E-mail Address:
Precinct: 5
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Town Accountant, Town of Swampscott
- Town Meeting Member - Town of Winthrop by virtue of Town Accountant's position
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Town Accountant, Town of Swampscott
- Vice-Chairman Swampscott Contributory Retirement System
- Special Police Officer, Town of Swampscott
- Acting Town Administrator (in the absence of the Town Administrator), Town of Swampscott
- Massachusetts Municipal Consultants, President
- Former Town Accountant/CFO, Town of
Degrees Held / Education
- Merrimack College, BSBA, Accounting
- Certified Governmental Accountant, Massachusetts
- Certified Public Purchasing Official, Massachusetts
Currently A Member Of...
- Government Finance Officer's Association (GFOA)
- New England States Government Finance Officer's Association (NESGFOA)
- Massachusetts Government Finance Officer's Association (MGFOA)
- Massachusetts Municipal Auditors' and Accountants' Association
- Eastern Massachusetts Municipal Auditors' and Accountants' Association (Past President)
- Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems
Why are you running for office?
I have a vested interest in the Saugus School system with 2 sons attending the Lynnhurst School and will have a third son in the system in a few more years. I have issues with the way the school department spends money and I want to be able to use my background and knowledge to help this town improve the quality of education and the quality of the schools. Also, we shouldn't have to pay the exuberant fees that the school department charges. If you are paying a bus fee, there shouldn't be a significant balance left in the revolving
What do you think will be the single most pressing problem facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
Many challenges face the Saugus School Department and Saugus School System. If forced to choose one issue, I choose the need for trust from the citizens of Saugus. Sadly, over the years trust has deteriorated for many reasons. Clearly, the greatest cause has been the lack of communication among the school committee, school department, town departments and citizens. Additionally, if our schools are to truly excel, there must be a more open flow of information to citizens.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
It's plain and simple -- the Town of Saugus needs to build new schools. We need to have a School Master Plan done or updated and then we need to get the Selectmen, Town Manager, Finance Committee and Town Meeting on board and then we need to approach the voters of Saugus as a whole and get a debt exclusion passed.
Do you think the town government can do a better job of communicating with that there is better communication?
Absolutely! I see the School Committee as the liaison or conduit between the community and the school department. I want to see the School Committee taking more of an involvement as to where money is being spent and if money is being spent properly. I would bring to the School Committee over 15 years of municipal finance experience. I would also bring experience in communication, communication between the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Finance Committee, Town Meeting and most importantly, the citizens of Saugus. Encouraging the citizens to attend public meetings is the best solution.
What else do you think is important?
Another important issue that I would like to address is drugs in the schools. I feel as though the issue starts at home with the parents. Parents have to become more involved with the disciplining their children. If the parents aren't willing to help, I do not think we will be able to stop the problem. That being said, if elected, I would meet with the Police Chief and ask for him to apply for a School Resource Officer Grant through the federal government. This grant would place a full-time police officer in the schools.
Submitted: 2005/10/27
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E-mail Address:
Precinct: 5
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Town Meeting Member (8 years)
- Board of Directors, Saugus River Watershed Council
- Past President, Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment
- Community Vision and Scope Committee
- President, Toastmasters (CTM designation)
- United Way Chairperson
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Currently the Manager of Expense Pricing, Tufts Health Plans
- Co-owner of U.S. Realty Development, LLC.
- Liberty Mutual, Consultant
- UNICARE: Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, 6 years
- John Hancock: Senior Financial Officer, 10 years
Degrees Held / Education
- Northeastern University, MBA
- Suffolk University, BSBA, Accounting
- American Real Estate Academy, Broker's license
- Life Management Institute, ACS designation
Currently A Member Of...
- Sunday School Teacher, Blessed Sacrament
- Tree Committee
- Friends of Breakheart Reservation
- Friends of Saugus Library
- Lynnhurst PTO
- Affordable Housing Committee, Secretary
- Saugus Historical Society
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- North Shore Health Coalition
Why are you running for office?
Being a parent of two elementary school children, I am very concerned about the state of the Saugus Public Schools. Seeing my children come home from school with discarded books from other communities is upsetting, not only as a parent, but also as a taxpayer. Many parents are frustrated, and putting their children in private schools. We need to focus on student achievement and excellence in our schools. I believe that my strong financial and accounting background will prove to be valuable as a School Committee member. I care about our children and our community.
