Here are a few of the issues I would address as your
Ward 9 City Councillor…
RATS! Trash, litter, and rats are the most frequently mentioned issues when I am out knocking on doors and talking to neighbors. Here’s what we can do.
Replace all of the open barrels in the downtown and all public parks with Big Belly solar powered trash compactors (or similar rat proof receptacles). They keep the trash in and the rats out, and have proven to be effective in reducing rats in other communities.
Make the code enforcement officer in Public Works that handles trash violations 100% code enforcement. Currently they spend 50% of their time on other public works related duties.
Have a code enforcement position devoted to inspection/enforcement related to dumpsters. Overflowing dumpsters are a major contributor to the rat problem.
I led the charge for the blue recycling carts. It's time to have a discussion about similar carts for trash. This would have to be implemented in such a way as to not negatively impact residents (i.e. free carts, extra carts, free pickup).
TRAFFIC CALMING. I will push to utilize traffic calming measures on our residential streets. Traffic calming consists of physical design and other measures put in place on existing roads to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. For example, vertical deflections (speed humps, speed tables, and raised intersections), horizontal shifts, and roadway narrowing are intended to reduce speeds and enhance safety. The City of Waltham Traffic Master Plan calls for such measures, but there has been little movement in that direction. If elected, I will push the Traffic Commission to implement appropriate traffic calming measures where they are needed!
MORE OPEN SPACE & TREES! During my tenure on the City Council I voted to acquire open space totaling over 389 acres of land. I led the effort to acquire a portion of an abandoned railroad line and turn it into Chemistry Station Park. If elected, I will push to acquire the vacant riverfront property at 67 Crescent Street, a property that is cited four (4) times in the City of Waltham Master Plan as an important target for acquisition for open space and increased public access to the Charles River. I believe, in some areas, we could improve our management and maintenance of our open spaces. I support Waltham’s Open Space & Recreation Plan which states that we need to have collaboration across City Departments and clear communication between them to have successful stewardship of Waltham’s open space and recreation lands. In addition, I support a forestry management plan with specific actions to increase the total number of trees and to reduce the “heat islands” in South Waltham.
I want our City to better utilize technology to promote transparency, responsiveness, and accountability in local government, and to move Waltham forward!
I have always been a strong proponent of greater and more effective use of technology in local government. For example, I led the charge for adoption of the “pay by space” parking system and the related technology upgrades that now provide for convenient payment by credit card or phone app in all of our municipal parking lots. Now I want to use technology to make our local government more open, responsive, and accountable to residents.
Waltham’s current “OpenGov” system allows the public to see budgetary and expenditure information at the aggregate data level, and to produce their own reports, charts, and graphs. That’s nice as far as it goes, but the public deserves more. It’s your money that is being spent. You have the right to look at the checkbook! I propose the implementation of an open records platform that offers transparency into the finances of our City, similar to the state’s “CTHRU” program, that allows the public to view spending at a transactional level. For example, you could easily query the system to find out how much money the City spent in the last 5 years with XYZ Company and what those payments were for. Under state law these are public records. You should have this information at your fingertips!
The City of Waltham should also have a mobile application that allows residents to report non-emergency issues to their municipal government, such as the Commonwealth Connect smartphone app created by the City of Boston with the company SeeClickFix, which is used by over 60 communities including Lexington and Newton. This app empowers residents to report issues, identify repair needs, share feedback, and ask questions of their local government leaders. For local government, it powers efficient and transparent workflows, fostering accountability and trust. The result is collaborative experiences between the City and its residents that co-create a clean, safe, and happy community. Most communities in the state already have this or a similar app. It’s time for Waltham to get with the times.
Finally, all meeting notices, agendas, minutes and supporting documents for the City Council and all local boards and commissions should be posted on the City website in a timely manner and in a searchable format. This will require electronic submission of all documents. However, residents shouldn’t have to read through a 325 page document to find the one thing they are actually looking for. Public information should be easy to find and read.
Please contact me if you have any questions about my position on these or other issues or concern!