As Election Day on Monday, March 2 approaches, I want to wish all candidates the very best. Having watched a close friend run for Select Board last year, I saw firsthand the courage it takes to put forth one’s ideas before the public, the vulnerability that comes with scrutiny, and the importance of truly listening to the community. Simply running shows their courage and dedication to our community.  

This year, I am especially excited about Mr. Kunal Botla running for a seat on the Planning Board.

Before this race, I knew Kunal as a very young and confident member of the Transportation Advisory Committee who could thoughtfully and respectfully go toe-to-toe with even the most seasoned policy debaters. But over the past few months, I’ve come to appreciate just how much depth he brings to town planning and his kindness and resilience in adversity.

When I learned he was running for the Planning Board, my first thought was: how lucky Lexington would be to have Kunal.

Through his work with the Transportation Advisory Committee, Kunal has already spent significant time engaging with Planning Board discussions, bringing forward transportation perspectives and gaining a strong understanding of the town’s broader planning goals. He doesn’t just show up — he prepares, listens, and contributes meaningfully.

At candidate forums and community coffees, he has consistently articulated a clear and holistic vision of Lexington’s future using his training in planning and design. He speaks thoughtfully about revitalizing economic hubs such as Hartwell Avenue, reimagining development opportunities in the Town Center to foster both livability and economic resilience. It is a vision that I find greatly appealing for our town. I also appreciate his desires to enhance communication and transparency so residents can better understand and engage with Planning Board initiatives.

At a recent meet-and-greet, he fielded a remarkably wide range of questions — about his age, his voting record, long-term planning frameworks, transparency in public processes, historical planning framework from 1966, commercial rental notices in neighboring towns, landscaping regulations, and code compliance challenges tied to commercial renovations. His answers reflected not only preparation, but a genuine grasp of how planning shapes a town’s identity, sense of community, and connectedness.

On Monday, March 2nd, we have the opportunity to elect a forward-thinking, thoughtful, and very well-informed candidate to the Planning Board. Vote for Kunal Botla. To learn more about his vision and values, visit www.votekunal.com

Christian Lin (She/Her)

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