SOUTHBOROUGH – Southborough is gearing up for its 2021 municipal elections on May 11. As voters get set to head to the polls, the Community Advocate has zeroed in on contested races for prominent bodies like Board of Selectmen and School Committee.
The Community Advocate reached out to candidates who filed paperwork to appear on their town’s ballot and asked them to submit a personal statement as well as answers to three specific questions.
See those biographies and read extended questions and answers from Southborough Board of Selectman Candidate Andrew Dennington here…
And see profiles of other candidates…
PERSONAL BIO
I have the right type of experience to hit the ground running. I served on our Zoning Board of Appeals for five years, with two years as Chair. I currently serve on our Advisory Committee (our finance committee). In total, I have seven years of relevant experience. But I still bring the fresh perspective of a relative newcomer, having moved to Southborough with my wife eight years ago.
I also understand the challenges faced by young families. We have two children, ages 5 and 3. Our daughter is a kindergartener at the Finn School.
QUESTIONS
What do you see as the most important issue(s) facing Southborough today?
We have steady demand for municipal services, without corresponding growth in our commercial tax base. Many of our office buildings along Route 9 have been largely vacant for years, and this problem has been trending in the wrong direction. I want to help Southborough keep the businesses we have, while also attracting new businesses that will help grow and stabilize our tax base.
I’d also like to see our Town do a better job creating gathering spaces where all our residents can congregate and foster a better sense of community. We do not have a community center building, and our downtown is looking tired. I want to help Southborough inject new energy and vitality to our downtown, and this is a top priority for me.
What will you bring to the Board of Selectmen if (re-)elected?
First, I enjoy strong working relationships with each of the current members of the Southborough Board of Selectmen. This means that I can help foster consensus and collaboration among the board and avoid unnecessary conflict that is unproductive for our Town.
Second, as a young parent who is still a relative newcomer, I will represent the views and interests of residents who tend to be underrepresented in our town government because they do not attend town meeting as frequently.
Third, I am an experienced attorney with fifteen years of experience practicing in Massachusetts. My legal education and training should prove useful in helping sort through complex legal issues that face the Town.
Finally, I have a pretty good sense of humor. I also know what I don’t know. I’ve learned the importance of listening to others.
Is there anything else you want voters to know about you as a candidate?
Being a first-time candidate for elected office is both a rewarding and humbling experience. I have reached out to a very broad base of Southborough residents to ask for their support in this election. The response so far has been quite positive.
If elected, I will always work to do what is best for our town and prove that I am deserving of the trust that voters placed in me.
Please visit www.denningtonforselectman.com for more information about my campaign.
