Newburyport Livable Streets, a local advocacy group, asked candidates for their ideas about prioritizing safe walking and cycling throughout the city. Here's the full text of my response to their thoughtful questions.
If elected, what would be your top priorities for improving safety and comfort for people walking and biking in Newburyport? Are there specific locations that you would like the City to focus on in the next few years? Are there specific initiatives or policies you would support?
We have a lot of work ahead of us, and change won’t happen overnight. But I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made in recent years—and with each new project, I’ve learned how to bring people together around solutions that make our streets safer and more welcoming for everyone, no matter how they get around.
Two key areas I’d like the City to prioritize are:
In both cases, I’d like to see a transparent, data-informed process that incorporates meaningful community feedback and results in tangible, equitable improvements.
What do you think the City is doing well in terms of bike and pedestrian facilities and infrastructure? What could be improved?
The City has started to take a more intentional, long-term view of how we maintain and design our streets, thanks in part to advocacy from Newburyport Livable Streets. The five-year roadway and sidewalk plan is a good example—it gives residents confidence that we’re thinking ahead and balancing investments citywide.
A recent success story is the Port Bikeshare program, which I’ve supported since the idea was first proposed. It’s a great complement to our Rail Trail—a generational investment that transformed mobility in Newburyport. The bikeshare will not only help residents get around but also give visitors and day-trippers from the Commuter Rail a new, sustainable way to explore our community.
Looking ahead, we need to improve consistency—especially in areas like curb ramps, crosswalks, and transitions between older and newer sidewalk segments—and adopt a stronger “complete streets” mindset in every project, not just those labeled as such.
Snow and ice can block sidewalks, curb ramps, bus stops, and bike lanes for days, making it difficult for people who walk, roll, bike, or rely on transit to travel safely. Clearing these areas quickly is essential for maintaining year-round accessibility. How do you envision improving accessibility for walkers and bikers during winter weather events?
In my first term as Ward 4 Councilor, I’ve focused on expanding and improving our sidewalk network—because before we can clear snow and ice effectively, we need infrastructure that’s worth maintaining. But I know how challenging winter conditions can be for those traveling on foot, wheelchair, or bike.
First, I would advocate for fully funding our DPS operations so they can meet accessibility goals citywide. Beyond that, I’d like to see us learn from peer communities—whether that’s piloting new clearing technologies, revising our prioritization maps, or partnering with property owners to keep critical connections open. Safety and accessibility shouldn’t depend on the season; they should be non-negotiable, year-round expectations.
Safe walking and biking routes to school help children have the freedom and independence to move around the community and reduce car trips for parents and guardians. Is there anything the City should do to promote safe options for kids walking and biking to school?
We should continue to take advantage of MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School program and make sure we’re completing key projects that support it. In particular, the North Atkinson Street corridor—from Colby Farm Lane to High Street—needs to be addressed comprehensively. The current plan focuses on the lower end, but the upper section is equally important for children and families approaching the Bresnahan School from the other direction.
We should also develop a comprehensive plan for the Nock/Molin–River Valley–Rec Center corridor along Low Street. It’s a vital connector with schools, daycare centers, and recreational destinations, yet it’s also situated on one of the only 35-mph stretches in the city. I’d prioritize the most critical sections of Low Street first, then link them together to create a continuous, safe route over time.
And finally, I have to shout out the Bike Bus—a joyful, community-led example of residents taking initiative and modeling the change we want to see. It captures exactly what makes Newburyport special: neighbors coming together to make our streets safer and more vibrant, one ride at a time.
"2025 Candidates on Walking and Biking in Newburyport", Newburyport Livable Streets, October 19, 2025.