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 served as a Town Meeting member from Precinct 8 since 2010 and am a candidate for reelection.
My wife Jan and I have lived in Lexington, at 21 Constitution Road, since 1996. Our son Mike went through the Lexington school system from kindergarten through grade 12. He is now married and lives and works in New York City.
We moved to Lexington primarily because of the excellent school system, and we stayed because we love the town.
I am a lifelong resident of Massachusetts and a retired software engineer.
I make a point of responding to inquiries from residents of our precinct. I want to hear from citizens about the town issues that matter to them.
During my 16 years in Town Meeting, I have never missed a meeting or a vote.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I am running for Town Meeting because I want to continue serving my hometown.
These are challenging times for Lexington. The anticipated increase in population resulting from MBTA rezoning will place additional demands on town services, especially our schools. It is important to me that our schools remain excellent, which is why I supported the new high school project.
I have consistently looked for ways to improve the efficiency of town government and to strengthen our tax base without changing the essential character of Lexington.
I also believe it is important to preserve, as much as possible, the town’s natural resources. Like many residents, I value our conservation areas and the quality of life they provide.
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 active in the Lexington community since moving here, and this experience has been helpful in my service as a Town Meeting member. The following is a representative sample of my involvement.
Town Meeting Positions
- 2012–Present: Manager, Town Meeting Members Association (TMMA) website
- 2011: Precinct 8 Chair
- 2010: Precinct 8 Vice Chair
Town Positions
- 2018–Present: Communications Advisory Committee member
Community Activity
- I have been a member of Lexington Toastmasters for many years and have served in several officer roles, including President.
- For the past several years, I have also served as co-moderator of the Senior Services Current Events discussion group.
Describe a time when you engaged with someone with an opposing view on an important issue:
As co-moderator of the Senior Services Current Events group, I regularly facilitate discussions with participants hold differing views on important issues. One recent example was the new high school project. While I supported the project, several participants were skeptical.
While I may not have changed the minds of the most vocal opponents, I believe respectful discussion can help inform undecided residents.
When discussing issues with people who disagree, I believe it is essential to stay focused on the facts, avoid personal attacks, and not speculate about others’ motives.
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 do not have a single key issue; all issues before Town Meeting deserve careful consideration.
In recent years, Lexington has undertaken several large projects, including the new high school, police station, and fire station. As a town, we must balance these investments by expanding the tax base where possible and improving efficiency in managing the town budget.
Lexington is a well-run town, and I generally support the work of our elected and appointed boards and committees. At the same time, I believe Town Meeting members have a responsibility to ask questions and, when necessary, to dissent—something I have done when I believed it was in the town’s best interest.