HUDSON – Hudson is gearing up for its 2021 municipal elections on May 10. 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 Hudson Select Board Candidate Doug Schaeffer here…
And see profiles of other candidates…
PERSONAL BIO
I moved to Hudson with wife Patricia in 1992 to raise our boys. I graduated from Waltham High School in 1980 followed by 22 years of service in the Army and Army National Guard. In 1995 I joined the Hudson Fire Department as a call firefighter, joined the department full time in 2001, and retired in January 2021. My sons work in Hudson’s public safety sector with son Kyle a firefighter and son Zachary a police officer. I am running for Select Board to offer a fresh perspective, new voice, and ensure every member of Hudson is heard.
QUESTIONS
What do you see are the most important issue(s) facing Hudson today?
The burden of public safety: police, fire, public works, light and power. With the growth of our town, each department needs to be assessed for staffing, training, and equipment needs. Police need a full time clinical social worker to help handle the mental health needs of the public. Firefighter staffing levels are below National Fire Protection Agency recommendations. Lastly, we need to ensure the Department of Public Works and Light and Power have all the resources they need to keep up with town growth and development. We need to have creative solutions, such as tapping into federal and state grant monies, town revenue from Marijuana sales, and reassessing commercial business taxes to ensure equity.
What do you bring to the board?
First off, thank you to John and Joe for their countless years of dedication and service to the town of Hudson. I will bring a fresh perspective, new voice, and an ear to listen to all the community members. Every community member deserves to have their voice heard. I worked in town for the past 25 years which has given me experience to understand the needs of Hudson. I have seen firsthand the changes in the community as I have been an active participant in town government since moving to the community in 1992.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
I will always be available to the community members – by phone, email, or to meet in person. Being an active member of this community is extremely important to me. I pride myself in being a family man, hardworking, honest and empathic. If elected, my stipend will be donated to the Hudson Food Pantry. I am grateful for the support I have received from friends, family and the residents of Hudson. Go Hawks!
