How I Work

Collaboration and Transparency

• I work with my Planning Board colleagues in order to arrive at consensus decisions as often as possible - something that we can all support with a "yes"  vote.

• All Boards and Committees operate in a Democratic process - a willingness to compromise is necessary.

• I bring a balanced view to all of my work.

For development project requests submitted by Applicants

• • understand the underlying bylaw(s)

  • work with the Applicant and, as an objective, work toward a successful project for all stake holders

  • consider the impact on residents and on the Town

    • seek changes to the Project in order to make improvements for all and to remove or mitigate negative outcomes

  •  Every project stands on its own merits and I do consider other points of view before landing on my own  position. Except as a peripheral consideration, ideology is not part of my decision making.

For zoning changes, this is what I would like the Board to adopt in 2026

• • begin with an agreed upon, plain English specification that describes what the Board wants to achieve with any zoning change; also, document outcomes that the Board does not want to see as a result of the zoning change.  To be useful, this specification should describe not just what we want but also how we can achieve the desired result. As always, how is the hard part - what is easy.

  • once this is achieved, our professional staff, and not individual Board members, can draft the bylaw language. This will result in the following advantages that do not exist today:

    • Town Counsel will be able to verify that the bylaw text matches the plain English description of the bylaw

    • Town Meeting Members will understand what the Board may propose at an early stage in the process

    • Town Meeting Members will be able to vote with confidence on a proposed zoning change

    • Residents will understand a proposed zoning change

  • Find a better way to communicate proposed zoning changes to all Town Meeting Members