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 lived in Lexington for almost 30 years with my husband Hans Heilman. Our daughter Jorie graduated from Lexington High School in 2011. Since we moved here, I have been involved with both school and community related committees and activities. I have served Precinct 4 as a Town Meeting member since 2014 and would like to continue for another term.
Current activities:
- Town Meeting Member since 2014
- Volunteer at Gaining Ground Farm in Concord
- Program Volunteer with the Nature Connection in Concord
- Hospice Volunteer with VNA Care Hospice
- Member at LexART (the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society)
- Member of the Sisterhood at Temple Isaiah
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
We have lived in Lexington for nearly 30 years. I am running for Town Meeting again because I want to continue to be part of a group that is working to make Lexington a better place for all its residents. Being a Town Meeting member has allowed me to engage with the residents in my precinct and throughout the town. It has given me an opportunity to feel more connected to the town where I live.
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 have been a Town Meeting Member since 2014. I have been involved in many town related activities including:
- Member of the Cary Library Foundation Board
- Member of the Historic Districts Commission
- Chair of the Cary Memorial Building Renovation Design Committee
- Chair of the Community Center Program Advisory Committee
- Board member of the Lexington Education Foundation
- Chair of the Cary Lecture Committee
- Site Councils at the Bridge School, Clarke Middle School and Lexington High School
Executive Board - President of Lexington High School PTA
- Chair of the town-wide PTA Presidents Council
- Trustee on the Sisterhood Board at Temple Isaiah
- Driver for FISH
There have been many instances when I have been a member of Town Meeting where issues have been divisive. For example, in 2023, Article 34 on the for by-right MBTA multifamily housing plan. I discussed this with many fellow Town Meeting members as well as receiving input from residents of my precinct. I voted no on that proposal.
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 hope that Lexington will continue to be a place that will be inclusive for all residents. I appreciate the thought that members of town government have put into planning for the town’s future and I look forward to hearing about more ways that living in Lexington can work for a wide range of citizens.