On the Campaign Trail

Listening Sessions:    

What were residents saying?

1. Will the dump be open for extended hours next year? Absolutely, although I am not aware of the specific schedule, additional hours will indeed be added.

What measures is the town taking to reduce costs and save money? We have identified opportunities to create efficiencies, resulting in cost savings. For instance, the DPW implemented electronic billing for water and sewer bills, yielding a savings of nearly $10,000 in staff time and postage.

Furthermore, we expanded the role of the town planner to include economic development. The planner and the town manager have already engaged with the Tri-town chamber and established connections through professional associations specializing in business development.

2. Is there a need for a full-time grant writer? The town secures nearly $7 million in state and federal funds annually, in addition to receiving significant funding for police, fire, conservation, and planning grants. Grant writing is an integral part of each department's responsibilities, and they excel in this area.

3. Why did you not support putting the override to a vote at town meeting?

 I have addressed this question on multiple occasions. At our last Tri-board meeting, a new proposal was presented to re-finance our debt into a debt exemption article. The select board required additional time to examine this option and indicated that it would be discussed at the next select board meeting. Concurrently, the town was initiating negotiations with all unions. The board believed that more could be done to stabilize the town's finances and was required to make a decision by April 1st for the town meeting and ballot.

4. Why did you lay off teachers and cut programs at the schools? The select board has no authority over school operations, which falls solely under the jurisdiction of the school committee and administrators.

5. Would you support an override in the future? 

My response is that it is possible. The town manager has developed a strategic plan for financial stability and an override request for FY 2028. If we can restore certain services, add more firefighters, and create stability moving forward, I could support such a measure.

Residents are also concerned about:

•  Economic development and how we can attract new businesses to Town 

• Rebuilding trust and accountability in town government 

• Affordability and rising taxes

• Budgeting and Financial stability - why is the only solution for an over ride - what are we doing

• How are we going to protect public safety personnel

6.Why are you running for re-election? Give me two reasons?

• One of the main reasons I am running for re-election is to continue the important work I began during my first term updating Town policies, especially our Human Resources policies. These policies are critical to protecting the Town, ensuring accountability, and reducing the risk of costly legal issues in the future. Clear, up-to-date policies help create consistency, fairness, and transparency for everyone involved.

• Another reason is my work this year on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Committee. Over the past several years, the process had become ineffective, with projects routinely approved without a clear rating or prioritization system to guide funding decisions. This created frustration among departments and made it difficult to address urgent needs, such as replacing essential public safety equipment like police vehicles. The Town Charter clearly defines the role and structure of the CIP Committee, and I want to continue strengthening this process by ensuring it is properly documented, transparent, and followed in accordance with the Charter. My goal is to restore confidence in the process and help ensure that Town resources are allocated fairly and responsibly.

7. Why weren’t you endorsed by the Teachers Union? Do you support the schools?

• I was genuinely shocked by the decision because my long-standing commitment and involvement with Mansfield Public Schools has always been clear, my commitment to Mansfield Public Schools and the students in our community has never changed. For more than 35 years, I have been actively involved in the schools as both a parent and grandparent. As a mother of two Mansfield Public Schools graduates, I volunteered in countless ways over the years — serving as a class parent, helping in classrooms, organizing birthday celebrations, chaperoning field trips, supporting field days, art shows, plays, and fundraisers, and participating in many other school activities.

• Education is also deeply important to my family. Two of my children and my daughter-in-law are educators. My son and daughter-in-law both work here in Mansfield, and my daughter is an occupational therapist in another school district. I currently have five grandchildren attending Mansfield Public Schools, and another grandchild who graduated last year and successfully completed his first year of college.

• I continue to stay actively involved in the schools today by volunteering, chaperoning trips, supporting fundraising efforts, and participating in numerous school activities. My youngest grandson attends Roland Green School, so I look forward to many more years of active participation and support for our students, teachers, and school community.

My record and long-standing involvement clearly demonstrate that I strongly support Mansfield Public Schools and will continue to do so.