SuttonHighNews conducted an interview with each candidate running for the Select Board. Our goal is to provide a more comprehensive look at each candidate so voters can make an informed decision.
SuttonHighNews is not endorsing any candidate. The interviews are being released in a random order with no intent to give anyone more or less time.
All candidates were given the questions in advance. We asked the same questions, in the same order, to each candidate.
In your view, what is the primary purpose of a Select Board Member?
As the Select Board is elected by the voters, I believe its primary purpose is to be a bridge between those who live and vote in the community and the implemented policies which guide town officials and employees appointed by them. The Select Board serves as the primary policy making body of the Town providing broad policy guidelines to be implemented by the town officials and the town manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Town. The Town has several policy documents including the Sutton Home Rule Charter, General Bylaws, Zoning Bylaws, 2012 Master Plan, Open Space Plan, Shaw Farm Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, etc. Board decisions should be based on the content of these policy documents.
An effective Select Board member should be available to constituents to assist them with understanding issues of importance that the voters will be required to vote on at the Annual Spring and Fall Town meetings. The voters are the legislative body which put the guidelines into the bylaws and charter. Being an informed voter can feel like a full-time job. A strong Select Board doing proper outreach can direct voters to meetings, websites, regional planning meetings, which can help to inform voters of issues which they will be facing at the Spring and Fall Town meetings.
What makes you qualified to be a Select Board Member? What skills/credentials do you bring? What motivated you to run?
As a Certified Public Accountant, I have an understanding of the fiscal workings of local government. My goal is to be a resource to the community and select board members by gathering accurate information and communicating complex fiscal issues in an understandable way so the collective body of voters can make evidence-based, informed decisions about issues facing the town. I ask questions of any board or department head without fear of being embarrassed. I stand up and ask for clarification, definitions, and hold those representing the town accountable for the information they are presenting. I research, determine the answer, and then ask the question to exercise a “trust and verify approach.” Is the information I am receiving in line with the results of my research to ensure the collective body has the right information to make decisions? I do not quickly take a statement as fact.
A fun fact is my ability to take shorthand, thanks to the Sutton High School curriculum of the 1980s. I attended Secretarial School after high school graduation, and after several years of working as an executive secretary, went on to obtain an accounting degree. My shorthand skill allows me to have access to verbatim discussion without having to “go to the replay film”.
I currently serve as Secretary of the Housing Production Plan Working Group, and served on the School Building Committee from January 2007-April 2009. I volunteered at the Sutton Elementary School library for many years as well as in my children’s classrooms. Since 2016, I have been the Secretary for the Sutton Historical Society, Inc., and am considered the Manchaug Historian. I have been involved with Chain of Lights since 1999, coordinating both a participating location – St. Anne’s Church – and as the event coordinator for several years. Recently, I led the fundraising effort for the newly renovated American Legion Park in Manchaug in collaboration with Sutton Recreational Resources, Inc., and pushed to have a recognition marker for the Manchaug veterans lost in service placed on the Mateychuk Common. I have been blessed with the time to serve my community for over 30 years.
My motivation to run stems from a casual conversation at the Town-wide yard sale in June 2022 about our open town meeting not having a quorum requirement. That conversation started me on a path of understanding how local government works, and how one individual can lead change. I sponsored a Citizen’s petition to add a quorum requirement to our bylaws at the October 2022 Town Meeting. The Citizen’s petition increased efforts by the municipal government to notify voters of the upcoming meetings with yard signs, post card mailings, phone calls, and social media posts which resulted in increased attendance at every annual Town Meeting since that petition. Recently, other citizens have sponsored petitions. There are no wrong questions at Town Meeting, and I would encourage registered voters to attend, listen, and ask questions. As we are recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War events and our Declaration of Independence, Bill or Rights, and Constitution, it is important for voters to exercise their rights and participate in Open Meeting to ensure what the legislative body puts into place through their votes is representative of the majority of the Town’s citizens.
What goals do you have for Sutton?
Mindful growth that provides new revenue sources to help with our increasing operating costs while retaining the rural/agricultural feel of the community which has been a draw for many residents. I encourage all voters to review the Housing Production Plan Working Group videos, complete the housing survey soon to be in their mailboxes, and take the time to attend an upcoming community housing/development meeting. All information will be posted on the town’s website suttonma.org.
