My Priorities

• Lessen the burden on property taxpayers by prioritizing external funding sources – like grants, partnerships, and state/federal dollars – before greenlighting major projects.
• Bring engineering and budgeting experience to the table to make smart, cost-effective decisions.
• Require each department to validate proposed budgets with supporting data and clear justifications for any line items above a set threshold.
• Explore contracting a new financial auditor periodically – not the same one every year – to ensure independent review and build public trust.
• Have the courage to say no to projects that don’t make long-term financial sense for the town.

• Support street projects that prioritize walkability, safety, and also that are appropriate for the neighborhood in which they are in.
• Advocate for better coordination with state agencies like MaineDOT to avoid wasteful or out-of-touch projects.
• Build projects that attract more business and therefore external revenue sources (not from residents).
• Ensure our town tracks the age and condition of roads, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure – and makes that information public and accessible through the town’s existing GIS system.
• Use this data to support long-term, transparent capital planning that residents can understand, follow, and provide feedback on.

• Champion homegrown businesses and remove red tape for small startups and sole proprietors.
• Expand third spaces and mixed-use zones to support new ideas, not just storefronts.
• Help South Berwick attract and retain people of all generations including young families and creative workers.
• Recognize that investing in a strong, walkable downtown helps the whole town — by growing the tax base, supporting local jobs, and reducing pressure on residential property taxes in all neighborhoods, tying into my number one priority to spend smarter and budget more wisely.

• Modernize and standardize the town’s zoning ordinances, code enforcement procedures, and related financial systems.
• Ensure our regulations are clear, consistent, and aligned with the way people live and build today.
• Make the permitting and review process more predictable and user-friendly for residents and small-scale developers.
• Leverage form-based approaches to ensure we grow our urban areas in a smart manner.

• Push for better digital communication and clearer notices on issues that affect neighborhoods
• Ensure existing contracts are subject to competitive bidding and that operating funds aren’t misused for capital projects that deserve long-term planning and public review
• Review and modernize the town’s general ledger accounts so financial reports accurately reflect the town’s position and can be easily generated and shared with the public
• Support stronger financial oversight through a clear revision of the town’s procurement procedures, with defined standards for how decisions are made and funds are allocated
• Always listen first, trust but verify, and be humble and honest.