Please provide a brief biographical background on yourself. What should voters know about you?
I am a lifelong resident of the town of Hudson where I reside with my eight-year-old son. I have served on the Hudson Municipal Light Board since 2017. Prior to that I served on the Finance Committee for twelve years as well as the Council on Aging, Master Plan Committee, Hudson 150 Committee, and the Executive Search Committee that hired Tom Moses, our last Executive Assistant. During the workday I am employed by Avidia Bank who I have been fortunate to work for nearly 25 years. In my spare time in between youth sporting activities, I volunteer for several local non-profit organizations as a board member and serve as an active member of the Hudson Rotary Club. Lastly, I am a graduate of Hudson Catholic High School and hold a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an MBA from Assumption University.
Why are you running?
As the longest serving member of the Light Board, I feel that I bring a great deal of strength to the committee with my knowledge and experience. Experience that is necessary as we look forward to starting the process of searching for the next General Manager.
I have focused my time on the board to ensure that Hudson Light and Power provides reliable, affordable, and environmentally conscious energy to the ratepayers. I am pleased that Hudson Light’s power is nearly 90% non-greenhouse gas emitting and the rates are among the lowest in Massachusetts and all of New England. I pride myself as an active listener who welcomes feedback and suggestions from others. We have increased rebate opportunities for heat pumps, battery powered lawn equipment and other products due to feedback from the community.
What are the three biggest issues facing the Light Board?
In addition to the immediate need to start the search for the next General Manager, the Hudson Light and Power Department is faced with an aging infrastructure coupled with supply shortages for equipment and material. Ongoing federal and state regulation is focused on decreasing fossil fuels and increasing “cleaner” electricity usage which will increase demand on aged equipment. Secondly, increasing costs associated with transmission continues to tax the operating budget of the department. Lastly, the decrease in power consumption from Intel and Bose has shifted the general operating costs over a smaller number of customers.
If elected, what would you do to address these issues?
I will continue to advocate for capital expenditures and proper planning that are required to meet the expected growth in “all electric” homes, electric cars, and other increased demands. Additionally, with increased demand comes increased transmission costs. As a current member of the board, I have approved the use of existing power generation to lower transmission costs, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. I have advocated in the department capital plan for the development of large battery storage. The battery storage will enable the department to decrease transmission costs as well as serve as backup for emergency personnel. Lastly, I have successfully advocated for re-zoning changes to permit commercial operation of businesses with large electric consumption in various industrial sections of Hudson. Most importantly, I will continue to listen to the feedback of the rate payers of Hudson and Stow to ensure your voice is heard.
