Bill is running to fill one open seat on the Planning Board.
Why do you want to serve in this position?
I have always believed that actions speak louder than words. Anyone can complain about things happening around them, but I prefer to put in the work to change what needs to be changed. More importantly, I am running for my kids. I want to provide a better place for them in the future. That means getting involved. Whether it is spending my spare time coaching or sitting in meetings helping add my voice and experience to some tough decisions. I am willing to put in the work for my family and the community.
What special qualifications and experience will you bring to the office?
While my professional background and education are in technology, I have particular skills and training in Project Management and Risk Management that will help me as a Planning Board member. My ability to look a large-scale project (like the Master Plan) and focus on a smaller piece to complete is something that comes easily to me. My risk management training is especially important when it comes to “Unintended Consequences”. The ability to listen to people’s ideas with an open mind is crucial. An individual’s idea should NOT be determined by their background or past interactions with a board but by the merit of the idea. We should do the work and keep personal feelings out of the process.
Describe ONE other activity or (sub)committee you’ve been involved with within the town. What has it meant to you and how did it shape and impact the town?
I think our work on the Northborough Extended Day Program (NEDP) board during covid was especially rewarding. We had a lot of hard decision to make. The work of building a “rainy day” fund over the previous years made a big difference. The administrative team at NEDP communicated what was going on with the board very well. We came up with ideas and discussed each one. We decided on a game plan, adjusted as needed and were able to keep the program going with reduced or, at some times, zero revenue while still being able to provide paying jobs for people.
Describe THREE key issues/challenges facing the town and how will you address them in this role?
I think the biggest issue in Northborough is how all the landowners (Business, Industrial and Residential) deal with each other. While they each have their own needs and desires for their land and what they want to do with it, there is very little consideration sometimes for their neighbors. The truck traffic and warehouses are an issue that, I believe, is being addressed. I think the third issue is the inability of our town leaders, and frankly other town leaders around us, to listen and understand what is happening in the town. They sometimes get so caught up in the “numbers” that they fail to see the human side of the equation.
What I plan to do for all these issues, is listen and discuss ideas with everyone involved. I will be the first to tell you that I am not the smartest person on earth. What I am good at is listening to others who are smarter than me in a particular area and understand. I want ALL landowners to feel like they can speak up and be heard. But we also must understand that sometimes, our ideas are not the best. We must be willing to forgo out personal ideas for the betterment of Northborough. Listen, be smart and be respectful. The CMRPC meeting I attended about Bartlett St in October was one such case. Having a third-party come in, collect some facts and present them to everyone involved was very helpful in understanding what the underlying issues where and then generated discussion to come up with ideas to resolve the issues.
Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself?
I was born and raised in Central MA. I grew up in Millbury and went to High School at Holy Name (which is now St Paul) in Worcester. I have been married to a wonderful woman for 14 years and we have a set of twins currently at Melican Middle School. We have been living in Northborough for 7 years. While living in Marlborough, I was a member of the local Homeowners Association overseeing 170+ single family type homes. I am currently a board member of Northborough Extended Day Program (NEDP), as well as a newer member of the Open Spaces and Rules/Bylaws Committees in Northborough. I am also a soccer coach of one of the local town soccer teams (GO LIGHTING).
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