Leadership With Experience
Hopkinton Master Plan Update Committee, Chairwoman. In early 2004 the Planning Board appointed a committee to update the Town’s Master Plan. The committee conducted extensive interviews, completed a comprehensive voter survey and ultimately worked with Community Opportunities Group to craft a professional and workable document for the future.
http://www.hopkinton.org/gov/planning/pdf/Hopkinton_MP_2007.pdf
Hiring Hopkinton’s first Town Manager. Serving as Chairwoman for the Board of Selectmen during the process to hire Hopkinton’s first Town Manager was a challenging, exciting and rewarding opportunity. The appointed TM Search Committee presented four qualified finalists, and the Board then held extensive interviews, selected a finalist, negotiated the contract and successfully took the measure to Special Town Meeting for approval.
Crisis Management. Serving as the Chairman when Town Manager, Anthony Troiano, was severely injured and out of work for many weeks, I coordinated day to day government utilizing all of the selectmen to lead necessary priority efforts, kept the employee and volunteer staff updated and supported Mr. Troiano’s family at a difficult time. I worked to establish a temporary management structure, facilitated the personnel concerns upon Mr. Troiano’s return and helped transition back to strong Town Manager government in Hopkinton. During this time of crisis, Hopkinton finalized the Lonza TIF Agreement, completed the public process to finalize the decision on whether or not to exercise the Town’s Ch 61A right of first refusal on the Weston Nurseries property including a
Delegation of tasks established myself as the point person for
Lonza Expansion Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Agreement. Worked to negotiate a successful TIF agreement and obtained the necessary TM vote to allow Lonza to execute its planned expansion in Hopkinton setting the stage for future tax revenue benefits and more than 300 new, high paying jobs in Hopkinton. I represented Hopkinton in front of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to secure the State’s approval as the final step in securing the TIF Agreement.
Later, I worked with representatives from Lonza and Town Boards to secure necessary infrastructure improvements to support the expansion efforts as well as the necessary Special Permits from the Board of Appeals.
Support existing and expanding Business Community:
Weston Nurseries/Boulder Capital
I served as a Selectmen and as a member of the Land Use Study Committee during the extensive process to address the Town’s position in the process when Weston Nurseries’ property came up for sale, successfully worked to maintain the Town’s rights under the State Ch 61 A statute during the federal Bankruptcy proceeding and followed through on the complete process to take the question to Town Meeting and the Ballot.
I am now working to coordinate all efforts to facilitate the SMART Growth Development planned by Boulder Capital for Legacy Farms at the Weston Nurseries site. That effort includes participation in numerous hearings and negotiation of 3 separate agreements on behalf of Hopkinton: the Alprilla Farms Well Agreement with the DPW Board; the consultant review agreement to provide the Town with necessary due diligence efforts and documentation for the DPW, the PB, the BOS and the ZAC; the Host Community Agreement. The Board established a professional team of negotiating representatives to coordinate the overall effort for Hopkinton.
Participated in Architecture Boston Round Table Discussion for Mar/Apr 2008 edition on land planning and sustainable growth.
http://www.architects.org/documents/publications/ab/marapr2008/Roundtable.pdf
Increased Fiscal Responsibility. Supported the Financial Working Group forecasting model and priority initiatives. Reduced legal expenses and improved service delivery by issuing a RFP and hiring a firm specializing in municipal law. Targeted consolidation of services effort (IT, HR, Facilities) and prioritized the work to commit to a town wide debt ceiling reduction to limit our structural deficit and increase amount of available funds in future operational budgets. Future initiatives include the Facilities Board managing all assets town wide including land. Supported improved procurement initiatives including competitive bids and usage of standard (boiler plate) contracts town wide. Established new water and sewer rates to balance Enterprise Funds.
Infiltration & Inflow (I&I) Study and Wastewater Solutions
Comprehensively studied and addressed wastewater solutions and published a document to clarify the issues and recommended approaches to address the issues.
Accomplished Goals as part of the Board of Selectmen leadership
-reduced partisanship and division in town government
-increased communication and support for independent boards
-support of existing businesses as well as new businesses
-town wide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements
-targeted mitigation efforts to protect the Town financially and service delivery
-educational forums: senior tax relief, Open Meeting Law, and Ethics
Charter
Participated in the public process while the Charter Commission crafted Hopkinton’s Town Charter; provided input at the Public Hearings. As a Selectmen I have faithfully adhered to the process detailed by the Charter and have facilitated the transition to Town manager form of government.
Continuing Education for government participation
59th Session of the Citizen’s Legislative Seminar 2005
495 Partnership 2006
MAPC SMART Growth Planning Workshops 2004, 2005
Town Government Positions
Board of Selectman, 2005 to present, voted Chairwoman May ’06 and May ‘07
Land Use Study Committee (LUSC), 2006-2007
BeFree Coalition, 2005-2006
Master Plan Update Committee, 2004-2006, Co-Chair first year, Chairwoman second
Associate Board of Appeals, 2003-2004
Volunteer Commitments
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, 1985-1987, 1995 to present, varying roles
La Leche League International, Leader and Area Administrative Staff, 1988 to 2003;
frequent guest speaker at LLL MA/RI/VT
Hopkinton Parent Teacher Association, varying roles including HPTA Board member, Middle School Enrichment Coordinator and Colonial Crafts Day organizer, 1992-present
Classroom Volunteer, 1989-present
Hopkinton Youth Sports, parent volunteer
Education & Professional
BA Mathematics,
Program Manager, United States Air Force
Small business owner
Certified Pharmacy Technician
Freelance writer