Respectful, Responsible, Resourceful
Town Leadership - Planning for the Future
Balancing growth with fiscal responsibility is one of the most important challenges facing our town today.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Town Manager Colin Loiselle to better understand the broader challenges, priorities, and decision-making across our town government.
When I asked what keeps him up at night, his answer focused on balancing the need for growth with the responsibility of not overleveraging the town financially—a theme I’ve consistently heard across departments.
We discussed the top challenges facing the town: managing the budget, allocating resources effectively, and maintaining our infrastructure and municipal buildings.
Looking ahead, salaries will be a major cost driver, with seven collective bargaining agreements in place—six expiring in June 2027. These negotiations will play a significant role in shaping the town’s financial future.
Like many communities, some parts of the budget are less predictable than others—particularly insurance, retirement obligations, and employee contracts—making long-term planning more complex.
On capital planning, one point stood out: the importance of bringing clear information to residents and allowing voters to make informed decisions at Town Meeting.
We also discussed growth, with a focus on attracting businesses that enhance quality of life—like restaurants and local amenities—while maintaining the character of our town.
Communication is another priority. The town is currently conducting a survey to better understand how residents prefer to receive information, especially through social media.
Finally, we talked about how certain decisions can be misunderstood. A good example is the “bridge to nowhere,” which is fully funded through a state grant designated specifically for bridge projects—meaning no direct cost to the town. It’s a reminder of how important clear communication is when discussing how projects are funded.
What stood out to me is the complexity of balancing growth, infrastructure, budgets, and community expectations—all at the same time.
Our town’s future depends on how we balance strong services with responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I’m committed to listening, learning, and making thoughtful decisions in partnership with the community.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Our Police Department
Public Safety & Planning for the Future: Police Department
As I shared in my previous posts, our town has recently invested approximately $80 million in a new middle school and is working toward a much-needed new fire station estimated at around $25 million. These are important and necessary investments—but they also mean we need to be disciplined in what comes next.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Police Chief Shaun Woods to better understand the needs, challenges, and strengths of our police department.
According to the Lavallee Brensinger architectural report, the current facility—at approximately 12,000 square feet—is significantly undersized for today’s needs. The building is also aging and requires an estimated $2 million in repairs just to address existing issues.
Each year we allocate capital funding toward maintaining the building, but those dollars come at the expense of other critical investments—such as technology upgrades, including CAD/RMS systems, body-worn cameras, cruiser computers, license plate readers, security cameras, and vehicle replacements. Many of these items are not covered in the department’s operating budget, making prioritization essential.
Therefore, our Police Department actively pursues state and federal grants to help fund salaries, overtime, and equipment. They’ve built strong regional partnerships—sharing specialized resources like SWAT, K9 units, drones, and marine support through organizations like NEMLEC, and working with partners such as the Greater Lowell Technical High School, the Merrimack River Task Force, and the Merrimack Valley Anti-Crime Task Force. They also collaborate locally, including working with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for facility and grounds support. Despite these efforts, we’re still left with a gap in funding.
That’s the reality we need to plan around.
So, the question becomes: how do we responsibly address the long-term needs of our police facility within these constraints? Do we continue investing in short-term fixes, or do we step back and build a phased, sustainable plan that aligns with what the town can realistically afford?
These are not easy decisions—but avoiding them only makes them harder and more expensive later.
I’m committed to thoughtful, responsible decision-making, careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and keeping the community’s voice at the center.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Our Fire Station
Public Safety & Planning for the Future
At our annual town meeting on May 5 in Tyngsborough, an article will be presented regarding moving forward with a new fire station.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken the time to tour our current fire station and meet with Fire Chief Wes Russell, along with several members of our fire department. After seeing the conditions firsthand and hearing directly from those who serve our community, I am in support of moving forward with a new station.
Our current station is over 60 years old, and while it has served the town well, it is now too small and no longer adequately meets the needs of our firefighters or our growing community.
This is not just about a building — it’s about ensuring our firefighters have the space, safety, and resources they need to do their jobs effectively and safely.
I also want to share a recent update from a neighboring community, Billerica, which highlights the challenges that can arise when these types of investments are delayed. Their experience is a reminder of the importance of planning ahead and addressing infrastructure needs proactively.
Planning for the future isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. Supporting our public safety professionals and making thoughtful, timely investments is part of ensuring our town continues to be a safe and well-managed community.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Our Schools
Supporting Our Schools & Planning for the Future
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with our Superintendent of Schools Dr. Flanagan to better understand the current state of our district and the challenges ahead.
One of the biggest issues facing our schools today is the budget. Over the past five years, the district has reduced approximately 20 positions while working to keep overall budget increases to an average of about 2.7% year over year. At the same time, costs in areas like healthcare, utilities, and special education remain difficult to predict and continue to put pressure on the budget.
Looking ahead, special education is expected to be one of the primary cost drivers. This includes not only classroom support, but also transportation, specialized staff, and, in some cases, out-of-district placements when required to meet a student’s needs.
What also stood out to me is what’s going well. The district has built a strong sense of stability and culture within our schools. Many of our teachers are highly experienced and at the top levels of their profession, and most importantly, our students are happy and supported.
Balancing these strengths with ongoing financial challenges is not easy. It requires thoughtful planning, transparency, and a commitment to both fiscal responsibility and educational excellence.
As with public safety and other town needs, planning for the future of our schools requires long-term thinking and informed decision-making.
Our schools are one of our greatest strengths—and the decisions we make today will shape opportunities for our children for years to come. I’m committed to thoughtful, responsible decisions, careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and keeping the community’s voice at the center.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.