Joanne is running to fill one open seat for Moderator against incumbent Fred George.
Why do you want to serve in this position?
I am seeking the office of Moderator to serve Northborough in a capacity that allows me to provide a non-partisan lens to town governing. My highest priority will be to utilize my professional experience in management and leadership pairing it with my commitment to creating a positive and inclusive town meeting environment for all who participate. My overarching goal is to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of the articles and an equal opportunity to fairly discuss them before making a decision.
Any appointments I grant while holding the office of the Moderator will be transparent, thoughtful, and equitable for all interested parties. Any citizen who seeks an appointment for finance or appropriations will be acknowledged and thanked for their interest in becoming involved in the betterment of the community.
I also hope to encourage others to become more involved in local government.
What special qualifications and experience will you bring to the office?
As a Northborough resident for 24 years, many people know me first as a friend and neighbor. Additionally, being active in the Zeh School PTO, St. Rose’s Pre-School Co-op, the organized sports teams our sons played on as well as being Chair of the Newcomer’s Club has given me the opportunity to meet and become friends with many other people in Northborough.
Professionally, my career is in education, originally as a teacher, and for the most recent 19 years as a principal. I have a BS from the University of Maryland and an MS in Leadership and Management. My experience in attending, presenting, and chairing meetings has helped me realize the importance of a clear agenda and a culture of
comfortability. I believe that citizens are our greatest resource and perhaps my interest in serving as your moderator might encourage others to become more involved in local government.
It has been a while since a new face has come forward for this seat, and I hope you will consider voting for me on May 9th.
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?
Most recently, I served on the Northborough Unleashed Committee to bring a public Dog Park to Northborough. This was a collaborative effort of a small group of dog enthusiasts lead by Leigh Welch. The construction of a dog park off Boundary Street was approved at the April 24, 2023 Town Meeting. Following the process of determining a viable piece of land for the park, and experiencing the commitment and collaboration of the Recreation Department and Department of Public Works, provided great insight into the importance of committees and departments within Northborough. The Dog Park will now provide a safe, clean and useful space for potentially 100’s of Northborough residents to socialize and exercise their canine family members.
Describe THREE key issues/challenges facing the town and how will you address them in this role?
- Communicating Effectively
- Organizing/Collaborating for an Efficient Town Meeting
- Ensuring equitable opportunity for participation on Town Committees
The role of Moderator is more than overseeing the Annual Town Meeting or Special Town Meetings; it also includes appointments to the Finance and Appropriation Committees, as well as working with the Town Administrator. My current school staff is over 100 and meetings need to be completed on time. Organization and communication are extremely important. Specific to Town Meetings, I believe there are opportunities to condense some of the administrative items into a single vote and thus make meetings more efficient. Additionally, I believe our citizens are our greatest asset and the more involvement we can get on committees, the better we will be. Everyone who desires to volunteer their time for the Town will have an opportunity to be interviewed for committee positions.
Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself?
I am a big proponent of the Northborough Trails system! What a fabulous resource we have in our town. When not out on the trails with my Golden Retriever Brady you can find me on the golf course.
View additional information on this candidate’s Facebook page.