What are the biggest challenges for Sutton? How will you help address/resolve these challenges?
Balancing the needs/wants of those who currently reside in Sutton with the legislative demands coming to the Town from the State. The national housing shortage is resulting in several initiatives from the Governor’s office which will have a growth impact on Sutton. The state is striving to add 222,000 new housing units under the recently released “A Home for Everyone” comprehensive housing plan (https://www.mass.gov/doc/a-home-for-everyone/download) in the next 10 years, and has passed several legislative acts which have impact to Sutton, including MBTA communities and Accessory Dwelling Units.
40B-Affordable Housing has been in place since 1969, and requires towns to have a subsidized housing inventory (SHI) of 10% of their housing stock deed-restricted for households earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Sutton currently has an SHI of 1.6% which opens up the town for developers to come in and develop housing that is not in line with our zoning. The Select Board is the town body responsible for entering into Memorandum of Understanding with 40B developers to create Local Initiative Program projects that have collaboration between the developer and the town vs. having a developer come in and simply do what they want regardless of the community’s long-range growth plan. Currently, a 40B development is coming before our Zoning Board on May 13 for 16 units on a parcel of land on Burbank Road which, under current zoning, does not even allow a single-family home.
Sutton taxpayers need to work together to determine the type, location, and demographic groups which need and will most benefit from new housing. Additionally, we need to be advocating at the State level to ensure the State increases funding to its communities for road repair/maintenance, multi-modal safety of shared roadways between pedestrians, bicycles, horses, tractors, and vehicles as well as support of the schools through increased Chapter 70 funding.
Sutton is the last signalized intersection on the regional 146 Corridor between Worcester and Providence. The Department of Transportation has moved the flyover project for the Boston Road interchange up on its list of projects. Two recent public meetings indicate a raising of Route 146 over Boston Road with straight local access on/off ramps is the planned project. This same design is currently under construction in North Smithfield, RI at their signalized intersection. Again, voters need to make the effort to follow these developments. The Town’s website has a NEWS section on the homepage and lists public hearing meetings on the Calendar.
The Select Board must advocate for Sutton at the State level through their network of contacts, including our State Senator Ryan Fattman and Representative Joe McKenna, to press the State to provide funding for mandates it puts in place requiring community compliance.
Why did you choose to live in Sutton?
Affordability, walkability, and job market access. When my husband and I were searching for a home, we were focused on finding a home we could afford on one income close to both of our families that would give us access to several different job markets. We were hoping to find our “forever” home. I grew up in Manchaug Village, and graduated from Sutton High School, and was familiar with Sutton. We wanted a town where we could push a stroller, our children could ride bikes, and we could hike and explore open space. The combination of access to many job markets within an hour commute combined with the large amount of open space accessible to the public was a perfect fit for us. Many homes in Sutton were outside of our price range; however, the Stonebridge Farms neighborhood was about to begin construction with single-family homes under 1,800 square feet. We purchased a lot, and were one of the first houses constructed in this new subdivision on McClellan Road. The expansion of the Wilkinsonville water district and town sewer system allowed the construction of homes on smaller lot sizes.
How will you support local businesses and economic development in Sutton?
Sutton is infrastructure challenged as are many Central Mass communities. All water in town comes from the ground via private wells or wells owned by the two water districts—Manchaug and Wilkinsonville, and not reservoirs. These water districts are separately chartered, and are not part of the municipal town government. This lack of water has limited the type of commercial growth, as well as the expansion of multi-family housing. Wilkinsonville Water District has applied for an expansion of their water draw from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and has several developments, including housing, in the queue should the draw be increased. The Manchaug Water district is currently working with a potential developer to determine the water capacity of that district. In the past 2-years, the Select Board has entered into memorandum of understanding with a few 40B affordable multi-family housing developers, who ultimately withdrew their projects because of the infrastructure weaknesses. The 2012 Master Plan, which is a guiding document for the community, stated an economic development goal of “fostering a balanced local economy serving the shopping, service, financial, and employment needs of the community”. I support this goal, and believe the Housing Production Plan Working Group’s efforts to encourage 40R and 40S developments which create mixed use properties and generate a flow of state funds to Sutton could be a good fit in areas which have the infrastructure to support it. I also support new businesses paying their fair share of taxes.
