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.
I have been a Lexington resident since 2006. My husband and I have two children who attended Bridge, Clarke and graduated from Lexington High School. I have been a Town Meeting Member since 2008.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I have volunteered in each community I have lived in – it has been a lifelong commitment. I strongly believe that by participating in and working with different organizations and committees our community becomes stronger. I am running for Town Meeting because I enjoy being part of a large body of citizen representatives who carefully review and deliberate the town budget and local bylaws. It has been a privilege and one that I take seriously attending as many public meetings throughout the year. I have a near perfect attendance record over the past 18 years.
It is Town Meeting’s job to make sure all of the community is heard. I am a strong voice for recreation, both active and passive; conservation land acquisition; strong schools. I have supported all debt exclusions and operating overrides, and I am a strong supporter of increasing the affordable housing stock.
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?
- Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) 2022–present, vice chair 2024–present
- Recreation Committee 2011–2022, vice chair 2015–2022
- League of Women Voters board member, 2010–present
- Community Endowment of Lexington board member, 2015–2021
- Community Center Task Force, 2011–2013
I am an elementary school teacher and conflicts arise, often. Real resolution starts with the ability to listen to different points of view. At Town Meeting, where the stakes are typically high, my listening skills give me the ability to weigh complex opinions fairly.
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 concerned about the available capital funds for current and future large projects. My solution is to make sure that each project is scrutinized as carefully as was done with LHS to make sure they are as cost efficient as possible and then to demonstrate that the need and project are well-founded to the voters. This is already one of my roles on the Capital Expenditures Committee, and a responsibility I will continue to prioritize.