Experience that matters
When it comes to effective leadership, experience matters. That’s why I want to take a moment to share a bit about my background in Norwell town government—and why it makes me a strong candidate for the Select Board.
Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of serving our town in two key roles: six years on the Advisory Board, and now as a member of the Planning Board. Each of these positions has given me a deeper understanding of how our town functions, where our challenges lie, and how we can move forward—together.
Advisory Board: A Front-Row Seat to Norwell’s Budget
My time on the Advisory Board offered invaluable insight into the mechanics of Norwell’s budget process. During my six-year tenure, I learned not only how town finances work, but also how competing priorities must often be balanced to serve the best interest of the community. The main purpose of the Advisory Board is to review each department's proposed budget before Town Meeting. Unfortunately, this tends to be a top line review due to compressed timeframes imposed on the Board. My solution to this defect in the budget review process is to empower the Advisory Board to involve itself in the budget creation process and start this much earlier in the year. I believe this will reveal significant savings.
Norwell faces serious budget pressures. From rising fixed costs to state-imposed limitations on tax revenue, it’s clear that we need leaders with new ideas, who ask tough questions and are willing to dig into the numbers to make strategic decisions. I’m ready to do just that.
Planning Board: Shaping Norwell’s Future
Currently, I serve on Norwell’s Planning Board, where the focus shifts from managing current resources to preparing for what’s next. Whether it’s navigating state mandates like the MBTA zoning law or planning responsible development in areas like Longwater Drive, this role has deepened my understanding of zoning, land use, and long-term town planning.
In the face of increasing pressure from the state to implement high-density housing, the Planning Board plays a vital role in maintaining Norwell’s character while ensuring compliance and access to funding. Recently, the Planning Board and Town Planner developed a creative zoning strategy to meet state requirements while minimizing disruption to nearby neighborhoods and avoiding state legal exposure —an example of smart, proactive planning that I believe we need more of. Therefore, I am advocating that Norwell cooperate with other South Shore towns and our state legislators to oppose or modify future state mandates before they become law.
Why the Select Board?
The Select Board is where all of these threads come together. It’s where financial oversight meets long-term planning, and where policy decisions shape the daily lives of residents. My background on the Advisory Board gives me the tools to scrutinize spending and budgeting processes. My current Planning Board experience prepares me to handle the challenges of growth, development, and state mandates. And my scientific, data-driven mindset helps me listen, evaluate, and make decisions based on facts—not politics.
I’m running for Norwell Select Board because I believe I can help lead our town with transparency, accountability, and a steady temperament. I bring experience, perspective, and a deep commitment to protecting what makes Norwell special while preparing for the future.
Let’s build that future—together.
