be allocated—an experience that closely mirrors the kinds of debates that occur at Town Meeting. In one instance, team members strongly disagreed about which projects should be prioritized within a constrained budget. Rather than defending a fixed position, I focused on understanding the concerns behind each viewpoint. I asked clarifying questions, shared relevant data, and helped frame the discussion around shared goals and long‑term impacts.
By grounding the conversation in evidence and fiscal trade‑offs, we moved beyond an “either/or” debate toward a balanced solution that reflected compromise and mutual understanding. The final decision was stronger because it incorporated multiple perspectives. I would bring this same approach to Town Meeting—listening carefully, engaging respectfully, and working collaboratively to reach well‑reasoned decisions that serve the community as a whole.