[Editor’s note: This spring, Southborough voters will be able to choose among three candidates for two seats on the Select Board. To help you make that decision, each candidate is invited to submit one letter to readers promoting their campaign.
As in past years, you may use comments to endorse the candidate. No mudslinging allowed here.]
To the Editor:
My name is Kathy Cook and I am a candidate for re-election to the Select Board on May 13th. This will be my second term on the Select Board.
My husband and I have lived in Southborough since 1990 where we raised our daughter. We moved to Southborough due to my husband’s job at Chipcom which moved to Southborough from Waltham in 1991. I am a tax accountant and established my practice in Southborough in 2004.
Before my election to the Select Board I served on the Town’s Capital Committee and then its Advisory Committee. As a member of both the Select Board and the Advisory Committee I served on other committees as those Board’s and Committee’s representative. I am the Select Board liaison to the town’s private schools.
I have also been involved in several of the charitable organizations that support certain Town Departments and Committees – most notably the charity that supports our Youth and Family Services department. That involvement has given me insight into the needs of some of our residents that I would not have had otherwise.
Why I Am Running for Re-Election
Simple answer – I don’t think the job I started three years ago is done. It takes time to get large projects completed and there are a few that I would like to see successfully completed over the next three years. I still have the energy and time to serve another term.
What Are the Issues I Want to Continue Focusing on
My top issue is expanding the commercial property tax base with additional commercial taxable properties to alleviate the pressure currently felt by single family households. It is difficult to find ways to significantly reduce our current budget due to the budget’s structural impediments (fixed costs, salaries determined by collective bargaining agreements and significant state mandated retirement benefits). We therefore need to expand the tax base. The current Select Board is working hard on ways to do just that.
Second and not far behind and related is to add more affordable housing in Southborough. Real affordable housing. Houses that cost $300k to $500k. And more rental apartments that allow residents to sell their houses and still live here. The average value of a house in Southborough is approaching $1MM which makes Southborough difficult for many to afford. We need to strive to find ways to allow those that live in Southborough to prosper here and to allow others to move to Southborough.
And third but just as important is the focus on our senior population. By 2030 demographic studies we have recently undertaken for the Neary School project indicate that our senior population will be close to thirty percent of the total Southborough census. The senior group is getting larger and living longer. We need to provide appropriate services to our seniors. Our Senior Center does an excellent job with a relatively small budget. We need to continue to assess the needs of our seniors and respond appropriately.
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I ask for your vote on May 13th.
Kathy Cook
Kcook@fusiongroupinc.com
11 Graystone Way
