About Me

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Freetown, Massachusetts, United States
Please vote April 5, 2010!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Accomplishments

I served on the Zoning Study Committee that provided new guidance and support to smart growth in town. Prior to this effort, approved by town voters, the town was zoned 83% general use, which affords little protection to residents preferring to have their neighborhoods remain residential and businesses preferring to be situated near other businesses. We met regularly for two years, convened a number of information sessions, and listened to residents’ concerns and suggestions, many of which were incorporated into our final product. We have completely revamped zoning and updated our zoning bylaws, affording the town far greater protection as it grows. SRPEDD was extremely helpful in this effort, securing grant funding to assist the zoning effort.

Southeastern Regional Planning
& Economic Development District (SRPEDD)


As a member of SRPEDD’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as well as the Commission, I have been able to advocate for Freetown’s transportation infrastructure needs. We will soon see construction on Exit 8B commencing; the Elm Street Bridge repair work should be going out to bid in the next couple of months. Together with Senator Menard, and Representatives Canessa, Sullivan, and Quinn, I have been involved in seeing these projects through. The MPO is comprised of the mayors of Fall River, Attleborough, Taunton, and New Bedford plus representatives from 4 of the other 23 SRPEDD communities. The 4 appointees must submit an application and attend a commission meeting to be selected. I am very proud to have been selected and to be able to represent Freetown. At the Commission meetings, regional issues are discussed, and committee reports are shared. I find it helpful to meet with officials from neighboring communities and to have a regional perspective on transportation and economic development.

Together with a number of town officials and stakeholders, I have been part of the effort to identify priority development and priority protection sites in the community as well. With those areas clearly identified, we are now studying the entire South Main Street Corridor in preparation for the expected development arising from the new interchange, the Riverfront Park area, the SouthCoast Rail Station, and Fall River’s industrial and commercial expansion. The South Main Street Corridor committee is diverse and energetic. With SRPEDD again providing significant technical assistance, great strides will be made here as well.

Working with the Freetown Library Director, Dorothy Stanley Ballard, our Library Trustees, and our local legislative delegation, I attended hearings regarding our requested waivers. The Library Board of Commissioners did not grant our initial application for a waiver, despite a comprehensive explanation of the budgetary issues in town. Without the waiver, the town libraries became decertified. Freetown residents were not allowed to be part of the regional library network; nor were they permitted to use other libraries. A few libraries opened their doors to Freetown patrons; many others slammed the door in our face. At a final meeting in Boston, Dorothy and I were able to state our case again, and the waiver was granted, even though we were still not at the requested funding levels. As it turns out, Freetown led the way with library waivers. This year, the Board of Library Commissioners has loosened its requirements to ease the financial burden on cash-strapped towns.

I am one of 9 Bristol County women serving on the Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women. Our goal is to identify the greatest obstacles facing area women and bring them to the forefront on Beacon Hill. We have held one hearing so far (in Taunton), and plan two others in March (Fall River) and May (New Bedford). We heard from victims of domestic violence; we discussed pay inequity and childcare costs; we talked about the lack of facilities and services for female armed forces personnel returning from duty; and we identified the challenges of being a single parent. After all three hearings have been conducted, we will synthesize the information for formal presentation to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Please do contact me with issues that concern you!

As a workforce development professional with the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and a former Regional School Committee member and Chair, I am attuned to the need for a good education and opportunities for additional training and education. Freetown has managed to provide an excellent educational environment for its students, with unprecedented parent involvement. At the regional level, a commitment to excellence has been driving the decision-making process for many years. We find ourselves in a difficult spot these days, with state aid down, and class sizes up. We know what impact that will have in the near future: many of our children will not receive the quality education they deserve and need to be successful wage earners and contributors to the community. What a vicious cycle we have created in this country! We expect young people and their families to pay extraordinary amounts for the education that will help them earn an honest wage. Fewer and fewer families are able to sustain those expenses, so more and more young people are trying to enter the work force ill-equipped. As a result, they face significant obstacles, and some must rely on social services to support their young families. We must make education and training affordable to all. In my discussions with the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and with our local delegation, I continue to press this point. I have submitted testimony on Beacon Hill in support of legislation that improves educational opportunities for all.

I am very proud to have committed 16 years to the Parade and Fireworks Committee. We rely on donations and fundraisers to celebrate the birth of this fine nation every year. Since the year prior to the town’s 325th birthday, the committee has grown in number, and is now an active group committed to continuing a time-honored tradition. This past year, the fireworks vendor, American Thunder, donated the beginning of the show in memory of Freetown's fallen hero, Tyler J. Trahan. Tyler was also recognized by many parade participants, including the Girl Scouts. In fact, the banner that Lisa Patrick's Brownie Girl Scouts had made for their float now hangs in town hall. The Parade and Fireworks Committee raised over $1,000 for the Tyler Trahan Memorial Fund.



Other areas in which I have been active:

Scholarship Committee
325th Committee
Regional School Committee (6 years)
Building Committee (Freetown Elementary and GRAIS)
Freetown Elementary School Council\
Freetown Elementary volunteer
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Parent/Patient Outreach

I seek re-election as your selectman not because of personal ambition, but because of my long-term commitment to my community on so many levels. Freetown has been good to me. It is my obligation to give back whatever I can to a town that consistently rises above the fray, demonstrates pride and spirit in its history, and embraces its future by committing to smart growth.

More on Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan
Thanks to Freetown Elementary Principal Bob Frizelle and the Freetown Elementary Community, the gymnasium at FES bears Tyler's name as well. Tyler's mother and many dignitaries spoke at the dedication, which was a moving testiment to life too soon ended, but representing the epitome of commitment to honor, duty, and country. The students -- ALL OF US -- have Tyler in our hearts and will never forget his sacrifice. We thank his Jean-Pierre, Maureen, Molly, and Tyler's extended family for sharing him with us.

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