Progress Together: My Vision for Newburyport’s Future

When I first ran for City Council my goal was to bring a level-headed, collaborative approach to local government—one that cuts through gridlock and focuses on real solutions for residents–and I have remained committed to this goal throughout my tenure as Ward 4 Councilor. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together and humbled by the support of my ward neighbors. But the challenges facing our city are bigger than one neighborhood, and that’s why I’m running for an at-large seat: to make sure Newburyport is a community where we can all thrive, today and for generations to come.

Looking ahead, I see three key priorities that will shape my work in the next term:

Smart Investments

We can’t ignore the pressing needs of our aging infrastructure, but I will always be mindful of the costs we ask residents to bear. That means focusing on smart, forward-looking investments that protect our future while keeping finances in check.

• Protecting our water supply: We need to prioritize the Upper and Lower Artichoke Reservoirs, the Indian Hill Reservoir, and replacement of the pump station at the Lower Artichoke Dam.
• Wastewater resilience: Strengthening the operations of our Waste Water Treatment Facility is critical to ensuring clean water and a healthy river.
• Funding responsibly: By leveraging state and federal grants and climate resilience investments, we can offset taxpayer costs. I’ll continue to press our Water & Sewer Commission to craft sensible, phased rate increases that build our Enterprise funds and prepare us for future borrowing.
  
  
  

  

Affordability & Opportunity

Newburyport is a wonderful place to live—but it is becoming harder and harder for families, seniors, and young people to maintain or put down roots here. We need policies that create opportunity while protecting the character of our city.

• Housing variety: Expanding zoning to allow by-right multi-family housing in appropriate areas, alongside a healthy mix of single- and two-family homes and mixed-use developments.
• Protecting starter homes: Identifying creative ways to ensure the preservation and availability of smaller, more affordable homes, including exploring a “starter home district.”
• Rental protections: Safeguarding our rental inventory and ensuring inclusionary zoning policies maximize affordability in new development.
  
  

Safe, Welcoming Neighborhoods

Every resident deserves to feel safe walking down their street, biking to school, or gathering with neighbors. Building stronger, safer neighborhoods takes both smart design and enforcement.

• Traffic safety: Supporting Marshal Simons and the Newburyport Police Department’s “Operation Safe Speed” initiative to reduce speeding and reckless driving.
• Community voice: Continuing to meet with neighbors directly and ensuring City Hall is responsive to their concerns.
• Street design: Partnering with the Department of Public Services to integrate safety-focused design into future streets and sidewalks projects—ensuring that our streets are safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.

Moving Forward Together

These priorities reflect what I’ve heard from residents across the city: we want to preserve what makes Newburyport special while preparing wisely for the future. As your At-Large City Councilor, I will continue to listen, problem-solve, and focus on practical leadership that gets things done.

Together, we can build a more resilient, affordable, and welcoming Newburyport.