As soon as I hit the campaign trail as a Select Board candidate, I began posting regular updates to a dedicated Facebook page. I did this as a way to keep citizens informed about the work I do on their behalf, and also to serve as an example of how powerful and pivotal true representative governance can be.
I've always believed that an elected official isn't someone "out there" (or otherwise removed from us/above us), but a partner in work to be done, and issues to be solved. I have endeavored, every day, to be that representative, and my sleeves remain rolled up and working hard.
What follows are just some of my accomplishments:
Led the Town of Pepperell in responding to COVID-19 challenges
Helped write the Local Rapid Recovery Planning grant to assist businesses impacted by COVID; Continue to help administer that grant.
Pushed for the creation of a regional vaccination site
Currently leading the effort to engage the public in order to determine appropriate projects for ARPA spending
Successfully lobbied for early vaccine distribution for our first responders
Secured Competitive Grant Funding for Pepperell
Three grants in 2021, including the state’s flagship “Community One Stop for Growth” and a Local Rapid Recovery Planning grant to help businesses recover from COVID, totaling tens of thousands of dollars. I continue to help administer these grants.
Helped Create the North Central Climate Change Collaboration (NC4)
This is a regional, municipal effort to address and prevent climate change impacts
Involves 37 local communities, including all in the First Middlesex district
Communication to the community
Monthly coffee talks at the Albert Harris Center (formerly the Senior Center)
Regular updates of Select Board initiatives (via Facebook)
Started Civic Engagement Night as a way to educate citizens about key warrant articles/issues in Town
Community Building
Led the charge to engage all Boards/Committees/Commissions with our new Master Plan, and lead by example by adopting multiple recommendations as Chair
Started the tradition of the Select Board setting yearly Goals and Priorities for the Town
Active participant in budget-planning process, including attending all FinCom meetings
Opioid Task Force, a regional initiative
Former Chair, Light, Air, and Noise Bylaw Committee
Toxic Dirt Taskforce – launched and co-led this effort
Kinder-Morgan Taskforce – Community organizer cross-state
Participant in Pepperell “Green-Up”
Participant in the FEMA/USGS process regarding flood map revisions
Explored regionalized transportation issues with Senator Kennedy, the Groton Select Board, and the Lowell Regional Transit Authority
Regularly attend Board, Committee, Commission meetings to stay abreast of what is going on in the town and advocating for the citizens
Regularly attend special events to celebrate accomplishments and recognitions, and contribute to community-building
The George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery Ceremony where two police officers received the Medal of Valor for a 2020 incident
Pepperell's first ever Christmas in the Country; Light Fight; Memorial Day and 4th of July parades (and Christmas in July!)
Veterans’ Day and 9-11 commemorative events
Eagle Scout and Blue & Gold (Boy Scout) ceremonies
Jimmy Fund walk for #Team14 and Chief David Scott
Remembrance ceremonies at the Albert Harris Center
Summer band concerts on Town Field
Assist in helping Veterans
Instrumental in reversing a state error that led to a veteran’s benefits being withheld for over a year
Happily attended, participated in, and/or spearheaded hundreds of diverse community events over the past three years:
Pepperell Fire Department live-fire trainings
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies on the town field’s new walking path and new business openings
Groundbreaking ceremony for Ashby’s new safety complex
Celebration ceremony at Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge RE: federal designation of “Wild & Scenic” for 11 communities’ beautiful rivers
Prudence Wright Day at the historic covered bridge
A leadership conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Fright Night at the historic Peter Fitzpatrick School, hosted by The Fitz Collaborative
Dreamed up a "TY Pepperell Heroes" video project, to thank our first responders, healthcare workers, and other essential personnel, and put it in the capable hands of a brilliant college student and Pepperell Community Media
Elected Women Networking Afternoon with U.S. Representative Lori Trahan
Nashoba Valley Technical High School breakfasts
Symposium at the Nashua River Watershed Association RE: legislative priorities for the Nashua River Rail Trail with Senator Kennedy and Representative Harrington
Speaker at the dedication of Pepperell Christian Fellowship's new building
Reader at Nissitissit String Quartet’s first-ever concert at the Lawrence Library (Vivaldi's poems “L'Inverno")
North Middlesex Regional School District’s Veterans’ lunch
VFW Veterans’ Breakfast
9-11 First Responders Recognition Breakfast at the Albert Harris Center
Pepperell Business Association’s breakfasts
EMS dinners and Firefighter Banquets;
Packaging food for seniors on Thanksgiving and Christmas and “Monster Lane” Halloween lunch
OPIOID Awareness Day