SuttonHighNews conducted an interview with each candidate running for the Planning 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.
How do we create affordable housing in Sutton?
There are different ways this can be achieved, and they interweave with each other. One example is to use specific zoning and bylaw for an overlay district in appropriate area(s) to guide the right mix of units that both provide the affordable housing we need for Sutton and demonstrate compliance to the MA State laws. Sutton should start an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Also, in the future add a Community Preservation Fund (CPA to add money towards affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space.
I would recommend joining in on the upcoming presentation of the Sutton Housing Production Plan Update Working Group on the evening of May 29th. I am chair of the working group and will be presenting on the strategies.
What makes you qualified to be on the Planning Board? What skills/credentials do you bring? What motivated you to run?
I have over twenty years of experience consulting with construction developments, from planning pre-design, design, through construction, and operations.
I have gained experience on what works (and more importantly what does not work in construction) from consulting in many places, from Maine to Puerto Rico, Texas, Illinois, Missouri. I am currently assisting a client in Detroit, going to the project soon. I have worked in hundreds of projects in Ireland, many in rural environments. And a few in the UK.
Project experience includes consulting with thousands of units of affordable housing, hospitals, both private and state universities and colleges, libraries, and commercial buildings.
Between college education and certifications, I have:
– M.D.S. Sustainable Design from Boston Architectural College (BAC)
– Grad. Cert. Sustainable Design and Construction from BAC
– B.Sc. in Construction Management from Limerick Institute of Technology
– Certified Energy Manager
– Existing Building Commissioning Professional
– Certified Commissioning Professional
– Certified Passive House Consultant
– Unrestricted Construction Supervisors License
My motivation to run is a development that is currently proposed that lacks adequate road access and has safety issues. If granted permission to build, it will clear cut 20 acres of forest to build 16 houses. If we use this development as a model to achieve our affordability targets across Sutton, there would be little farms or forest left remaining.
What are your goals for Sutton? Where do you want to see Sutton by the end of your term? In five years? In ten years?
I have taught college level courses, one of my favorite topics/courses is “Sustainability & The Built Environment” . For Sutton, a key goal would be to maintain and sustain its rural character, and to promote a sustainable built environment.
What are your priorities should you win?
To the best of my ability, provide guidance to the developments, zoning, and bylaws to ensure Sutton has a sustainable built environment, encourages smart growth that is in the best interest for the town, and maintains the rural character.
Message to the voters
Look forward to working with everyone in the future.
