My Platform
Priority 1: Listening
I believe good local governance starts with listening—really listening—to the people who live here. It means doing the homework, asking hard questions, and working through disagreements with respect and transparency. I don’t come in with all the answers, but I do bring a steady commitment to inclusive dialogue and decisions rooted in Carlisle’s values. Especially when issues are complex or contentious, I believe our best outcomes come from clear two-way communication, and building a shared understanding across differences.
Priority 2: Practicality
I bring a practical lens to this work. Carlisle has real housing diversity needs, and I don’t think the Planning Board would serve the town well by proposing MBTA zoning solution(s) that are unworkable by design. Not only would that waste time and energy, it could also backfire if the state reevaluates compliance in the future. I’d rather we take ownership, get it right the first time, and build thoughtful solution(s) that reflect Carlisle’s priorities, goals, needs, and constraints.
Priority 3: Accessible Information
Planning Board discussions can be complex and technical, and it’s easy for residents to feel like they’re coming in mid-conversation. I want to make information easier to follow—whether that’s through plain-language summaries or visualizations, or more opportunities to ask questions along the way. When people understand the tradeoffs and context behind a proposal, they can show up at Town Meeting feeling informed and confident in their vote.
Priority 4: Consensus Building
Good process supports good decisions. This mindset isn’t just theoretical—it comes from my proven experience building consensus across divided stakeholders. Consensus doesn’t mean that everyone (or anyone!) gets their ideal, perfect solution, but it does mean that most folks can look at the proposal and say, “You know what? It’s not perfect, but I can live with it.” That kind of outcome tends to be durable, and it reflects a process that people can trust.
The expandable sections below highlight how I approach the Planning Board’s big challenges and the day-to-day work that will shape Carlisle’s future.
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What the Law Requires. As an ‘Adjacent Small Town’, Carlisle must zone for 95 multi-family housing units with a minimum 15 units/acre density. The town is currently in interim compliance as we work toward a solution, with a December 2025 deadline for passing a zoning bylaw that complies with the mandate. It’s important to remember that zoning something doesn’t necessarily mean it will be built right away, to the full extent allowed, or possibly at all.
A Challenge—and an Opportunity. The MBTA Communities Act wasn’t Carlisle’s idea—and I understand why it feels frustrating. No one likes being told what to do. People have a lot of concerns about what it could mean for Carlisle — especially the impacts the mandate might have on our water supply, traffic, historic resources, environmental sustainability, abutters, open space, town services, taxes, and more.
At the same time, Carlisle isn’t insulated from the state’s housing shortage. More than 20% of our homeowners—and nearly 70% of our renters—are cost-burdened. Carlisle’s median home value is $1.4 million, and over 90% of our housing stock is single-family homes. We have very few choices for people at different life stages or income levels, such as our seniors, young adults, teachers, first responders, other town employees and longtime neighbors. So the housing shortage isn’t just someone else’s issue—it’s ours, too. In that spirit, we could treat the mandate as a meaningful opportunity to address housing diversity in Carlisle. Complying with the mandate doesn’t have to mean losing what we love—it could mean responsibly expanding who can share in it.
The Planning Board’s role—and mine. Voters will ultimately decide whether to adopt any zoning proposal at the Fall Town Meeting—but the Planning Board plays a critical role in shaping what gets brought forward. I see that responsibility as one of honest, practical stewardship: to contribute to a rigorous, well-informed process that results in a good-faith recommendation for how Carlisle can comply with state law. I don’t believe it’s helpful—or respectful to the town—to propose a version designed to fail. If we put forward a zoning plan, it should be one that we believe could work for Carlisle if adopted. Even if residents ultimately vote it down, they deserve a clear, serious option that reflects rigorous analysis and thought.
Be sure to read the FAQ page for more information about the Act.
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What the Law Requires. The Affordable Homes Act of 2024 requires towns to allow a ‘Protected Use ADU’ (up to 900 square feet) by right on single-family zoned parcels. That sounds like a big change that will have major impacts in Carlisle. Could this law effectively double Carlisle’s housing stock?
What History Tells Us. Historically Carlisle has allowed ADUs by special permit—and neither homeowners nor developers have rushed to build them. Only 32 homeowners have built an ADU in 40 years, and only 9 of them have been 900 sqft or less. This low local demand combined with the high cost of building an ADU leads me to believe that a surge in ADU construction in Carlisle — by a homeowner or a developer — is unlikely even under the new law.
How the Proposed Bylaw Protects Carlisle’s Character. To ensure that Protected Use ADUs fit with Carlisle’s character, the Planning Board’s draft ADU bylaw (on the warrant for May's Town Meeting), will require site plan review, impose use and dimensional regulations, and encourage design standards that are appropriate to the character of the neighborhood.
Where ADUs and MBTA May Intersect. The Planning Board will need to keep an eye on how proposed MBTA Communities Act zoning might overlap with parcels affected by the new ADU law. It’s important to understand the implications of any places where the two might conflict or complicate each other.
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The Planning Board’s routine responsibilities—permitting, site plan review, and public hearings—are essential to Carlisle’s quality of life. I’m committed to approaching those duties with the same care, fairness, and transparency I bring to the bigger-picture issues.