What do you think will be the single most pressing problem facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
We need to establish credibility and trust in the decision making process within the Saugus Schools. My three goals to solve this problem are: 1. The entire community needs to be involved in defining Student Achievement. Once student achievement is defined, clear, measurable goals can be established. 2. Student achievement goals need to be embedded in the School Improvement Plans. The School Committee must ensure that these Plans make reference to student achievement. 3. The school budget needs to link directly to the School Improvement Plans. By linking the budget to these Plans and student achievement, credibility will return.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
Regarding the over-crowded schools, an early childhood center at the Evans should be researched. The School Building Assistance moratorium for state aid will be lifted July 2007, and Saugus needs to have plans ready to go. I support the local hotel room tax revenue being used to purchase open space. Let's discuss the Community Preservation Act where a small percentage of tax money goes to purchase open space. After working with neighborhoods trying to stop large developments, I've realized that we need help from our police, fire, DPW and others to explain that Saugus' infrastructure cannot continue to support over-development.
Do you think the town government can do a better job of communicating with that there is better communication?
Yes, I think the government can do a better job with communication in town. I was pleased that the Town Meeting article regarding notifying the public when raw sewage flows into the Saugus River passed. However, the article requesting quarterly budget reviews failed. It's a shame that we have to put articles in front of Town Meeting to ensure that the public is properly notified on important matters. Notices on cable, in our water bills, or postings in public building (e.g., library) are necessary to keep everyone notified. Open forum hosted by the Town Manager is also a solution.
What else do you think is important?
- Schools
- Improve Student Achievement
- School conditions
- Extra-curricular activities without fees
- Over-crowded elementary classes
- Improvement in MCAS scores
- Ventilation system and mold problems
- Library conditions
- Contract negotiations
- Need books and materials
- After-school programs
- Drug education
- Health & Safety
- No Third Burner at RESCO, toxic ash landfill closure
- I&I sewer problem
- Town Infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, water and sewer system)
- West-Side Fire Station
- Obtaining grant money
- Correct town census
- Government accountability
- Open Space
- Over-Development, 40-B issues
- Increase Recycling
- Taxes
Submitted: 2005/10/25
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 1
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Vice President of Public Relations ~ Rumney Marsh Toastmasters Club Vice Chairperson, Policy Council, North Shore Head Start
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Currently, I am the reading teacher at the Lakeside School. I assist students 1:1 for 30 to 45 minutes with reading instruction. The Lakeside School is a Behavior Modification/Residential Treatment Home and Special Education School for boys ages 7
Degrees Held / Education
Bachelor of Science ~ Emerson College, Paralegal Certificate ~ Bunker Hill Community College, Master's in Education ~ Endicott College
Currently A Member Of...
- Educational Surrogate Parent for students in the surrounding North Shore Communities.
- Member and Vice President of Public Relations for the Rumney Marsh Toastmasters Club in Saugus.
- Member of the Saugus Cultural Council.
- Member and performer with the Theater Co. Saugus
Why are you running for office?
I have an eight year old daughter in elementary school. I am in the education field. I am a volunteer Educational Surrogate Parent. I want to help redirect the Saugus Public Schools into a positive direction.
What do you think will be the single most pressing problem facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
The town of Saugus is overdue for improved public school buildings. Saugus has an active business community. We could invite business owners to collaborate together with the schools to develop strategies to make these necessary improvements possible. The students deserve to be educated in a safe atmosphere and a quality environment. The time is NOW to stand up and make these changes happen. We should expand opportunities for Saugus residents to use the school facilities for adult education classes, add more resources for teachers and students, and enhance the extra-curricula activities. It is important for the Saugus School Community to
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
I upgrading the Saugus Public Schools to todays standards.
Do you think the town government can do a better job of communicating with that there is better communication?
I believe in open communication. Open communication begins with non-biased listening skills. The town of Saugus, the community leaders, the people in the community, the parents and the students should all have a voice. We need to come together and be open and honest. We need to "LET" everyone in and be on the same page.
What else do you think is important?
Listening to what the student's tell us the need in todays world.
Submitted: 2005/10/30
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