Please provide a brief biographical background on yourself. What should voters know about you?
My name is Leslie Rutan, and I am running for re-election to the Northborough Board of Selectmen! I am a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, and am currently a Proofer/Editor. My husband Mark and I have lived in town for 31 years, and have 3 children, all of whom graduated from Algonquin Regional High School. I began volunteering in the schools when my oldest started school at Peaslee, and I continue to serve on the School Councils of both Melican Middle School and ARHS, as well as on the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee. I was twice elected to the Northborough School Committee and was then elected to the Board of Selectmen where I have been able to incorporate my knowledge and experience with the schools as both a parent and volunteer. I am currently the liaison to several town boards, committees, and commissions.
Why are you running?
I am running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen because I would like to continue serving the residents of Northborough with the same dedication and integrity that I have always brought to this position. Though Northborough is a relatively small community, we have residents with a wide variety of needs and concerns, and I have always placed the ultimate importance on listening to, and seeking out, these voices. Having been past-Chair of the Lincoln Street School Building Committee for 4 years, I would like to see Peaslee Elementary School proceed with an addition/renovation, pending approval by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which can typically contribute upwards of 40% to the total cost of a school building project of this size. With careful planning and work with the MSBA, our committee, the Superintendent, and the Architect, we ultimately came in $1 million under budget for the Lincoln Street School addition/renovation!
What specific skills/experience/expertise would you bring to your role?
As member and current Vice-Chair of the Board of Selectmen, and having been through budget and planning cycles, I have knowledge of this process and the many factors that make up the municipal budget and the 6-year capital plan. I serve as liaison to many other boards, committees, and commissions, and it’s been essential to understand the needs of these groups, and how they best serve the community from a budgeting standpoint, but also from the standpoint of meeting the needs of residents. I have been fortunate to serve on the Interview Subcommittee and have interviewed wonderful people for many of our open volunteer slots, as well as for openings in both our Police and Fire Departments. There are often budget implications, but as importantly, implications as to whether we are best suiting the needs of residents. After listening to residents, one project I was proud to initiate was that of working to locate ALL voting to Melican Middle School to allow for quick, easy voting, and a savings in Police Detail required at the polls.
What do you see as three issues facing Northborough?
1) An issue that I see facing Northborough is that of determining what we envision to be the character of our community going forward. We are a relatively small community that had a more rural past, but that has evolved into a more suburban and active one, based on our location, and the desire of larger corporations wanting to do business here. 2) Secondly, another issue I see is that of being able to sufficiently identify the components of a happy, safe, and desirable downtown that caters to its residents, and the area as a whole. 3) Though our Board has improved communications to residents, we can always do better in getting the word out, and in eliciting input from residents.
How do you plan to address the issues identified facing Northborough?
1) It is imperative to continue to support the work of the Master Plan implementation Committee (MPIC), which has prioritized downtown improvements, as well as sidewalk improvements in and around town. The members of this committee have worked hard to cull out the needs and desires of the community, and as a Board, we need to support these initiatives. Additionally, however, surveys via the Town Website on a periodic basis, would let the Board of Selectmen, as well as the MPIC, know whether current efforts are on track. 2) Similar to #1 above, we rely on our various committees, including the MPIC, to provide the appropriate information so that the town can move forward on initiatives. But soliciting input from residents on a more regular basis offers the opportunity for other, maybe evolving, perspectives. 3) To improve communication and transparency, we could rely more on social media, improve residents’ ability to access and use the town website, and have hybrid capability for all meetings for improved transparency and involvement
Are you in support of maintaining Northborough’s current single tax rate?
Yes
Please explain your stance on the previous question?
As the community of Northborough, it is extremely important to continue with a single tax rate. To do otherwise serves as a deterrent for businesses either currently in town, or those considering a location here. Continuing to adopt and maintain a single tax rate means that we can attract and encourage desirable businesses. This provides a solid and successful tax base that ultimately offsets residential tax rates.
What are your thoughts on the topic of truck traffic in Northborough?
We have seen a sizeable change in the amount of truck traffic around town, due to these vehicles traveling to/from the large corporations in the Bartlett Street area. Because we have Routes 20 and 135 running through town, and because of easy access to Routes 495 and 290, increased truck traffic is inevitable. However, our Board continues to work with these companies to have drivers routed toward 495, for example, versus through town to Route 20 or 290. We have asked about GPS modifications that route drivers away from residential areas, and have worked to ensure increased directional signage where appropriate. Additionally, as a result of hearing from concerned residents, our Board supported a ‘No Jake Brake’ warrant article at last year’s Town Meeting, and have put a Safety Zone in place at the entrance to ARHS. These initiatives were considered in order to address noise and safety concerns. Moving forward, we need to assess truck traffic elsewhere in town, and I ask that residents forward their concerns to us.
The Master Plan Implementation Committee has been working on plans for the future of the downtown area. What is your vision/priorities for downtown Northborough?
I have always enjoyed our downtown, despite the fact that the intersection of Routes 20 and 135, and Church Street is not ideal. I have asked on numerous occasions for our Town Engineer to work with MA DOT to ensure that the signaling of downtown lights continues to be sequenced properly for the most efficient movement of traffic. That being said, I would like to see a more walkable and bikeable downtown which is certainly a safety initiative as well, due to increased, and increasing, truck and other traffic. But more needs to be done to attract residents and others to our downtown for shopping and restaurants, and for the use of our beautiful Town Common! Looking at viable locations for improved off-street vehicle and bike parking is essential, as are additional, continuous sidewalks to the far ends of the downtown business district. Even if not shopping or getting a coffee or a meal, residents need to have access to good, safe, and reliable parking, walking, and biking.