Sutton is a desirable location with the Route 146 Regional transportation roadway running right through it as well as access to Route 395 via Central Turnpike. This roadway infrastructure could cause Sutton to experience overdevelopment, and lose its rural charm. Population and commercial growth in Sutton are increasing the pedestrian safety issue. To keep walkability, the town may need to consider sidewalk projects, similar to the recently installed sidewalks on both sides of 122A in South Grafton to the Sutton Town Line, in areas such as West Sutton and Wilkinsonville.
The Select Board and, more importantly, town voters need to be at the table to ensure we maintain balance of growth with retention of quality of life.
How will you work with your fellow Select Board Members?
I have served on several boards and charitable committees having leadership with diverse backgrounds, and have been successful. I am not afraid of hard work or tedious work, and am willing to compromise. I am very comfortable collaborating within large groups in the best interest of the town.
Our schools are facing projected shortfalls over the next few years. How do you plan to address this?
The schools, but in a broader sense, the Town is facing upcoming projected budget shortfalls. Increased infrastructure, labor, insurance and capital costs have all departments operating on reduced budgets with shared services, including custodial, across different departments. The school business office and the town municipal leadership have successfully managed our financial resources allowing the town to maintain its AA+ Standard and Poor bond rating. We are on the threshold of a significant leadership change across our town boards, school, and municipal government. Change affords the opportunity for fresh eyes and viewpoints to review policies and accounts to ensure they are in line with current needs. I have the skill set to be at the table for this review process.
Adopted in 1980, Proposition 2 ½ limits the amount towns can increase their tax levy relating to all assessed property in their communities–residential, commercial, industrial and personal property. Sutton voters passed two of the three operating overrides presented to them. The last, in 2007, was structured to benefit multiple departments/projects in town and appeal to voters across demographic groups. This permanent override included $500k to be split between the school and the municipal government with $475K being added to establish a Capital Stabilization Fund and approved the purchase of the Shaw Farm. The debt payments for the Shaw Farm purchase were set up to be withdrawn from this fund. Funding the capital stabilization fund has allowed the town to undertake capital projects/improvements without the requirement of a debt exclusion and was a smart planning tool.
Understanding that the Sutton demographic is aging, and the age 5-18 cohort and over 65 cohort are basically the same, any attempt to pass a permanent override, versus a debt exclusion override, will have to address all facets of local government, not just the school. Prior to this, the town should look to areas where it could access funds without burdening the taxpayers at a time when household day-to-day costs are rising. The Town has done an excellent job with applying for and being awarded state and federal grants. FY2024 Audited Statements note that the town received $16.8M in operating and capital grants and contributions, an increase over FY2023 of approximately $4M which supplement our tax levy.
Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act will ensure this grant pipeline remains open to the Town. Voters will vote on MBTA at the October 2025 Fall Town Meeting.
Lastly, prior to asking residential tax payers to increase their tax bills, there is an opportunity to revisit some of the Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) agreements recently put in place for new commercial developments in town. A TIF reduces the assessed value of a property to entice commercial development in a community. For example, for FY26 UGPG RE Sutton’s 40 Unified Parkway warehouse, has a full assessed value of $44.2M, but a tax assessed value of $12.M, resulting in a tax payment reduction of $385,913. In the last few years, town voters have approved TIF’s to Primetals, IBA and MIG. The UGPG RE TIF was approved at the October 2021 town meeting with only 67 of 7,400 registered voters in attendance.
The Town needs more of its registered voters engaged and informed. The municipal government, namely the Cable TV Department, is doing their job, making available all meetings either live on cable, live streamed or recorded for later viewing or simply listening to while driving to work. The town now mails meeting notification postcards and places meeting notice signs throughout town to notify residents of the upcoming annual town meetings. The municipal and school departments are extremely accessible to answer questions and provide data to residents to assist them with understanding the many complex issues facing the town. Voters must pay attention and not pass off these important time-consuming decisions to boards that are elected or appointed. Our Finance and Warrant Committee is a 9-member board appointed by the elected Town Moderator each for a term of 3 years. This board makes recommendations on all Warrant articles at Town meeting and holds a public hearing on all articles prior to the Town Meeting. Voters should attend this public hearing, ask questions and offer suggestions. Understanding the issues prior to Town Meeting ensures the collective body is not passing off their civic responsibility to a few appointed individuals.
